Effective Bible reading
By Bill D. Oakley, Emporia Church of Christ
Friday, February 20, 2009
What has happened to Bible reading?
The practice of reading and studying the Bible is diminishing in spite of the increase of translations and the availability of helpful study aids. This is alarming in that many of our churches are using less and less Scripture in sermons and class studies.
It will always be essential that individuals do their “homework.” It is the only way we can study the Bible with depth and intensity. You might be amazed at the enormous volume of wonderful material you can cover in a year’s time by devoting only 30 minutes a day to serious Bible reading and study. This 182 hours of spiritual exercise would be of tremendous persona l value. Of course an hour a day would double the pleasure.
But, why is Bible reading and study important?
The Bible is the only Holy Spirit-inspired book that tells us about God our creator, His divine nature and His love for mankind. It contains the sacred history of God’s dealings with the Patriarchs (Genesis), Jews (Exodus, Malachi, Matthew, John) and Christians (Acts through Revelation). Only in the Bible do we find trusted guidance for life, death and eternity. Its pages are filled with teachings, examples and principles which will help us with life’s problems and trials. Read Psalms 1 and 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10; Hebrews 11). And, last, but not least, the New Testament tells us how God saves us (John. 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; 10:9-17).
These tips will aid and encourage you in your search of scripture.
• Context. Always study the surrounding verses of any passage before trying to interpret its meaning. Vital questions to ask yourself include: Who is speaking? To whom do these words apply? When did this take place? Why are these things happening or being said? Read Scripture as you would any other writing. Words have precise meaning. They are not magical and do not take on different meaning each time you read them. They mean the same to everyone who reads them. You can understand what you read. See Ephesians 3:3-6.
• Prophecy. When reading prophecies ask those “context” questions (above). And ask yourself: Is this prophecy Messianic, national, individual or world-wide? This may surprise you but most Old Testament prophecies were for Israel and were fulfilled by the end of the Old Testament.
What was future to the Jews is not future to us. Their“generation” is not ours. The prophecies regarding the “restoration” and “glory of Israel” were fulfilled in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
Those about the Messiah, his kingdom (the church) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Daniel’s abomination of desolation) were all fulfilled in the first century. The prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled by the first of the second century.
The only remaining prophecies to be fulfilled are the Second Coming of Christ, the general resurrection, the true “rapture,” the judgment of the wicked, the end of the world and eternal life. All of this will happen simultaneously, in the twinkling of an eye (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).
• Literal or figurative language? Expect every word to be literal unless there is clear evidence that the writer is using symbolism or figurative speech. If the symbols are vital to us God explains them. Salvation or joy does not depend upon understanding every figurative word. Try to get the overall message.
• Chronology. The books of the Bible are arranged by groups and not in proper chronological order. I don’t have space to discuss this here but I have prepared a four-page study guide that will allow you to study the Bible in chronological order. That will aid you in keeping events, people and prophecy in their proper sequence. I will send this free by e-mail to anyone requesting it.
For your own happiness, peace of mind and hope in eternal life, please become a regular student of the Word of God. Why not clip this article and place it in your Bible.
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from Bill D. Oakley, minister of Emporia Church of Christ. E-mail him at Boakley1@cox.net.