How to Study the Bible (Christian or not)

'Study', is using resources to produce figurative as well as literal results. We need the tools to do the job, just as a builder needs tools to build the house.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• King James Bible
• Strong's Concordance
• Smiths Bible Dictionary
• Other resource references

1. Get inquisitive: Our language is different from long, long ago. The meanings of words has changed over the centuries. Example; look up the word 'foundation', and find the ANCIENT meaning. You will be very surprised. Don't just read over the scriptures, but allow yourself to be 'bugged', over certain words to the point where you have to look it up.
2. Get out the tools: The reason for the King James version, is that it most true to the ancient manuscripts, and it is easier to use in conjunction with the Strong's Concordance. Together, this is a very powerful study combination. They bring finality to the definitions.
3. Read a verse: Just for fun, lets read 1:Thes;4:17 Notice the word 'air'. Now we'll look up 'air', in the Strong's Concordance.
4. Look it up in the Strong's: Find the word in the Concordance, and look to the right for a number in either the Hebrew or the Greek language. You will find the number 109 in the Greek dictionary.
5. Go to the back of the Concordance: There are two dictionaries. Hebrew for the Old Testament, and Greek for the New Testament. Go to the Greek and search for # 109. You will find the Greek meaning for this word, is to 'breathe', or in other words, the breath of Life, or the spirit body which is pneuma in the Greek. NOT 'atmosphere'.Compare to 1Cor:15;52 'changed'
6. Use other resources: If your Bible has an Appendix, you will find a fantastic read on individual subjects. This one is on Pneuma, or the 'breath of Life'. 1 Cor:2

Tips & Warnings

• Don't just take some ones concept on the Word, find out for yourself
• When you study, make time and place for real thought and research
• You will find the meanings jumping off the page at you, when you dedicate yourself to in depth analysis of the languages and their meanings.
• You will only know as much as your teacher. Watch out for one-up-man-ship
• Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and watch out for dissension when you tell someone you have found out something. They will no doubt, ridicule you. That's why Jesus said, "Beware the leaven of the............