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   “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  ~2 Timothy 2:15 

   Many times when we come to this verse, we freeze, feel convicted, and then brush it aside.   Why do we do this? 

   God has graciously and providentially given us His word, inspiring men of God to write, sometimes on the rolling hills, sometimes in His glorious temples, sometimes in the dusky dungeons.  The authors of this book were anywhere from mighty kings to lowly fishermen, but even though there was such a variety of authors and such a variety of circumstances for writing, the Bible says the same thing straight through.  It does not contradict itself; instead, it explains itself.  It has stood for millennia, and has never failed, once.  Its prophecies have been fulfilled to the letter.  By the Bible, we know what is truth and we understand God.  In order to be grounded and settled in our faith, "rightly dividing the word of truth", we must search the word of God.  So, why are we so afraid to study it? 

   Perhaps, we say we don’t know how to study, it'd take too much of our time, it is never interesting, and all sorts of other excuses.  But really, once we know how to study, will it really “take too much of our time” and will it really be “never interesting”? 

   First, here are some ways to study the Bible.  Remember, always before you study, pray.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you, to give you an open mind, and to give you a personal message from your study time.  There are several methods of studying that have been very helpful for various people.  One is using marginal references.  Find a verse or a passage that you desire to know more about, and explore the marginal references from that verse.  It is amazing what connections you see.  
   
   Try using Bible dictionaries like the Strong’s Concordance.  Look up a word and look at the definition; sometimes it is very different from what you first thought.  Also, remember to check the context of the verse or passage you are studying.  This saves from many misconceptions of what the Bible is saying.  Also, see if you can remember different passages that are similar, and compare them one to another, prayerfully, looking for connections.  Another method of study is the word study.  Find a word, and look up all the verses in the Bible that mention that word, and explore the different contexts the Bible uses that word in.  

   A very helpful way to study is to come to the Bible with a question, or something that you have been struggling with.  Check topical concordances and marginal references for the best insights.  You will be amazed at what the Bible says for your situation.  It is very difficult to study without a purpose in mind, so choose one.  It does not have to be a fancy or magnificent purpose.  It can be very simple.   Find a method of study that works best for you, and explore the other methods, too every once in awhile.  It does not have to be one listed above; it can be any other way of study that you think will be helpful to you. 

   When you take up your Bible and search it through, really looking to understand our Savior and desiring to serve Him better, you will fall in love with studying, and it will seem that time just flies when you are at your Bible.  Contrary to it being “never interesting”, you will be filled with joy and interest as you find the hidden jewels in the Bible that are just waiting for you to discover.  Most of all, it will draw you nearer to the Source of strength, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

   If you haven’t done Bible study before, or you did it before and haven’t done it for a while, I encourage you to pick it up.  Start small.  You could start with one verse you don’t understand.  Eventually, you could be looking up big passages and comparing them to each other, and maybe even creating your own Bible studies to share.  Though there will be some times that you do not feel like studying, do it anyway, and God will bless you richly as you search for the hidden treasures in His word. 

   Will you do it?

   ~Lilienne Stafford

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