1 / 31

The Importance of Bible Reading, Study & Meditation

The Importance of Bible Reading, Study & Meditation. Introduction. Goal Help you to learn to read the Bible more effectively Study the Bible regularly Meditate daily on God’s Word Why? Become more familiar with God’s Word Grow in godliness Be able to teach others. The Purpose of God.

lmayberry
Download Presentation

The Importance of Bible Reading, Study & Meditation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Importance of Bible Reading, Study & Meditation

  2. Introduction • Goal • Help you to learn to read the Bible more effectively • Study the Bible regularly • Meditate daily on God’s Word • Why? • Become more familiar with God’s Word • Grow in godliness • Be able to teach others

  3. The Purpose of God “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Numbers 14.21)

  4. The Bible is the Word of God 2 Timothy 3:15-17… from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvationthrough faith which is in Christ Jesus.All Scriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. See also 2Pet 1:19-21; Heb 1:1-2 The Bible is a record of God’s revelationto man about Himself, His will and purpose,and what He requires of us

  5. Section 1 The Importance of Bible Reading

  6. Importance of Bible Reading • Let’s read • carefully • eagerly • humbly • heedfully • and prayerfully! Don’t try to “speed-read” the Bible. It wasn’t written for that.

  7. Some basic steps Read the context The Bible will give the answers itself • Begin reading a book of the Bible • Be patient. Read slowly and thoughtfully • Make notes of questions that come to your mind and ask them Very Important • Read what the Bible actually says – not what you think it should say • Don’t read isolated verses – read the context

  8. How to Approach Reading • Approach reading the Bible with • Right attitude • Willingness to learn

  9. The Bible Interprets itself • “When all else fails read the instructions” • Key to easier understanding is found within the Bible. Your questions about what the Bible teaches are answered in the Bible

  10. Look around…. • Look in same or surrounding chapters • Parable of the sower • Matt 13.3-8 • Matt 13.18-23 • Look in other books of the Bible • “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” • Matt 27.46 • Psalm 22

  11. Do’s and Don’ts DON’T DO • Expect quick answers • Look at isolated passages and draw conclusions • Look first to Bible for answers • Read all of the Bible to find answers • Write down questions

  12. Why the Bible is Difficult to Read REMEMBER “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25.2) • Why did Jesus speak in parables? • Separation processMatthew 13.10-11 • And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Greek – musterion = “hidden thing, secret, revealed only to the initiated”

  13. Why the Bible is Difficult to Read • Who is Truth revealed to? • Babes - Matthew 11.25-26 • NOT to the “wise” - 1 Cor. 1.17-31 • How do you gain understanding? • Putting in time and energy • Money and status of no advantage - Isaiah 55:1-3 • Slowly…. • Slowly revealed - Hebrews 1.1 • Prayerfully and Patiently - Matt 7.7-8

  14. Tips on Reading FUNDEMENTAL PRINCIPLE A steady consistent diet of the Word of God is essential for a healthy (eternal) life! “(The Bereans were)…more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so…” (Acts 17.11) Let’s be like the Bereans!

  15. Tips on Reading 1 2 3 3 daily portions 2 readings from OT 1 reading from NT • Without a plan we often fail • Bible Reading Plan The result…..

  16. Tips on Reading • Read the entire Bible in one year… • OT once • NT twice

  17. Tips on Reading Tip #1 - PREPARATION Allow time Select a translation Be comfortable

  18. Tips on Reading Tip #2 – HOW TO READ Read aloud Listen for echoes Ask yourself questions

  19. Tips on Reading Tip #3 – WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND Be patient Use other translations Use study tools Seek Qualified teachers

  20. Questions to Consider when Reading • What is the main subject? • Who are the main people? • What does it say about God? • What is the key or main verse? • What is the central lesson? • What are the main promises? • Are there cross references?…….

  21. Section 2 The Importance of Bible Study

  22. The Importance of Bible Study • Makes us wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15‑17) • Power of God to Salvation(Romans 1:16‑17) • Gives us Hope (Romans 15:4) • Neglect brings death (Proverbs 13:13) • Prepares us to give an answer and contend for the faith (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3‑4) • Provides direction for daily living (Psalm 119:105; Joshua 1:8)

  23. Using a Computer or phone • More powerful searching • Easier to do word studies • Less space to store more • Many good phone apps and computer programs

  24. Some bibles have Marginal References These cross- reference quotes show where the verse is quoted elsewhere They can give links to similar topics to the one in the verse Another helpful tool - Margin • Matthew 2:1 Now when fJesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, • 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. • 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. • 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. • 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, • qAnd thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. f Luke 2:4,6,7 q Mic 5:2

  25. Section 3 The Importance of Bible Meditation

  26. Importance of Meditation A Definition: “The act of focusing one’s thoughts: to ponder, think on, muse” Bible meanings: • Hebrew ‘hagah’ = “to murmur; by implication to ponder” (Josh 1:8) • Hebrew ‘suyach’ = “to ponder; by implication to talk with oneself” (Psalm 119:15,23,48 143:5) • Greek ‘meletao’ = “to revolve in the mind” (1Timothy 4:15)

  27. Importance of Meditation Joshua 1:7-8 (NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

  28. The Objectives of Meditation (1) Worship—It is designed to focus on God and His works (Psa 77:12). It is a place and space in our lives for communion with God. It is a means of elevating the spiritual over the material world. (2) Instruction—It is designed to improve our understanding of the Word and God’s ways as it applies to our lives (Psa 49:3)

  29. The Objectives of Meditation (3) Motivation —It is designed to motivate and inspire us in service and courage for the work God has called us to do (Josh 1:7-8) (4) Transformation—It is designed to transform and change our lives. This would apply to all the above (Psa. 4:4; 19:14; 119:15; Rom 12:2; Col 3:1).

  30. Conclusion Psalm 119:105(NKJV) “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path”

  31. Conclusion “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Numbers 14.21)

More Related