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Do u read a verse, look it up in the concordance? Or do u read a chapter a day? I am reading a chapter at a time! Not sure if I am getting the full understanding though. Is it helpful to buy study guide materials? I don't have a group to bible study with, as of yet and want to do this on my own.
There are so many bibles out there, everyone has a different kind, aren't you afraid you are getting fed the wrong thing? KJV, NIV, NLT,.....on and on!
I have studied the Bible a variety of different ways over the years. Not systematically at all. Which is probably not a good thing actually....but that's me!
I don't think there's anything wrong with any of the versions per se. I think the different versions are helpful for different purposes. It is my understanding that the New American Standard Version is most literal, closest to the original manuscripts. Others say the King James Version is. Personally, for Bible study, I use New American Standard almost exclusively because of its reputation for accuracy and its readability. I also like the New International Version for its readability but it is not as accurate to the original text as NASB.
Some versions like The Message and The Living Bible are actually paraphrases of the Bible. They have their place too IMO.
This year, I have been trying to read through the entire Bible for the first time, and have really been enjoying it. In the past I would just flip around and read certain books, but decided this year I would try something different.
As far as translations go, I used to read the NIV and liked it pretty well. I recently purchased The Message, and I LOVE it! I highly recommend it, since it is so easy to read.
In addition, it sometimes is helpful to purchase study guides. They usually help you understand a little more and also ask you questions that make you look deeper into what you are reading. Just check out your local Christian book store and someone there should be able to help you find what you're looking for. You can typically purchase study guides for a specific book in the Bible or a topic.
For me there is a difference between reading and studying. I read it every day, but must confess have not studied it as much as I should recently.
My "reading" habits vary from picking a particular book or books to read through, to reading random verses. I read best when I'm able to pray before hand, to open myself to the HOLY SPIRIT's illumination.
My "studing" habits include carefully and methodically reading specific chapters or verses within the context of the whole book using several different bibles, of different translations, a commentary and a concordannce.
Then talking to other Christians I respect, and of course praying for the HOLY SPIRIT's illumination.
You might want to try a book my mother has found helpful it's called "Through the Bible in One Year," by Dr. Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a 52 lesson, introduction to the 66 books of the bible. It takes each book of the bible chapter by chapter. My parents gave the book as a gift to another family member. That family mamber liked it so much that my mother got a copy for herself.
You might want to try a book my mother has found helpful it's called "Through the Bible in One Year," by Dr. Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a 52 lesson, introduction to the 66 books of the bible. It takes each book of the bible chapter by chapter. My parents gave the book as a gift to another family member. That family mamber liked it so much that my mother got a copy for herself.
It's not my mind or reading habits that need improvement, ( well sort of )
It's that the more I read, the more I realize how little my mind matters.
you can watch a very good teacher on thesheperdschapel.com that teaches chapter by chapter verse by verse and explains it all very clearly.
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