For the Christian, Bible study is not optional. Just as we starve physically, when we don't eat, we starve spiritually when we live from earthly bread alone. The Christian will want to study God's Word. Those who have been born again by the Word, will return to the Word for food. They will desire "its sincere milk." They will find it an instrument for "growth" (1 Pet. 2:2), and who wants to stay small?
1. Plan a manageable routine. This routine will not be the same for everyone.
Everyone should devise a routine that puts them in the Word, regularly and
effectively. Consistency is key to success. Clearly, it is fruitless to make a
plan that is impossible to keep up long-term. If you are single or older, you
probably will have more time than a parent of young children would.
2. Have a back-up plan. Perhaps you plan to study the Bible in the morning
before others get up. However, something gets in the way, try to make up for it
later, for example at night or over lunch. If at the end of a busy week, you
have fallen behind, try to use the Sabbath to catch up.
3. Exercise your understanding. Too often we are content to let our eyes glide over
the words and if there is something that we recognize, we may pause and take it
in, but otherwise we continue on. However, we should aim to understand the
meaning of each verse and passage. We need to pay attention to the context. We
need to think about the style and purpose of the text. We should stop often and
ask the question: What does the gist of this verse or this passage? What are
its implications? How can I be obedient to this?
4. Seek out a good Bible study with others. The obvious place to start is with your
church. Often there are Bible
studies for women, or men, or any an adult Bible class. Study the material beforehand so you
can get more out of it. Such Bible
studies can help you learn from others and keep you accountable. Sometimes
there are also Bible studies in the community. Of course, you need to make sure the Bible study has a sound
basis, and a solid leader. Look for
a study that is not just feelings-based but where Reformed truth is recognized
as truth. As fallen creatures whose understanding is flawed, we need more than
just our feelings to guide us.
5. Use sound and faithful helps, when you need
guidance. The Ethiopian eunuch
needed Philip as a guide into the Scriptures. We live in a day when there are
more good Bible study materials and commentaries than ever before in the
history of the world. Have a few trusted sources like Matthew Henry, Matthew
Poole, John Calvin, J. C. Ryle, and others to help guide you when you have
questions.
6. Take notes. Consider keeping a spiritual journal with notes about the passage.
Some of the things you could write down are the meaning of the chapter, any
questions you may have, any specific verses you wish to memorize, or the
lessons you are taking away. The next time you speak with a friend or minister,
you could even ask him some of the questions for which you have not been able
to find an answer. You can also expand this journal with other things that you
wish to remember about your day. You could jot things God has brought you in
His providence, the names of people for whom you wish to intercede, etc. The
Puritans understood the idea of "counting our days" (Ps. 90:12) to imply that
we should take stock of what God has taught us and brought to us each and every
day. For that reason, many of them kept a kind of spiritual diary.
7. Continue meditating throughout the day. It is very fruitful to take a thought and verse and
meditate on it for the rest of the day while you are driving, walking, or
working. When Psalm 1 says that the godly man meditates day and night, it doesn't
mean he is reading the Bible every hour of the day and night. Rather, it means
that he reads the Bible regularly, and then ruminates on the truth of it
throughout the day and night, as often and as much as it is possible and
profitable.
May
God grant that we would be serious students of the Word of God.