Good Habits, Clear Hearing: Building a Bible Study Life That Honors God

Good Habits, Clear Hearing: Building a Bible Study Life That Honors God

(This Bible Study Tips was written by one of our incarcerated students, sharing their faith and study of God’s Word.)

Developing good study habits is the key. It won’t be easy at first, but the rewards will be great. A good night’s sleep is important to be well rested when you rise. The Earlier the better. I find that early morning devotion time of prayer and biblical reading is crucial. When distractions are few and everything around you is quiet and peaceful, it’s easier to stay focused as well as think and hear clearly.

It is essential to begin all reading with prayer, then listen for, and anticipate God’s answer while studying. Try to read your entire target passage, preferably in one sitting at first, then go over it again as many times as needed. Take plenty of notes. For exegesis, context is important. Read the surrounding chapters that come before and after your text.

We all know that our language and culture of today is thousands of years removed from the language and culture of the original hearers of God’s word. Therefore, properly translating

what God said to the people then into what God is saying to us now becomes particularly important for bringing His word to today’s congregation. Just like translating any foreign language into American English, we have to properly translate Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic and even King James English into the language we speak today. Remember, exegesis is what God was saying to the people then, hermeneutics is what God is saying to us now. God is timeless, saying the same now as He did then. Only our language and culture have changed.

The use of commentaries is not a crime, just choose your resources carefully. A good bookstore that sells commentaries, dictionaries and multiple bible translations is recommended.

When applying biblical principles to our everyday lives it is important to practice what you preach. Your living testimony is quite possibly the best sermon anyone will ever see you preach.

– Darrell C.