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Islam in its own Words
Ballad of Jenny Geddes
Seven Secrets
of
Scripture Study
1. PRAY. Ask God to teach you His laws, help you understand His Word, and lead you to put into practice the things that you learn. Prayer should be a regular habit of every Bible student.
2. MAKE IT A HABIT. Most of us are not called to be pastors or theologians. Our obligations may keep us very busy. But each should find time to read the Bible every day. Once you choose a routine, stick to it! (But don't be superstitious about it; what you can't fit in today you can finish tomorrow.)
3. REMEMBER WHAT THE BIBLE IS GOOD FOR. The Bible is not a fun storybook or a dry history. It can change us, and we should let it. Let the Bible teach you the truth. Let it increase your knowledge so that you can avoid false teaching. Let it correct you and chase you away from bad behavior. The Bible will also comfort you and give you real hope.
A. Religion and worship are outlined in the Bible. It tells us to have faith in God the Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn how humans were created, how we fell into sin, and how we may be saved. We learn about Church government and the sacrements. And we are warned about the conclusion of history: God's judgement of all men, whether wicked or good.
B. Politics and government are also found in the Bible. How can you tell a good leader from an evil one? Is war ever necessary? What makes a nation prosperous or poor? How does a good citizen behave? Read the Bible to find out.
C. Families and households are also either godly or wicked. In the Bible you will find instructions for husbands, wives, parents and children. Each of us can learn how to be a good family member if we pay careful attention to God's Word.
D. Private life is not too private to escape God's law. The Bible is the only perfect self-fulfillment book every written. It can teach you about wisdom, love, seriousness and true joy. It can warn you of pride and selfishness. You will learn much about how to a truly successful and ethical person.
E. Society is also discussed in God's Word. Why are rich people rich, and poor people poor? Why work hard? What makes a person special to others? The answer is in the Bible.
5. REJECT BAD INTERPRETATIONS. Wicked fools, most of whom never read the Bible, will tell you that it can mean whatever people make of it. God's Word is much more clear than that. Be honest as you read, it means what it says. When you find a difficult passage that might mean more than one thing, avoid any meaning that does not fit with the Creeds or the Ten Commandments. The interpretation that doesn't "make the Bible contradict itself" is the right interpretation.
6. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. Don't be sloppy with God's Word. Be careful about it. How does the grammar fit together? Does the historical time period help explain the passage? Does the text use figures of speech? What do other parts of the Bible say about the same topic or event? Invest the time to study as you read.
7. RELY ON HELP FROM OTHERS. No Bible student should be a free spirit. Caution is better than creativity when God's truth is at stake. Talk to mature Christians about your reading. If you can, listen to sermons and read commentaries. But be a critical thinker. Make sure that what they claim fits with the Bible.
The Bible is a guidebook to life, the universe and everything. It is our Maker's handbook for how to function according to His specifications. Time spent sincerely studying it is never wasted. {This summary is based on that by T. Grashop in the Geneva Bible.}
actually teach?
