2 Peter 1:19-21

INTRODUCTION:

When Joshua brought the new generation into their journey, God commanded him to teach
and meditate on the God’s word every single day. Joshua 1:8
Throughout the bible we are commanded and encouraged to consistently follow this
practice. Psalm 1; 1 Tim 4:13-16

What we want to learn is how to effectively learn God’s word. In order to learn God’s word,
we must understand how to extract all of its truths and commands. God word has infinite
nourishment within its text, and we are commanded to seek it and digest it. How can we do
this? Fortunately, getting what we need from the bible is not a difficult thing to do.
The bible has everything we need to live and become better people (2Tim 3:16-17).
As Christians, we should be happy to spend our time nourishing ourselves with his word.
Bible readers should provide themselves the right kind of habits and tools to study the bible
with.

Key tools for Studying the Bible:
• Open Mind: dismiss preconceived thoughts or notions.
• Language Arts proficiency: Grammar, reading comprehension.
• Biblical reference books: Concordance, Dictionary, topical reference, etc.
• Scheduled time: Keep a consistent regimen for study.
• Guidance: Seeking a teacher, or liaison to discuss and learn what is read. If needed.
The best way to gain more bible knowledge is to have the correct habits and practices for
reading and studying. You can obtain practical tools for interacting with the Word itself.
During your processing of The Bible’s language and meaning, provides the capability to do
what you learn on a consistent basis. Eventually, your goal should be to naturally behave in
a manner that manifests what it teaches.
A. Practical
• Topical Studies – Simplify learning through topical studies. The most effective study
path. Random reading can be possible in the poetical styled text like Proverbs.
• Lesson Formats – Organize and outline your exact study parameters. Stay focused.
• Research Aides – Seek the correct resource for the articles of scripture.
B. Habitual
• Commitment – set a schedule and devote specific time for God’s word.
• Focused Goal – Continue to reach a complete understanding of a particular
subject.
• Efficacy – Trust the process. Keep practicing, gaining efficiency in spiritual aptitude.
• Engagement – Use your knowledge reflect on experiences and to engage others.

LEARNING THE WORD
2 Peter 1:19-21

Studying Scripture
When we read scripture, we are typically equipped to read the text and have an associative
knowledge of what the words are but not entirely of the context. This means we can
associate the words with what we already know about the language we speak, then
formulate an idea of what we read. What we want to do is gain a deeper insight into the
language and what its implications are. God desires for us to go beyond our associative
knowledge and mature into scholastic understanding of the word as a text itself.
• Associative Knowledge – I can recognize the words well enough to read it for
myself.
• Scholastic Understanding – I gain the understanding to explain and articulate its
meaning for others.
Basically, this means we want to graduate from what we read....into what we can prove
about it.
Fun Fact: There is a great possibility that you know more than you think you may know
about God’s word. Finding out is a matter of connecting the dots of experience to
knowledge.
The process of Bible study is similar to the studying in secular education. The same
methods and practices can be used to study bible from a methodical approach.
Language Proficiency – know your parts of speech.
Word Study – Research words in their original language, which are less familial.
Grammar Rules – Grammar rules are important tools for context and content.
Context and Content – Understanding what is being talked about and why.
Theme vs Topic – Understanding the total message of a scripture or group of scripture.

Scripture Efficacy
1. It is important to read scripture in correct context, then accept the scripture in its
full content – per scripture.
2. Do not skip scriptures to gain meanings. Process the scriptures in their entirety –
per scripture.
3. Referential Proof is needed for scriptural continuity – this is the study.
The bible proves itself. Every scripture is supported by another scripture, and to complete
study, it is vital to reference the context to each matching content provided in that
scripture and the other scriptures referring to the same context. This is why topical
studies are the best way to study scriptures. Furthermore, try not to digest massive
amounts of scriptures of various topics at the same time. Each topic should get its own
committed study process. When studying subjects that have multiple variances, you
should create a study outline to address each variance according to particular contextual
order.

LEARNING THE WORD
2 Peter 1:19-21

Scripture Efficacy
Important Facts
A. None of the scriptures in the Bible are isolated to have a separate meaning or
purpose. 2Peter 1:20
B. Principles and Purpose are inseparable concepts in scripture. Isaiah 55:11
C. Every scripture has a reference because it is all linear. Every part of The Bible is
written sequentially - this is what gives it continuity. Hebrew 2:1-7, Col 1:25-28
Example: The Ten Commandments and Jesus Words
Matt 5:17 – Jesus says he did not come to destroy the law. But to fulfil.
Col 2:12-14 – Paul says that the handwritten ordinances was “against and contrary” to us.
Heb 8:6-8; 9:1 – Hebrew writer in Chpt 8 says the old covenant was replaced because God
found fault with it/them, then in a few verses later in nine he said it had divine service and a
physical function.
Homework: Is the bible talking in circles?
Research a scripture that helps us understand the relationship between Christ and the Law
of Moses.

Sources to Help You study.
Nave’s Topical Bible
Thompson and Chain Reference Bible
Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary
Nelson’s ILL Bible Dictionary
Nichols’s Pocket Encyclopedia