Q&A for How to Study the Bible

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  • Question
    Does reading the Bible bring you closer to God?
    Zachary Rainey
    Ordained Minister
    Rev. Zachary B. Rainey is an ordained minister with over 40 years of ministry and pastoral practice, including over 10 years as a hospice chaplain. He is a graduate of Northpoint Bible College and a member of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
    Ordained Minister
    Expert Answer
    Through reading the Bible, you can read about the death of Jesus Christ, which is the Bible's most important lesson. Through Jesus's death, sinners can find relief from their sins that keep them away from God. Reading about Jesus's experiences can help you participate in a miraculous transformation into a child of God.
  • Question
    How do you read the Bible effectively?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    That depends on your focus and what you are trying to get from your reading. You may find it helpful to focus on a particular theme or to divide your reading up into smaller pieces (such as individual books, chapters, or verses). Think about what you are hoping to learn or what insights you are trying to gain about either yourself or the material. You might also find it helpful to take notes, since this can help you clarify your thinking and retain information better.
  • Question
    Are there any good Bible study apps?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    A few popular Bible study apps include Bible by Life.church, Bible.IS, and Bible Gateway. These apps boast a variety of translations as well as features such as bookmarking, notes, and highlighting. Some also allow you to set up your own reading plans.
  • Question
    I am a very busy person, but I really want to study God's word. I schedule my study time late at night, but I always fall asleep. What can I do?
    Katie Arledge Rutan
    Community Answer
    If you are always falling asleep because you are too tired, maybe try studying first thing in the morning. Try going to sleep earlier and then waking up earlier and doing your study during or before breakfast. It can be hard at the end of the day to squeeze God in, but it's easy and you'll never forget if you make it a habit in the morning.
  • Question
    How do I know God has answered my prayers?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes God gives you what you've asked for immediately. Sometimes, he says to wait and be patient, and that what you've asked for will come later when it is the right time. Sometimes, what you've asked for isn't in God's perfect plan for you. He always answers, but not always in the way you expect.
  • Question
    How do I feed the Word of God in the spirit?
    Community Answer
    By praying the living Word of God and praying in the power of the Holy Spirit. We walk by Faith so build yourself up in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit.
  • Question
    Right before I broke up with my boyfriend, I became abstinent because I knew fornication is a sin. Soon after I broke up with my boyfriend because he seemed distant once I made that decision. What happened?
    Community Answer
    Your boyfriend was in lust with you. Many people mistake lust (desire for premarital/extramarital sex) for love. You did what is right in God's sight. Pray for a man who is a believer and will follow God and think with the head on his shoulders. Looks fade; people's flaws show when you get to know them; but a heart for Jesus will keep a spouse attractive and cover those flaws with love.
  • Question
    My husband has never been there for me, he is with his mother all the time. He gave up his job for his mother. Can I leave him for good?
    Theladyorthetiger
    Community Answer
    The Bible tells us that we can only divorce if there is sexual immorality involved. Sit down with your husband and explain to him kindly how you feel and ask him how he feels. Remember, all things work together for good to those who love God, so no matter what happens, God will use it for the good of His kingdom.
  • Question
    What are Bible search engines?
    Leo Boivin
    Community Answer
    They are apps or websites where you can search for a specific verse in the Bible. These can be a quite helpful tool!
  • Question
    If I've heard all the Gospels before, is it okay if I start in my favorite book, Philippians?
    Community Answer
    You can start wherever you like, but just keep in mind that every time you read a passage, God will increase your understanding and reveal new truths. You may have heard the Gospels before, but you don't know all the truth they contain.
  • Question
    Where should I start reading the Bible, being a new Christian?
    Community Answer
    Start reading the Gospel first, as it tells the story of Jesus. Alternatively, you could start at the beginning and read the Bible from cover to cover. Not many people do this.
  • Question
    How do I ask God for healing of my wife, who is in critical condition?
    Community Answer
    Pray to him and tell him whatever is on your heart. Just make yourself open to him.
  • Question
    Why is it that I read the Bible but do not comprehend what I read?
    Community Answer
    There are a lot of guides and commentaries available to help you understand. Reading a different version is a good idea, especially if you are stuck on something complicated like the King James version. I'd suggest the NIV or the Message version for better comprehension.
  • Question
    My boyfriend doesn't believe in God but reads and prays with me only for me. I want him to really understand but I don't totally understand myself. How can I help him?
    Community Answer
    The fact that he's reading and praying with you is a great start. He's got to find his own way to God.
  • Question
    How do I read 150 verses in two days?
    Community Answer
    Pace yourself. Split the passages up, or read 75 the first day and the remaining 75 the next day.
  • Question
    How do I lift an unbeliever's spirit?
    TreeofHolz
    Community Answer
    The most important thing you can do is to continue to uplift them in prayer. As we know the greatest hope, and the reason we have hope at all is Jesus, and it can be difficult to convey this message across. However, even if they don't believe, that doesn't mean they won't be encouraged by a Psalm or Proverb, a verse that speaks to what they are going through in life.
  • Question
    I do believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but after 7 months of being saved I still haven't received the Holy Spirit. I've been prayed over to receive it, but nothing happened. How can I get it?
    Theladyorthetiger
    Community Answer
    The Holy Spirit gives you the gift of faith. If you believe, then you have received the Holy Spirit. Welcome to the Christian faith!
  • Question
    How can I stop being addicted to sleeping with prostitutes? I always ask for God's forgiveness after the act, but I am tired of hurting God every time. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Find yourself an accountability partner, someone you trust that can keep things between you and them, tell them what you have done and ask them to keep track of you. Whenever you feel like falling back into your old ways, give them a call and have them help talk you out of it and pray with them. Asking God for help is necessary, but asking a friend for help is often very useful as well.
  • Question
    How old was Mary when she gave birth?
    Community Answer
    According to life expectancy and marital age at that time, Mary is said to have been about 12-15 years old when she gave birth to Jesus.
  • Question
    What if I want to share the gospel, but I just don't know how to?
    Community Answer
    Ask God to help you. You don't need to know the Bible cover to cover or be a pastor to share the good news about who Jesus is and what He's done for you. Share from your personal experience about how Jesus has changed your life. Learn some key scriptures. All God needs is a willing heart, and you clearly have that!
  • Question
    How do l meditate on the word of God?
    Community Answer
    Study the Bible every day and try memorizing some verses. Pray, and ask God to help you understand the truth of His word.
  • Question
    If Adam and Eve had only two children, where did Cain's wife come from?
    Community Answer
    The Bible doesn't say. It jumps from Cain's banishment and stay in Nod to his sexual relations with his wife. We probably don't know where his wife came from, or where Nod the city came from, or where everyone else came from. Maybe God created more people like He did Adam and Eve. Perhaps Adam and Eve had other children who were not mentioned specifically, who multiplied over the many years Adam, Eve, and their first children were alive.
  • Question
    I'm a Muslim, will the Quran be a good substitute?
    Community Answer
    The Quran is the book for Muslims. Even though it is similar to the Bible, it is not the Bible, so it would not be a substitute, even though Ishmael was a descendant of Abraham, along with Isaac.
  • Question
    Is Saturday the true Sabbath of God?
    The Learning Method
    Community Answer
    There is no evidence that it was changed to Sunday in the Bible. God chose Saturday (Genesis 2, Exodus 20, etc.), and Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
  • Question
    I do believe in God, but whenever I pick up the Bible or a Christian article to read, I start feeling sleepy. Even when I want to pray, something always comes up. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Find other strong Christians you trust and ask them to pray for you; it sounds like is the devil is trying to hinder you. Don't let him! Jesus will fight for you if you trust him. Satan often tries to discourage us, even in seemingly small ways like this. I've felt Satanic opposition before, and the best way to drive him away is to speak/sing praises to God. Satan will actually go away if you command him in the name of Jesus and speak God's praises. But don't go it alone, ask other Christians for their prayers!
  • Question
    How can I obey God's teachings? I am weak when temptations are before me, I can't overcome it. I want to change from my old nature to new. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You can obey God teaching by putting on the whole Armor of God, read the Bible daily and begin studying the Word of God daily. To change from one state to another, you must get out of the mindset that you used to have and control all things that come your way that you know in your heart are wrong. You may need to get into a church were it is uplifting to you. Get around individuals who add value to your life and enrich it. Find one friend or family member who wants you to be happy and have all that your heart desires. Hang out with that individual for several months until you see yourself changing for the good.
  • Question
    Why are there so many books for Roman Catholics?
    Leloh
    Community Answer
    Roman Catholicism a very complex religion, so there are lots of books to provide information, history and guidance.
  • Question
    I am Christian, can I be friends with a homosexual?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that should not change anything. Jesus loved and accepted everyone and he would want you to do the same.
  • Question
    Why is it offensive to tell someone that the Bible rejects homosexuality?
    Community Answer
    People can get offended by this because they might feel like you're rejecting them. Same-sex relations have troubled many religions over the years, but additional insight can be found by doing research into the "clobber verses" about homosexuality (which are so often used to threaten or scold, but not to heal) and what they originally meant in the context of the book they were written in.
  • Question
    I read the bible, but I get tired. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You could try reading it earlier in the day or setting goals. You could try setting a goal of how much you'll read per day, or something like that.
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