This scripture mentions two vital keys: one is to trust the Lord like children trust their Father and the other is to grow by reading the Bible. Jesus said that unless we are converted and become as little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. (Mathew 18:2-5, Luke 18:16-17). As little children we have to start again and learn new things and unlearn old things.

As babies desire milk, so we are to desire the “milk of the Word”: in other words, to start with basic Bible teaching that is easy to understand and then mature on deeper things. We have already considered the basic principles of Christ’s teaching but we need to feed on the written Word more and more.

I encourage believers to read the Gospels again and again until familiar with them. They are the story of Jesus. The first three Gospels are very similar whereas the fourth records other events and spiritual truths.

The Bible is in two parts, the Old and New Testaments. The Old is the account of God’s revelation to man through history up to the time of the great prophets before Jesus was born. The New Testament is the unique account of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, as foretold in the Old, and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit bringing salvation to all people, starting in Jerusalem and extending to all quarters of the known world. (Luke 24:25-27).

Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God and is true and authoritative. There has always been attacks against the Bible by those who do not believe it but through 2000 years it has withstood every attack and is acknowledged today as the most published and read book in the world. It has stood the test of time.

THE BIBLE IS THE “CANON OF SCRIPTURE”

Jesus believed the Old Testament and said that his own words would not pass away. (Matthew 24:35). The apostle Paul wrote that Biblical Scriptures are inspired by God and point us to salvation through faith in Christ. (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

The Bible is the most attacked book, yet many great men and women throughout history believed it. Jesus himself believed in the historicity, authenticity, preservation and accuracy of the Old Testament. He believed in Adam and Eve, the Flood, Jonah and every other statement in it.

The New Testament tells us about Jesus, and it was written by people who knew him intimately before and after his resurrection. (1 John 1:1-5). Our modern Bible is translated from many ancient texts, and there is more proof of its authenticity than for any other book in history.

Most modern translations enhance and complement each other, but a few are considered dubious. Some Bibles have study notes included in them, which can be helpful, but a word of warning must be sounded: be very careful of some of the doctrines found in these notes, they are not authoritative, and just because they are in it doesn’t mean they are true.

There is no substitute for reading the Bible, and it is a priority for every believer in their life of faith.

KEYS TO READING THE BIBLE

One key principle for understanding the Bible is to “keep the context” when reading it. This is a basic rule of interpretation that must be strictly adhered to when reading any document in any language.

This rule observes the portions that precede or follow a passage or word and thereby establish its meaning. Nothing should be taken “out of context” to the main subject matter. The historical and cultural context must also be maintained.

There are different approaches to reading the Bible. One is to read it from beginning to end, but I encourage new believers to start with the New Testament. Once familiar with it, they can begin to discover the Old Testament and continue in the New as well.

I also suggest reading a book at a time, not necessarily all at once, but as a whole. This way, one gets an overall understanding of it. Once one portion is read, it does not lose its value, and the more often it is read, the more truth it will yield.

Get a notepad and write down things the Lord shows you. The Bible has different “levels”, and there are places you will find easier to understand than others. God “speaks” through it, so expect him to speak to you. You will find, at times, a verse will “come alive” and jump out at you, and you get an insight you have not had before. It is a “living Word”.

Obtain a good translation that you find easy to read and get into a routine of reading every day. Try to ensure you will not be disturbed while you read. Switch off the TV and pray before you read, asking the Lord to help you understand.

Read slowly and talk to the Lord as you do. Allow the Lord to talk to you through his Spirit and learn to listen to him in your spirit. Make it a sharing time with the Lord. He will be with you and it will become a time of meeting with him.

As a result, you will be able to receive spiritual sustenance firsthand from the Lord instead of secondhand from someone else. The Lord gave daily Manna (bread from heaven) to the Children of Israel to feed on. (John 6:31-58). It was fresh every day and never old or stale but they, themselves, had to collect it.

The Bible is like heavenly Manna, and praying is talking to the Lord. Having had a time of Bible reading and prayer, you can continue with the rest of your day walking with the Lord. Throughout the day, you can talk to him wherever you are, at work, school, home, or on a journey, wherever you go, praying in every situation.

HOW TO DO A BIBLE STUDY FOR YOURSELF

It is very rewarding to develop your Bible reading into actual studies on a particular subject of interest. Many Bibles have textual references which link scriptures of the same theme.

They form a chain from one scripture to another and thereby expand the meaning and depth of the original scripture. Get yourself a Bible Concordance which will enable you to look up words. Some concordances give the meaning of the original Hebrew or Greek languages.

Keep a journal of your discoveries and write down all the things that come to your mind in your daily reading with the Lord. Put a date on it so you can refer to it later, especially if you feel there is something important the Lord has said to you.

Choose a topic such as faith, or another of importance, and begin. You will be amazed at what you can discover and what God will show you.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Keys to Growing in Christ:

Episode 3: Prayer

Episode 4: The Gifts for Spiritual Growth

Episode 5: The Peace of God is the Key to Every Situation