What to do before Bible study.

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Scripture contains spiritual truth. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:16, people need the help of the Holy Spirit to correctly understand spiritual truth. “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.… This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (NIV 1 Corinthians 2:11, 13–14). Consequently, it is important to prepare our hearts and to ask God for the Holy Spirit’s help so we can correctly understand God’s Word.

Start by praising and worshiping God, confessing sin, asking for forgiveness for sin, and getting your heart right before God. It will be easier to understand and accept what God says in Scripture when your heart is right before Him.

Begin in prayer. Then continue in an attitude of prayer while you use the remaining six keys. Ask God for the Holy Spirit’s help so you can correctly understand the meaning of the text. Ask Him what He is saying to you about your life and how He wants you to apply the text to your life today. If you are preparing a message or a Bible study, ask God to show you what He wants to say to your group. But first ask Him to show you what He wants to say to you.

French, R. A. (1999). Keys to the Bible’s treasures: how to determine the meaning of Bible texts. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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