Lesson 223: “STUDYING THE BIBLE-ONE BOOK AT A TIME”
Many have asked how to study the Bible correctly, getting the most out of the book that they choose to start their study. There is no “set in stone” study method lined out in the Scriptures but I will “set on paper” some of the personal guidelines that I follow in hopes that they will help to improve your study time, bringing joy and peace that comes from knowing the Author of the Bible. Preparation before opening the Book begins with prayer to God for His leadership in your study and for personal humility to accept what He says to you through His Word. Speak your own spiritual condition, sins, prejudices and pre-formed opinions to God, asking Him to prepare your heart and open your mind. Ask for wisdom to avoid thinking the Scripture speaks only to you and your interpretation is the “one and only”. Remember that God speaks to different people in different ways and this study is personal between you and the One that will guide you into a deeper relationship with Him. I will suggest a Bible with a cross reference of Scriptures, a Bible dictionary, a note tablet and a regular time set for each day, preferably in a quiet place where you can be alone (group study should come later). Do not strive to become a perfectionist and become impatient with yourself. Bible study takes a lifetime with no shortcuts or quick fixes.
Choose the book you wish to study and determine the goal you wish to attain such as “how does this book relate to me and how do I apply it to my life”? It would be best to start with a short book such as Jude (which I have chosen for the theme of this lesson) so that you will not get discouraged with your study and be able to “see the end” without growing weary. Read the entire book through without interruption, watching for a plot or a purpose of the writing. Read without commentaries, notes in your bible or other outside helps trying to understand the scripture for yourself, gaining confidence in your ability (through God) to understand and interpret the Bible. As you read the book for the second time, take notes of the chief emphases of the writer, the reappearing words and repeated phrases. Read the book again and this time writing your own interpretation of the book listing the “message” of the book that are most meaningful for your life now. In your notebook list what you think is Jude’s situation, the problems he faces, and what message he gives to correct these situations. Now it is time to bring in a bible dictionary and a concordance to the bible. Read what the scholars interpret and compare it with your own. If they differ, this does not mean you are wrong but only that God has perhaps spoken to you in a different way. Continue to check back and forth between the concordance, the scripture and your notes asking the Holy Spirit to teach you the truth (John 14:26).
The book of Jude is a solemn warning to Christians everywhere, since all are subject to the same doctrinal and practical errors. Though its theme regarding apostasy (abandoning what one has believed), was specifically directed to the first-century Jewish Christians, its message is applicable to all Christians. All believers need to avoid the pitfalls of denying Christ’s Lordship, following fleshly desires, rejecting authority, causing disagreement and living for self. Jude introduced himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. You might ask yourself if you are truly a “servant of Christ Jesus” in all that you do. You should now start a cross reference, adding to your notes the scriptures provided in the column of most Bibles. For those who have been called (active work of the Holy Spirit – John 16:8) reflects on the past showing God’s sovereign call to salvation in His electing grace (Romans 1:6, 8:30, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Ephesians 4:4, 2 Peter 1:3). Who are loved by God the Father refers to the present indicating God’s love was manifested in the past but also continues in the present (2 Corinthians 13:14). Kept by Jesus Christ is the positive assurance regarding the future for He preserves those who trust Him till His coming (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 Peter 1:5, Jude 24). Do you find in these first two power packed verses that God’s mercy can sustain you in hard times (Hebrews 4:16), that His peace can give calmness (Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:7) and His love can protect and assure believers when faced with peril (Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:12, 15-16)? Did you see the overflowing love that Jude had for his readers and did this help you to develop a loving attitude?
Has Jude taught you to recognize the godless men that have crept into your church, organization or assembly? He has given you examples to “look into” to help you determine these who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ (Egypt – Hebrews 3:16-19), (angels – Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4), (Sodom and Gomorrah – Genesis 19:1-29). At the same time Jude tells about the archangel Michael, when disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring an accusation against him but said; “The Lord rebuke you”! It is recorded in Zechariah 3:2 that the Lord used this same term when rebuking Satan, recognizing and demonstrating the power of God. Does this teach you not to speak abusively against whatever you do not understand? When Jude writes that the people had taken the way of Cain, meaning they, like Cain disobediently devised their own ways of worship, were envious of others or hated others with a murderous spirit (1 John 3:12). Did this teach you to “clean up your spiritual thinking”? Balaam pretended to serve God, encouraged others to sin and gained money from their errors (2 Peter 2:15-16, Numbers 22:21-23). Are you leading others into sin because of your greed for money? Love feasts refer to the Lord’s Supper, partaking with believers while denying God, is the most outrageous blasphemy possible (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Jude speaks of Shepherds who feed only themselves. You may read the results and judgment upon these in Ezekiel chapter 34. Does this help you to fully understand that God is your Shepherd and we should not put our trust in man (1 John 2:27)?
Jude teaches to pray at all times with the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2), keep in God’s love (John 15:9-10) and look expectantly for the return of Christ (1 Peter 1:5-13). Jude fulfills his heart’s desire of writing in the most joyful terms about the salvation that is entrusted to Jesus Christ which gives believers confidence. Has studying the book of Jude convinced you that He will save you, deliver you from apostasy and those who try to “drag you into it”, He will keep you from falling, and that He will present believers to His Father without fault and with great joy (Hebrew 12:2, 1 Peter 1:8-9)? Did he make you aware that false teachers and ungodly people may be detected by their actions and words? Do you understand that believers must be merciful to unbelievers? Do you fully comprehend the judgment of God on unbelievers is certain (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)? How does you life measure up with the book of Jude? Ask God to convict you of changes He needs to make in your life. Make a list of changes and actions, date it and set a future date to “check yourself” to see if you have taken these actions (James 1:22).