How to Study the Bible Kindle Edition

I was looking for a book to give to a friend of mine who wanted me to help her learn how to study the Bible. While this book is certainly worthwhile, the main crux of the book is WHY we should study the Bible, with a little bit of WHO should study the Bible. The HOW to study the Bible doesn't begin until page 105 and ends on page 136. So, while I will give this book to my friend, it really doesn't give enough information to be particularly helpful to a new Christian.

I always like the books by John MacArthur. I gave 3 stars because he only devotes one chapter on how to study the bible. He could have called the book, "God's Word." Included is a bonus chapter on "How To Study The Bible!" John MacArthur knows the Bible. He knows and teaches the importance of our knowing the Word of God. I bought his book to sit at his feet and learn from a man I greatly respect on how I can study and know the Word of God as he does. With that said, John MacArthur is a great teacher of the Word of God. I have learned a great deal from him in the books I have read and I can not wait to read his book, "The Gospel According To God."

John MacArthur is the most solid bible teacher we have. This book gives you the basics of bible study in a slightly different style than most others. And...when you hear him preach, you'll see that he connects the dots the right way. No squares pegs in round holes.

I have always enjoyed John MacArthur's teachings and this one is at the top! Easy to follow and understand. I highly recommend this book if you are looking to study and understand God's Word deeper.

More of why and that you should study the Bible than How to study.Nothing bad, it's just not what one expects it to be about.It give more reason of why to study than how to study. I know I stated this twice, it is what to know about this book. The title should read different in what it is.

Pastor MacArthur goes to the Bible to explain the importance and the proper way to study the Word of God. As usually, he references the Bible to all his teachings, and this is very good. Even the most experienced Bible reader will profit for the truths revealed in this short book. This is a must read for all Christians.

I couldn't put this book down. I have been having problems studying the bible. This makes sense. I am goon to start this plan right away.

Before I became a believer, reading the Bible was a boring chore and I didn't really get it. It actually made me mad sometimes, the things it said. Today I am hungry for the word of God but didn't know where or how to even start. This book has given me a plan, an understanding of why it is so important to know the Bible. Wow, it is the word of God! If I want to know Him and be closer to him, to know His will for me, it is all there in this exciting, incredible book we call the Bible. John Macarthur makes it so clear to me. I highly recommend this book if you want a deeper understanding of God's word.

I picked up this book when I have been swamped in a season of flippant application of the bible in a self-help style. It can be summed up in the motto of 'a bit of Scripture for a bit of life'.I feel uncomfortable in practising it when the foundation of enabling us to do so is not emphasised. Yes, I pick up this book to give some ammunition in warning the dangers of such an approach. Interestingly in expounding Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, MacArthur points out that the word translated as the "sword" is really a "dagger". It means that it must hit a vulnerable spot or it doesn't do any damage. He concludes, "Having the sword of the Spirit is not owning a Bible, but knowing the specific principle in the Bible that applies to the specific point of temptation. The only way Christians will know victory in the Christian life is to know the principles of the Word of God so they can apply them to the specific points where Satan, the world, and the flesh attack. As Christians fill themselves with the Word of God, it then becomes the source of victory." (p.52) Studying the bible diligently and consistently gives us this dexterity in wielding the Word with pinpoint precision. I wish my tutor would have illustrated that to substantiate his strategy of "a bit of Scripture for a bit of life."The passion for God's word is not commonly shared in the Christian community. It is easy for the preachers to be more concerned to reach down to the level of the congregation, rather than lifting the congregation up to meet with God in all his glory and majesty through the exposition and proclamation of the Word on Sundays to the detriment of general bible literacy. I have admired MacArthur's ministry and somewhere in the book he cited a lady who came up to him and said that his preaching had fired her up to study the bible herself. MacArthur said it couldn't have been a better reward. I wish I could experience that in my own community, that everyone is fired up to study the word diligently.This little book is very comprehensive. It first establishes a case why study the bible, then who can study the bible followed by how to study the bible. Christian life without knowing the Word is a spiritually crippled life, and the sharing of our faith is pretty ineffective because of the lack of knowledge (Philemon 1:6). I believe a lot are happy to be in that state because as MacArthur has shown to us, it takes discipline and diligence in addition to desire to study the bible properly. But the common thing we hear nowadays is that we don't have the time, we are so busy. Granted, I would have been too - if God has not provided so that I can stay home. MacArthur says, "Unfortunately, a lot of Bible studies are nothing but a collection of ignorance; a lot of people sitting around telling what they don't know about the verse. I'm all for Bible studies, but somebody has to study to find out what a passage really means; then you can discuss the application.'" (p.122) Well, in real life, finding people to prepare bible studies is hard - most see it as a sacrifice, the time needed to put into it. I say if our hearts delight in God's word, we won't see it as a sacrifice as such. MacArthur is right in saying that teaching others helps us retain God's Word - the leader therefore has the ultimate gain. But yeah, we can't afford the time week in week out or no one will be leaders!The commitment and devotion that MacArthur lays out for us in studying the Bible will surely build character. It is not for the fainthearted; that's why the heart needs to be set right with the burning desire. Besides reading the Bible repetitiously to familarise ourselves with the Word, (he teaches us a method to do so systematically) , he even suggests that we need to go back to the original languages to bridge the language gaps if we are to truly understand God's Word. This is a lifetime of dedication, but I pray I will be convicted even just to start his scheme to read through the bible once a year. I mean I have seen people in their retirement lost in how they should spend their time. For Christians at least, I hope this book will fire all up to dig into God's Word in the way as prescribed - this will surely fill up the time in no time and exercise our minds. How great it will be when we grow in Christ in our twilight years, and become a blessing to others too! I can't see a better way to spend my time.

This is an excellent and easily-read encouragement to Study the Bible.In the first two chapters, the author sets out to convince his readers of reasons to study the Bible. To do so he gives an overview of certain attributes of the Bible. He speaks convincingly of its Infallibility, Inerrancy, Completeness, Authority, Sufficiency, Effectiveness, Impact, and Authenticity. He notes "We can discuss its implications, its applications, and its meanings, but we shouldn't discuss whether or not it is true". He then lists some major benefits of Bible-study stating, and showing the Bible to be, the source of Truth, Happiness, Victory, Growth, Power, and Guidance. As he states, "The Bible changes lives. Someone has said that a Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't".In chapter three, the question is asked, "Who can study the Bible?" Certain pre-requisites are clearly laid-down, all of which are confirmed by reference to the Scriptures. The serious Bible student MUST:1. Be a Believer2. Be Diligent3. Have a Desire to know the Truth4. Live a Holy life5. Be Spirit-Controlled6. Be PrayerfulThe fourth chapter deals with "How to Study the Bible". The reader is encouraged to Read, Interpret, Meditate, and Teach the Scriptures. Very practical and helpful suggestions are given throughout as to how to gain most profit from Bible-study. There is also a consistent emphasis on the need to apply the truth learned to our lives.I am now 35 and have sought to study my Bible since I was saved at 21. I only wish that I had been handed this book as a fresh young believer. If put into practice it may well have greatly increased my understanding of the Scriptures of Truth.

Great little book particularly for new Christians. Author writes simply and clearly. It is full of helpful material and most people will derive good from it, wherever they are in their Christian life. He has a great love for the Bible and shares his knowledge and study methods. Warmly recommended

Hi, ive been a Christian for about 10 years and ive always failed in reading my bible and learning the scriptures. This book has helped me keep at it and given me tremendous encouragement to keep reading my bible.Johns chapters are well written and have reflective questions at the end of each section challenging the reader.MacArthur puts across his love and joy for the bible in an easy to read way. I have been blessed by his experience and love for Gods Word. He clearly tells us who can and how best to study the bible while telling us why we should read the bible and the benefits it is to us.This would be an ideal gift for a new christian and/or someone who was recently baptised.This is a book i can pick up again and again and draw from it.Well done John.

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