Bible Study

Many are content just to read the Bible. But many others are very serious about Bible study. For them the Bible has such value and depth that it is not enough just to read.

Those who are serious about Bible study often use other information to help them get to grips with what the background to the text and the language used. Such helps include:

• A Bible atlas – with maps showing where events happened and showing places that have since changed their names.
• A Bible dictionary – explaining words that may be unfamiliar due to them being from another time or culture.
• A Bible concordance – listing significant places in the Bible where a word or phrase can be found.
• A Bible commentary – giving the views of theologians and experts on the background to the Bible text and its significance.

Sometimes Bible study takes place personally and individually. At other times people meet in Bible study groups – often in homes.

Different kinds of Bible study
Approaches to Bible study can vary including:

• Working systematically through a specific book – such as one of the Gospels or one of St Paul’s letters.
• Choosing events – such as those that involved the Jewish people in the Old Testament.
• Focusing on themes – such as forgiveness, prayer, compassion, or friendship.
• Looking at the life of Bible characters – such as King David, St Paul or one of Jesus’ disciples.

Gaining the most from Bible study
To gain the most from Bible study it is important always to get a clear understanding of:

• What the passage means in simple and clear English.
• Who it was originally said to and why.
• What it would have meant to them at the time.
• What, in the light of the above, it might have to say to us now and what we should do about it.

There are a large number of publications designed to help people with Bible study that suggest Bible passages to work with, give helpful background and suggest questions for discussion by a group that will help get behind the text.