What does it mean to 'study the Bible'?

[post]

Is it just memorizing verses?

 

[CharismaticLady]

Is it just memorizing verses?

Read it with an open mind and let the Spirit teach you.

 

[post]

Read it with an open mind and let the Spirit teach you.

Thanks, I'll start a list:

• Reading the Bible

Let the Spirit teach what? What kind of things does the Spirit teach? How does the Spirit teach? Just by us reading?

 

[Iconoclast]

Thanks, I'll start a list:

• Reading the Bible

Let the Spirit teach what? What kind of things does the Spirit teach? How does the Spirit teach? Just by us reading?

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The word for meditate in Psalm1vs2 was used of cows who chew there food ,over and over to get everything out of it.

If you read psalm 119.....over and over, all 176 verses deal with the word of God, it uses several words, but they are all about scripture.
The Spirit is given so we can welcome the written word of God. Stay in the scripture, not looking all over the place, but compare scripture with scripture.
Icor2
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual
[Ie, comparing scripture with scripture.]

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

[post]

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The word for meditate in Psalm1vs2 was used of cows who chew there food ,over and over to get everything out of it.

If you read psalm 119.....over and over, all 176 verses deal with the word of God, it uses several words, but they are all about scripture.
The Spirit is given so we can welcome the written word of God. Stay in the scripture, not looking all over the place, but compare scripture with scripture.
Icor2
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual
[Ie, comparing scripture with scripture.]

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Thanks!
((adds to list))

• Reading the scripture
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it

 

[post]

let the Spirit teach you.

Would it be fair to restate this comment as 'believe the Bible' to add to the list?

I am thinking about it and it seems to me 'let the Spirit teach you' is a bit vague

 

[Nancy]

Would it be fair to restate this comment as 'believe the Bible' to add to the list?

I am thinking about it and it seems to me 'let the Spirit teach you' is a bit vague

Hello @post and, welcome here.
I do agree about "let the Spirit teach you" being very vague and pat. So, all we do is ask in prayer before opening His words is to ask for the teaching and clarification that comes from the Spirit and, well...believe you have what you ask of Him, and read! :) ... ?
It can be so exciting to see what He has for us when we believe and have teachable spirits.
In His Name!
nancy

 

[farouk]

Hello @post and, welcome here.
I do agree about "let the Spirit teach you" being very vague and pat. So, all we do is ask in prayer before opening His words is to ask for the teaching and clarification that comes from the Spirit and, well...believe you have what you ask of Him, and read! :) ... ?
It can be so exciting to see what He has for us when we believe and have teachable spirits.
In His Name!
nancy

@Nancy Prayer and the Scriptures in the believer's life are so very closely bound up together...

 

[Iconoclast]

Would it be fair to restate this comment as 'believe the Bible' to add to the list?

I am thinking about it and it seems to me 'let the Spirit teach you' is a bit vague

Here is clarity, all from psalm 119;
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Go over this psalm... every verse is good, pray and ask the Lord to enable you to be as the psalmist in your heart attitude and worldview.

 

[post]

Hello @post and, welcome here.
I do agree about "let the Spirit teach you" being very vague and pat. So, all we do is ask in prayer before opening His words is to ask for the teaching and clarification that comes from the Spirit and, well...believe you have what you ask of Him, and read! :) ... ?
It can be so exciting to see what He has for us when we believe and have teachable spirits.
In His Name!
nancy

Thanks Nancy!

• Reading the scripture
• Believing it
• Praying for understanding of it
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it

 

[farouk]

Thanks Nancy!

• Reading the scripture
• Believing it
• Praying for understanding of it
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it

@post Good points there!

 

[post]

Here is clarity, all from psalm 119;
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Go over this psalm... every verse is good, pray and ask the Lord to enable you to be as the psalmist in your heart attitude and worldview.

Thanks!

I think, as far as 'what does it mean to study scripture' what you quoted is already covered in the list thus far, do you agree?

• Reading the scripture
• Believing it
• Praying for understanding of it
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it

 

[Stumpmaster]

What does it mean to 'study the Bible'?
Is it just memorizing verses?

For the Bereans the goal was not memorisation but confirmation, on a daily basis to find out "whether these things were so". I do the same.

Act 17:10-12 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (12) Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

 

[post]

For the Bereans the goal was not memorisation but confirmation, on a daily basis to find out "whether these things were so". I do the same.

Act 17:10-12 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (12) Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

In their case, in this context, they were searching the OT to confirm the NT - the things Paul & Silas were telling them.

Is that what you mean? Part of studying the scripture is looking for the gospel in the Hebrew Bible?

I agree =]

• Reading the scripture
• Believing it
• Praying for understanding of it
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it
• Finding Christ in the OT

 

[post]

Here is clarity, all from psalm 119;
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Go over this psalm... every verse is good, pray and ask the Lord to enable you to be as the psalmist in your heart attitude and worldview.

OK I was thinking more about what is in the passage you put, and there is 'hide the word in your heart' and 'will not forget it' -- which I think corroborates the first post, 'memorize' it, but I would strengthen the way I phrase that, because people can simply memorize things without having any clue what they are or what they mean...

((adds to list))

• Reading the scripture
• Believing it
• Praying for understanding of it
• Delighting in it
• Meditating on it
• Finding Christ in the OT
• Internalizing it

 

[Heart2Soul]

The Word of God is a living Word....Proverbs teaches to seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding like you were seeking for buried treasure....
It compares to how we pray in tongues...we pray in the spirit and we seek to know what is spoken.
His Word is a mystery to the wise...it confounds them but to those who diligently seek Him to know Him by His Word it is LIFE.

 

[marksman]

Is it just memorizing verses?

Study to show yourself approved to God.....2 Timonthy 2 :15.

Study - use speed; to make an effort; be prompt or earnest.

Sounds like don't waste time, get on with it.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Is that what you mean? Part of studying the scripture is looking for the gospel in the Hebrew Bible?

I had in mind comparing the Bereans searching the OT to confirm the Gospel they were hearing, with respondents online searching the Scriptures of both Testaments to confirm whether the material in forum threads is consistent with them.

 

[n2thelight]

Is it just memorizing verses?

Try the below, I thought it was a great read

Philologos | How to Enjoy the Bible | E. W. Bullinger (markfoster.net)

 

[Robert Gwin]

Is it just memorizing verses?

Literally it means to take in knowledge from it sir. The Bible states that it is alive and exerts power (Heb 4:12), I find this to be very true. Everyone who studies it will be affected by it's teachings, spurning most to make changes in their lives. For some of us drastic changes.