If you’re not enjoying Bible study it may be you haven’t learned how to do it right. Good Bible study is answering three questions:
- What does it say?
- What does it mean?
- How should it change my life?
The first question makes you READ. We don’t do this very well. Because the Bible is in chapters and verses we tend to read in a fragmented way. We read a verse and stop, read and stop, read and stop, and we miss so much! Try reading an entire book of the Bible in one sitting. This doesn’t take long (especially a New Testament book). Try reading out loud so you won’t stop. Reading this way gives the overall landscape of the text.
The second question makes you INTERPRET. Interpretation is all about context. Without the context you can easily misinterpret. Try outlining the book you’ve read to see the flow of thought. Carefully consider what the entire text says before you try to interpret a specific verse.
The third question makes you APPLY. This means asking the tough questions like, “How do I need to change?” “What do I need to do?” “What do I need to stop doing?”
This is what makes Bible study enjoyable. It is not an academic exercise. It is an opportunity to hear what God has to say to YOU! Read the Bible this way and it will never be boring again!