RDRD BIBLE STUDY
How To Study The Bible Effectively
About DTM “A Date To Memorize” Feature Posts
Study, research, and reflection are direct methods used to rightly divide Scripture. But indirect methods also exist. In the process of studying the Bible effectively, it is important to think theologically in all things. This involves observing things through the lens of Scripture, primarily, and also through God’s dealings in history that isn’t recorded in the Bible.
One thing that will help factor God’s dealings in history into your Bible study is to commit to memory certain historical events. Memorize a date and the significance of that date. Then, whenever you are reading something that mentions a date, you will have a frame of reference for a general historical context.
Within a short time, you will begin to look at events in contemporary and past history from a theological viewpoint. What is God doing? How did God use this? Why did this make a difference in Christianity? Is this similar to other historical events, either symbolically or literally? Of course, this will not happen overnight, but it will happen.
And back to the main purpose… As you incorporate historical events into your T-Cubed (Theological Thinking Training) box, you will gradually become aware of this knowledge informing your Bible study, research, and reflection. The sovereignty of God within history will become increasingly obvious to you. And your faith will be continually strengthened in the hope to which you are called.
And this is of utmost importance for both your personal relationship with Jesus and your Christian witness in the world. Because of your love of Christ, you will be passing your faith and hope in God’s love to others.
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 13 Three things will last forever– faith, hope, and love– and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, NLT