Keys and Tips for Studying the Bible

courtesy of: How to Study the Bible by Malcolm Smith



When reading the Bible


  • Understand that the bible is written in the Hebrew language in the old testament(which is a picture language) and the Greek language in the New Testament(which is an exact and scientific language)


  • Know that God speaks through the manners and customs of the people in the Bible


  • Be aware of the historical context and the circumstantial context


  • God speaks through the lands that are in the bible


  • God speaks through the personalities of the author that wrote the book




When Studying/Reading a Book in the Bible


  • Read the whole book, If you need to then listen to it on tape/CD


  • Always have a journal to write questions


  • Ask questions


    1. Who wrote the book?


      • Characteristics of the author

    2. When was the book written?
      • Historical context

    3. Why was the book written?
      • Circumstantial context

    4. What kind of mood was the author in?


    5. How much space does the author give to a certain subject?


    6. What word does the author continually use?


    7. What kind of literature is the book?


    8. What are the main divisions that the book naturally falls into?


  • In one paragraph write down what you feel that the book is saying


When Observing a Passage


  • Observe the details to see what is there.


  • Read to see what God is saying, and not to confirm your own ideas


  • Observe even the littlest words


  • Ask every question that comes to mind


    1. What are the important words?


    2. What do these words mean?


    3. What does this author mean when he uses a certain word?


    4. Is this literal or figurative?


    5. What is the author doing? (example. Comparing)


      • Look for summaries of what has already been said


      • Watch for questions by the writer, and then for his answer


      • Look for the climax of the passage


      • Look for the form of language (noun, adjective etc.)


      • Look for the mood of the writer


    6. What does the passage mean to the first readers?


    7. What was the situation of the writer?


    8. Where were the author and the hearers geographically?


    9. What is the atmosphere of the passage?


    10. Who, What, Where, When, Why?


    11. What would you have written given the situation?

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