Do you find reading

much less studying the Bible

puzzling?

I know I did for the most part until I learned how to study my Bible.

I did not see how things related to one another

within a chapter of a book of the Bible,

much less how one book related to another, etc.

It was a puzzle.

I felt I had a box of puzzle pieces without a photo to look at

so I could begin to seek for someone or something

to help me find what the picture was to become.

Have you been there, too?

It helps to think of reading the Bible or a portion of the Bible

as you would handle a jigsaw puzzle.

First things first. . .

what would you first do?

You'd dump out the pieces on a table, turn them right side up and then. . .

then you'd look for the corners and edge pieces.

In scripture there are things you want to look for first:

people

places

things

&

events

Make a list of them, if not on paper, in your head.

Then you would look the pieces of the puzzle over carefully again

and look for the pieces whose color and design printed upon them were similar

(focus on each chapter individually)

You would then look at those separate groupings

and see if the groups parts fit together and you'd fit together what you could

(how do the chapters flow from one to the other)

Then you might begin to see which groups are possibly connecting to other groups

(what is the picture within the chapters of the book?)

Bit by bit you would see order taking place

You'd see differences, connections, and similarities

And a picture would begin to form that shows parts and the bigger picture.

You'd really need the picture but you could complete the puzzle if you took extra time.

And it would be more successful if you shared this experience, right?

It would be more fun, too.

And you'd see things come together

and appreciate they things others saw that you had not.

So this can occur in Bible study & reading of the scriptures.

That said, consider joining a group online, or better yet,

in your local church or community

to study a book within the Bible.

The study method I learned to use to step by step

put together an understanding

of the Bible and its books

is the inductive study method.

Want to learn more?

The best to-date study program I've found is

Precept Ministries.

You can find local classes from their website or click on the right column logo

on my page to find classes in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

You'll get "the picture" through their studies,

I can't recommend them highly enough.

After 20 years, I'm still studying with them.

Try it and let me know what you discover!

Can't find a class? Learn online

or order their book How To Study Your Bible

(or find it at Amazon or your local bookstore)

Truth For Life

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes!

With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth.

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statues

I will not forget your word.

Psalm 119:9-16