How to Study the Bible: A Study Through Galatians

 

This study summarizes the in-person study of Galatians we are doing with our church. The thoughts and ideas mentioned in this article are reflections of the in-person conversation.

 

PART 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction

  2. Reading vs. Studying

  3. How to Study

  4. What Bible should I use?

  5. Interpretation

  6. Application

INTRODUCTION

Pastors will sometimes say from the pulpit, “Don’t just believe what I say; study it for yourself.” And that’s all well and good but how we do that? And then once we study on our own, how do we teach others how to study the Bible? These are the two questions we are trying to answer with this study; and then we put those answers into practice by the reading and studying of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

READING VS. STUDYING

Reading and studying the Bible aren’t necessarily the same activities. Imagine reading a book at the beach versus studying a textbook. One implies, well, reading and the other implies highlighters, notebooks, and memorization. Phylicia Masonheimer likens reading to flying over a city in a helicopter; it’s a great “aerial” view of text (great for generalizations). Studying is likened to walking the city; when walking a city, there is more familiarity with the specifics of the city. Both are necessary for the Christian walk. Both are important; and yet they are also different and so it is good to differentiate between the two.

READING SHORT VS. LONG BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

An easy way to get started with studying a short book of the Bible — like Galatians— is to read it everyday. Just read it. And feel free to read it rather quickly, too. Notice things as you read but don’t worry about it. Just read the book every day and do it for about a month.

For a longer book, try to read as many chapters a day as you can. The goal is to read the entire book as many times as you can in a 3 month period.

Then, after you are very familiar with reading the book, study the book.

STUDYING

Studying Galatians could look like this:

  • Day 1-2: Read Galatians all the way through (once each day for a total of two times)

  • Day 3: Quickly read Galatians all the way through and then grab your markers, and notebook and started marking the Bible and taking notes as you study chapter 1.

Studying Genesis might look like this:

  • Day 1-14: Read Genesis all the way through, twice

  • Day 15: Read chapters 1-5 and then study chapter 1.

Re-reading the text before you study helps to place you in the context of the passage. We want the text to interpret the text.

MARKING AND NOTE TAKING

Using markers to color code the chapter can help decipher the meaning of the passage. Some people put a triangle on the names for God. Some put a square for the devil or the works of the devil. Maybe you can underline in green anything that the authors repeats.

In the notebook, you can write down Who, What, When, Where, Why How. You can do this for the entire book and you can do it for each passage.

WHICH BIBLE SHOULD I USE?

Bible translations can fall into two different categories:

  • word-for-word vs. thought-for-though vs. paraphrase

  • grade level

Looks at these three versions of the same verse, Psalm 1:6:

  • Word-for-word, NKJV: For the LORD knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

  • Thought-for-thought, New Living Translation: For the LORD watches over the path of the godly but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

  • Paraphrased, the Message: GOD charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.

Grade level is another factor when choosing a study Bible:

  • Grade 7: Christian Standard Bible

  • Grade 8: New International Version

  • Grade 10: English Standard Version

  • Grade 11: New American Standard Bible

Popular Bible versions for studying include:

  • NASB: word-for-word, 11th grade

  • ESV: word-for-word, 10th grade

  • CSB: middle ground between word-for-word and thought-for-thought, 6th grade

  • NIV: thought-for-thought, 7th grade

INTERPRETATION

The Bible must interpret itself— and it does! And without contradiction. The Christian doctrines that are explicit in the New Testament are implicit in the Old Testament. A healthy diet of casual reading and studying of the Old Testament will help with our understanding of the whole of Scripture.

APPLICATION?

Application can be a tricky topic. More so than correct behavior, we want to ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand what the scriptures say about God: who He is, what His plan is, how He operates, etc. As we fix our eyes on our Holy God, we will become the very Person we behold.

As we disciple our children and others, we must remember that the Bible first and foremost reveals God. It is not a human rule book. It is the revelation of God meant to lead us into relationship with God.

way of faithEmily Brockhoffreading, studying, bible, galatiansComment