by James Combs
Editor of the Baptist Bible Tribune, 1983-1995
There are three main methods of mastering the contents of the Bible. J. Frank Norris declared, “The first thing is to read the Scriptures. Second, read the Scriptures! Third, read the Scriptures!”
Yes, it is absolutely essential to read the Word of God to master its contents. No matter how brilliant and powerful the preaching one hears, and no matter how profound the teaching a believer may hear, there is no substitute for personal Bible study.
Approach Bible study carefully
Since the Word of God relates to every life situation and the Divine Author longs to illuminate the Scriptures, open them carefully and prayerfully, eager to learn, know and do the will of God. Ponder these two questions as you read and study:
First, what do I need to know for my head? What wisdom, what facts, what basic knowledge do I need both for absorption of Absolute Truth and for instruction applicable to my life? “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not” (James 1:5). Here is mental instruction.
Second, what do I need to instruct my heart? The fire of the Word of God will kindle a flame of devotional zeal in the heart as the Spirit uses it. “Is not my word like as a fire? …” (Jeremiah 23:29). Here is spiritual inspiration.
Therefore, study to educate the head and to inspire the heart. Each day we need both knowledge for the mind and food for the soul.
Ask the Spirit to teach you
Remember that the Holy Spirit is here to teach. Three words are important as we consider this area of truth: revelation, inspiration, and illumination.
Revelation is the divine act of communicating to man truth which otherwise could not be known. God’s Word is therefore the revelation of truth from heaven.
Inspiration is the supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God under which they wrote God’s message with absolute trustworthiness.
Illumination is the enlightening ministry of the Spirit in enabling the reader to ascertain God’s message.
Therefore, revelation comprehends the giving of truth. Inspiration embraces man under divine control receiving the truth. Illumination deals with man’s understanding of revealed inspired truth.
“But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
Only the Holy Spirit knows our capacity
A babe in Christ cannot grasp truths a more mature believer can understand. As you look to the Spirit, asking Him to be your instructor, He will illuminate the Word and make it a living, vital force in your heart and life.
Then, too, He knows and decides your future course. He will teach you things you will need in later life. A missionary in Zaire might need to know different things, unique emphasis of truth, which a pastor in Texas would seldom use. But beware lest Satan get you to ride a hobbyhorse. A false teaching or an improper emphasis can always be discerned. If it is something other than the gospel itself which is being repeatedly emphasized and overstressed out of its proper context, or which must always be defended, then the danger of warping a truth and twisting it into a false teaching is apparent. Have a well-rounded knowledge of the Word. Look to the Spirit to guide you. Ask Him to do it. Expect Him to give you precious thoughts out of His heart, particularly applicable to your life and situation.
Assign time to study
Get alone with God. Do not try to study with others around or with the radio or television blaring. Get away from distractions. Do not generally sit by a window where the traffic or some outside occurrence might draw your mind from the things of God. Satan is a genius at distractions. He does not want you to study God’s Word at all and will strive to deter you from it.
Study with concentration. Banish other thoughts about the bills, the yard, friends or business. Shut the windows of your mind and focus on God’s Word.
Be systematic. Do not just open the Bible here and there and read a chapter. Some people confuse such hit-and-miss scanning of the Scriptures with Bible study. Decide what you are going to study. Follow a plan, either one that you originate or one laid out in a good book. You need not begin in Genesis. Generally speaking, beginner students should start in the New Testament.
Take time to look up marginal references and other passages suggested to your heart by the Spirit.
Analyze the Word
First, read. “Give attention to reading …” (1 Timothy 4:13). Read through the Bible once or twice a year. A helpful schedule is usually available at a Christian bookstore.
Since the Bible contains 1,189 chapters, reading four chapters each day will enable you to cover the Bible in a year. Seven chapters read a day will carry you through the Bible in six months.
By reading just four chapters a day (15-30 minutes), the entire Bible can be completed in under ten months. With 260 chapters in the New Testament, it can be read in a little over two months. The authors recommend reading the New Testament in January and February, then the entire Old Testament and New Testament in the next 10 months, thus reading twice through the New Testament. It takes 70 hours and 40 minutes to read the entire Bible at a normal oral reading rate. A fast reader could probably read through the whole Bible in half that time, not aloud. It takes 52 hours and 20 minutes to read the Old Testament orally. It requires 18 hours and 20 minutes to read the New Testament.
This article is an excerpt from Search the Scriptures for Yourself, written by James and Jeri Combs. James Combs is a former editor of the Baptist Bible Tribune.