Studying your Bible involves much more than just casually reading an occasional chapter from Psalms or Proverbs, or thinking about a "devotional" passage from one of the Gospels. Bible students understand that God's word is their "sword" (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Sharpening our knowledge of Scripture will help us draw closer to God, and will be a continuing aid in our Christian lives.
No Bible reference book is a substitute for the Bible. There are many very helpful resources that can help us better understand Scripture, but we should always be careful not to let some other tool take the place of God's word. Also, when a research tool appears to contradict the Bible (as is far too often the case with commentaries and "Bible helps" prepared by secular scholars who do not have God's Holy Spirit), a mature Christian needs to be able to evaluate the tool for what it is, accepting its help where appropriate, but rejecting it in those areas where it plainly contradicts solid biblical truth.
With that in mind, here are some steps you can take to become more knowledgeable about the Bible, and more proficient in your Bible study:
1. Become familiar with the Bible
a. Read the Bible regularly.
b. Read Bible stories to your children—and learn the lesson of each story.
c. Read and outline books of the Bible—learn the content of each book.
d. Play Bible games (e.g. Bible trivia).
2. Obtain a Bible dictionary
Bible dictionaries define terms used in the Bible, and provide useful background information about biblical subjects.
3. Use a Bible handbook
Bible handbooks (Halley's, Unger's, Eerdman's, etc.) outline the content of each book in the Bible and provide background information, explaining when and to whom the book was written and offering other useful context for your Scripture study.
4. Consult Bible concordances
Bible concordances list words used in the Bible. A concordance is a helpful tool to find words, and to find verses where the word is used. A short concordance (such as Cruden's) lists only some verses where a word is used in the Bible. An exhaustive concordance (Strong's, Young's) lists every occurrence of a word in the Bible, and some concordances also provide the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words.
5. Review several Bible translations
The New King James Version is the standard translation used in Living Church of God publications, and on the Tomorrow's World telecast. It (like the King James Version) is a word-for-word translation from the Greek and Hebrew. Other translations, however, can sometimes be helpful for understanding the meanings of Bible verses. The Bible in 26 Translations is one useful tool in this regard. Bible students should be aware, however, that some newer versions of the Bible are not word-for-word translations, but instead translate "thought for thought," and by adding their own interpretations often stray far from the original meaning of the text.
6. Examine Bible commentaries
Bible commentaries give detailed explanations of what Bible scholars think a verse means. Sometimes commentaries can be very helpful, sometimes not. Single-volume commentaries often provide very little information. The Expositor's Bible Commentary (available on CD and also as a multi-volume set) provides some very useful information about the Bible.
7. Use Hebrew and Greek lexicons
Hebrew and Greek lexicons provide detailed information about how biblical words were used at the time when the Bible was written. A lexicon is useful for more advanced study of Scripture.
8. Read books about Scripture, Church history and other Bible topics
Broaden your knowledge by selecting books that go into more detail about subjects related to the Bible. Learn to evaluate books by comparing their content and ideas with the Bible itself. You may find that taking a Living University course (or several) can help you develop your ability to evaluate books about the Bible, in the structured environment of a college course where you can deepen your knowledge of God's word.
9. Study subjects and doctrines
Make a notebook of the main verses that support each biblical doctrine. Find out what the Bible really says about various subjects by looking up all the verses that mention a particular subject. Use a concordance and other Bible helps to support your study.
10. Take the Tomorrow's World Bible Study Course
The Tomorrow's World Bible Study Course, published by the Living Church of God, is a good place to begin learning what the Bible is all about. It presents an overview of major doctrines and teachings found in Scripture. You can take it as an online course, or as a traditional printed course. To enroll, go online to www.twbiblecourse.org .
11. Read Church booklets and articles
The Living Church of God publishes many booklets and articles that address specific biblical topics. By studying these materials and the Bible at the same time, you can come to understand a variety of important subjects from Scripture.
12. Develop a personal program for Bible study
a. Set a regular time and place to study the Bible each day.
b. Keep your Bible study books and materials in that place.
c. Pray before you study—ask God for guidance and understanding.
d. Map out a program of study for a year—set some goals.
e. Do extra Bible study on the Sabbath.
f. Review and meditate on what you have studied.
g. Practice explaining Scripture.
Christians who follow the steps outlined above—maturely and wisely using the vast range of Bible helps provided by the Church and other sources as part of their personal program of ongoing daily Bible study—can look forward to drawing closer to God and deepening their understanding of His word.