How to Study and Understand the Bible

Scripture is YHWH's Word, without error in the original documents, preserved by divine grace, and profitable for spiritual and practical learning as a basis for life and Godliness (I Timothy 3: 15-17; II Peter 1: 20-21; 3: 17-18). Every believer needs to study it closely day by day - paying special attention to the first five Books, the Books of Moses, which are called "Torah" - God's Divine Instructions in Righteousness.

Here are some suggestions:

Read the Bible through, beginning with Genesis, at least a chapter each day. To understand what you read, let Scripture interpret itself (read I Corinthians 2: 9-16; II Timothy 4: 13). Compare what you are reading with similar words and statements in other places. Use the maps in the back of your Bible to find places which the text refers to. Build up a little library of good quality reference books in addition to your Bible, but remember that these are helps to understanding God's Word, and must not be allowed to replace it!

No Bible version is perfect, and so we suggest you use your favorite version, but acquire a couple of other versions for comparison.

Seek help from more knowledgeable people if you need to, especially when you are first new to the idea of Torah. Carmen Welker's book, Should Christians be Torah Observant? is an excellent resource for beginners. But remember that what the Holy Spirit teaches you personally from the text is what is most important!

Mark your study Bible, using a highlighting felt tip pen and a fine black ballpoint pen. Indicate helpful cross references and important points and passages that "stand out" for you.

Try to find a good Messianic synagogue, or find a home meeting. Listen carefully to godly Bible teachers in your groups meetings or synagogues, and make every effort to obtain the best of what they are attempting to impart (Ephesians 4: 11-13; II Timothy 4: 13).

As you continue prayerfully with this approach, things which seemed difficult at first will gradually become easier, and you will learn with increasing speed as you build on the foundation of things you know already.

Remember, for lasting benefit it is vital to commit yourself to our Creator in terms of every insight He gives you, so that His grace may become operative in your life via the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 2: 8-10; Colossians 2: 6-7).

The art of understanding the Bible is as much Biblical teaching as any other, and is therefore derived from Scripture itself. Study of God's Word is different from secular learning because of its spiritual dimension. Here are some basic rules:

• Approach YHWH's Word as a humble believer, seeking the help of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit), and not as an arrogant critic simply for scholarly purposes (see Mark 4: 11-12; John 7: 16-17).
• Acknowledge that here is the inspired, authoritative and inerrant Word of God (see John 17: 17; II Peter 1: 19-21).
• Aim to discover the glorious relationship between Father and Son, Yeshua haMashiyach (whom Christians call Jesus Christ) in all the Scriptures (see Isaiah 53, Luke 24: 27; John 5: 39, etc.)
• Accept the plain meaning of the text rather than some obscure or unusual interpretation (see John 16: 28-29; Titus 1: 2).
• Allow the Bible to interpret itself. Compare words, passages, chapters, books with each other (see I Corinthians 2: 13; II Timothy 3: 15-17). A "concordance" helps us to find references. Everything we decide must be consistent with everything else we decide.
• For background information on geography, history, culture and language, use a Bible atlas, Bible dictionary and Bible commentary.
• Listen carefully to capable, spirit-filled teachers (Ephesians 4: 11-13; II Timothy 4: 13), but do not be dependent on them as human beings have a tendency to be "off the mark." Always make sure EVERYTHING you see, read and hear lines up perfectly with Scripture. If it doesn't, it isn't of God!

For quick access to the entire Bible in the version of your choice, check out Bible Gateway.