How to Study the Bible in 3 Basic Steps?

The best way to build a deeper and stronger relationship with God is to get to know and understand Him better. To accomplish this, you need to read carefully the book that He has written – the Bible – which contains all of the commandments and plans that He has for mankind. The Bible, in essence, is God’s way of communicating with you. Almost everything that you need to know about God and His plan for your life is already manifested in the Holy Scripture. Therefore, if you want to establish a deeper and stronger connection with God, then you must study the Bible. Studying the Bible means more than just reading it. To understand the message of God clearly and completely, you need to absorb the things written in His book.

David Murdoch, an author who has read and studied the Bible most of his life, emphasizes the importance of thoroughly studying the Holy Scripture in his book The Bible was not Written in English. This easy to understand Bible guide by David Murdoch aims to teach people how to read the Word of God in the most accurate and reasonable way. It is a simple but compelling book that tries to answer all of the questions that you might have always wondered about as a Christian. If you want to learn more about the Bible, then you should certainly read David Murdoch’s easy to understand Bible guide. To help you begin your Bible study journey, below are the most basic steps in studying the Holy Scripture.

Observe what is written

Observation is the first and foremost step in studying the Bible. Observation basically means carefully looking at both what is written in the Bible and how it is written. When you study the Bible, you need to do more than surface reading. You need to analyze each and every word that is written, and examine the bigger message that a passage is trying to convey.

Specifically, you need to pay close attention to these things: terms being used, emphasis, repetition of a term or concept, cause and effect statements, structure, and the overall atmosphere of the writing. Oftentimes, these elements have a great bearing on the message of a certain passage. More so, in studying the Bible, you also need to always keep these questions in mind: Who are the people in the passage? What is happening in the passage? Where is the story taking place? When is it happening? Paying attention to these details is important when it comes to matters of context. By carefully observing what and how things are written in the Bible, you are saving yourself from the possibility of misinterpretation.

Interpret the meaning

After observing the what’s and how’s of the Bible, the next thing that you should do is to interpret. Interpretation basically means discovering the meaning of a passage. It entails reflecting upon the main thought or idea of the author in order to understand what is being said in a particular passage.

When interpreting a passage in the Bible, you might need to look into these things: context (the underlying circumstances of the story), culture (the cultural context of the author), cross-references (what the passages or scriptures say about the same things, and conclusion (your preliminary understanding and statement on the meaning of a passage). Considering these clues can help you determine and pinpoint the main message of a Biblical passage.

Apply what you study

This is the most important step in studying the Bible – determining how its lessons and messages can be applied to your life. In essence, application is the reason why you study the Bible. You read and absorb the words written in the Holy Scripture because you want your life to change. You want to become more obedient and grow closer to God.

So, after observing, interpreting, and understanding the Bible, you need to find a way to apply everything that you have learned in your everyday life. To accomplish this, you need to put into practice what God has taught you in your study. This might not be easy at first. However, if you constantly practice what you learn, you will soon grow accustom to the kind of life that God wants you to have.

Overall, studying the Bible means deeply understanding the things that are written in it. It requires you to not just read the words of God, but also absorb and apply them in your everyday life. In general, studying the Bible saves you from forming any misconception about God. The easy to understand Bible guide by David Murdoch, particularly, points out that having a deeper study of the Bible erases the confusions surrounding the things written in it. Most importantly, studying the Bible gives you the opportunity to know more about God. If you truly want to build a deep and strong connection with God, then you should definitely study the book that He Himself has made.