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Studying the Bible is a key part of believers’ walk with God. How do we read scripture with the most clarity, though, and tune into what God wants as we do so? This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how Christians should approach God’s Word and the tools or methods available to help illuminate scripture. The Bible is the main way that Christians can know God and understand his nature, so it is critical that we develop reliable study habits.
Key Points from the Podcast
• Does the Word of God fascinate you? As believers, we should be completely captivated and awed by our maker and everything that he has to say to us.
• The unregenerate person may read scripture, and the ideas of judgment and eternity simply feel like a weight on them because their heart because the Spirit is driving them to the cross. The alternative person who is not in awe of God’s Word is the backslidden or tepid Christian who has become numb to the Spirit’s voice as they read scripture.
• The question “What does a certain Bible verse mean to you?” is not a useful approach to scripture. We do not give meaning to portions of scripture. This is the Word of God. We are meant to accept what scriptures says and intends for our lives and the world.
• Some people may find reading the Bible tough because they’re not usually led to scripture after the preface of God’s majesty and glory.
• Before we even begin reading scripture, we should pray and ask God to help us understand his Word and undo incorrect theological ideas.
• “It’s important to keep the plain things the main things and the main things the plain things.” It’s important that we read the Bible literally unless it’s obvious that we’re reading through a narrative story.
• The difference between the exposition of scripture and hermeneutics is the difference between pulling out an idea that’s in the Bible verses the art of interpreting the Bible by understanding the historical background, who each book’s author was, how different forms of writing like poetry influence the text.
• The more we know about the Bible, the more fruitful we’ll find our time spent studying scripture.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
2 Timothy 2:14-17
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
More episodes in this podcast series:
About Joshua West
Joshua West serves as the Church Leadership Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.