| The CROWN of CHRIST - Understanding the Times in the Light of Scripture |
| The SEVEN SECRETS of SCRIPTURE STUDY |
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Why do you read the Bible? For information? For fun? We should seek to
profit from God's Word by careful study.
1. PRAY. Ask God to teach you His laws, help you understand His Word,
and lead you to put into practice the things that you learn. Prayer should be
a regular habit of every Bible student.
2. MAKE IT A HABIT. Most of us are not called to be pastors or theologians.
Our obligations may keep us very busy. But each should find time to read
the Bible every day. Once you choose a routine, stick to it! (But don't be
superstitious about it; what you can't fit in today you can finish tomorrow.)
profit from God's Word by careful study.
1. PRAY. Ask God to teach you His laws, help you understand His Word,
and lead you to put into practice the things that you learn. Prayer should be
a regular habit of every Bible student.
2. MAKE IT A HABIT. Most of us are not called to be pastors or theologians.
Our obligations may keep us very busy. But each should find time to read
the Bible every day. Once you choose a routine, stick to it! (But don't be
superstitious about it; what you can't fit in today you can finish tomorrow.)
change us, and we should let it. Let the Bible teach you the truth. Let it increase your knowledge so that you
can avoid false teaching. Let it correct you and chase you away from bad behavior. The Bible will also
comfort you and give you real hope.
4. APPLY THE BIBLE TO EVERYTHING. God's word may be rich with spiritual meaning - yet it is a plain
history of the real world. Don't treat God's Word as if it is only a "religious" book.
A. Religion and worship are outlined in the Bible. It tells us to have faith in God the Three Persons: Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn how humans were created, how we fell into sin, and how we may be
saved. We learn about Church government and the sacraments. And we are warned about the conclusion of
history: God's judgement of all men, whether wicked or good.
B. Politics and government are also found in the Bible. How can you tell a good leader from an evil one? Is
war ever necessary? What makes a nation prosperous or poor? How does a good citizen behave? Read the
Bible to find out.
C. Families and households are also either godly or wicked. In the Bible you will find instructions for
husbands, wives, parents and children. Each of us can learn how to be a good family member if we pay
careful attention to God's Word.
D. Private life is not too private to escape God's law. The Bible is the only perfect self-fulfillment book every
written. It can teach you about wisdom, love, seriousness and true joy. It can warn you of pride and
selfishness. You will learn much about how to a truly successful and ethical person.
E. Society is also discussed in God's Word. Why are rich people rich, and poor people poor? Why work
hard? What makes a person special to others? The answer is in the Bible.
5. REJECT BAD INTERPRETATIONS. Wicked fools, most of whom never read the Bible, will tell you that it can
mean whatever people make of it. God's Word is much more clear than that. Be honest as you read, it means
what it says. When you find a difficult passage that might mean more than one thing, avoid any meaning that
does not fit with the Creeds or the Ten Commandments. The interpretation that doesn't "make the Bible
contradict itself" is the right interpretation.
6. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. Don't be sloppy with God's Word. Be careful about it. How does the
grammar fit together? Does the historical time period help explain the passage? Does the text use figures of
speech? What do other parts of the Bible say about the same topic or event? Invest the time to study as you
read.
7. RELY ON HELP FROM OTHERS. No Bible student should be a free spirit. Caution is better than creativity
when God's truth is at stake. Talk to mature Christians about your reading. If you can, listen to sermons and
read commentaries. But be a critical thinker. Make sure that what they claim fits with the Bible.
The Bible is a guidebook to life, the universe and everything. It is our Maker's handbook for how to function
according to His specifications. Time spent sincerely studying it is never wasted. {This summary is based on
that by T. Grashop in the Geneva Bible.}
can avoid false teaching. Let it correct you and chase you away from bad behavior. The Bible will also
comfort you and give you real hope.
4. APPLY THE BIBLE TO EVERYTHING. God's word may be rich with spiritual meaning - yet it is a plain
history of the real world. Don't treat God's Word as if it is only a "religious" book.
A. Religion and worship are outlined in the Bible. It tells us to have faith in God the Three Persons: Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn how humans were created, how we fell into sin, and how we may be
saved. We learn about Church government and the sacraments. And we are warned about the conclusion of
history: God's judgement of all men, whether wicked or good.
B. Politics and government are also found in the Bible. How can you tell a good leader from an evil one? Is
war ever necessary? What makes a nation prosperous or poor? How does a good citizen behave? Read the
Bible to find out.
C. Families and households are also either godly or wicked. In the Bible you will find instructions for
husbands, wives, parents and children. Each of us can learn how to be a good family member if we pay
careful attention to God's Word.
D. Private life is not too private to escape God's law. The Bible is the only perfect self-fulfillment book every
written. It can teach you about wisdom, love, seriousness and true joy. It can warn you of pride and
selfishness. You will learn much about how to a truly successful and ethical person.
E. Society is also discussed in God's Word. Why are rich people rich, and poor people poor? Why work
hard? What makes a person special to others? The answer is in the Bible.
5. REJECT BAD INTERPRETATIONS. Wicked fools, most of whom never read the Bible, will tell you that it can
mean whatever people make of it. God's Word is much more clear than that. Be honest as you read, it means
what it says. When you find a difficult passage that might mean more than one thing, avoid any meaning that
does not fit with the Creeds or the Ten Commandments. The interpretation that doesn't "make the Bible
contradict itself" is the right interpretation.
6. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. Don't be sloppy with God's Word. Be careful about it. How does the
grammar fit together? Does the historical time period help explain the passage? Does the text use figures of
speech? What do other parts of the Bible say about the same topic or event? Invest the time to study as you
read.
7. RELY ON HELP FROM OTHERS. No Bible student should be a free spirit. Caution is better than creativity
when God's truth is at stake. Talk to mature Christians about your reading. If you can, listen to sermons and
read commentaries. But be a critical thinker. Make sure that what they claim fits with the Bible.
The Bible is a guidebook to life, the universe and everything. It is our Maker's handbook for how to function
according to His specifications. Time spent sincerely studying it is never wasted. {This summary is based on
that by T. Grashop in the Geneva Bible.}