How to Study the Bible
	Bible study can be one of the most exciting things a person has ever undertaken.  I would liken your study of God's Inspired Word to taking a trip to some country to which you have never been.  You know virutally nothing about the country nor the trip; it is a totally new experience. However, this does not discourage you from wanting to get started. So let's go!
	The topics we will discuss are: Preparation Safety Intent Trust Frequency The Bible
	Preparation The first thing about taking any trip, is you must prepare for that trip.  May I suggest some things I believe important? You must begin prayerfully.  The psalmist wrote:
	"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." --Psalms 119:18
	James, the brother of our Lord said:
	"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given Him." --James 1:5
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	Safety Secondly, safety is important.  In fact, it has become a way of life in America.  We are told constantly, "buckle up for safety", etc. We teach our children to walk, ride, and play safely.  Bible study must be approached carefully also.  God promised Israel an inheritance:
	"only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God . . ." --Deuteronomy 15: 5
	Again, this trip requires reverence.  Psalms 111:9 says:
	". . . holy and revered is his name."
	The outcome of this trip depends upon your reverence to God and His Word.  The psalmist writes again for us, saying:
	"Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word." --Psalms 119: 161
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	Intent Thirdly, this trip must be taken intently.
	"Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you." --Matt.7:7
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	Trust I believe another necessary requirement for Bible study is trust. We must study trustingly.  You need to realize quickly that you will not always understand why God says certain things, but:
	"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." --Proverbs 3:5
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	Frequency A final point I feel necessary to mention about your trip is: it's a daily thing.  God's word is spiritual food and drink. No man can live long without food and water physically. Neither can one live long spiritually, so make it a daily habit.
	"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so." --Acts 17:11
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	The Bible Now we are ready for our trip.  First, the Bible is a library consisting of 66 books under one cover, called the Holy Bible.    Two major divisions called Old Testament and New Testament, or two covenants (Galatians 4:24).
	The Old Testament
	The Old Testament consists of 39 books.
	Books of  Law Books of  History Books of  Poetry Major (Larger) Books of  Prophecy Minor (Smaller) Books of  Prphecy Genesis Joshua Job Isaiah Hosea Exodus Judges Psalms Jeremiah Joel Leviticus Ruth Proverbs Lamentations Amos Numbers 1 Samuel Ecclesiates Ezekiel Obadiah Deuteronomy 2 Samuel Song of Solomon Daniel Jonah 1 Kings Micah 2 Kings Nahum 1 Chronicles Habakkuk 2 Chronicles Zephaniah Ezra Haggai Nehemiah Zechariah Esther Malachi
	The New Testament
	The New Testament is divided into 27 books which may be grouped into four distinct classifications.
	Books of  Biography Books of  History Books of Christian Living Book of  Prophecy Accounts of the  Life and Death  of Jesus Christ Accounts of the Apostles and the church of Christ How Christians should relate to others Christ will return and what will happen at the End Matthew Acts of the Apostles Romans Revelation Mark 1 Corinthians Luke 2 Corinthians John Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1, 2, & 3 John Jude
	One final word.  Please study your Bible systematically.  Do not sit down and let it fall open to some place and read.  If you do, you most surely will be confused.
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	Bicky Lawson, Webmaster 6/30/00                                                                                                                                        Bible Research Library - Christian CD2