One of the most prevalent causes of misunderstanding the Bible is that the student fails to approach the Bible with the “right attitude.” In this way, God’s method of teaching him the truth is thwarted from the very beginning. This is the very problem Jesus faced as He began His ministry among men. After His famous parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9), the disciples asked why He had used this method (Matthew 13:10). The reply of Jesus indicated that the parable method was used so that only those who possessed the wholesome, “willing” attitude to know and understand what He said would actually understand it (Matthew 13:12). Those whose attitudes were wrong in any way would see, but “see not”, and hear, but “hear not”, thus they would not “understand” (Matthew 13:13). Is this not the reason why many people of Jesus’ own nation never understood God’s great truth as revealed by His Son in person?
With the above thoughts in mind, it is highly important that we prepare ourselves with the proper “attitudes” as we approach the Bible for study. The following attitudes are “essential” as we study God’s word:
A few years ago, the late brother Guy N. Woods told a story about a minister who called for the removal of the Bible from his congregation for a period of six months. Recently, I received an e-mail in which the writer expressed the view that the public reading of the scripture was boring and that he did not get anything out of it. Those who once simply ignored the reading of scripture evidently feel that they can now challenge whether or not it is read at all; apathy has become disdain. Moreover, it is a mark of apostasy that some in positions of leadership in the church desire to limit another’s reading of the scripture. At the high point of Roman Catholicism, Bibles were chained to pulpits and access was limited to few. Too many have forgotten the importance of reading the Bible.
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the New Testament:
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the New Testament:
Book – 2 Thessalonians Key Words – “The Day of the Lord” Key Verses – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 Message – The righteous judgment of Christ ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 Timothy Key Words – “Minister”, “Ministration” Key Verses – 1 Timothy 3:15-16 Message – Be an example to the believers ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 Timothy Key Words – “Unfeigned Faith” Key Verses – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Message – Preach the word, keep the faith ___________________________________________________________
Book – Titus Key Words – “Savior”, “Salvation” Key Verses – Titus 2:11-15 Message – God’s Grace brings salvation to all men ___________________________________________________________ Book – Philemon Key Words – “Receive” Key Verses – Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:15-17 Message – The transforming power of the Gospel ___________________________________________________________
Book – Hebrews Key Words – “Better” Key Verses – Hebrews 8:6 Message – Christ’s superiority over Moses, prophets, and angels
Book – James Key Words – “Faith”, “Works” Key Verses – James 2:21-26 Message – Faith shown by works ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 Peter Key Words – “Suffering”, “Hope” Key Verses – 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 3:21 Message – Suffering patiently and joyously to God’s glory ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 Peter Key Words – “Knowledge” Key Verses – 2 Peter 1:3-4 Message – The word of Christ is the source of life and godliness ___________________________________________________________
Book – 1 John Key Words – “Fellowship” Key Verses – 1 John 1:7 Message – The life of fellowship with God ___________________________________________________________
Book – 2 John Key Words – “The Doctrine of Christ” Key Verses – 2 John 1:9-11 Message – Christ’s teaching must be received, obeyed and all error rejected ___________________________________________________________
Book – 3 John Key Words – “Truth” Key Verses – 3 John 1:4 Message – Walking in the Truth ___________________________________________________________
Book – Jude Key Words – “Keep”, “Kept” Key Verses – Jude 1:3 Message – Keep the faith so that God may keep you from stumbling ___________________________________________________________
Book – Revelation Key Words – “Overcome” Key Verses – Revelation 2:10
Message – The glorious triumph of Christ, ultimate victory of the righteous (Revelation 15:2)
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the Old Testament:
Book – Jonah Key Words – “Repentance” (Jonah 3:1-10). Key Verses – Jonah 2:7; Jonah 2:8-9; Jonah 4:2 Key Phrase – “Let them turn everyone from his evil way” (Jonah 3:8). Messages – (1) God’s universal, forgiving love for all men; (2) God’s concern for the salvation of all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. God wants all men to repent and be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). ___________________________________________________________
