A little of method !

"What is written in the law ? How do you read ? ... You answered well; do this and live." Luke 10. 26, 28

Every child of God can find the spiritual food he needs every day in reading and meditating the Bible. He hears God speak to him, comfort him, take him back, lead him.

The double question of the Lord "What is written ... How do you read ?" Touches on two unavoidable points : 1) we must know what the Bible says, 2) we must read it with a right mind, open, sincere , with prayer and humility. Make no mistake ! The action of the Holy Spirit is essential to carry out this research, but application and perseverance are also necessary.

In schools, when you want to learn something, you attend a teacher's course, you study in books the knowledge that others have accumulated. To appropriate the revelation of God, it is also necessary to invest seriously in the personal and methodical study of the Bible. In fact, we do not really understand and really only take the lessons we have really thought about.

Each adopts the method that corresponds to his temperament. Here is one example. You decide to study a specific book, say an epistle. Read it several times in full, looking for what it seems to you to present ; repetitions of words or ideas can put you on the track ; after several readings, the purpose of the writer appears to you in an obvious way.

You then try to distinguish the major parts of this epistle, which may include several chapters. You summarize them with your own words and give them a title. You also try to find the meaning of difficult verses by explaining them according to their context.

You are looking for parallel or similar passages, contrasts or examples for these topics. This will help you find the answer to the essential question : How can I apply what I have just studied to my personal, family, professional or church life ?

Never neglect a word difficult to understand ; she can light up later. Do not add your own thoughts to the message that God wanted to give you. By probing the Bible, let yourself be probed by it, it is God who speaks to you !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)