Bible study (Christian)

Bible study refers to any of a number of methods for systematically studying the Bible. The Bible is the holy book that many believe is the inspired Word of God. The Old Testament is included in the Jewish Bible. The Christian Bible also contains Gospels known as the New Testament.

While clergy and theologians study the Bible, a more technical term for that type of study is exegesis, which refers to a critical study of a text. Bible study is usually undertaken by ordinary people on their own or in small groups for personal spiritual growth and understanding. People study the Bible for a variety of reasons, but the main reasons are generally to learn about and understand the relationship between God and humankind. Individuals may study the Bible in a number of ways, depending on the purpose of the study and the experience of the person involved.

Background

The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books (some versions have more) written by nearly four dozen authors over the course of up to one thousand eight hundred years. The earliest books of the Jewish Bible, or Tanak, which is also known as the Old Testament in the Christian Bible, were written about 1445 B.C.E. The last book of the Jewish Bible, the Book of Malachi, was written about 400 B.C.E.

The four Gospels of the New Testament are estimated to have been written between 50 C.E. and 85 C.E. The Book of Acts is believed to have been written about thirty years after the death of Christ, in about 62 C.E., and Paul's letters are believed to date to between 50 C.E. and 67 C.E. The remainder of the epistles date to between 48 and 90 C.E., and the final book, the Book of Revelation, is believed to date to 70 to 95 C.E.

Soon after these books were written, people were striving to understand what they said and what they meant. Some of the need for interpretation came from the fact that many texts were written in a different language and needed to be translated, which does not always allow for direct word-for-word substitution. Cultural differences and changes related to the passage of time that required explanation and interpretation also necessitated some study.

For many years, only the educated could read; therefore, only the educated could study the Bible. The original Bible texts were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, so only those who could understand those languages could read it. However, Jewish scholars often discussed and debated the meaning of the texts even in biblical times; the New Testament includes accounts of Jewish leaders questioning Jesus about the texts of the Jewish Scripture.

In the fourth century, Saint Jerome (347-420), a monk and theologian, was commissioned to translate the Bible to Latin. This made it available to more people, since most of the Roman Empire was able to read Latin at the time. Books were rare, however, because they were laboriously hand-copied by monks, so few people had access to the texts. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, a number of people produced English translations of the Bible. It was during this time that the invention of the printing press finally made Bibles and other texts more widely available. The average person who could read had the chance to personally read the Bible and personal Bible study became easier.

Overview

Bible study is different from simply reading the Bible. It implies trying to extract meaning or understanding from the text. People cite a number of reasons to study the Bible.

One key reason to study the Bible is to learn first-hand what it says and to be exposed to all that it says. It is unlikely a person will hear the entirety of the Bible read during religious services, even with faithful attendance over many years. The Bible is a large book, and it contains many passages that are not usually included in the readings during religious services.

Another key reason is to learn about God and Jesus, and to understand the relationship between God and humankind. The events and experiences of the people in the Bible provide information on how God acts and how God expects his faithful people to act. Studying this can help people act according to the way God desires.

A person may also study the Bible to experience the stories of people facing different situations and the ways people have handled difficulties. This can provide a person insight and wisdom into how to handle similar situations. This insight can help the person studying and also help that person help others.

Studying the Bible can also have the very practical purpose of better understanding the many everyday references that come from the Bible. Common phrases such as "going the extra mile," "slaying the giant," and being "a good Samaritan" were all popularized through the Bible. Studying the Bible helps with cultural literacy.

People may take a number of approaches to studying the Bible. One can choose one single passage on which to meditate, or read a chapter or even an entire book verse by verse to understand it in context. Another approach is to choose a topic and search for verses that go with that topic; for example, the Bible has a surprising amount to say about money and a study could easily focus on this topic alone. Studying a character or group of characters, such as women or all those who are healed, is another way to examine the Biblical texts. Another approach is to study a theme, such as forgiveness or love, looking for the verses that reflect these topics and what the Bible as a whole says as opposed to picking out only select verses.

A number of tools are available for Bible study. Some books help guide a study on a particular book of the Bible or topic; these are often designed to be used in small groups. This approach can be valuable because of the different perspectives that are likely to arise. Another useful tool is a concordance, which helps to explain the circumstances in which the text was written, who its first audience was, and some of the terms and references in the text. This can help individuals to develop a full understanding of the Bible. Bible dictionaries, maps, almanacs, and other similar references can also help with deepening understanding. Many books about the Bible can help in either individual or small group study.

Bibliography

"How Was the Bible Distributed Before the Printing Press Was Invented in 1455?" Biblica, www.biblica.com/bible/bible-faqs/how-was-the-bible-distributed-before-the-printing-press-was-invented-in-1455/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Jackson, Wayne. "Effective Bible Study: An Urgent Need for Everyone." Christian Courier, www.christiancourier.com/articles/371-effective-bible-study-an-urgent-need-for-everyone. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Jeremiah, David. "How to Study the Bible." Turning Point with David Jeremiah, www.davidjeremiah.org/site/articles/how-to-study-the-bible.aspx. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Meyer, Joyce. "How to Study the Bible." Joyce Meyer Ministries, www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=how‗to‗study‗the‗bible. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Rau, Andy. "What Was the Original Language of the Bible?" Bible Gateway, 1 June 2012, www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/06/what-was-the-original-language-of-the-bible/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Schneidewind, William M. "Origins of the Written Bible." NOVA, Public Broadcasting Service, 18 Nov. 2008, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/origins-written-bible.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Sheridan, Rick. "Bible Study Methods and Applications." Christianity Today, 2011, www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/bibleinsights/biblestudymethods.html?start=1. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Velarde, Robert. "Why Study the Bible?" Focus on the Family, 2009, www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/the-study-of-god/why-study-the-bible/why-study-the-bible. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.