How to Study the Bible

Introduction - Lesson #01
Commands to Study, Levels of Responsibility

Self Study

Read each section of the Bible indicated, and think about what is said. Then consider the questions for each section. They are NOT designed as a test. They are designed to help you think about what you have read, and understand how it applies to you. After you have completed this study, you may wish to look at my discussion.

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Who were to teach children about God? Where were the children to be taught? How often were they to be taught?
Where did Moses get the information that he gave to the people?
Where did God want his message to be stored?
Who was expected to keep the commands?
What is required beyond listening and knowing God's word?
What do these verses say should be our attitude toward God?
What blessings were given for obeying the rules?
What was the main purpose of the commands?
How were the people to remember the decrees given by Moses?

Read: Deuteronomy 30:6, 11-20 (God's design for his word)

Did God think that his laws were beyond our ability to keep?
Did God intend for man to know his laws?
Did God intend it to be difficult for man to find out what God wanted him to do?
Where did God want his message to be stored?
Why did God want his message to be kept close to us?
How did God expect man to act toward God?
After reading this section, do you think that God expected common people to understand his message, or did he only expect trained scholars to understand it?
What blessings were offered to the Jews for keeping God's word?
What specific problems would the Jews have if they disobeyed God's word?
What does it tell you about God when he gives us the freedom to choose how we live, but wants us to know the consequences of our actions before we choose?
Do you think that God knew that some people would not keep their heart focused on him?
What was God's purpose in "circumcising" the hearts of the people?

Read: Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (General command for Bible Study)

Who recorded some of God's commands?
Who was put in charge of keeping the Bible scrolls?
How often were the people to hear all of God's law?

What was the format for this particular "Bible study"?
Who was to be involved in this Bible study?

What was the purpose of having the people hear God's word?
How did this process address the issue of training future generations of Jews in God's law?
How long after entering the land of Canaan were the Jews to keep studying God's law?

Read: Joshua 1:1-9, 24:31 (Rules for Joshua - Leader)

What man had been an influence on Joshua before this time?
What role was God asking Joshua to take?
Did God expect Joshua to have an easy job?
What emotions seem to have been strong in Joshua's life at this time?
Before this point in time, how had Joshua learned about God's laws?
How often was Joshua to reflect on God's word?
What was the purpose for Joshua to know God's word?
What promises did God make to Joshua if he obeyed God's word?
What was the influence of a man who focused his life on God's word?

Read: Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (Rules for a King)

At this time, who kept the official copy of the Bible?
At this time in history, did many people have a copy of the Bible?
Who was to make the copy of God's law for the king?
How often was the king to study the law?
What was the purpose for the king's Bible study?
What specific attitude problems would regular Bible study help the king avoid?
What blessings were given to a king who followed God's law?

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-18

What groups of people gathered in the assembly?
How did the people show respect for God's law?
Why do you think that Ezra read to the people, instead of everyone reading for themselves?
By this time in history the Jews did not speak the language that the Bible was written in. In vs. 8 it states that Ezra read the law and others either translated or explained it. What were they trying to accomplish by this?
What was the people's reaction to hearing the law?
What did Nehemiah and others encourage the people to do?
How long did the Bible study take on the first day?
How often was the Bible read during the week?
What did most of the people do during the week?
What things caused the people to be joyful?
What did the leading Jewish men, and heads of households do during the week?

Read: Ezra 7:1-10

How well did Ezra understand the Law?
Who gave him success with the king?
What had Ezra set his heart to do?
What steps did Ezra take before he felt ready to teach others about God?

Read: Jeremiah 5:1-5 (For advanced students)

When Jeremiah was asked by God to search through the city of Jerusalem to find an honest man, did Jeremiah find one among the common people?
Did Jeremiah expect the common people to know and obey God's laws?
Did God expect the common people to know and obey his laws?
Where did Jeremiah expect to find people who knew God's laws?
Was he successful in his search?
Does this section of scripture mention Bible study, or study methods?
Do you think that God expected the common people to know as much as the leaders?
What does this section of scripture say about the need for various people to learn about the Bible through some process?

Discussion