GROWING IN GOD'S WORD

How to increase your Understanding of the Bible

By Grant Steidl

Introduction
Know the Grand Theme of the Bible
Depend Upon the Holy Spirit
Understand How We Got the Bible
Recognize the Purpose of the Bible
Approach the Bible Reverently
Realize that God's Truth is Many-Sided
Take Figurative Language Figuratively
Simple Rules for Interpreting Prophecy
Let the Bible Guide Your Daily Life
Use Different Ways to Learn the Bible
Make Your Bible Study Count
Conclusion

"Desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby." - 1 Peter 2:2

INTRODUCTION

As you begin Growing In God's Word, it is good to consider for a moment the subject of our study. According to one author,

"The Bible is the book of books, the oldest book in existence, the most circulated and the best read book in the whole world. The 1631 languages in which all or part of the Bible is available, represents what is spoken by some 98% of the world's population. It is thus a universal book and the greatest traveler in the world. It is seen in the royal palace and in the humble cottage and read by emperors and beggars, giving comfort, light, and salvation to millions. It has been marvelously preserved for us down through the centuries in spite of Satan's many fierce and fiery efforts to destroy it. Many have been martyred for it, choosing rather to die than to deny its precious truths."

If you keep your Bible handy as you study, and keep in mind the eternal value of its contents, you will not be disappointed.

KNOW THE GRAND THEME OF THE BIBLE

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the grand theme of the Bible from cover to cover. He Himself said so just after His resurrection. Speaking to two of His disciples, He went back to the very beginning of the Bible and "expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). Speaking later in the same chapter He said:

"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me" (Luke 24:44,45).

How did the disciples respond to the words of their Lord? Their eyes were opened. Their hearts burned within them. Their strength was renewed. Their faith was enlarged. We will experience the same thing as we study the Bible to learn more of our Lord Jesus Christ.

DEPEND UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT

Read very carefully the following quotation from 1 Corinthians 2:9-12:

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."