Interested in learning more about the Bible?
We send our amazing followers of Jesus Christ, just like you, daily text messages from the Holy Bible.
Will you join them?
How To Study The Bible For Beginners?
Studying the Bible for beginners can be a daunting task. It is a book of 66 books, many of whose authors lived centuries apart, representing a variety of cultures and viewpoints. Yet, it is also the foundational book of Christianity. As such, it is a crucial tool in understanding and living the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. To study the Bible effectively, there are four key areas of focus: history, literary genres, literary elements, and theological themes.
History
As the story of God’s redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ, the Bible is obviously a religious document. But it is also an ancient history book. To properly study the Bible, one must be aware of the cultural, historical, and geographical context in which the stories were written. For example, in Exodus, the Israelites were in bondage in the land of Egypt. In the book of Joshua, the Israelites are entering the Promised Land. In Acts, the Jews are persecuting Christians in Jerusalem. Acknowledging the historical context of the Bible gives life to the stories and helps bring out its meaning.
Literary Genres
The books of the Bible have a variety of authors with different perspectives. Therefore, it is important to recognize the different literary genres that are found within it. Examples of these genres include: historical narrative, prophecy, poetry, parable, epistle, biography, and apocalyptic literature. Each of these genres has an independent set of patterns and conventions that should be kept in mind.
Literary Elements
Among the literary elements used in the Bible are symbolism, paradox, metaphor, irony, and hyperbole. Recognizing these elements can help the reader gain a better understanding of the deeper meaning of the text. For example, in the book of Revelation, the beast is symbolic of a political power that opposes God. In the parable of the “Good Samaritan,” Jesus uses a paradox to challenge the listener’s views of neighborliness.
Theological Themes
The Bible is structured around a few major themes: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. These are the major plot points of the story of the Bible. Creation refers to the events in the book of Genesis, where God created the world and declared it “good.” Fall refers to the event of the Fall of mankind, found in Genesis 3. Redemption refers to God’s plan of restoring mankind through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally, Restoration refers to God’s promise of a new world, found in Revelation, where all things will be made right and the world will be restored to its original, perfect state.
Conclusion
Studying the Bible for beginners is no easy task. It is a book of many authors and many genres. However, recognizing a few key components of the Bible, such as its historical and literary elements and its theological themes, can make the experience much more rewarding. By doing so, the reader can better understand the stories within the Bible and gain a deeper appreciation of God’s plan of redemption.
Are you inspired by Bible verses? We’ll send you text messages, every day, from the Bible: Sign up for a daily test message, from the Holy Bible
Interested in Bible verses? Learn about similar topics here, like:
Is abortion mentioned in the bible, Is hell mentioned in the bible, Is isaiah in the bible, Is the gospel the bible, Is the word rapture in the bible
6 thoughts on “How To Study The Bible For Beginners”