1. BIBLE STUDY 1 HOW TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD.
Key Text - 2 Tim. 2:15
Hymns: SDAH 245, 286

2. REASONS WHY PEOPLE STUDY THE BIBLE
One may read for leisure;
to gain or improve reading skills;
to get some information;
to build vocabulary; to casually make meaning of certain issues;
to develop our verbal abilities;
to improve memory and enhance creative imagination;
to help develop focus and concentration

3. It is good to read particularly, the Bible. In Revelation 1:3,
Scripture says “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near”.

4. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN READING THE WORD OF GOD AND STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD
Reading may involve a casual perusal of a giving material without paying attention to details
To study, involves devotion of time and attention for detailed investigation and analysis of a given subject. Unfortunately, some Christians spend more time reading the Bible rather than studying it. In this study, our focus is to look at how to study the word of God. Alongside this, we shall see the benefits that we derive from studying the Word of God.

5. STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD
We are counseled to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15. This text calls for diligence and careful analysis of the Word of God in order to be workmen and women for God.

6. THE QUESTION WE ALWAYS ASK
If the Holy Spirit inspired the Word of God why are there so many different ideas about what the Bible teaches?

7. The main reason is that sometimes we want to subject the Bible to our opinions, prejudices and subjectivities instead of humbly submitting ourselves to God and subjecting ourselves to the Word of God. Therefore, many people do Eisegesis that is, reading their own meanings into the Word of God rather than getting or digging meaning(s) out of the Word God which is Exegesis.

8. “…open mind and heart that you may behold wondrous things out of God’s Word”
We are to subject ourselves to the searching light of God and allow the Word to work on us, in us, through us and for us rather than trying to let the Word of God subject to us. We must allow for its prognostic and diagnostic influences to transform us so that we become His agents of transformation.

9. HOW TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD
Various methodologies and approaches of interpretation, called Hermeneutics
Allegorical Method by seeing the Word of God as symbolic having a supernatural meaning
Literal Interpretation focusing on the text itself as having the meaning. Both of them have their limitations.

10. Adventists adopt the Historical-Grammatical Method which emphasizes the words of the text and the historical context.

11. 1. Set aside a regular time for the study of the Word of God:
Habitually it must be morning after bed and evenings before bed.
Jesus had this habitual meeting with His Father in the night before the break of day. His prayer life came with the meditation and study of God’s Word (See, Acts 17:11; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Mark 1:35).

12. 2. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding:
Ask God to lead by His Spirit and to reveal His will to you. True understanding comes from the Eternal God. You cannot reason it out for yourself (Psalms 119:33-40; Proverbs 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 1:25-29; Jeremiah 9:23-24). Our minds have been blinded (2 Corinthians 3:14; 4:4) and corrupted (2 Corinthians 11:3) because of the fall and sin. We of ourselves cannot grasp spiritual truth without special enlightenment.

13. The natural man unchanged and unaided by the Holy Spirit cannot arrive at spiritual truth (Matthew 11:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 12:2). The Holy Spirit aids us in two ways:
i) to lead us to understanding,
and ii) to lead us to experience the Word in our personal lives (John 16:13).

14. 3. Have a right attitude toward the Truth
3. Have a right attitude toward the Truth. Be ready to do the will of God:
The one who sincerely desires and chooses to do the will of God will be enlightened to understand His will. He will be enabled to distinguish truth from error (See, John 7:17; Psalm 119:34; James 1:22-25; Revelation 1:3). Those who study diligently and prayerfully will understand God’s messages (Daniel 12:10; Psalm 25:14).

15. When we desire to be the doers of His Word rather than being hearers only to deceive ourselves, then we shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free (See, Romans 2:13; James 1:22; John 8:36).

16. 4. Recognize the complete harmony of the Scriptures:
All Scripture was given by inspiration of God for Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21). If we understand the Scriptures correctly, they never contradict themselves

17. 5. Consider the context of the text:
Every passage of Scripture should be considered in its context if it is to be understood correctly. Context is often broader than a few surrounding verses or even a chapter. Sometimes a series of chapters, an entire book, or even a period of history described in different books may have to be considered as a setting for a verse or a phrase

18. Chapter and verse divisions are later additions and so we must not make meaning out of just a verse.
The historical and cultural background is also a key that unlocks a text.
We must as well consider the genre or the literary type being studied –
whether prose, history, narrative/account, poetry, prophecy, eschatology, epistle/letter etc.

19. 6. Considering various Bible versions:
All the English Bible versions can be put under three main groups: i) Word-for- Word Translations attempt to translate each Hebrew or Greek word into a corresponding English word. Examples are the King James Version, the New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Amplified Bible, English Standard Version, and Revised Standard Version;

20. ii) The thought-for-thought translations or Meaning-for-Meaning translations seek to express the meaning of each sentence or paragraph from the original language in simple up-to-date English without being tied to translating every word. Examples are New International Version (most well-known), Holman Christian Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, World English Bible and New Century Version;

21. and iii) Paraphrased Translations have the primary goal of conveying the Bible in a simple, easy-to-understand language without regard to word-for- word nor even meaning-for-meaning expressions of the original languages. Examples are New Living Translation, New International Reader’s Version, Good News Translation (also Good News Bible), Contemporary English Version, The Living Bible, and The Message. Reading from these three strands whilst studying the Word of God has great benefits.

22. Allowing the Bible to be its own Interpreter:
The Bible interprets all of its essential symbols. We must avoid reading our own meaning or another person’s interpretation into the words of the Bible. Men’s own interpretations are at best only conjecture (See, Isaiah 28:10, 13; Ezra 7:10).

23. 8. Using aids to study the Bible:
There are numerous aids that can be employed to make Bible study more effective and rewarding. For instance, the spirit of prophecy writings given through Ellen G. White, Bible dictionaries and commentaries, lexicons, atlases, and books on archaeology, history, and other related topics will contribute to your ability to dig out and to understand Bible truth (Jemison, 1959: 27-29).

24. 9. Seek correction and instruction from the Word of God:
The Word of God is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15- 17).

25. 10. In studying you must observe the following:
a) Write down your observations as you read the text;
b) record questions that come to your mind;
c) look up cross-references;
d) record insights you gain in your own diary;
e) outline chapters or put them in your own words;
f) put into practice the things you have learnt;
g) share your insights with others (Koranteng- Pipim, 2017:47).

26. Conclusion
Studying the Word of God is an imperative for every Christian (2 Timothy 2:15). By this, we shall grow in the knowledge of Christ and mature from grace to grace sharing the Word of God with others. We cannot give what we do not have. If the church is not sharing the Word of God,

27. “He who teaches the word must himself live in conscious, hourly communion with God through prayer and a study of His word for here is the source of strength” (White, 1911:362). As we seek to reach the world with the Word of God, we must first seek God through His Word. One may know the facts about the Bible, the principles of Christian living, God’s plan for the future, but may not understand the meaning of these facts. We may be able to explain the prophecies, and yet be unprepared for future events that will involve us personally (Matthew 7:21-23). Study the Word and act accordingly!