Getting a grasp on the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16

Use the space below the draw an outline of your hand:

• Sermons, public reading of Scripture, Bible on CD or internet, podcasts.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

“Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.” Psalm 40:6

• Hearing is improved through: expectation, confessing sin, taking notes and life application.

• Read it in a Bible without study notes, regularly & systematically. In addition, underline key points and read it in

different translations.

• There are many reading plans that overview key Bible themes, take you through the entire Bible in a year or in three years available on our Maturity page at www.chandlercc.org/maturity.htm

• If you have never read through the Bible, here is a good

suggested started point:

1st Level– John, Philippians, Psalms, Proverbs

2nd Level– Two-week overview passages, Gospels, Epistles,

Genesis

3rd Level– Through the Bible (year or three)

• By reading just 15 minutes per day, you can get through the Bible in a year.

The difference between reading and studying is that when I study I am taking notes. To study, you simply need to learn to ask the right questions. Studies on the Changing page at www.chandlercc.org/changing.htm take you through different books of the Bible so you can learn as you are doing this practice.

12 different methods are explained in simple step-by step instructions. (Tapes are also available)

• The Best Personal Study Bible:

The Life Application Bible (Tyndale)

• The Best Topical Study Bible:

Thompson Chain Reference Bible – NIV (Kirkbride)

• The Best Background Study Bible:

The NIV Study Bible (Zondervan)

• The Best Doctrine Study Bible:

The Disciples Study Bible (Holman)

• Richard’s Complete Handbook (Word)

• Haley’s Bible Handbook (Zondervan)

• Eerdman’s Bible Handbook (Eerdmans)

• As many different translations as you can afford.

These can be purchased in parallel editions.

• A complete concordance to match your translation

• A Bible on computer program such a WordSearch or PCBible

• The New Bible Dictionary (Eerdmans)

• The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Baker)

• The New Bible Commentary (Eerdmans)

• The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands (Moody)

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” Psalm 119:97-98

• If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Meditation is simply focused thinking on a Bible truth in order for it to change my heart.
• Slowly and prayerfully turning over Scripture. For example:
  Philippians 3:10

write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:2-3

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

• Benefits: Revival, resistance, comfort, wisdom, strength and

increased faith.

• Key: REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW

• Memorization is the natural by-product of meditation.

Where to start: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 5:1-11, Philippians 2:5-11, Philippians :6-9; 10-13

“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

1st ask: What concern is being addressed to the original

hearers? What did it mean to them?

2nd ask: What concerns do I share with them? What is the

underlying timeless principle?

3rd ask: Where or how could I practice that principle?