Do you study the Bible? Do you want to?
Most Christians would agree that regular Bible reading is an important and beneficial activity. But is there a difference between reading Scripture and studying it? The word study carries connotations of laborious work and difficult reading. But that’s not what Bible study actually looks like. Several years ago on this blog, Brian Hardin challenged some of the myths we have about what it means to study the Bible:
How do we actually get anything out of Bible study? If we’re going to attempt an answer, we must put away the idea that the Bible is a rulebook we’re supposed to measure up to or that it’s so cryptic we need a Master of Theology degree to unlock it. Conversely, it’s not a book full of dainty little promises from a God who more resembles Santa Claus than the Lord Almighty.
Does that sound intriguing? Would you like to know your Bible better? Are you intimidated by the idea of “studying” it? Are you accustomed to reading the Bible in tiny inspirational soundbytes, but have a sense that there’s more to the Bible that you have yet to experience? If so, you’ll want to sign up for our new series beginning in October: How to Study the Bible.
How to Study the Bible is a new series by Dr. Mel Lawrenz, and is a sort of “sequel” to his earlier series How to Understand the Bible. How to Study the Bible is written for everyday people—for ordinary Bible-readers who want to go beyond just reading the Bible, who want to gain in-depth insight about the meaning of biblical passages.
The series will give guidance on how to get common questions answered, how to know the difference between reliable and unreliable online information, how to use a Bible dictionary or commentary, how to begin studying a book of the Bible and much, much more. Each lesson is short and practical.
And it begins later this month! Each lesson will be posted on the Bible Gateway Blog and sent out via email to anyone who has signed up. To sign up, just go to the How to Study the Bible page and fill out the form.
If you’re one of the many thousands of people who signed up for the earlier How to Understand the Bible series, you’ll receive this new series when it starts. If you want to get a feel for Dr. Lawrenz’ writing style and approach to the Bible, take a look through some of his past lessons. And if you like what you see, sign up for the new series!