How to Study the Bible for Teacher's 

Before we go any further, let’s first explore why proper study of the Bible is so important.

 

When we study the Bible, we’re looking directly into the heart, mind, and person of God. The God of the Bible—awesome, powerful, sovereign, loving, gracious, and holy—is far beyond what we can fully comprehend. Yet, He has revealed His works and His growing relationship with humanity throughout time, all recorded in the book we call the Bible.

In Sunday school and, unfortunately, sometimes in adult Bible studies, you may hear the Bible described as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (B.I.B.L.E.). While catchy, the God of the Bible, and the Bible itself, are far more profound than any such acronym can express.

Psalm 138:2 says, “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

God has magnified His Word above His name. This is a stunning statement, especially when we consider the greatness of God's name. The Hebrew word used for "name" here is "shem" meaning individuality, honor, authority, or character.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said, “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.” The word Jesus used for “name” here is "onoma" meaning character or person.

So, God’s “name” refers not just to a title, but to the very reputation of His character. And He places His Word above His name or reputation. This speaks to the weight and authority of God's Word—whether in the Bible or in any form He chooses to speak. How seriously should we then regard the Word of God?

Because of who God is, everything He says has immense authority and unimaginable power—power to create worlds and galaxies and to direct and transform lives. The latter, though seemingly a smaller feat, is just as powerful. God’s Word shapes eternity itself. By His Word, He decides where and how anyone will spend eternity! This is the same God who chose to speak through human authors, with the intention of their works being compiled into what we now call the Bible. Yet, to God, it is simply His Word—His testimony.

 

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When we study the Bible, learn from it, and seek to understand what God is communicating, we must be careful to do so responsibly. We must represent God in a way that reflects His truth. This is why we are encouraged to study to show ourselves “approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

It is to God we must be approved—not to people.

Studying the Bible can seem complicated. However, regardless of the level at which we study, we need a proven method to study it accurately. This is the purpose of this lesson: to equip you with the ability to study the Bible in a way

 

that pleases God, ensuring that the outcome of your study reflects His truth.

In simple terms, a proper Bible study requires three things: understanding the context of the verses, a basic knowledge of the original languages, and knowing how it applies to your life. We will cover each step and provide a proven study method. Again, much more could be said, but the goal is to offer a road map. I trust God will guide you as you journey responsibly. Let’s begin!

 

 

 

“Context is king,” as the saying goes. The context of the verses you’re studying is crucial for understanding what the Bible is truly saying. Let’s look at an example with Philippians 4:13.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

At first glance, this seems like an empowering verse! Paul—and by extension, we—can do anything through Christ! While this verse is indeed empowering, it may not be as broadly empowering as we might think. This is a prime example of how context can significantly impact our understanding of a passage. To properly interpret Philippians 4:13, we need to consider the verses surrounding it. Let’s look at verses 11 and 12:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Now we see what Paul is referring to in verse 13. He is not claiming that he can do "anything" (all things) in Christ, but rather that he can remain content regardless of his circumstances. The “strength” of Christ allows Paul to be content whether he is poor or rich, hungry or full. This is a beautiful empowering truth: the strength Christ provides enables us to be content in all situations.

To understand the context, sometimes all it takes is reading a few verses before or after. Often, you may need to reference the broader section or even the chapter that introduces the doctrine or subject being discussed. Taking the extra effort to understand context is always worth it.

 

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Unpacking what verses are really saying requires more than just understanding the English translation. The Bible was originally written in languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) that may not be familiar to us. These languages require careful translation to ensure the original meaning is preserved. Therefore, incorporating the study of the original language into your Bible study is essential.

You might wonder, “Why study the original language if the Bible has already been translated?”

There are two main reasons. First, the more intentional and in-depth we are in our study, the more we gain spiritually. The Bible tells us that if we seek, we will find (Matthew 7:7). Seeking out the original language reveals deeper treasures hidden in Scripture, treasures that are sometimes lost in translation.

Second, no Bible translation can perfectly capture every nuance of the original language. For example, consider 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul prays three times for God to remove his "thorn in the flesh," and God responds with:

 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

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This verse is often taught as a simple lesson that God offers grace during times of weakness. However, the Greek word used for "weakness" is "astheneia" which encompasses not just weakness, but also feebleness, sickness, malady, and moral frailty. Paul’s "infirmities" in this context could refer to illness or suffering, something much deeper than just a moment of weakness. The original language allows us to see that God’s grace can turn even our physical and moral frailty into an opportunity for spiritual growth.

 

 

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Application is everything. God never intended for His Word to be merely informational. Every part of Scripture is meant to shape us into His image. While insight can come from understanding Scripture, the real transformation happens in the heart, when we apply the Word to our lives.

So, how do we apply what we’ve learned? It’s simple: take the lesson from your study and turn it inward. Let’s use 2 Corinthians 12:9 again:

“My grace is sufficient for me, for His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I will boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Now, make it personal:

“God’s grace is sufficient for me, for His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I will gladly boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

 

That’s your application. Saying it is easy, but truly embracing the attitude of “gladness” in suffering is not. This is where the real work happens. We must choose to value God’s work in us more than our personal comfort. When we do, we align ourselves with God’s will, just as Jesus did when He chose to suffer for our sake.

Remember, your study is a journey. As you seek to know God more deeply, He will guide you, teach you, and transform you. Take your time, seek with intention, and watch as God reveals Himself to you through His Word.

 

Be blessed!

 

Robert

CRY OUT Ministries

Helping you know God more deeply through the study of His Word.