Things that Help Us Understand the Bible

Recognizing the Bible as God’s Word Believing the Bible is the word of God helps in understanding it by causing one to be reverent and more serious in study There is ample evidence to prove the Bible is the word of God –Prophets portrayed with complete accuracy events far in the future (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1) –Isaiah 53 predicted the people would despise the Messiah

Other Proofs of Inspiration The unity of the Bible stakes a claim to inspiration –It is comprised of 66 books written by about 40 writers over a period of some 1,600 years –Writers included common fishermen, a doctor, a lawyer and a man who received the highest education possible in view of his becoming a world leader –Still, they wrote in a way that points the reader to man’s struggle with sin, God’s redeeming love and the Savior who has overcome the grave –Even books written by a single author are not as focused

Delivered to the Common Man The Bible was delivered to the common man God’s purpose was to save those who would be in Christ (Ephesians 1:4) Though planned before the world was created, God did not send his Son until the time was ripe (Ephesians 1:10) –Roman domination brought general peace –Ease of travel –The almost universal usage of Koine Greek, the language of the common man, allowed the Bible to be communicated to people all over the world

Use Common Sense Knowing the Bible was written to the common man should encourage people to study with the hope of understanding Use common sense to discern what God was saying because it was written in simple terms –For example, when Jesus said he is the door of the sheepfold, we know it was not a literal door –When it says Jesus’ wept, we know it is literal –Common sense will help us to know what is literal and what is figuarative

An Open Mind The Ethiopian nobleman gained a fuller understanding of God’s word through 1 simple question, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31) Lessons can be learned from those who would seem least likely to know, if we will keep an open mind –Naaman learned the secret to the cure of his leprosy from a little servant girl (2 Kings 5:1-3)

Willing to Work Timothy had known the scriptures since childhood, yet Paul urged him to be diligent to be an approved worker, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 3:15; 2:15) Work must be part of an ongoing process, as is demonstrated by the Bereans (Acts 17:11-12) Mary chose hearing the Master over things of lesser importance (Luke 10:38-42)

A Sincere Desire to Know the Truth Jesus’ disciples asked why he spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10-17) –It was God’s will for them to know the mysteries –Unbelieving Jews saw the miracles but refused to see Jesus as God’s Son, their hearts filled with earthly desires and their ears were unreceptive –The disciples believed because of their opportunities and God gave them greater opportunity for understanding in the teaching of the parables Beware of going to scripture with mind made up and refusing to understand the truth we may read there (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Good Tools Several versions (use standard translations done by a committee, like KJV, NKJV, ASV, RSV, NET, and avoid paraphrases) A good dictionary A good concordance (Strong’s Exhaustive) A Bible dictionary A geography book, or Bible atlas (Baker’s Bible Atlas) Commentaries Center column reference, or footnotes

Prayer James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him.” 1 Kings 3:9 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”