1. HOW TO STUDY EFFECTIV ELY

2. ECCLESIASTES 12:9-12 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. {10} The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. {11} The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. {12} And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

3. IF WE DON’T LEARN TO STUDY WE MAY BE LIKE THOSE IN 2 TIMOTHY 3:6-7 WHO NEVER LEARN THE TRUTH.

4. WHEN STUDYING I NEED... I. THE RIGHT TOOLS.

5. A. TOOLS THAT ARE TRUSTWORTHY. B. TOOLS THAT ARE HELPFUL. C. EXAMPLES OF GOOD TOOLS. 1. GOOD TRANSLATION - ACCURATE, READABLE 2. PAPER AND PEN, OR COMPUTER 3. EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE 4. GOOD BIBLE DICTIONARY / DICTIONARY 5. GOOD COMMENTARY

6. WHEN STUDYING I NEED... I. THE RIGHT TOOLS. II. TO FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND.

7. A. MAKE IT A PRIVATE MEETING. B. DISTRACTIONS ARE TOOLS OF SATAN. C. FIND AN APPROPRIATE PLACE AND TIME.

8. WHEN STUDYING I NEED... I. THE RIGHT TOOLS. II. TO FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND. III. TO TAKE GOOD NOTES.

9. A. WRITE DOWN NEW INSIGHTS GAINED. B. WRITE DOWN QUESTIONS UNCOVERED.

10. WHEN STUDYING I NEED... I. THE RIGHT TOOLS. II. TO FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND. III. TO TAKE GOOD NOTES. IV. TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

11. A. QUESTIONS THAT HELP MY UNDERSTANDING. B. QUESTIONS THAT HELP ME DIG DEEPER. C. EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS & WHY THEY ARE GOOD.

12. C. QUESTIONS & WHY THEY ARE GOOD. 1. WHO IS SPEAKING TO WHOM? - GENESIS 6:14-16; 37:31-35 2. WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECT MEANING? - EXODUS 20:13; DEUT. 13:6-10 3. IS IT LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE? - MATTHEW 3:7 4. IS THIS ALL THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT IT? - MARK 14:47; MATTHEW 26:51- 52; LUKE 22:49-51; JOHN 18:10-11

13. C. QUESTIONS & WHY THEY ARE GOOD. 5. IS IT TAUGHT MORE CLEARLY ELSEWHERE? - REVELATION 12:3, 9 6. DOES MY IDEA OF THE MEANING VIOLATE ANOTHER PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE? - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:29; MARK 16:16; ACTS 2:38 7. AM I WILLING TO CHANGE MYSELF? - ISAIAH 1:18-20

14. WHEN STUDYING I NEED... I. THE RIGHT TOOLS. II. TO FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND. III. TO TAKE GOOD NOTES. IV. TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. V. TO KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR HELP.

15. A. WITHOUT BEING JUDGED. B. TO UNDERSTAND SCRIPTURES NOT OPINIONS. C. TO NOT BE TOO AFRAID, TOO STUBBORN, OR TOO PROUD TO GO TO SOMEONE WHEN YOU NEED HELP.

16. CONCLUSION Are you studying? Are you using the right tools? Are you devoting time to study? Are you noting what you learn? Are you asking the right questions? Are you accepting the answers? Are you willing to change? Do you know who to go to for help? Are you willing to humbly ask when you need help?