How to Approach the Bible

Logically!

When you read the Bible, look for the practical teachings that can impact your life immediately. Don’t worry about what you don’t understand. You can make notes of your questions, but shelve those things for now until you develop a basic understanding of the Bible’s teachings. You are laying a foundation for the deeper teachings!

There is no quick way to learn the Bible. A person learns the Bible one principle (precept) at a time, which is exactly how Jesus learned the Bible.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little… .

There are basically two types of teachings in the Bible: literal teachings and figurative teachings. The Bible refers to the literal teachings as milk and the figurative teachings as meat.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The simple teachings of the Bible (milk) let us know what behavior God expects from us. Reading one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) or the Book of Romans is a good place to start. The gospels will introduce you to the Jewish Messiah, whom Christians call Jesus.

The more difficult teachings of the Bible (meat) enable us to grow in our understanding of the Bible’s concepts, which is the process of being born-again. Being spiritually re-born does not mean a person stays a baby! In fact, the Bible refers to four stages of spiritual growth, but most Christians are stuck in stage one, which is the baby stage.

The deeper teachings of the Bible include hundreds of mysteries that can only be unraveled with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is the “revealer” of God’s Word.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Always remember that it is our actions that prove whether or not we believe in God. If we believe what God has written in the Bible, then we will follow His instructions, called commandments. These instructions are designed to help us change, which is the meaning of the word repentance.

Changing your behavior begins with changing your thinking, and making a decision to do things God’s way. Once you make this decision, whatever you do, never give up. No matter how many times you fail in your efforts, keep trying and never make excuses for your bad behavior.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

I attended a book fair several years ago where the poet Maya Angelou was one of the speakers. Someone in the audience asked her if she was a Christian. Maya Angelou responded, “I’m trying to be a Christian.” That was one of the most honest answers I’ve ever heard.

Bible passages to study:

Isaiah 28:9-10, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:14, Matthew 13:11, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Peter 3:9, Hebrews 12:1

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