How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 8: Making the Head to Heart Connection

Even as a champion for reading and understanding the Bible, I understand that without absorbing today’s topic, everything else I’ve written these past weeks is meaningless. When we approach the Bible, we must come with an open, humble heart that allows the cerebral information to penetrate into our hearts. Without that, we’re reduced to academic… Continue reading Part 8: Making the Head to Heart Connection

How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 7: Practice Makes Perfect

I have to be honest that after teaching Bible study this way for several years, I thought it would be simple to convert into a blog. However, taking what I'd normally discuss with a group over the course of an hour and trying to reduce it down into a concise blog format proved to be… Continue reading Part 7: Practice Makes Perfect

How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 6: Helpful Tools

Today I wanted to share some of the tools I have found helpful along the way for my own study and for preparing Bible studies. This isn't going to be an all-inclusive list of every resource out there; these are simply the go-to tools I utilize regularly. 1. Read different translations for comparison. Different translations serve… Continue reading Part 6: Helpful Tools

How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 5: On the Topic of Application

Today we’re going to discuss why the order of application matters. Why can’t we just read a verse from the Bible and immediately apply it to our lives? There's no one-size-fits-all with the variety of verses contained in the Bible. So there will of course be instances where that may work out and a verse… Continue reading Part 5: On the Topic of Application

Bible Studies, Christian Living, How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 4: It’s Really ONE BIG Story!

As I referenced in the Intro, somehow I came away from my adolescent years of church and Sunday school with a very fragmented view of the Bible. I am embarrassed to say it was closer to my mid 20s when, through studying on my own accord, I began to connect some of the dots, particularly… Continue reading Part 4: It’s Really ONE BIG Story!

Bible Studies, Christian Living, How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 3: Why Context Matters

What comes to mind if you hear: “It’s brick outside.”?  What about: “Can I get those fries animal style?”  Or perhaps: “that’s sick!” Well, the way you interpret those words will largely be dependent on where you live and the generation in which you were born. If you live on the East Coast, you know… Continue reading Part 3: Why Context Matters

Bible Studies, Christian Living, How to Read The Bible, Uncategorized

Part 2: Why Genre Matters

Now it’s time to look at why paying attention to the genre you are reading is helpful. Genre is another way of saying the category or classification, characterized by the same form, style, or subject matter. Genre is one of the first things I make sure to pay attention to because it can shape your… Continue reading Part 2: Why Genre Matters