Need some practical help to make your daily reading of the Bible more interesting?
1.USE MARGINAL REFERENCES (If you can find a bible that still has them.)
When studying, use a bible with scriptural cross-references on the same theme in the middle or margin. Some themes will look promising but will become ‘dry gullies’ (gulches) and come to nothing. But a stream of marginal references can provide texts that develop a subject. Ignore isolated texts that do not link to others. Don’t dispose of your old King James Version, with its valuable marginal references, for one with side boxes full of someone else’s ideas! Turning those pages and following those marginal references might prove very rewarding.
Remember that when the Bible was written societies were agriculturally based. Paraphrased versions such as the New Living Bible and The Message Bible can be helpful in this regard. Check them for up-to-date words or expressions. Such “dynamic equivalents” replace the literal translation of the text with expressions that are more relevant to life today.
2. CHOOSE A TOPIC
By a topic, I mean a biography, a doctrine, a Christian duty or responsibility, a significant place or event (Passover or Moses leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea), prophetic fulfilment, the meaning of a particular word…
3. STUDY A THEME
Search for key phrases, such as “In that day” (Isaiah). Discover the purpose of each book in the Bible. I found the key to Esther in the fact that God is not mentioned anywhere in the Book but was there in a series of apparent coincidences – things that ‘just happened’!
4. LOOK FOR TYPES AND SHADOWS
Christ is everywhere in the Old Testament, in shadows, figures, examples, and in prophetic signs. (Luke 24:27; 1 Corinthians 10:11) In type, the coming of Jesus was “from old, from everlasting.”
5. USE A CONCORDANCE
Look for first mentions like Genesis 3:15, which is the first prophecy in the Bible. Study the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words. I recommend Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, and W E Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Greek Words. Both good investments in knowing what the words meant in New Testament Greek.
6. USE A BIBLE COMMENTARY
A good commentary helps with theology, puts biblical events in their historical context, explains difficult texts, and compares and contrasts the views of other bible commentators. Use a commentary to ensure that your ideas are theologically and historically accurate, but don’t rely on it — “The Bible is its own interpreter.”
Bedazzled by the symbolism of the Book of Revelation? Study Isaiah, Daniel and other prophets (i.e. for “the mark of the beast”, read how God “marked” His people in Ezekiel, chapter 9).
I miss those King James Version Bibles that had centre column references that I could follow from the Old Testament into the New Testament. They were ‘rivers’ which when followed led to good destinations. Some went nowhere, but the discipline proved to be well worthwhile. I wish you good outcomes as a result of your diligence in studying God’s Word, and may your preaching result in many decisions for Jesus, and your teaching produce Christians who are strong in faith and sound in doctrine!