The Bible | a 4-Day Skate Church Movement Devotionalનમૂનો

how do we study the Bible?

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22

Maybe you’ve picked up a new skate magazine and flipped through it to an ad or picture of a trick you’ve never done before. I always was a big fan of the sequences in magazines. I would look at how they rolled up, their foot placement, what they were doing during the trick, and how they rolled away. You can study a picture over and over but if you are anything like me, pictures alone probably haven’t helped you learn any new tricks.

For me, if I’m trying to learn something new, it’s always been most effective and faster if I have someone that can help teach me. Studying the Bible is no different. One of the most important things we do as Christians is read, study, and learn from the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 says, “The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The Bible is truly unlike any other book. It’s actually a living and active book that can speak to us in completely unique ways. There are tons of resources and tools that are out there to help you learn how to study the Bible, but here are a few tips and suggestions that I have found super helpful when trying to learn more about what the Bible says and how to understand it:

1. Find someone who has been reading the Bible longer than you have that you can go to with questions, concerns, thoughts, or just to learn more. Just like getting advice from someone that is a better skater than you, this is a great place to start.

2. Read it consistently. Reading the Bible once a month and expecting to learn a lot from it would be like trying to learn a new trick at the park for five minutes and then not trying it again for another 30 days. Start small–maybe just a few verses–and build from there.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as you read. These questions have been super helpful for me as I read the word...What does it say about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? His character? What does it say about humanity? About me? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there a promise to hold onto? Is there an example to follow? Is there a command to obey? Lastly, can I summarize what I just read in my own words? If not, maybe I should read it again until I fully understand what I just read. The hope is that as you’re studying the Word and God is teaching you, He’ll begin to put others on your heart that you can share with what you’ve been learning as well.

4. Put what you read into practice. As James 1:22 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” Just like learning a new trick, keep trying it. If you’re able to find a friend that is wanting to learn the same trick with you, you’ll most likely learn faster. The same is true with studying the Bible. Read together, discuss it together, and challenge each other to live it out.

These are just some suggestions and tips on where to start, but I’m confident that if you commit to this, you will learn one of the most valuable lessons any Christian can learn: that God speaks directly to His people through the Bible. Just like a pro could probably teach you any trick, the Holy Spirit can lead you into all understanding while reading the Word!

pushing further

1. Have you tried studying the Bible? If not, how come?
2. Do you have someone in your life that you can go to and ask questions about the Bible?
3. Are you at the point where you can begin helping others study the Bible?

Want more content like this? We adapted this Plan from a 52-week Skate Church Movement Devotional Book. Get your book at skatechurchmovement.com.