Do you enjoy serious Bible study?
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When i do deep study i use at least 3 trsnslation study Bibles, my thomsans chain reference Bible a couple commentaries, a concordance a dictionary of theological terms and a book on systematic theology along with a couple other books drsling with the subject. Then if i have room on the table a notebook and a pen. I will usually end up writing a paper on it for my own use and sometimes share it with others.
I did that a while ago on here in my thread "the attributes of God" when my name was "elf3".
I did that a while ago on here in my thread "the attributes of God" when my name was "elf3".
P
One should read daily. Eternity is forever and being serious about it is of utmost importance.
Using Strong's, the hardback version, is indeed a good idea. The computer has a tendency to tempt you with other things. Focus is much easier when all you have in front of you relates directly to the topic.
Using commentaries is also a good thing - if you make sure you don't take one for gospel. Always cross reference what you read. At the end of the day the bible is the ultimate authority.
There are many folks on this forum that claim they don't have time to study, yet you can find them on here for sometimes several hours a day. Many, many people that Jesus talked about thusly: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
[h=1][/h] 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Using Strong's, the hardback version, is indeed a good idea. The computer has a tendency to tempt you with other things. Focus is much easier when all you have in front of you relates directly to the topic.
Using commentaries is also a good thing - if you make sure you don't take one for gospel. Always cross reference what you read. At the end of the day the bible is the ultimate authority.
There are many folks on this forum that claim they don't have time to study, yet you can find them on here for sometimes several hours a day. Many, many people that Jesus talked about thusly: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
[h=1][/h] 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
D
Yes, but I don't think figuring out what day of the week the apostles met on, dietary laws, the relative importance of Christmas and Easter, and having the firm mindset of trying to browbeat the bros has anything to do with "serious bible study." And I also think commentaries are extremely helpful because they're written by men who studied the book they're commenting on for at least a decade, (the good ones anyway), including going through the history of the times and studying what others thought objectively, whereas all I'm doing is reading the book to learn what I can get out of it now. I also think it's very useful to avoid trying to reinvent my own personal interpretation of a god I'd like. I'm trying to learn about the God that is.
D
Maybe not. Go to your local library's reference section and try it for a while. We have book form. (I think we're up to several copies now, but lost them in the bookshelves when we discovered eSword. lol) Had I used it right, I could have gotten my arm exercises for the day in while studying. It's HEAVY, cumbersome, and the pages are often as thin as many Bible pages. You have to go to one section to find the word and then another section to see where that particular word is in the Bible. Sound complicated? Not so bad, until you realize the word Lord is different than LORD and lord, and then there are three languages used -- Ancient Hebrew, Ancient Greek and Aramaic, so what you think the word LORD is in OT isn't necessarily what Lord is in NT. And, with heavy use, it has to be replaced about once every ten years because the pages are so thin they tear. But you can't go with thicker paper until you can easily lift 25 pounds with one hand.
Thank God for eSword, because no way did I ever maintain a complete word study using a concordance, unless the word was seldom used in the Bible. I know the full use of the word Nephilim and caught up (rapture) in the Bible because there are only six references in the full Bible for both words together, but never had the patience for the important words... like LORD/Lord/lord. Or God!
Thank God for eSword, because no way did I ever maintain a complete word study using a concordance, unless the word was seldom used in the Bible. I know the full use of the word Nephilim and caught up (rapture) in the Bible because there are only six references in the full Bible for both words together, but never had the patience for the important words... like LORD/Lord/lord. Or God!
D
what is it about either a concordance or a commentary or a bit of software that makes a person think
"ah now i'm being serious" ?
It's the face!
No seriously. I was getting into studying the OT "seriously." I studied with commentaries, concordance, dictionaries, etc.
Life got complicated and I need to know God is still there, so I've been going less serious now by reading Psalms without bible aids.
D
A bible scholar is someone who studies the Bible for six or more hours per day, including outsources to understand it fuller. And they have studied the whole Bible that way, not merely trying to push some belief into the Bible.
I ain't one. When I was young I could do 45 minutes per day. Last year, I was averaging half an hour. Now, I'm thrilled if I can have 20 minutes of peace and quiet to enjoy God in his word. (I'm thrilled today! lol)
I ain't one. When I was young I could do 45 minutes per day. Last year, I was averaging half an hour. Now, I'm thrilled if I can have 20 minutes of peace and quiet to enjoy God in his word. (I'm thrilled today! lol)
Its not the concordance or commentaries or what someone writes about a particular subject that is important. It is how God can speak to you and help you understand that is the important thing. We must always pray for understanding first before we start to study. These rescources can be a big help to us in that understanding if we allow God to do His work in us thru them. If we allow God to speak, then the writings of men and women who have put much time and study into these rescources will help us understand. If we ignore God and just read then we will come out, many times, either confused or with a totally wrong understanding. It begins and ends with God but we can use others in the middle to help.
I think it is really important to remember that each one of us is unique in our Father's eyes, -
and have our own special relationship with Him in our own way..., call it what you will,
but He reaches out to all of us in exactly where we are in our journey with Him, and lovingly gives us
exactly what we need, If' we are humble and thankful, and receptive enough'...
this is something that we can never be compared to one another...for He has made each of us so special
that He may bestow to us that special love and understanding to accept and confirm in our own hearts
this gift of His miraculous Holy Love...
and have our own special relationship with Him in our own way..., call it what you will,
but He reaches out to all of us in exactly where we are in our journey with Him, and lovingly gives us
exactly what we need, If' we are humble and thankful, and receptive enough'...
this is something that we can never be compared to one another...for He has made each of us so special
that He may bestow to us that special love and understanding to accept and confirm in our own hearts
this gift of His miraculous Holy Love...
