Before we talk about the most important aspect of Bible Study, let us quickly cover Journaling, which we’ve talked about often, but only in passing.
Journaling is Noting your Results. A good way to journal is to ask yourself questions and write down the answers you find in the passage. For example, if these three questions are used, the answers could provide a valuable way to store what you are learning:
1. What truth have I learned from this chapter?
2. What truth already known has come to me with fresh power?
3. What definite thing have I resolved to do as a result of this chapter?
That third question leads us to talk about application of what we learn to our lives. Make no mistake, the purpose of studying the Bible is not to gain knowledge, though this is a good side-effect. The main reason for studying the Bible is to change your life and the lives of others around you. The Bible is a powerful tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit to shape your life and make you more like Christ.
There are two tools that you can use to help in the process:
MEDITATION
Biblical meditation is the opposite of Eastern meditation. You don’t want to empty your mind and let it roam – you want to focus your mind on the Words of God and mull them over and over searching for understanding and wisdom.
Jeremiah talked about “eating the Word” and David constantly talked about meditating on the Word. Remember, the Bible is not magical – you will only get good out of the Word by understanding it. The most good will be gotten by thinking at length about what you read.
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
Jeremiah 15:16
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:2-3
MEMORIZATION
Jesus used the Bible as a way to defeat temptation. It is hugely benefitial to memorize verses related to important subjects you are studying or areas of your life you need help in. Storing the Word in your mind will help you in many, many ways:
1. It will keep you from sin (Psalm 119:11)
2. It will keep you from false doctrine (Acts 20:29, 30, 32 and 2 Timothy 3:13-15)
3. It will fill you heart with joy (Jeremiah 15:16)
4. It will fill you heart with peace (Psalm 85:8)
5. It will give you the victory over the Evil One (1John 2:14)
6. It will give you power in prayer (John 15:7)
7. It will make you wiser than the elderly and than your enemies (Psalm 119:100, 98, 130)
8. It will make you “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Timothy 3:16, 17)
Note: memorize the chapter and verse along with the passage so you will be able to find it later.
No matter how much you read, study, meditate and memorize you will have no gain if you do not put it into practice. You won’t be quizzed on how much you know of the Bible when you get to heaven – but the life you lived will be tested in the light of eternity! Remember also that, understanding of a passage often comes only after obedience to it.
Leave every day’s study with one thing that you can do to change!
