THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ADVANCED BIBLE STUDIES SERIES “HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE”
Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061
866-295-4143 (toll free), fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail)
http://www.wayoflife.org (web site)
The following is an excerpt from the Advanced Bible Studies Series course on How to Study the Bible, which is available from Way of Life Literature. (It is best to order them by phone at 866-295-4143, but they can also be ordered from the newly redesigned online order form at the Way of Life web site, http://www.wayofife.org.)
There are currently 20 titles in the series, and any of them can be special ordered in large print and in ring coil binding. We don’t believe that you will find better quality, more truly life-changing Bible courses from any other source. They are based strictly upon the King James Bible and the powerful word studies assist in the understanding of the KJV but never cast doubt upon it. They are thorough and comprehensive. They are very practical and have the objective of producing well-equipped Christian soldiers that have a solid understanding of the Bible. They stress holy and obedient Christian living and separation from worldliness and error, exalt evangelism and the New Testament church, and promote world missions. They emphasize the crucial differences between law and grace and positional and practical sanctification, and they continually fortify the student’s understanding of the life-changing doctrines such as justification, substitutionary atonement, and eternal security. The courses are non-Calvinistic and interpret Bible prophecy literally. The student will be prepared to stand against the wiles of the Devil and to refute the major theological heresies of our day. One pastor said the books “are extremely helpful for any Christian, no matter where they are spiritually; the practical application is extremely helpful and edifying.”
The Advanced Bible Studies Series can be used as private study guides for the individual Christian, as Sunday School lessons, as textbooks in Bible colleges, as part of a home schooling curriculum, as study material in jails and prisons, for discipling new (or older) Christians, and as refresher study material for Bible College graduates.
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SOME TIPS ON MARKING IN YOUR BIBLE
Underline Judiciously
It is your Bible and you can do as you please, but let me recommend that you not just underline anything and everything indiscriminately. If you do that, your Bible will soon be a bewildering and almost indecipherable hodgepodge of underlines and marks. It is better to use some careful thought in underlining. Let me make some suggestions.
First, underline the most important things. Certainly, everything in the Bible is important, but some things are more important than others. For example, throughout the Old Testament I have marked every mention of “thus saith the Lord” and similar sayings. By my count, they are used 2448 times.
Second, underline things that will help you see at a glance the divisions of a passage. In Hebrews 11, for example, I have boldly marked the names of the various heroes of the faith, which delineate the division of that section of Scripture. In Revelation 2-3, I have boldly marked the names of the seven churches, thus I can see at a glance the division of that section.
Third, underline those things that bring out the meaning of the verses. These can be action verbs or key words. In Exodus 38-40, I have underlined the words “as the Lord commanded Moses.” In Ecclesiastes, I underlined every mention of “under the sun.” In Ezekiel, I underlined “they shall know that I am the Lord.” In Revelation, I have marked “repent” in chapters 2-3.
Write Notes in Your Bible with Caution
As with underlining, if you write down anything and everything in your Bible, you will soon find that the notes are almost useless. I advise using a pencil rather than a pen, because you can erase pencil markings. A mechanical pencil is very helpful, because it doesn’t have to be sharpened. I suggest keeping two or three of them in your Bible case so that if one runs out of lead during the preaching, you can switch to another without a lot of fumbling around which distracts others. When writing things down that a preacher or teacher states, consider the source. Is that person a diligent student whose sayings are probably going to be accurate? If not, be very cautious about writing something down in your Bible. Save the margins of your Bible for things that are special and that are doubtless true and accurate. Other things can be written down in a notebook.
THINGS TO WRITE IN THE MARGIN OF YOUR BIBLE
* NOTE DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND NAMES. As you learn the definitions of difficult words and doctrinal terms and names of people and places, jot them down in the margin of your Bible, so you won’t forget them. I have written hundreds of definitions in my Bible, even though I have authored a Bible Encyclopedia. No one can remember all of the meanings and alternative translations of the words in the Bible. For example, in Psalm 119:53 I wrote, “Horror = glowing anger. Prime root trans. ‘wrath’ 2 Ch. 26:19. Compare v. 104, 113, 128, 136, 139, 158, 13; Prov. 28:4; Jer. 15:17; 23:911; Rom. 12:9; Eph. 5:11; Matt. 23; Jude 14,15; Ezra 9:3.”
* NOTE CROSS REFERENCES. No single cross reference system is exhaustive, and this especially true for the cross references in a study Bible. Not even the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge has every possible cross-reference. You will find many new cross-references to add to your Bible if you are diligent in study. For example, Proverbs 28:22 is an important reference to Matthew 6:23, but it is not in any cross-reference system I have seen.
* WRITE DOWN DOCTRINAL AND TEACHING OUTLINES. I can preach many sermons right from the margins of my Bible. For example, in Genesis 13, I have the four steps of “Lot’s Downward Slide”; in Proverbs 23, an outline on drunkenness; in Luke 16, an outline on hell; in Acts 2, an outline on baptism, etc.
* NOTE ANNOTATIONS SUCH AS WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. For example, in Exodus 25-27, I have noted the dimensions and weights of the various articles in the tabernacle.
* WRITE DOWN BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE TEXT. When you learn something that is helpful about a passage, note it briefly in the margin. Every time you read that passage, the note will be there as a reminder. For example, in Luke 16:8, I jotted down thoughts about how the children of this generation are wiser than the children of light. “How wiser? 1. In preparing for the future. 2. In the use of money. Christ is using the temporal to illustrate the eternal.” I also copied out in my margin at Luke 16:8 a brief excerpt from Matthew Henry as follows: “Wisdom of worldly people in the concerns of this world is to be imitated by us in the concerns of our souls . . . Not that the children of this world are truly wise; it is only in their generation. But in that they are wiser than the children of light in theirs; for, though we are told that we must shortly be turned out of our stewardship, yet we do not provide as we should for such a day.”
* NOTE EXPLANATIONS OF TERMS PERTAINING TO BIBLE TIMES AND CULTURE. For example, at Isaiah 28:22 I have written, “consumption is trans. “riddance” in Zeph. 1:18 and “consume” in Ezek. 13:13.”
* NOTE THINGS TO HELP YOU TEACH OTHERS. I recall an occasion when I was a young Christian on which I unknowingly visited the home of a Jehovah’s Witness woman who was zealous for her religion. She invited me in and I found myself in the midst of a group of people who were there for one of her Bible studies. She took control of the situation and asked me if I believed Christians go to heaven when they die, and I replied in the affirmative. She then asked me to show her and her friends where the Bible specifically says that the believer goes to heaven or that he has a home in heaven. I searched for a few minutes and couldn’t find a passage that said exactly that and thus I was publicly put to shame before this false teacher. After that, I renewed my effort to be ready at all times to give an answer to the many heretics that are out there. One way I have done this is through diligent study of the Scriptures, but another way is to write relevant things in the margin of my Bible so that I can find them quickly when the occasion presents itself. Thus, in many disputed verses, I have noted the arguments against false teaching. At Acts 2:38, for instance, I have annotated the reasons why we know this is not referring to baptismal regeneration: “The word ‘for’ can mean ‘because of’ or ‘in order to’ depending on the context (Lk. 5:13-14); baptism is not the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17); Peter himself later said baptism is a figure (1 Pet. 3:21); Holy Spirit is received by trusting Christ (Eph. 1:12-13).” In Exodus 20, I have noted the reasons why we know that the sabbath is not binding on N.T. Christians. At Matthew 16:18 I have noted why the rock refers to Christ and not Peter. At Mark 1:23 I have jotted down some of the key errors in the modern versions. At Mark 9 I have listed briefly the various Bible descriptions of hell and the passages in which Christ preached on hell. At John 3:5, I have written down the reasons why I know that “born of water” is not speaking of baptism. At John 13 I have noted why I believe footwashing is not a church ordinance. These are a few examples. When I preached in a county jail for several years, I used these notes almost every week when the prisoners would ask various questions. If they asked a question that I did not know the answer to, I would get the answer and put it in my Bible (if I felt there was a possibility that I would forget it), so I would have it the next time that question came up.
* MARK DIVISIONS OF A PASSAGE. For example, in Exodus 7-11, I have marked the 10 judgments on Egypt. In Exodus 20, I marked each of the 10 commandments. In Leviticus 1-7 I have marked the various offerings. Some study Bibles do some of this for you, but I have enjoyed doing it myself.
* MARK LEADING THOUGHTS AND IMPORTANT REPETITIONS. For example, in Paul’s epistles, I have bracketed all of his prayers, beginning at Romans 1:8-10, and I have annotated the prayer that precedes and follows. In Genesis, I bracketed every occasion in which God repeated his covenant to Abraham, beginning in Gen. 12. I also added an asterisk so I can see each reference easily.
In Acts 2 in my Bible, I currently have 27 separate notes with about 44 cross references, as follows:
Acts 2:1
Pentecost was on Sunday (Lev. 23:16)
Pentecost was a sign to Israel (1 Cor. 14:22)
2:6
The miracle was in the speaking not in the hearing
2:12
What meaneth this? the answer is in 1 Cor. 14:20-22
2:15
9 a.m.
2:16
The last days started with the apostles and include events of Revelation (1 Jn. 2:18)
2:17
Joel 2:28-32
2:21
Day of the Lord includes entire events of the tribulation (2 Pet. 3:10; 2 Thess. 5:2-3)
2:22
See Jn. 5:36; 6:14; 7:31; 10:37-38; 14:10-11; 15:24; 20:30-31
Christ’s miracles, see note at Jn. 20:30
2:25
“seeing this before” Ps. 16:8-11
2:34
Ps. 110:1
2:35
Christ will return 3:20-21
2:38
“for” can mean because of or in order to, depending on the context (Lk. 5:13-14)
Baptism is not the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17)
Peter himself later said baptism is a “figure” (1 Pet. 3:21)
Other passages in Acts say salvation is by believing in Christ (8:36-37; 10:43-48; 13:39; 15:11; 16:30-31; 20:21)
The Holy Spirit is received by trusting Christ (Eph. 1:12-13)
2:40
nothing quick or shallow here
untoward = crooked, perverse
2:41
“added to the church” v. 47
Baptism
What is it? buried in water (Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:3-4; Mk. 1:10; Jn. 2:23)
What does it mean? (1) testimony of repentance (v. 38; Lk. 3:3).(2) Step of obedience (Mt. 28:28; 1 Pet. 3:21). (3) Picture of salvation (Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21).
Who is it for? (v. 41; Acts 8:36-37)
What follows? (vv. 41-42)
2:43
“signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12; Acts 3:1-8; 4:33; 5:12-16; 9:36-42; 19:10-12; 28:8-9)
2:44
not communism - Acts 5:4
2:46
compare 1:14; 2:1
Use Color Markings
Colored pencils, pens, or highlighters are an excellent way to mark your Bible. Some try to use one marking system throughout their Bibles; but I have found that it is easier and more effective to use different color markings for different parts of the Bible. Following are some the systems I have used in my own Bible:
In Genesis, I marked the mentions of the “altar” in brown.
In Leviticus, I marked the important phrase “I am the Lord your God” in yellow.
In the Psalms, I have used red to mark verses that mention everlasting and eternal, dark blue for the second coming, orange for trusting God, green for blessings, purple for trouble, yellow for praise, pink for prayer, and brown for the Word of God. I have circled the verse numbers of the Messianic prophecies with blue. I have also bracketed unfulfilled prophecy or future events in red.
In the prophetic portions of the Old Testament, I have used brown for verses pertaining to the Day of the Lord, light blue for the Messianic passages, green for passages referring the remnant, orange for the New Covenant, dark blue for the regathering of Israel, yellow for passages describing the millennial kingdom, and red for the second coming. I have also bracketed unfulfilled prophecy or future events in red.
In Proverbs, I have used red to mark verses dealing with counsel and learning, yellow for references to the tongue and speaking, green for correction, purple for anger and strife, orange for immorality, brown for friendship, blue for child training, plus I have used a blue circle around the verse number of for verses about the home or family, a penciled circle for those about the sluggard, a green circle for those about the government, a brown circle for those dealing with the poor and poverty, and a purple circle for pride.
In the Gospel of John, I have used red for the key word “believe,” green for the promises of “eternal life,” and yellow for the “I ams” spoken by Christ.
In the book of Acts, I have used red for the verses which teach salvation by faith, blue for the verses about baptism, green for the verses about repentance, yellow for the names of the places visited by Paul, and orange for the verses that speak of Christ’s resurrection. In addition, I have marked the travels of Paul with brackets at the beginning and end of each journey.
In 1 John, I marked the word “commandment” in yellow and the word “believe” in red.
In Revelation, I have marked the names of the seven churches in blue, the seals in purple, the trumpets in orange, the mentions of God’s wrath in red, and the vials in brown.
Use Symbols
You can also mark your Bible using simple symbols. One advantage of symbols over colors is that you can use a simple pencil or pen to draw the symbols. Symbols can be anything you like, but they should be simple. For example, you can use a dove to mark passages dealing with the Holy Spirit, a crown for O.T. passages dealing with the Messiah, a heart for passages dealing with man’s nature, a musical note for passages about music, etc. As with colored markings, I recommend that you use different symbols for different books of the Bible and not try to use one set of symbols throughout the Bible.
The following are some simple symbols that are useful for marking: a cross, an x, an open circle, an enclosed circle, an open box, an enclosed box, a star or asterisk, a downward arrow, an upward arrow, and a sideward arrow. These are easy to draw, even if you do not have artistic talent, and they can be drawn quickly. You can assign a meaning to each of these symbols, depending upon what you want to mark in any particular book. With these symbols alone, you can mark 10 different things.
For example, you could mark the Old Testament prophets by using a star for Messianic prophecies, an enclosed circle for the great tribulation a down arrow for the second coming, an up arrow for the resurrection, a side arrow for the regathering of Israel, an x for references to the remnant of Israel, an empty box for the new covenant, and a circle for the millennial kingdom.
- Messianic prophecies
- great tribulation
- second coming
- resurrection
- regathering of Israel
- remnant of Israel
- new covenant
- millennial kingdom
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The previous is an excerpt from the Advanced Bible Studies Series course on How to Study the Bible, which is available from Way of Life Literature. (It is best to order them by phone at 866-295-4143, but they can also be ordered from the newly redesigned online order form at the Way of Life web site, http://www.wayofife.org.)
There are currently 20 titles in the series, and any of them can be special ordered in large print and in ring coil binding. We don’t believe that you will find better quality, more truly life-changing Bible courses from any other source. They are based strictly upon the King James Bible and the powerful word studies assist in the understanding of the KJV but never cast doubt upon it. They are thorough and comprehensive. They are very practical and have the objective of producing well-equipped Christian soldiers that have a solid understanding of the Bible. They stress holy and obedient Christian living and separation from worldliness and error, exalt evangelism and the New Testament church, and promote world missions. They emphasize the crucial differences between law and grace and positional and practical sanctification, and they continually fortify the student’s understanding of the life-changing doctrines such as justification, substitutionary atonement, and eternal security. The courses are non-Calvinistic and interpret Bible prophecy literally. The student will be prepared to stand against the wiles of the Devil and to refute the major theological heresies of our day. One pastor said the books “are extremely helpful for any Christian, no matter where they are spiritually; the practical application is extremely helpful and edifying.”
The Advanced Bible Studies Series can be used as private study guides for the individual Christian, as Sunday School lessons, as textbooks in Bible colleges, as part of a home schooling curriculum, as study material in jails and prisons, for discipling new (or older) Christians, and as refresher study material for Bible College graduates.
