Much more could be said about each of these study tips.
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Come begging God for a lesson.
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Remember the Bible's importance.
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Seek to understand what the Text says before you attempt to establish an interpretation or application.
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Context, context, context! Stick with the context.
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Submit to what you know.
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Carefully study the apparently useless passages.
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Use study aids such as Balancing the Sword.
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Define words.
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Cross reference Scripture with Scripture. This is
where the almost 54,000 cross
references in Balancing the Sword are so helpful.
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Read chapter summaries and book reviews.
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Listen to the Bible on CD, MP3, or cassette, or watch
and listen on the Bible on DVD.
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Give the Lord your best time, energy, and focus.
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Read multiple times.
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Keep notes and write down questions that come to mind.
That's the purpose for the BTS
writing space.
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Memorize the order of all sixty-six books.
The structure has logical basis.
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Do not use highlighters, markers, or pens that bleed.
Colored pencils are best.
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Do not mark in your Bible carelessly.
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Visualize the story painted by your reading.
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Read for comprehension, not speed.
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Form opinions at the appropriate time.
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Listen to sermons and read commentaries relevant to a given passage.
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Let the Text speak for itself.
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Look for primary meaning first.
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Ask probing questions to extract meaning.
The Balancing the Sword
questions are often directing your attention to key elements that
you may overlook.
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Look for patterns.
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Look for parallel concepts between the Old and New Testament.
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Look for commonly associated words.
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Create a framework of understanding first.
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Do not let chapter and verse breakdown distract.
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Pinpoint where a passage fits in the greater storyline of the biblical books.
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Understand the significance of the different literary
styles used in the Bible.
