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Reading The Bible
Every Christian must read the Bible because it is “God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). It shows us many things that God has done for us and the way He has led men in the past. If we want to know the riches and vastness of God's provision for us, we must read the Bible. If we want to see God's step-by-step guidance for men, we must read the Bible as well. (p. 131)
God's speaking to man today is based upon what He has already spoken in the past. God rarely speaks things which He has not already spoken in the Bible. Even though a person may be quite advanced in his spiritual walk, God's revelation to him will still be confined to the words that He has spoken in the Bible. (p. 131)
The Bible is a great book. It is a monumental work. Even if we spent our whole life on the Bible, we could only touch a part of its riches. It is impossible for a person to understand the Bible without spending time to study it. Every young Christian should do his best to labor on God's Word so that when he grows old, he can nourish himself and supply others with the riches of the Word. (p. 132)
There are four basic principles in reading the Bible: (1) Discover the facts, (2) memorize and recite the words, (3) analyze, categorize, and make comparisons, and (4) receive God's enlightening. (p. 132)
Every iota or serif of the Bible is unalterable. God's Word says it, and it is so. (p. 133)
We should read our Bible during two different periods of time. In the first period of time, we should meditate, praise, and pray as we read the Word, mixing our reading with meditation, praise, and prayer. This period of reading is for receiving spiritual food and for strengthening our spirit. In the second period of time, we should read for the purpose of learning more about God's Word, for understanding spiritual facts and to receive light. (p. 137)
Every Christian should have a definite plan of studying the Bible. Whatever time you can afford, make a plan that will fit your schedule. Do not set too high a standard or too long a time for yourself, but once you decide to do something, stick to it for five years, ten years, or fifteen years. Therefore, you should consider carefully before the Lord the amount of time you should set aside for your study. (p. 142)
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