How Can I Understand the Bible?

God has given us His Word to study for our benefit. Unfortunately, many believers struggle with how to study the Bible on their own. Some parts of the Bible seem so foreign to our contemporary lives, and others are just plain puzzling. If we’re going to live out God’s Word, first we have to understand it. So, how can we study the Bible?

We need to study the Bible consistently and systematically. One of the most common mistakes Christians make when studying the Bible is using the old “point and shoot” method, which involves opening the Bible at random and pointing to a verse for inspiration. This method is very problematic because it does not take into account the primary rule of Bible study-- always consider a verse in its context. Verses are placed in paragraphs, paragraphs are placed in chapters, chapters are placed in books, and the books are placed in the Bible. To overcome the “point and shoot” syndrome, we need to be intentionally consistent and systematic in our Bible study. That is, we need to take time regularly to be devoted to the study of God’s Word, and we need to have a regular system, or plan, for our study time. A noted Bible teacher, R.A. Torrey, said, “Have some good system of Bible study and follow it. System counts in everything, but it counts more in study than in anything else, and it counts more in Bible study than in any other form of study.”

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:27, NIV

We need to study the Bible using the Bible itself. While many men have written many fine studies of Scripture, there is no finer commentary on the Bible than the Bible itself. We should use clearer passages to illuminate our understanding of less clear ones. The individual books of the Bible are really just “chapters” in the Great Book of God. To understand some parts, we must first understand the whole. Some of the most dangerous teaching comes from taking verses of Scripture out of context and without reference to the Bible as a whole. Consider how Jesus responded to Satan’s twisting of Scripture:

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple."

"If you are the Son of God,he said, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

"Jesus answered him, It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Matthew 4:5-7, NIV

We need to apply what we learn in Bible study. Sure, we all have problems with the parts of the Bible we don’t understand. But personally, the parts I have the MOST problems with are the parts I do understand. The real purpose of Bible study is not just to accumulate knowledge about the Bible, but to learn what pleases God so that we may do it. Additionally, it may be impossible for us to truly grow in our knowledge of Scripture unless we are actively applying it to our lives.

Hebrews 5:13-14 teaches us, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV

Featured Articles