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Bibliology - Our Responsibility to God's Word
- Reading
- To the children of Israel
- By Moses (Exodus 24:7And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
See All...; Deuteronomy 31:10-13 [10] And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, [11] When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. [12] Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: [13] And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
See All...) - By Joshua (Joshua 8:32-35 [32] And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
[33] And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
[34] And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
[35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
See All...) - By King Josiah (2 Kings 23:1-2 [1] And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
[2] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.
See All...) - By Ezra (Nehemiah 8:2-3 [2] And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
[3] And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
See All...,8,18; Nehemiah 9:3And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
See All...) - To kings
- God’s commandment (Deuteronomy 17:18-19 [18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
[19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
See All...) - King Josiah (2 Kings 22:8-11 [8] And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
[9] And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
[10] And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
[11] And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
See All...) - In the synagogues (Acts 13:15-16 [15] And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
[16] Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
See All...,27; 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 [14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. [15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
See All...) - In the churches (Colossians 4:16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
See All...; 1 Timothy 4:13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
See All...) - To the family (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
[7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
[9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
See All...; Deuteronomy 11:18-21 [18] Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. [19] And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. [20] And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: [21] That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
See All...; 2 Timothy 3:14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
See All...) - Individually
- The seeking sinner (Acts 8:26-35 [26] And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
[27] And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
[28] Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
[29] Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
[30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
[31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
[32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
[33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
[34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
[35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
See All...) - The seeking saint (Isaiah 34:16Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
See All...; Psalm 1:1-2 [1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
See All...; Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...; Revelation 1:3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
See All...) - By the Savior (Matthew 12:3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
See All...,5; Matthew 19:4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
See All...; Matthew 21:16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
See All...,42; Matthew 22:31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
See All...) - Memorizing
- The command to memorize scripture (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
[7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
[9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
See All...; Job 22:22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
See All...; Proverbs 7:1-3 [1] My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. [2] Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. [3] Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
See All...) - The benefits of memorizing scripture
- Life and health (Proverbs 4:20-22 [20] My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
[21] Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
[22] For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
See All...) - Length of days (Deuteronomy 11:18-21 [18] Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
[19] And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[20] And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
[21] That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
See All...) - Wisdom (Psalm 119:97-98 [97] O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
[98] Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
See All...; Proverbs 2:1-2 [1] My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; [2] So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
See All...; Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
See All...) - Obedience (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...) - Guidance (Proverbs 6:20-23 [20] My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
[21] Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
[22] When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
[23] For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
See All...) - Companionship (Proverbs 6:20-23 [20] My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
[21] Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
[22] When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
[23] For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
See All...) - Purity (Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
See All...) - Favor with God (Proverbs 3:3-4 [3] Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
[4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
See All...) - Favor with man (Proverbs 3:3-4 [3] Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
[4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
See All...) - Stability (Psalm 37:31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
See All...) - Answered prayer (John 15:7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
See All...) - Joy in service (Psalm 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
See All...) - Strength (1 John 2:14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
See All...) - Victory (1 John 2:14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
See All...) - A plan for memorizing scripture
- Choosing the verses
- Keep a list of verses that speak to your heart
- Use a topical list
- Memorize a longer passage
- Writing the verses (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
[7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
[9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
See All...) - Put them where you can see them
- Put them on cards you can carry with you
- Write them in phrases that make sense to you
- Learning the verses (Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
See All...) - Learn the reference first
- Emphasize the first words
- Feel the natural rhythm of the verse; read it aloud several times
- Study to full understand the verse; look up words, etc.
- Learn to concentrate fully on what you are doing
- Go over the verse often and on different days; spaced repetition
- Apply the verse doctrinally and/or practically; What does it teach you?
- Meditate on the verse (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...; Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
See All...) - Using the verses
- Teach the verse to others
- Apply the verse to a present situation
- Quote the verse when appropriate
- Pray what is suggested by the verse
- Write about the verse; sing the verse; put the verse to poetry; paint the verse; etc.
- Reviewing the verses
- This is the most important and the most time-consuming step
- Keep a list of the verses you have memorized
- Have a plan for reviewing/re-memorizing these verses
- Spend the most time with your most recent verses
- Meditation
- The meaning of meditation
- Means to focus ones thoughts on; to reflect on or ponder over; to chew over carefully (Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
See All...) - It is an act of the mind (Psalm 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
See All...) - It is an act of the heart (Psalm 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
See All...; Psalm 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
See All...) - Reflects our delight in the word (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
See All...; Psalm 104:34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
See All...) - Reflects our love for the word (Psalm 119:97O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
See All...) - The relationship of meditation
- To study (Psalm 119:99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
See All...) - To prayer (Psalm 5:1Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
See All...) - The object of meditation
- God Himself (Psalm 63:6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
See All...; Psalm 104:34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
See All...) - God’s word (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...; Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
See All...; Psalm 119:15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
See All...,23,48,78) - God’s work (Psalm 77:12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
See All...; Psalm 143:5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
See All...) - Never on nonsense or nothing!
- The act of meditation
- In a solitary place (Genesis 24:63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
See All...) - In the night watches (Psalm 63:6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
See All...; Psalm 119:148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
See All...) - Both day and night (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...; Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
See All...; Psalm 119:97O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
See All...) - The fruit of meditation
- Commitment (1 Timothy 4:15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
See All...) - Obedience (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...) - Success (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
See All...; 1 Timothy 4:15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
See All...) - Wisdom (Psalm 119:99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
See All...) - Studying
- Pray before you start (Psalm 119:18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
See All...,33-40) - Begin by asking questions
- From your reading (Acts 8:30-31 [30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
[31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
See All...) - From preaching you hear (Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
See All...) - Start with the milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2-3 [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
See All...) - Progress toward the meat of the word (Hebrews 5:11-14 [11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
See All...) - Ask counsel of good men (Acts 8:30-31 [30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
[31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
See All...,35; 1 Timothy 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
See All...) - Carefully study the words and grammar (Nehemiah 8:8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
See All...) - Compare scripture with scripture (Isaiah 28:9-10 [9] Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
[10] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
See All...; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
See All...) - Learn to rightly divide the word (2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
See All...) - Apply the word to yourself in obedience (Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
See All...,133; John 7:17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
See All...) - Teach the word to others (Psalm 51:12-13 [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
[13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
See All...; Acts 5:42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
See All...; 2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
See All...) - Bible study questions
- Questions to aid in your study
- What does this passage teach about God?
- What question do you have about this passage?
- What word in this passage do you need to understand better?
- Of what song does this passage remind you?
- What other Bible verses does this passage bring to mind?
- Describe how you think this passage would look.
- What example does this passage have to follow?
- What example does this passage have for us to avoid?
- What Bible doctrine is taught in this passage?
- To whom is this passage written?
- What are the numbers in this passage?
- What are the sounds in this passage?
- What are the colors in this passage?
- What is the longest word in this passage and what is its importance?
- What principle for Christian living is taught in this passage?
- What is your favorite phrase or statement in this passage? Why?
- What statement in this passage is difficult to understand?
- What do you see in this passage that you have never seen before?
- What comes before this passage?
- What comes after this passage?
- What interesting verbs are in this passage?
- What interesting nouns are in this passage?
- What interesting adjectives are in this passage?
- What places are in this passage?
- What customs or daily life practices are in this passage?
- What is the approximate year of this passage?
- What references to time are in this passage?
- What references to place or position are in this passage?
- What does this passage teach about sin?
- What does this passage teach about salvation?
- What does this passage teach about service?
- What prophecy is found in this passage?
- What does this passage teach about people?
- What things (material, etc.) are found in this passage?
- Who are the people in this passage?
- What vegetation or animals are found in this passage?
- What does this passage teach about heaven, hell or the spirit world?
- What names for God are found in this passage?
- What does this passage teach you?
- What could you use in this passage to help someone else?
Proverbs 27:10
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.