How to Study the Bible

How do you study the Bible?
That question can be asked in two different ways depending on the emphasis.

How do you study the Bible?
As in, what's your favorite way to approach study? Do you like chapter and verse by verse study or do you prefer following a Bible study plan like reading through the Bible in a year?

OR

HOW do you study the Bible?
As in, I don't know where to get started. The Bible is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin.

The last question is really what I wanted to talk about.  Mark and I discussed this a long time because I thought his opinion would be valuable. 

I decided to write this post because I recently had a discussion with a good friend who felt frustrated with Bible study.  Many people want to study the Bible but feel intimidated and they don't know where to start.

Don't be afraid. 

One of my favorite verses reminds me that we can seek all the answers we need in the Bible.

2 Timothy 3: 16-17 (ESV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What a good place to start! 

It's important to understand that the purpose of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, is to guide us to Jesus Christ. The Bible explains God's will for our lives and how we can obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.  

Focus of the Old Testament
The Old Testament and old law was written to God's chosen people the Jews (Israelites or Hebrews).  God made several covenants (agreements) with his chosen people in the Old Testament.  There's a pattern in the Old Testament of them sinning and turning away from God, God punishing them and bringing them back to repentance.  The Old Testament is also full of prophecy about the coming Messiah--Jesus Christ.  

Focus of the New Testament
The New Testament focuses on Jesus Christ.  The Gospels explain how Jesus came to Earth as a man and was rejected by the Jews.  Jesus fulfilled the old law but did not set up a kingdom on earth as the Jews expected.  His death, burial and resurrection was the perfect sacrifice allowing all who obey his commands to have forgiveness of sin.  Jesus' followers the disciples preached and taught all of Jesus' commandments.

So with all that said...where should you begin your study.

If I had limited Bible knowledge, then I'd start by reading Genesis and Exodus, which are the first two books in the Old Testament.


If I wanted to start in the New Testament, I'd start with the Gospels or "good news" explaining the life of Jesus. There's one Gospel, but it's told in 4 different ways. We all can learn from the Bible, but keep in mind when studying the gospels that each is geared toward a specific group. Matthew to a Jewish audience; Mark to a non-Jewish, Roman audience; Luke to non-Jews or Gentiles, and John with no specific audience. The Gospel of John reads differently in style than Matthew, Mark or Luke.  I'd probably start with Mark because it's concise and to the point.

After the Gospels, I might move on to Acts. It explains the establishment and history of the early Church, ministry of the apostles, and gives details about the lives of early Christians.

 Many of the books in the New Testament are epistles or letters to specific churches or individuals. There are also letters to specific people or written by specific individuals.  For example,  Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, Philemon, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John and Jude.  Each letter addresses certain concerns or problems in the church and issues in the lives of Christians.  The letters also praise positive things they are doing and offer encouragement for Christian living.  The letters to the individuals give specific instructions concerning certain topics.  Revelation is a little harder for me to explain because it's prophecy.

If I finished the Gospels and completed reading Acts, I might read Hebrews to better understand the Old Covenant and New Covenant. If you have an understanding of that, then so much more of the Bible makes sense or at least it did for me. If I completed Hebrews, then I'd read James next and then Romans.

Often times people randomly open the Bible and expect to find the answers.  The Bible has everything we need to know, especially for those who are seeking and searching, but it's good to start your study of the Bible thoughtfully and with a purpose rather than just a random approach.  The following list will be helpful when you start your study of the Bible.

Things to keep in mind when studying the Bible.

#1 Consider context

#2 Have a plan

#3 Be dedicated

#4 Use common sense, reasoning and good judgment

#5 Be open to what it says
#6  It's okay to have questions, keep searching the Bible for the answers. 

#7  Remember the Bible doesn't contradict itself so if something is confusing keep studying.  It will make sense.

If you become frustrated, please don't give up.  Continue your study and keep following the suggestions above.  

My email is redbirdblue29 (at) gmail (dot) com if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them to the best of my understanding. Also you can leave a comment and I can reply back to it.

I hope you are encouraged in your efforts to study and understand the Bible.  

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart

Will's Kindergarten Rodeo

Each year the kindergarten class has a rodeo.  The kids are allowed to dress up like real cowboys.  You would think that's easy for us since we live in Texas.  We do live in rural Texas, but we don't own any western clothing.  Thank goodness I have some sweet friends who let us borrow cowboy boots, a belt, and cowboy hat.  Will looked like a real cowboy.  Yeehaw!

The students "barrel race" while riding stick horses.  Will always does things his own way and he didn't want to ride the horse.  He just carried it and ran around the tubs that were the barrels.

Go, Will, Go! 

Poor horse, LOL! 

Cowboy Will 

Will and some of his classmates all dressed up. 

I couldn't leave out Ben.  He wanted a photo in the cowboy hat.

Hello Spring Break!

It's Spring Break!

Woo Hoo!

Hello Fun, Rest, Relaxation and Family Time!

 

 

Friday night we took the boys to eat at McDonald's.  

Please. Don't. Judge.  

They love it and it was a fun way to start Spring Break.

We balanced out our trip to McDonald's with a stop by Whole Foods before we headed home.  Yes, I just used McDonald's and Whole Foods together in the same sentence.  Somewhere the organic police just sounded an alarm ;)  

While we were out and about, we went to Target.  I picked up this new bottle of nail polish.  I love essie and this color--turquoise & caicos.  Fun for spring!

Saturday was a lazy day at home.  I had two cups of coffee and didn't feel rushed to hurry off to work.  So relaxing.  I'd been eyeing this Valentine's mug at Starbucks.  It was on clearance for $3 so I bought it at the Starbucks in Target.

I even worked out.  I didn't workout at all during the Christmas break and I hurt my ankle in January.  That terrible combination resulted in me gaining 5lbs.  I'm still struggling to lose it.  So no break from working out on Spring Break.

It's just Monday, but we have a week full of fun.

Daffodils blooming in my in-law's yard.  We usually plan a trip to the Dallas Arboretum during Spring Break.  I love seeing all of the tulips and spring flowers.

I plan to do a little thrifting over the break.  Earlier this month I found these milk glass vases at my local thrift store for 10 cents each!

I'll probably be making a few runs to the donut shop with my boys still in their PJs. 

We'll visit Mama Winnie at the nursing home. 

 

 

I'm spending extra time on the ol' blog writing about things that are near and dear to my heart.

I have a special post about studying the Bible that I'll share later this week.

 

I'll have time to bake. 

The boys will have time to build. 

and play 

 

 

{Linking up to Lisa Leonard and lowercase letters}

Will's All-Star Birthday Bash

Will turned 6 at the beginning of November.  

When I was looking through photos on the computer, I realized that I never took time to write a blog post about Will's All-Star Birthday Bash.

Here's my excuse--the Fall is always so busy for us with back to school chaos, and this year Will started kindergarten.  In addition to the normal responsibilities we have, Will played soccer for the first time. We also have several family birthdays we celebrate during the Fall including Will's.  With such a hectic schedule that continues through the holidays, it's easy for me to put blogging on the back burner during that time.

It seems like I've finally had a moment to breathe. Since I've had some time to slow down, I decided to blog about Will's party.  (It's only 4 months late!!!)

We had his birthday party on his actual birthday, which was really neat.  Our birthday parties usually consist of having our friends and family over.  This year Will invited some of his friends from school and his soccer team.  We cookout, have cake and ice cream, party games and a pinata.

This party game was "pin the football in the goal post".

Here's a better view.

I cut a piece of poster board into 4 strips and stapled it to the fence in the shape of a goal post.

I made footballs for everyone who was invited with their names written on it.  I taped them to our back door and when the game started each child took his or her football so they could play.

Here's Will!  He found the goal post!  Way to go!

The birthday boy.  I can't believe he is 6!

We divided the kids into teams and had a marshmallow relay race with spoons.  It was a little chaotic. Some of the kids liked it and others weren't into it.  Those who did, had fun trying to carry the marshmallows on the spoons to the buckets.

Will's cake was made by my talented friend, Brandi.  She's made almost all of the cakes for Will and Ben's birthday parties.  She is so creative. 

Party central 

Mark and his brother Clay were in charge of the grill. 

We threw down some picnic blankets for the kids to eat on.  It was super easy cleanup.  I highly recommend it for serving little ones.   They really liked it too.

My big boy!  I LOVE this photo of Will.  This is my favorite photo from his birthday party. 

Make a wish! 

It's not a party until you take a swing at the pinata   My cousin Jared bravely raised and lowered the pinata for the kiddos. 

Go get it, Ben!

Will had his turn. 

The pinata was stubborn and wouldn't bust open.  We finally broke out the aluminum bat.   I'm a worrier and didn't want any kids to get hit accidentally so we made a barrier out of rope to hold the kids back.

Finally!  It busted open.  Candy!!!

Presents!!!

Will always loves the handmade gifts from his cousins.

What a great group of kids!  I'm thankful for our wonderful friends and family who made Will's birthday so special.

Get Pin-Spired #2

Get Pin-Spired #2

Dress: Old Navy

Cardi: J Crew outlet

Tights: Gap

Suede Wedges: Target

Who doesn't love Reese?!?  She's awesome!

Source: peoplestylewatch.com via Michele on Pinterest

Black jeggings: Gap outlet

Tunic: Gap

Cardi: Target

Brown boots: DSW

I didn't add a scarf, but these outfits inspired the one above.

Source: pin2fun283.blogspot.com via Michele on Pinterest

Source: keepinitthriftyandrea.blogspot.com via Michele on Pinterest

Skinny jeans and flannel: Target

Boots: DSW

This photo doesn't show an entire outfit, but this image made me want to move to a lake house and wear flannel all the time.  In reality, I don't live near a lake and this is the only flannel shirt I own.  A girl can dream, right?

And, I can never pull off the messy bun look, but I still try!

Source: dailycrushes.blogspot.com via Michele on Pinterest

Linking up to 

The Larson Lingo Get Pin-Spired #2

Friends

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You too? I thought I was the only one." C.S. Lewis

 

It wasn't until I moved away from home and attended college that I made my first real best friends.  The quote above perfectly describes that experience.  I finally found people who I had "that moment" with and it was an amazing thing!

 

Two of my best friends from college, Kelly and Andrea, and I have reconnected over the last year.  We were very close for a couple of years in college and then life happened, as it usually does, and lives change.  We got married, started working at our jobs, and had babies.  We all know there's not ever another time in life like those carefree college days.  Honestly, I can't even imagine life with so few responsibilities.  Somehow we have reconnected despite having hectic lives and being in 3 different states.  Thanks to modern technology we've been able to renew our friendship.  I finally broke down and got a smart phone, which allowed us to communicate easily through group texts. 

 

I truly thank the Lord for the blessing these ladies have been in my life.  As I look back I can see how the Lord has allowed me to have friendships along the way that have encouraged me and helped shape me into the person I am today. 

 

Andrea and Kelly are both examples of devoted wives and loving mothers.  They are both encouraging, funny and devout Christians.  They are all those things, but most of all they are real.  They don't pretend that everything is perfect or act like they have it all together.  It's their humbleness that makes them even more encouraging. 

 

I'm so thankful for their friendship.  They continually bless me.

 

One of my favorite photos taken of us in 1998.

 

 

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times



Insta-February

Insta-February

Our life via photos from instagram...in no particular order :)

 

You can follow me @redbirdblue

 

 

I LOVE these boys so much!

 

This is what they'd like to do in all the photos I take of them.

 

Silly faces are the best!

 

 

Our campfire from earlier this month when we worked at The Land.

 

After a month long break from working out because of my sprained ankle, I started working out again.  I'm so happy to be back.  I love it all except for getting up so early.  Our workout starts at 5:15A.M.  E.A.R.L.Y.

I haven't bought new shoes in a long time.  I'm loving my new Nike's.

We've been watching basketball. 

I know that football is huge in Texas, (I'm sure you've heard of Friday Night Lights) but I love basketball more.  Our nephew is a senior and his team made the playoffs. We had a great time supporting him and watching his games.

 

This is Mark and his older brother.  They look alike and even have some of the same mannerisms.  Here they are sitting the exact same way while watching the game.

 

 

The hours after I get home from work and before dinner time can be really hectic at our house.  I love the moment when we all finally sit down to dinner.  That's one of my favorite times during the day.

 

I love eating supper at home, but I won't ever turn down an offer to eat out.  We took the boys to Logan's Roadhouse for the first time.  They loved throwing the peanut shells on the floor. 

 

This is one of our favorite after-church places to eat.  I love Tex-Mex!

 

One of my favorite places to eat is McAlister's because of the sweet tea.

 

Me and Ben

 

Mark and Will

 

The boys always get a book to read while we're shopping at Sam's.  I like the ginormous shopping carts.

 

Ben is such a good "helper" with the laundry.

 

 

Will celebrated the 100th day of school this month.

 

Ben's decided that he's growing up and need to give up his bear and much loved blankie.  He said that then immediately changed his mind and decided to keep it.

 

This CD made my think of my good friend, Kayreen.  It's still one of my all-time favorites.

 

 

Valentine's Day was so much fun this year.

 

I waited until the night before to get Ben's teacher gifts ready.  Why do I always procrastinate?

 

The morning of Valentine's Day.  Ben got chocolate donuts.

 

Will wanted a Valentine's cupcake for breakfast.

 

Mark was at a playoff basketball game on Valentine's Day so the boys and I had a date at McDonald's.

 

 

I love to give gifts to others!  Do you? 

Mark says that I would give all of our money away if I could.  He's right!

 

These Anthro mugs are one of my favorite things to give others.  It's a thoughtful little something  that you probably wouldn't buy for yourself.  This one is for my dear friend, Kacie.

 

Being a mom of boys is awesome, but I love any excuse to buy girly things.  These two cute outfits were for recent birthday parties the boys were invited to.

 

 

I picked out this fabric for a personalized baby gift for a little girl.  How cute it that owl fabric!?!

 

 

Now back to random happenings at our house.

The boys have turned our train track into the World Grand Prix racetrack from Cars 2.

 

 

We've been blessed to have a busy month packed with something fun each weekend.

 

One of the cutest baby showers I've been to in a long time for an old friend from college, Kimbree. 

 

One of my BFFs Terri had the cutest Tom & Jerry birthday party for her daughter Rachael.

 

 

We've had 3 birthday parties 3 weekends in a row, and this last one was at a skating rink.  I haven't worn skates in about 25 years!  I'm so happy that I didn't break anything!

 

Will had such a good time that he didn't want to leave.

 

Woo hoo!

 

Linking up to Life Rearranged InstaFriday.