One way of studying the Bible is to focus on one of the 66 books of the Bible. Some call this a book study. All of us can probably accomplish a basic overview study of each book of the Bible. We may only have enough time in life to thoroughly study a few books, but we can all gain a foundational understanding of what the Bible is saying in each book.
Before turning to any commentaries, overview books, or even sermons, you'll want to first:
You don't need to write anything down, but sometimes it'd be helpful. This first time reading through may be more of a devotional focus.
An overview book typically will give background, outlines, and the main thought. The purpose is to help you go further with your own studies. Here are my top three favorites:
The newer sets of Darby's synopsis have some subtitles which make it much more manageable. Originally, with no subtitles, only those who had their Bibles open could follow along with what he writes. These always give you the sense of the section you are in. He keeps stepping back into the larger picture. You catch the flow from chapter to chapter as you read through these. It is not an easy read but something to slowly go through.
A commentary is more detailed than an overview. Commentaries may go verse by verse, whereas an overview book will cover a whole section or just the entire book of the Bible. To read a commentary too soon will make it very difficult for you to not be heavily influenced by another's interpretations. It's good to not turn to a commentary until you've read through the book of the Bible 25x (I was taught this from Stephen Kaung and from experience). After reading a book of the Bible twenty-five times, you'll be able to "fellowship" with the commentator as you read. This is a universal concept with many Bible teachers (who are also always students). Many of the best commentaries were written by people who practiced this principle, though some waited until they had read the book 100 times instead of 25 times before looking into commentaries.
Before turning to any commentaries, overview books, or even sermons, you'll want to first:
read through that book of the Bible at least 5 times.
During those five readings, you can1. Read through for fun :D
Without any specific focus, it's nice to read through and see what impresses you or stands out to you.You don't need to write anything down, but sometimes it'd be helpful. This first time reading through may be more of a devotional focus.
2. Read through making a straight outline
- a straight outline
- looks like this the
- whole time.
- You are just trying to
- find the breaks in thoughts
- but you're not ready to see
- which points are larger
- and which ones are smaller
3. Read through looking for terms and topics
With some books in the Bible, a word or topic will especially stand out. Others will not be as easy to spot. If you don't see any, just keep going. But if you do see them, it may unlock some of the meaning of the book. For example,
- In Romans you have "sins/sin", "righteous/justified", "gospel" etc.
- In Galatians, you have "Spirit" vs. "flesh," "law" vs. "grace," and "faith" vs. works."
4. Read through looking for questions and future studies to do
This is where you look for things that you don't understand. You also try to find things that would be good to study later.5. Read through creating a basic outline
- A basic outline has larger points
- and smaller points
- Like these two
- which are part of the larger ones
After doing your own reading five times, it may help to learn from someone's overview of that book of the Bible.
Overview Books
An overview book typically will give background, outlines, and the main thought. The purpose is to help you go further with your own studies. Here are my top three favorites:God Has Spoken by Stephen Kaung
Each book of the Bible is given one chapter, and you always discover Christ, even in such books as Haggai. This is just to whet the appetite so you will continue on in your studies and find more of Christ. This one is essential. If you can only have one help in your bible studying, this is the series to get.
The Unfolding Drama of Redemption by W. Graham Scroggie
When my wife and I were first married, we tried a study plan by Christian Chen that included reading this book twice within two years and reading through the Bible six times in those two years. This book has more details than the God Has Spoken series, and Scroggie wrote a masterpiece for connecting all of Scripture together. Also, if you are ever reading through the apocryphal books, this includes helps on those. He does not believe those to be Scripture but shows how they are useful just like other good books may be, and why they are not considered Scripture.
Synopsis of the Bible by J. N. Darby
The newer sets of Darby's synopsis have some subtitles which make it much more manageable. Originally, with no subtitles, only those who had their Bibles open could follow along with what he writes. These always give you the sense of the section you are in. He keeps stepping back into the larger picture. You catch the flow from chapter to chapter as you read through these. It is not an easy read but something to slowly go through. Commentaries
A commentary is more detailed than an overview. Commentaries may go verse by verse, whereas an overview book will cover a whole section or just the entire book of the Bible. To read a commentary too soon will make it very difficult for you to not be heavily influenced by another's interpretations. It's good to not turn to a commentary until you've read through the book of the Bible 25x (I was taught this from Stephen Kaung and from experience). After reading a book of the Bible twenty-five times, you'll be able to "fellowship" with the commentator as you read. This is a universal concept with many Bible teachers (who are also always students). Many of the best commentaries were written by people who practiced this principle, though some waited until they had read the book 100 times instead of 25 times before looking into commentaries.
It is taking all of my strength to not put the last paragraph about reading the book 25x before turning to a commentary out as a Facebook post brother....That is PRECISELY why I am looking to thoroughly study a book of the Bible myself. I need to know what the Bible says instead of just what someone says about it.
ReplyDeleteYes, that principle of waiting has saved me many times from quickly turning to the books. Instead, by not having the quick fix of info, I met the Lord in His word and found some treasures. I do love commentaries and have been helped a lot from them. I just love them especially after being studied up some myself so I can handle that type of detailed fellowship.
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