The first topic in this discipleship class is Bible study because the Bible serves as the foundation of our understanding on which to build a strong relationship with God. Everything we know about God, who He is and His will for us, is found in the Bible.

What is the Bible good for?

Immature believers are like babies or young children – they tend to be dependent on those who led them to Christ. With new believers, for a time it seems this must be, but no believer should stay this way. Just as children must be trained to become mature adults, independent of their parents, so it is with young believers. All of us must transfer our reliance for spiritual growth from other believers to God Himself.

The Bible is spiritual food. It is both milk and solid food. It is nourishment suitable for the mature and immature believer alike:

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

– 1 Peter 2:2

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

– 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

– Hebrews 5:12-14

God’s word is sufficient for you, in whatever stage of spiritual growth you are. As you spend time in God’s word, progressing from milk to meat, you become less dependent on other believers for your spiritual well-being. And this is a good thing, because if you trust any one long enough, he or she will let you down. We all have, not only our obvious failings and weaknesses, but our points of spiritual misunderstanding. While you can and should learn from others, God wants you to be dependent on Him alone.

“And he saw him no more.” 2 Kings 2:12

It is not wrong to depend upon Elijah as long as God gives him to you, but remember that time will come when he will have to go; when he stands no more as your guide and leader, because God does not intend he should. You say – “I cannot go on without Elijah.” God says you must.

… When you get to your wits’ end and feel inclined to succumb to panic, don’t; stand true to God and He will bring His truth out in a way that will make your life a sacrament. Put into practice what you learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.

– Oswald Chambers

Paul says that all scripture is beneficial in four areas:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AKJV)

• TEACHING (doctrine). It is useful for understanding the things of God: What God is like, what He has done, what pleases and displeases Him (Psalms 119:130).
• CONVICTION (reproof). It is useful for pointing out specific areas in your life that displease God. (Hebrews 4:12)
• CORRECTION. It is useful for showing you how your relationship with God is to be restored (Proverbs 6:23).
• INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is useful for showing you how to live to please God. (Psalms 119:9,105, Romans 15:4, 1 Peter 2:2, John 17:17)

All of these are necessary for making you more like Christ.

The Bible tells you about God. You should spend time studying the Bible so that you can know Him better and be better able to serve Him ( Deuteronomy 17:19, Acts 17:11). Don’t study to know about the Bible but to know God.

What is meant by the Bible being “inspired” by God?

While you can know some things about God from what He has created such as His power (Romans 1:20) and His goodness (Acts 14:17), you cannot know Him in more detail, nor can you determine what His will for you is unless He reveals Himself to you in a more direct way. This He has done through the scriptures. The Bible shows you what God is like, and what His will for you is.

It is essential that you recognize that the Bible is God’s word before you go on. If it isn’t, then you can pick and choose what you like from the Bible and leave the rest.

I quote a lot of Christian writers in this class. They have much to say that can help you and I understand the details of what it means to be a disciple. But none of them is perfect, and I’m not perfect either. We all have one or more points of doctrine that are in error. I can quote the good stuff and leave the rest aside, but I can’t do that with the Bible. You and I must accept all of it as true. Why?

The Bible claims to contain the actual words of God:

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

– 2 Peter 1:21

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, …

– Hebrews 1:1

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

– Galatians 1:11-12 (RWEBSTER)

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:13

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

– 1 Corinthians 14:37

“Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.

– Jeremiah 30:2

Inspiration means the Bible was written by men who were under the influence of the Holy Spirit to write what God wanted them to write ( 2 Peter 1:21), therefore everything in the Bible is God’s word. Each word in the Bible was directed by God. You can see this in the details of the way the Bible is worded, such as in spelling and tenses of words. For example:

“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

– Matthew 5:18

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.

– Galatians 3:16

God reveals Himself through the Bible. By reading, studying, and meditating on scripture, anyone can learn what God desires him to know about Him and His will for man.

Because the scriptures are inspired by a perfect and all-powerful God, they are themselves perfect as originally written. God ensured that the writers wrote exactly and only what He wanted them to write (inerrency), and because God is truthful, the scriptures do not promote false doctrine (infallibility).

Bible Study:

The purpose of Bible study and meditation is to know God better, not just to increase your head-knowledge or to live a better life. Study it with this purpose to get the greatest benefit. Read and study the Bible as God speaking to you.

While studying in the Holy Lands, a seminary professor of mine met a man who claimed to have memorized the Old Testament–in Hebrew! Needless to say, the astonished professor asked for a demonstration. A few days late they sat together in the man’s home. “Where shall we begin?” asked the man. ” Psalm 1,” replied my professor, who was an avid student of the psalms. Beginning with Psalm 1:1, the man began to recite from memory, while my professor followed along in his hebrew Bible. For two hours the man continued word for word without a mistake as the professor sat in stunned silence. When the demonstration was over, my professor discovered something even more astonishing about the man–he was an atheist! Here was someone who knew the Scriptures better than most Christians ever will, and yet he didn’t even believe in God.

– Taking The Guesswork Out of Applying The Bible, Jack Kuhatschek, IVP, 1991, p. 16

At the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, pugnacious lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch on it.

The priest took a liking to the boy, persuaded him to attend church school. This was preferable to doing household chores from which his devout parents excused him. By offering other inducements, the priest managed to teach the boy the four Gospels. In fact, he won a special prize for learning all four by heart and reciting them nonstop in church. Now, 60 years later, he still likes to recite Scriptures, but in a context that would horrify the old priest. For the prize pupil, who memorized so much of the Bible, is Nikita Khrushchev, the former Communist czar.

As this anecdote illustrates, the “why” behind memorization is fully as important as the “what”. The same Nikita Khrushchev who nimbly mouthed God’s Word when a child, later declared God to be nonexistent — because his cosmonauts had not seen Him. Khrushchev memorized the Scriptures for the candy, the rewards, the bribes, rather than for the meaning it had for his life. Artificial motivation will produce artificial results.

– Parade Magazine, February 11, 1962.

The following is an excellent guide on how to study your Bible called “Methods of Bible Study”, by R. A. Torrey. Note that what Mr. Torrey calls the “Textbook” is a topical collection of scripture references he put together. A similar useful and popular “textbook” is the chain references found in the Thompson Chain Reference study Bibles.

Methods of Bible Study

by Rev. R. A. Torrey

1.First of all make up your mind that you will put some time every day into the study of the Word of God. That is an easy resolution to make, and not a very difficult one to keep; if the one who makes it is in earnest. It is one of the most fruitful resolutions that any Christian ever made. The forming of that resolution and the holding faithfully to it, has been the turning point in many a life. Many a life that has been barren and unsatisfactory has become rich and useful through the introduction into it of regular, persevering, daily study of the Bible. This study may not be very interesting at first, the results may not be very encouraging; but, if one will keep pegging away, it will soon begin to count as nothing else has ever counted in the development of character, and in the enrichment of the whole life. Nothing short of absolute physical inability should be allowed to interfere with this daily study.

It is impossible to make a rule that will apply to everyone as to the amount of time that shall be given each day to the study of the Word. I know many busy people, including not a few laboring men and women, who give an hour a day to Bible study, but if one cannot give more than fifteen minutes a great deal can be accomplished. Wherever it is possible the time set apart for the work should be in the daylight hours. The very best time is in the early morning hours. If possible lock yourself in with God alone.

2.Make up your mind to study the Bible. It is astounding how much heedless reading of the Bible is done. Men seem to think that there is some magic power in the book, and that, if they will but open its pages and skim over its words, they will get good out of it. The Bible is good only because of the truth that is in it, and to see this truth demands close attention. A verse must often-times be read and re-read and read again before the wondrous message of love and power that God has put into it begins to appear. Words must be turned over and over in the mind before their full force and beauty takes possession of us. One must look a long time at the great masterpieces of art to appreciate their beauty and understand their meaning, and so one must look a long time at the great verses of the Bible to appreciate their beauty and understand their meaning. When you read a verse in the Bible ask yourself, What does this verse mean? Then ask: What does it mean for me? When that is answered ask yourself again: Is that all it means? and do not leave it until you are quite sure that is all it means for the present. You may come back at some future time and find it means yet a great deal more. If there are any important words in the verse weigh them, look up other passages where they are used, and try to get their full significance. God pronounces that man blessed who “meditates” on the Word of God “day and night.” Psalm 1:2,3. An indolent skimming over a few verses or many chapters in the Bible is not meditation, and there is not much blessing in it. Jeremiah said: “Thy words were found and I did eat them.” (Jeremiah 15:16). Nothing is more important in eating than chewing. If one does not properly chew his food, he is quite as likely to get dyspepsia as nourishment. Don’t let anyone chew your spiritual food for you. Insist on doing it for yourself. Any one can be a student who makes up his mind to. It is hard at first but it soon becomes easy. I have seen very dull minds become keen by holding them right down to the grindstone.

3.Study the Bible topically. Take up the various subjects treated in the Bible, one by one, and go through the Bible and find what it has to say on these subjects. It may be important to know what the great men have to say on important subjects; it is far more important to know what God has to say on these subjects. It is important also to know all that God has to say. A great many people know a part of what God has to say–and usually a very small part–and so their ideas are very imperfect and one-sided. If they only knew all God had to say on the subject, it would be far better for them and for their friends. The only way to know all God has to say on any subject is to go through the Bible on that subject. To do this it is not necessary to read every verse in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It would be slow work, if we had to do that on every subject we took up. This would be necessary were it not for Textbooks and Concordances. But in these we have the results of the hard work of many minds. Here we have the various passages that bear on any subject brought together and classified for use, so that now we can do in a few hours what would otherwise take months or years. The topical method of Bible study is simplest, most fascinating and yields the largest immediate results. It is not the only method of Bible study, and the one who pursues it exclusively will miss much of the blessing God has for him in the Bible. But it is a very interesting and fruitful method of study. It was Mr. Moody’s favorite method. It fills one’s mind very full on any subject studied. Mr. Moody once gave several days to the study of “Grace.” When he had finished he was so full of the subject that he rushed out on the street and going up to the first man he met he said: “Do you know anything about Grace?” “Grace who,” the man asked. “The Grace of God that bringeth salvation.” And then Mr. Moody poured out upon that man the rich treasures he had dug out of the Word of God. That is the way to master any subject and get full of it. Go through the Bible and see what it has to say on this subject. This is easily done. Take your Textbook and turn to the subject. Suppose the subject you desire to study is “Prayer.” There will be found a long list of the various passages of Scripture that bear on this subject. Look them up one after another and study them carefully and see just what their teaching is. When you have gone through them you will know far more about prayer than you ever knew before, and far more than you could learn by reading any books that men have written about prayer, profitable as many of these books are. Sometimes it will be necessary to look up other subjects that are closely related to the one in hand. For example, you wish to study what the teaching of God’s Word is regarding the atonement. In this case you will not only look under the head “Atonement”, but also under the head “Blood”, and under the head “Death of Christ.” To do this work a concordance is not necessary but it is often very helpful. For example, if you are studying the subject “Prayer” you can look up from the concordance the passages that contain the words “pray,” “prayer,” “cry,” “ask,” “call,” “supplication,” “intercession,” etc. But the Textbook will give most of the passages on any subject regardless of what the words used in the passage may be. Other passages will be found in the section on Bible Doctrines under their proper headings.

There are four important suggestions to make regarding Topical Study of the Bible.

First:

Be systematic. Do not take up subjects for study at random. Have a carefully prepared list of the subjects you wish to know about, and need to know about, and take them up one by one, in order. If you do not do this, the probability is that you will have a few pet topics and will be studying these over and over until you get to be a crank about them, and possibly a nuisance. You will know much about these subjects, but about many other subjects equally important you will know nothing. You will be a one-sided Christian.

Second:

Be thorough. When you take up a subject do not be content to study a few passages on this subject, but find just as far as possible every passage in the Bible on this subject. If you find the Textbook incomplete make additions of your own to it.

Third:

Be exact. Find the exact meaning of every passage given in the Textbook on any subject. The way to do this is simple. In the first place note the exact words used. In the next place get the exact meaning of the words used. This is done by finding how the word is used in the Bible. The Bible usage of the word is not always the common use of today. For example, the Bible use of the words “sanctification” and “justification” is not the same as the common use. Then notice what goes before and what comes after the verse. This will oftentimes settle the meaning of a verse when it appears doubtful. Finally see if there are any parallel passages. The meaning of many of the most difficult passages in the Bible is made perfectly plain by some other passages that throws light upon them. Then parallel passages are given in the margin of a good reference Bible and still more fully in “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,” a volume worthy of a place in the library of every Bible student.

Fourth:

Arrange the results of your topical study in an orderly way and write them down. One should constantly use pen and paper in Bible study. When one has gone through the Textbook on any subject, he will have a large amount of material, but he will want to get it into usable shape. The various passages given on any topic in the Textbook are classified, but the classification is not always just the one best adapted to our individual use. Take for example the subject “Prayer.” The classification of texts in the topic is very suggestive, but a better one for some purposes would be:

• Who Can Pray so that God Will Hear?
• To Whom to Pray.
• For Whom to Pray.
• When to Pray.
• Where to Pray.
• For what to Pray.
• How to Pray.
• Hindrances to Prayer.
• The Results of Prayer.

The passages given in the Textbook would come under these heads. It is well to make a trial division of the subject before taking up the individual passages given and to arrange each passage as we take it up under the appropriate head. We may have to add to the divisions with which we began as we find new passages. The best classification of passages for any individual is the one he makes for himself, although he will get helpful suggestions from others.

There are some subjects that every Christian should study and study as soon as possible. We give a list of these:

• Sin
• The Atonement (of the Blood of Christ)
• Justification
• The New Birth
• Adoption
• Sanctification
• Holiness
• Assurance
• The Flesh
• Cleansing
• Faith
• Repentance
• Prayer
• Thanksgiving
• Praise
• Love:
• To God

• To Jesus Christ

• To Christians

• To all men

• The Future Destiny of Believers
• The Future Destiny of the Wicked:
• Punishment of the Wicked

• Death of the Wicked

• The Character of Christ
• The Resurrection of Christ
• The Ascension of Christ
• The Second Coming of Christ:
• The fact, the manner, the purpose, the results, the time

• The Reign of Christ
• The Holy Spirit
• Who and

• What He is;

• His Work

• God
• His Attributes

• and Work

• Grace
• Messianic Prophecies
• The Church
• The Jews
• Joy
• The Judgment
• Life
• Peace
• Perfection
• Persecution

4.Study the Bible by chapters. This method of Bible study is not beyond any person of average intelligence who has fifteen minutes or more a day to put into Bible Study. It will take, however, more than one day to study a chapter if only fifteen minutes a day are set apart for the work.

First:

Select the chapters you wish to study. It is well to take a whole book and study the chapters in their order. The Acts of the Apostles (or the Gospel of John) is a good book to begin with. In time one may take up every chapter in the Bible, but it would not be wise to begin with Genesis.

Second:

Read the chapter for today’s study five times. It is well to read it aloud at least once. The reader sees many things when he reads the Bible aloud that he does not see when he reads silently. Each new reading will bring out some new point.

The noted Bible scholar James M. Gray told a story that underscores the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. He said that when he was a young Bible teacher he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual poise of a friend with whom he often talked. Since Gray wanted that same stability, he asked his companion the secret of his confident bearing and positive outlook. “It all started through reading Ephesians,” said the man. Gray was surprised by this simple response. He had read Ephesians many times but had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. Noticing Fray’s puzzled look, the man explained. “On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. Lying down one afternoon, I read all six chapters. My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times.” He then said, “When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus–a feeling that was new to me.” This testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scriptures for himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with God’s Word so that he could freely and effectively communicate it to others.

– http://www.christianglobe.com/Illustrations

When John G. Mitchell, of Multnomah School of the Bible, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, he heard Dr. G. Campbell Morgan preach. The man knew his text, and young Mitchell was impressed. In fact, he asked the visiting Bible teacher how he understood Scripture so well. “If I told you, you wouldn’t do it,” the older man said. “Just try me,” Mitchell insisted. “Before I study a book, I read it fifty times,” the veteran explained.

– http://www.christianglobe.com/Illustrations/

Third:

Divide the chapters into their natural divisions and find headings for them that describe in the most striking way their contents. For example, suppose the chapter studied is 1 John 5. You might divide in this way:

• The Believer’s Noble Parentage (vs 1-3)
• The Believer’s Glorious Victory (vs 4,5)
• The Believer’s Sure Ground of Faith (vs 6-10)
• The Believer’s Priceless Possession (vs 11,12)
• The Believer’s Blessed Assurance (v 13)
• The Believer’s Unquestioning Confidence (vs 14,15)
• The Believer’s Great Power and Responsibility (vs 16,17)
• The Believer’s Perfect Security (vs 18,19)
• The Believer’s Precious Knowledge (v 20)
• The Believer’s Constant Duty (v 21)

In many cases the natural divisions will be longer than in this chapter.

Fourth:

Note the important differences between the Authorized Version and the Revised and write them in the margin of your Bible.

Fifth:

Write down the leading facts of the chapter in their proper order.

Sixth:

Make a note of the persons mentioned in the chapter and of any light thrown upon their character. For example, your chapter is Acts 16. The persons mentioned are:

• Timothy
• Timothy’s mother
• Timothy’s father
• The brethren at Lystra and Iconium
• Paul
• The Jews of Lystra and Iconium
• The apostles and elders at Jerusalem
• A man of Macedonia
• Luke
• Some women of Philippi
• Lydia
• The household of Lydia
• A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination
• The masters of this damsel
• Silas
• The praetors of Philippi
• The Philippian mob
• The jailor of Philippi
• The prisoners in the Philippian jail
• The household of the jailor
• The lictors of Philippi
• The brethren in Philippi

What light does the chapter throw upon the character of each?

Seventh:

Note the principal lessons of the chapter. It would be well to classify these: e.g., lessons about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, etc., etc.

Eighth:

The Central Truth of the chapter.

Ninth:

The key verse of the chapter if there is one.

Tenth:

The best verse in the chapter. Opinions will differ widely here. But the question is, which is the best verse to you at this present reading? Mark it and memorize it.

Eleventh:

Note the verses that are usable as texts for sermons or talks or Bible readings. If you have time make an analysis of the thought of these verses and write it in the margin, or on the opposite leaf if you have an interleaved Bible.

Twelfth:

Name the chapter. For example, Acts 1 might be called The Ascension Chapter; Acts 2, The Day of Pentecost Chapter; Acts 3, The Lame Man’s Chapter; etc. Give your own names to the chapters. Give the name that sets forth the most important and characteristic feature of the chapter.

Thirteenth:

Note subjects for further study. For example, you are studying Acts 1. Subjects suggested for further study are, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit; The Ascension; The Second Coming of Christ.

Fourteenth:

Words and phrases for further study. For example you are studying John 3, you should look up words and expressions such as, “Eternal life,” “Born again,” “Water,” “Believer,” “The Kingdom of God.”

Fifteenth:

Write down what new truth you have learned from the chapter. If you have learned none, you had better go over it again.

Sixteenth:

What truth already known has come to you with new power?

Seventeenth:

What definite thing have you resolved to do as a result of studying this chapter? A permanent record should be kept of the results of the study of each chapter. It is well to have an interleaved Bible and keep the most important results in this.

5.Study the Bible as the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God, and we get the most good out of any book by studying it as what it really is. It is often said that we should study the Bible just as we study any other book. That principle contains a truth, but it also contains a great error. The Bible, it is true, is a book as other books are books, the same laws of grammatical and literary construction and interpretation hold here as hold in other books. But the Bible is an entirely unique book. It is what no other book is–The Word of God. This can be easily proven to any candid man. The Bible ought then to be studied as no other book is. It should be studied as the Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:13). This involves nine things.

First:

A greater eagerness and more careful and candid study to find out just what it teaches than is bestowed upon any other book or upon all other books. We must know the mind of God; here it is revealed.

Second:

A prompt and unquestioning acceptance of and submission to its teachings when definitely ascertained, even when these teachings appear to us unreasonable or impossible. If this book is the Word of God how foolish to submit its teachings to the criticism of our finite reason. The little boy who discredits his wise father’s statements because to his infant mind they appear unreasonable, is not a philosopher but a fool. When we are once satisfied that the Bible is the Word of God, its clear teachings must be the end of all controversy and discussion.

Third:

Absolute reliance upon all its promises in all their length and breadth and depth and height. The one who studies the Bible as the Word of God will say of every promise no matter how vast and beyond belief it appears, “God who cannot lie has promised this, so I claim it for myself.” Mark the promises you thus claim. Look each day for some new promise from your infinite Father. He has put “His riches in glory” at your disposal. (Philippians 4:19).

Fourth:

Obedience–prompt, exact, unquestioning, joyous obedience–to every command that is evident from the context applies to you. Be on the lookout for new orders from the King. Blessing lies in the direction of obedience to them. God’s commands are but signboards that mark the road to present success and blessedness and to eternal glory.

Fifth:

Studying the Bible as the Word of God, involves studying it as His own voice speaking directly to you. When you open the Bible to study it realize that you have come into the very presence of God and that now He is going to speak to you. Every hour thus spent in Bible study will be an hour’s walk and talk with God.

Sixth:

Study the Bible prayerfully. The author of the book is willing to act as interpreter of it. He does so when we ask Him to. The one who prays with earnestness and faith, the Psalmist’s prayer, “Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law,” will get his eyes opened to see beauties and wonders in the Word that he never dreamed of before. Be very definite about this. Each time you open the Bible to study it for a few minutes or many, ask God to give you the open and discerning eye, and expect Him to do it. Every time you come to a difficulty lay it before God and ask an explanation and expect it. How often we think as we puzzle over hard passages, “Oh if I only had so and so here to explain this.” God is always present. Take it to Him.

Seventh:

Look for “the things concerning Christ” in all the Scriptures. Christ is everywhere in the Bible ( Luke 24:27). Be on the lookout for Him and mark His presence when you find it.

Eighth:

Improve spare moments in Bible study. In almost every man’s life many minutes each day are lost; while waiting for meals or trains, while riding in the car, etc. Carry a pocket Bible or Testament with you and save these golden minutes by putting them to the very best use listening to the voice of God. The Textbook can easily be carried in the pocket as a help in your work.

Ninth:

Store away the Scripture in your mind and heart. It will keep you from sin (Psalm 119:11 RSV), from false doctrine (Acts 20:29,30,32; 2 Timothy 3:13-15), it will fill you heart with joy (Jeremiah 15:16), and peace (Psalm 85:8), it will give you the victory over the Evil One ( 1 John 2:14), it will give you power in prayer (John 15:7), it will make you wiser than the aged and your enemies (Psalm 119:100,98,130) it will make you “complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17 RSV). Try it. Do not memorize at random but memorize Scripture in a connected way. Memorize texts bearing on various subjects in proper order. Memorize by chapter and verse that you may know where to put your finger upon the text if anyone disputes it.

A full description and illustration of various profitable methods of Bible study will be found in Mr. Torrey’s book on “How to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit.”

In addition of Mr. Torrey’s suggestions, I’d like to mention some useful items to have in your library:

More than one translation of the Bible:

When a passage is hard to understand, another translation may make the meaning clearer. I recommend a literal version plus a paraphrase (or semi-paraphrase). Literal versions (i.e. King James, New American Standard) more closely follow the original languages but may be harder to understand. Paraphrases (i.e. New Living Translation) and semi-paraphrases (i.e. New International Version) read easier and can make some meanings easier to understand, but they can also obscure some other important meanings and make word studies more difficult.

Bible dictionary:

This comes in very useful with theological words such as ‘immutable’, ‘sanctification’, ‘propitiation’, etc. One useful dictionary is “Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary”, which details the meanings of the major words found in the Bible. It is important to understand the original meanings of words found in the Bible, because their meanings might have some subtle (or not so subtle) differences than what is apparent from their usage today. This is especially true of Bible translations using archaic language.

Exhaustive concordance:

A concordance is an index that helps you find a verse when you know a word or phrase in the verse. Many Bibles include a concordance in the back but list only a comparatively few words and references. An exhaustive concordance lists all of the words in the Bible and every verse where they are found. Strong’s is the most common and well-known. Each word is given a number identifying the original greek or hebrew word, which you can use to reference it’s meaning in the dictionary that is included at the end of the concordance. Strong’s is based on the King James version. There are other concordances available for other versions.

The New Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge:

The “New Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge” lists cross-references for virtually every major word in every verse in the Bible. It also indicates the type of cross-reference, such as prophecy or prophecy fulfillment. This is very useful for finding Bible passages relating to the one you are studying. Other very useful information is also included to help you understand important biblical words and concepts.

Manners and Customs of Bible Times:

Explains the cultural background that the Bible was written in. Some hard-to-understand passages become clearer when seen in the light of middle-eastern culture. For example, in John 15:2 Jesus says “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away.” Some people take this to mean that you can lose your salvation. The true meaning is understood from how a husbandman would care for the vine. A branch lying on the ground would not bear fruit, so he would take it away from the ground to put it into a position more favorable to fruit-bearing. God does the same with us, putting us into better fruit-bearing positions.

Commentaries:

These are the result of other people’s Bible study. You should not treat commentaries as Cliff-Notes on the Bible. Study the Bible yourself. When your study is complete, then go to a commentary to confirm the results of your study or to look for help with a tough passage. Remember that commentaries do not always cover all the meanings of a passage, and they reflect the doctrinal bias of the author.

Computer Bible:

Computerized Bibles are available which include the ability to search for any words or phrases. The Online Bible (“The Word”) is a freeware program that not only includes many different translations, but a large library of study aids (Torrey’s New Topical Textbook and the Thompson chain references, a dictionary, lexicons, commentaries, maps, and much more).

Try to read and study your Bible without preconceived bias – as if you have not read it before. Let the Bible speak for itself. Ask yourself questions based on the common interrogatives: who, when, where, what, how, and why. Examine actions and consequences. As you do, you’ll find some passages have deeper (and sometimes different) meanings from what you thought.

I recommend starting with the books of John and Romans. John’s gospel presents Jesus’ earthly ministry in light of His deity. Romans covers the basics of justification by faith, walking in the Spirit, and practical Christian living.