Customer Reviews

How to Study the Bible for Yourself

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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Though a believer all my life, I've recently returned to a more active Christian life (reading Mr. LaHaye's "Left Behind" series can do that to you). As a person who normally reads books from the beginning to the end, I had found Genesis overwhelming once you got to the "begats" and I often quit reading. Mr LaHaye has written a wonderful and easy-to-read book with a 3 year guide to reading the whole Bible. The name "Christian" comes from Christ, so he suggests the reading of the Bible to start in the New Testament where we get better grounded in the Life of Jesus. Starting in the Books of John is so enriching. With suggestions for both reading order, and different ways to do Bible study as well, Mr LaHaye's approach to getting the most out of the Bible is saving grace. I would recommend this Bible reading guide to all, whether new, newly returned, or mature in their faith. It makes Bible study enriching and life-asserting.

The title of this book caught my eye. As a recently returned Christian, I was looking for a plan to get in the habit of reading the bible, and this book turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. This book provides a plan for the average reader to read through the entire bible in 3 years, without getting bogged down in the heavy stuff first. I now find it a joy to read scripture daily, instead of the task it used to be. He also includes worksheets the reader can use to keep a spiritual journal, as well as for several different ways to study elements of the bible. I have found these to be very effective in helping me to make the most of my devotional time, and bring me to a better understanding of what I have read, with better retention. I would recommend this book to the newest Christians as well as those who are more spiritually mature. There truly is something for everyone here.

Although this is the first title I've read by Tim LaHaye, it is obvious that his personal belief in the power of God's Word is significant to him. In a very clear, and easily read format, Tim guides the reader through diverse perspectives on how to read and study the Bible. His focus is clearly on applying the knowledge of scripture in the life of the reader. Tim presents several commitment levels of study for the reader, recognizing that individual members of his audience will be at different phases of faith maturity. Tim prescribes various approaches to reading the 66 books of the Bible, depending upon the specific interests or needs of the reader. He presents a plan to read, and learn from, the entire Bible within 3 years. This is a terrific guide for anyone who has never been taught how to read the Bible effectively. Highly recommended for anyone who is searching for a plan to guide them through personal Bible study.

I've participated in Bible studies. I've led Bible studies. I really enjoy Bible studies. But, until I read this book, I had a difficult time being able to engage in personal study without some sort of guide.

LaHaye provides great advice and instruction on how to gain a better understanding of God's word through self-directed Bible study. Studying the Bible involves more than just reading a few passages now and then and LaHaye shows you how you can carefully and methodically engage yourself in an enjoyable and enriching study of the Bible.

When I lead Bible studies, I often suggest others in the class use techniques described in this book to gain further understanding in their at-home studies.

Great book. Highly recommended.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELF is a great book to read if you have never studied the Bible, if you feel that you're not getting much out of reading the Bible, or for someone who is a new or fairly recent convert to Christianity. The book is full of useful information that if you've never heard it or put it into practice before could be of great use to one's spiritual life. It includes guides to how to read the Bible in a year, different ways of reading the Bible, how to keep a prayer journal, memorizing scripture, etc.

However, a lot of the information contained within this book will prove valuable only if you are someone who is a new Christian or if you are someone who may have been a Christian for awhile, but have made a renewed dedication to Jesus. I was forced to read this book as part of training for a job I had a Christian institution. I was bored out of my mind. Everything that the author wrote were things that I had heard countless times and had been practicing of my own accord for several years. Not only that, but I was a bit taken back by the author's condescending tone. For instance, several times the author says something to the effect that 'You do not have to do things this way, but I have found over my many years of training that this way is the best way that works for almost everyone; if you don't do things this way there maybe something wrong with your spiritual life.' Not only that, but the author makes several references to other books he has written. I felt like I was reading something by the Walt Disney company trying to mass market their products through every avenue possible; the author's self-promotion just didn't seem right for a book aimed at trying to help people study the Bible.

One final point of criticism, the author makes hardly any mention of prayer. In fact towards the end of the book LayHaye says, "Personally I think it is more important to read, memorize, and study the Bible than to pray, for it is more important for God to talk to us than for us to talk to Him. We certainly are not going to tell Him anything He does not know, but he Has much in His Word that He wants us to learn." The book then goes into a page explantation citing that it is important to pray and gives an example of how to pray. Out of all the other criticisms of the book--the condescending tone and the shameless self-promotion--the lack of emphasis of prayer is the most disturbing. Prayer and study of the Bible go hand in hand; you really cannot have one without the other; they are like the two feet we stand upon, cut one away and we lose our balance and fall. One of the biggest differences that separates Christianity from all other religions is that Christianity isn't about a set of rules to follow, it's about relationship; our relationship to God and in turn how that relationship affects our relationships with all other people. Prayer is one of the most vital parts of that relationship ("Pray without ceasing") and to barely mention it in a book on studying the Bible is a major mistake.

Therefore, though this book is a great tool for new Christians, it won't be of much use to more mature believers. Also, keep in mind that though LaHaye hardly mentions prayer, prayer happens concurrently when studying the Bible.

Although I am not a new believer, I don't think I ever really knew how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible until reading THIS book. LaHaye lays out a plan for not only reading the Bible through in 3 years, but reading it in such a way that you will cement the Word into your heart and mind. You will not only read the word, you will study it indepth by a variety of ways - chapter study, psalm study, memorization, and analysis. He explains all these things in the simplest of terms, lays out directions plainly, and even includes reproducible forms to get you started. This is a very do-able plan. LaHaye also includes very important things such as HOW to choose a Bible and literary analysis terms which are vital to true understanding. (Such as Biblical metaphors and allegories.)
I am not a Bible scholar, and I've always felt like I COULD be getting more out of my Bible readings - this book has been such a help.
If I could, I'd buy this book for everyone I know (along with a good Bible, of course!)
You will find this book easy to read, as concise as possible, and extraordinarily helpful.
Buy it as soon as you can - you WON'T be sorry.

I have read many books on how to study the Bible and this is one of the best. It would be of great help to a new convert who does not know the difference between studying the Bible and reading it.

This book makes studying the Bible seem like an easy task not a difficult, complicated thing that only "Bible scholars" can accomplish. I particularly like the subject analysis method described because it teaches you to find out all that the Bible says about a particular subject and not just part of it.

All in all this is a great book and I would recommend anyone to buy it.

There are several methods of bible study in the book. All are good ones. However, you are going to have to be self-motivated to do any of the studies. I especially like that the author gives you formats on how to record the various methods of bible study. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to do their own bible study and needs a little direction in how to do it.

This is a wonderful book. I have been a christian for many years, but have had a hard time reading the bible, and getting anything out of it. This is a GREAT guide to reading the bible. I am getting so much out of the scriptures now I am so thankful for this book.

I have read the Bible a few times before I read this book. After reading this book, I was able to fully comprehend the Word of God and sucessfully apply it to my everyday life. I would recommend this book to anyone that is hungry for the Word of God and wishes to become more spiritually mature.