Category: Studying the Bible

Bible Study Plans: 5 Ways on How to Go Deeper in the Bible

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

Bible study can be daunting, especially if you’re a new Christian. However, studying the Bible is challenging for everyone, mainly because it points out point blank how we all deserve death, we’re all sinners, and we all need God. In this blog post, I’ll offer up tips on how to go deeper in the Bible. Contact me today with any questions!

5 WAYS TO GO DEEPER IN THE BIBLE

  1. View the Bible as a whole story. Many people make the mistake of tackling the Bible in pieces, reading stories here and there, and never putting it all together. Furthermore, many make the mistake of thinking the Old Testament is a completely separate part of the Bible and is completely opposite of the New Testament. However, the Bible is God’s story meant to be taken as a whole with an overarching theme — that of Jesus as Savior. Once you understand this basic fact, you’ll read the Bible in a whole new light.
  2. Understanding the genre of the books of the Bible. In your Bible study plans, it’s helpful to know what genre each book of the Bible falls into. This is important because not every sentence of the Bible is meant to teach you. Some are prayers to pray to God. Some are just part of a theme you can apply to your life. Understanding which books of the Bible are instructional versus narrative for example will help you to go deeper in God’s Word.
  3. Find God’s overarching truths. There are overarching truth’s in God’s word, such as Jesus is Savior, God is good, we are saved by God’s grace, and all believers go to heaven and await Jesus’ second coming. These principles tie God’s word together so you can go deeper in the Bible.
  4. Pray. When you ask God for help, He answers. Ask Him every time you sit down to read the Bible for a deeper understanding of His Word. He will answer.
  5. Don’t rush. Reading the Bible is not homework with a timeline to finish. You need to take your time to digest and ponder God’s word, and if you have to re-read a passage many times until you get it, do so.

These are just a few of some of my favorite tips to go deeper in God’s word. Stay tuned to AtoZMomm’s blog for part two to this series of how to go deeper in God’s word. Contact me to learn more!

Bible Study Plans: Is the Bible True?

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

“Is the Bible true?”

I think most of us have heard this question at some point in our lives. Many say the Bible is just a collection of stories, myths even, about people who may or may not have lived long ago. How do we know it’s true? In this blog post by AtoZMomm, we’ll explore that question. Contact me today with any other questions you may have!

What is the Bible?

The Bible is the holy book for Christians. In it is recorded God and His son, Jesus’s, teachings to the world, as written down by chosen people of God. It is a collection of books written over a period of 1500 years. The Old Testament tells of the beginning of time and God’s choosing of His people, the Jews, and the Jews’ history. The New Testament is the story of God’s son, Jesus, and the spread of the new religion, Christianity, that Jesus ushered in when he died for our sins.

IS THE BIBLE TRUE?

What is truth? You have to answer that question before you can answer if the Bible is true or not. Truth is what has happened in reality, or something accepted as true. The Bible states many truths, for example, that God exists, that He created the world and everything in it, that Jesus is God’s son, and the only was to get to heaven is to have faith in Jesus as God’s son and that his death cleansed us all to make us holy enough to be with God.

Evidence for the Bible

  • There are many existing early manuscripts of the Bible, all supporting one another. There are outside writings as well, from the Greeks and the Romans, all verifying the existence of Jesus. Moreover, the Bible is a cohesive whole, all uniting in one message and never contradicts itself. This would not be possible with so many human writers over such a long time frame without a deity’s guidance.
  • The Bible lines up with history.
  • There are eyewitness accounts.
  • The Bible cared about women when no one else did.
  • The Bible prophecies much and many of these prophecies have come true.
  • The Bible is without error.
  • The Bible has a clear message.
  • The Bible is sufficient.

DO YOU HAVE FAITH THE BIBLE IS TRUE?

In the end, the answer to this question is faith, which is what determines your entrance to heaven or not as well. Do you have faith that what the Bible says is true, based off all the existing evidence? Has God spoken to you personally? Do you have a personal relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ? What does your heart tell you?

Your soul and your heart hold the answer. Search it, and find it today. Contact me with questions!

Bible Study Plans: Who is Jesus?

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

WHO IS JESUS?

Another loaded question that when asked (even believers), sometimes we stumble. Below are some simple ways to describe Jesus the next time you are asked. Contact me today!

TOP 10 SAYS TO DESCRIBE JESUS

  1. Jesus is God’s Son.
  2. Jesus is God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
  3. Jesus is the Savior of the world, you and me.
  4. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
  5. Jesus is the Son of David.
  6. Jesus is the king of kings.
  7. Jesus is love.
  8. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega.
  9. Jesus is the bread of life.
  10. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

There are many ways to describe Jesus. In the end, all that matters is who is Jesus to you? Leave a comment below, share this post with friends and family on social media, and contact me today with questions!

Bible Study Plans: Who is God?

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

WHO IS GOD?

Such a big question that many of us (even us believers) don’t have an easy answer to.

That’s because God is everything all at the same time. He’s unfathomable, hard to describe, and oftentimes, we’re too overwhelmed by Him to begin.

But what do you say to this question when you’re asked? Here are some suggestions below, and contact me with questions.

TOP 10 WAYS TO DESCRIBE GOD

  1. He’s the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
  2. He’s the supreme being.
  3. He’s omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (always present).
  4. He is infinite.
  5. He is incomparable.
  6. He is unchanging.
  7. He is good.
  8. He is love.
  9. He is judge.
  10. He forgives.

Your turn. Who is God to you? Leave a comment, share with social media, and contact me with questions!

Bible Study Plans: How to Study the Bible in the Summer

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

The summer is full of fun adventures, time outdoors, and a relaxed routine. However, it is just because of this change in routine that keeping up with your Bible study can be a challenge during the summer months. After all, you’re tempted away by so many fun and varied outdoor activities. In this blog post, I’ll examine ways to stay in the Word during the summer months away from a structured Bible study. Contact me today!

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

  • Set aside time first thing in the morning. When God is first in your life, you should put His Word first as well. In the morning, set aside time to study God’s word, and make it part of your routine. For example, wake up, make coffee, pray, and then open the Word and see what God has to say to you.
  • Don’t make Bible study in-depth. Sure, God wants us to study His Word closely so we can apply it to our life. However, that doesn’t mean we should wait until we have a three hour block free to do so because, for most of us, that will never happen. Hence, set aside just 5 or 10 minutes a day to be in the Word.
  • Make Bible study a play date. Invite your friends over and their kids and while the kids are running around with their heads cut off, you can study the bible with your friends.
  • Do a lunch Bible study at work. Gather some friends at work to eat lunch and read the Bible together or do a small group Bible study.
  • Coffee and God. Coffee shops are great places to hold summer Bible studies. You can enjoy coffee (my favorite drink) with the company of friends while you discuss God’s Word. It might not get any more perfect!
  • Picnic and God. With the call of nature beckoning, you can study God’s word either alone or with friends by having a picnic in God’s creation. There’s something about nature that connects us to our Creator. Quite possibly you’ll hear from Him like you haven’t ever before.

These are some of my favorite ways to stay in the Word during the summer. Feel free to comment below with your favorite ways to stay close to God during the summer months, or share this with your friends on social media with the share buttons below. Contact me for more information!

Bible Study Plans: How to Study the Old Testament

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

One big hindrance to studying the Bible is the Old Testament. And this is one big hindrance considering there are 929 chapters in the Old Testament in 39 books. Below, we’ll examine how to study the Old Testament when you begin to study the Bible. Contact AtoZMomm today to learn more!

HOW TO STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT

As with most large tasks, breaking it down into easy-to-manage parts makes the whole process doable and not overwhelming. Unlike the New Testament where we follow Jesus’s life from beginning to end and then the life of his apostles, the Old Testament is not in chronological order. Below is my recommendation for organizing the Old Testament for study.

  • Read Genesis. This is where it all began, so you have to start there. Some of the best stories of the Bible are in Genesis, including the fall of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, and Noah. Powerful stories with equally powerful lessons to teach.
  • Exodus through Deuteronomy. These books teach the Law, otherwise known as the Old Covenant, which is how God’s people where to live their lives before Jesus’s crucifixion.
  • Joshua through Esther. These books are known as the historical books of the Old Testament. It is here that we learn how God’s people survived after they inherited the Promised Land. You’ll learn the history of the period of the judges, the history of the kings, and the prophets Ezra, Nehemiah.
  • Next, read the books of wisdom and poetry.
    • Job. Job is the epitome of faith when all is seemingly lost in life. Said to be the oldest recorded book, Job follows his story of how he was tested by God, how he endured, what he learned, and what God expects of us.
    • The Psalms are writings by the various kings of Israel (including David and Solomon). These are full of life lessons of how to live a life following God.
    • The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, was written by King Solomon in his youth before he fell into sin. This is one of the greatest love poems ever written.
    • Proverbs. Proverbs was written again by King Solomon, but written by him when he was on the throne of Israel. They show hard lessons of life to live by.
    • Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is the opposite of Proverbs per se. This book teaches you how not to live your life. It was written by King Solomon when he was an old man as he looked back on his sinful life
  • Next, are the five major prophets of Old Testament times:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, & Daniel.
  • Finish up the Old Testament with the 12 minor prophets.

Reading three chapters per day of the Old Testament will take you 10 months to finish. Remember, everything in the Old Testament points to Jesus. Yes, there are exceedingly dense sections of the Old Testament that you’re just going to have to slug through. But remember, every word in the Old Testament is not there by accident. God is speaking; you just have to listen.

If you get bored, skip that section, save for later, and find an exciting story such as Esther or Joseph. The Old Testament is just as valuable as the New Testament and has many truths to teach us. Contact me if you have questions!

Bible Study Plans: The Top 5 Advantages of Group Bible Study

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

Bible study groups can be very fun as well as informative. You meet in your small group Bible study, catch up on life’s events, and then study the Bible and learn the Bible from others. In this blog post in our continuing series of how to study the Bible, I’ll discuss the advantages to group bible study. Read more on AtoZMomm’s blog today!

TOP 5 BENEFITS OF GROUP BIBLE STUDY

  1. Accountability. Many of us struggle to actually make time to do our Bible study. When you join a group Bible study, you will be held accountable for actually reading the Bible. And when you skip out on your group Bible study, you will be missed. What you learn is valuable to the group, so don’t take that for granted.
  2. Community. Many of us struggle to maintain good quality friendships. When you join a group bible study, such as a women’s Bible study, a men’s Bible study, or a small group Bible study, you will form connections with other Christians that will only enhance your life and your spiritual life. You’ll be able to share what’s on your heart, what you’re struggling with, and the wins in your life with others who will pray for you along the way. Now that’s powerful.
  3. Encouragement. Satan and sin are of this world, and we can become dragged down in the muck of it all. When you join a Bible study group, you’ll be encouraged by others, and your life will be enriched because of it. Furthermore, you’ll have an opportunity to encourage others, blessing others lives’ in return.
  4. Learning. The fact of the matter is you’ll learn more in a small group Bible study than you will on your own. You’ll see the Bible passage you are studying in a different light, and you’ll be challenged on what you believe, fostering more in-depth Bible study on your part which you never would have done on your own.
  5. Inspiration. We all know our mission in life is to be more like Jesus, but in the daily mill of life, how many of us consciously strive for this? In a small group Bible study, you’ll be inspired by others’ journey with Christ to grow, learn, and develop into a better person.

“that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:12

Christians are called for community, and group Bible study not only affords community, but it also offers you an enriched life through Christ. Contact me for questions!

Bible Study Plans: How to Study the Bible with Others

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

Sitting down and studying the Bible on your own can be daunting, especially if you’re a new Christian and have never done it before. In our previous posts, I discussed how to study the Bible and where to begin. In this post, I’ll discuss how to study the Bible with others. Visit AtoZMomm for more Bible study tips!

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE WITH OTHERS: TOP 3 TIPS FOR BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

  1. Find a Bible study group. This can be challenging; however, there are excellent Bible study groups out there, such as Bible Study Fellowship, that offer amazing, in-depth Bible study with others. Often, your local church will offer small group bible studies that you can join. A lot of these small group Bible studies are centered around a particular interest, such as sewing, outdoors, or moms with small kids, which makes it easier to connect with people and share what you’ve learned in the Bible when you have something in common already.
  2. Share what you’ve learned. Group Bible studies are all about sharing what you’ve learned with others. Don’t be afraid to share even if you think it’s wrong. You’ll be surprised to learn that many others are thinking the same thing you are.
  3. The Bible is the definitive answer. When in a group Bible study, you’ll have to take what others say with a grain of salt. Since none of us are God, we can’t know exactly what God is trying to convey. Bible scholars have dedicated their lives to trying to determine this, and there are passages that are very clear. However, remember you are learning and so are others and that the Bible can speak to others differently than you.

There are many advantages to Group Bible Study, which we will discuss in a future blog post. For now, ask your local church for small group bible studies, such as women’s bible studies, men’s bible studies, or bible studies for kids, look at national bible studies, such as Bible Study Fellowship, or even look online for an online Bible study or for a group in your area. Contact me with questions!

bible study tools

Bible Study Plans: Bible Study Techniques and Tools

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

In part three of our series on how to study the Bible, I’ll review some tips on some Bible study techniques you can use to get the most out of your time with God in His Word. Contact me today!

BIBLE STUDY TECHNIQUES

  • Come with an open heart. Bible study is not to be rushed through or done just for the sake of doing it and then checking Bible study off your checklist. Bible study is your time alone with God, which gives you a chance to grow closer to God and get to know Him. Prepare your heart and your mind to receive what He has for you.
  • Pray. Always pray before opening the Bible. Pray for God to reveal to you what He needs you to know.

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

  • Bible dictionary. You’ll want to invest in a good Bible dictionary that will not only define words such as redemption, but will also tell you what it means in the Bible and where you’ll see it. I use Zondervan’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary by J D Douglas and Merrill C Tenney.
  • Bible atlas. Although this one is not necessary and most study Bibles have maps in the back, but a good Bible Atlas that will show you maps of where all the events you are are reading about in the Bible are happening is a great tool to have on hand, especially if you’re a visual learner. I use Zondervan’s Atlas of the Bible by Carl G Rasmussen.
  • Keep a Bible journal. This is important to record all you are learning throughout your Bible study and to jot down any thing God is saying to you in the moment. While you’re reading, ask yourself the common questions of discovery: who, what, where, when, and why to learn more about what you are reading.
  • Highlight or write in your Bible. Jotting down thoughts as you read the Bible can be a powerful learning tool, especially when you re-visit that same verse years later and see how far you’ve grown with Jesus.
  • Study Bible. A study Bible will offer up notes as you’re reading, which will provide guidance, context, and other useful information, such as where else this person appears in the Bible. A good study Bible is essential in my opinion to understanding the Bible.
  • Different versions of the Bible. Invest in different versions of the Bible. Since the Bible came to us in the Hebrew, through Ancient Greek, into Latin, and now whatever language you are reading in, context, meaning, and even whole parts got mistranslated or missing in the Bible. Different versions of the Bible will give you a deeper and richer understanding of what you’re reading as you hear the same thing said in a different way for your Bible study.
  • Pay attention to the footnotes. The footnotes in the Bible will give you another great way to learn more about where else these events may have happened as well as an explanation on what’s going on.

Ultimately, you only need a willing heart and a Bible to study God’s Word. Those items listed above are nice to have to enhance your learning of the Bible, but don’t let having them stop you from beginning to study God’s Word. Dive in, and being. Contact me with any questions!

Studying the Bible

Bible Study Plans: Where to Start Your Study of the Bible

by atozmom, posted in Studying the Bible

In part one of this series, we discussed how to study the Bible. Now we’ll discuss where to start your Bible study. After all, the Bible is a big book, and deciding where to begin can be daunting. Below, I’ll go into specifics of where to begin your Bible study journey, and contact me at Atozmomm today for more advice!

WHERE TO START YOUR STUDY OF THE BIBLE

  • New Testament. Most Bible scholars recommend you start your Bible study with the New Testament if you are just beginning to study the Bible. The New Testament is easier to understand and covers the life of Jesus who is central to a Christians life. Furthermore, the New Testament has a more cohesive feel to it. Once you’re done with the New Testament, begin on the Old Testament with the Book of Genesis.
  • Begin with the Book of John. The Gospels (which are the books of the Bible that cover when Jesus was alive on Earth are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are the best place to begin studying the Bible in the New Testament, particularly with the book of John. The book of John is the easiest to read, covers who Jesus is, and prepares you for the other three Gospels.
  • Read Romans. The book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul, will give you a great understanding of the Gospels as a whole and the entire book points to the Good News of Jesus Christ. The letters of the Bible, written mostly by Jesus’ disciples to the early Church is a great place to continue your Bible study.

OTHER GREAT PLACES TO START YOUR STUDY OF THE BIBLE

  • Psalms. The book of Psalms in the Old Testament is a book of encouragement, and a constant reminder to us that God is with us no matter our sins. The Psalms frequently offer hope and healing. A very poetic book written by various authors, this a great book to read before bed at night if you have trouble falling asleep.
  • Proverbs. Another great place to start reading and studying the Bible, Proverbs, written mostly by King Solomon who was blessed with wisdom by God, offers practical tips for living. Short and spicy, Proverbs will give you great advice when you need it the most.
  • Genesis. Some of us are very linear thinkers and there’s nothing wrong with starting at the beginning of the Bible and reading it all the way through. You will understand God more and dive into how and why Jesus came when he did.
  • Topics. One way to begin to study the Bible, especially if you are struggling with something you need help with right away is to choose a topic, and then study the parts of the Bible that relate to that topic. Most Bibles have subject indexes in the back, or a quick Google search will give you great places to start. Topics such as anger, encouragement, compassion, and joy are all great areas to start.

Reverend Billy Graham once offered up this advice when asked where to start reading the Bible, “Begin by reading the Gospel of John, for it tells us of Christ, of the ‘greatest life ever lived,’ and what He has done for us. Next read Acts, for it tells us what His first disciples did in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Then perhaps the letters of John and the letter to the Philippians. Then you may want to read Romans as your next step in your Bible study, which sets forth the great doctrines which Paul taught.”

In the end, it truly doesn’t matter where you start your Bible study; just open up and begin. God will be wherever you land. Contact me for any questions!