Bible Study?

I attend bible study at my church every sunday, but I just don't understand the stories that we read, and all the inferences that everyone else makes based on the stories. I can't concentrate when i read the bible, it is so hard. any advice?

Bible Study?
Try an audio/video version of the bible. Pray to God for help.





I've read through the bible a few times but reading just isn't my thing so I prefer a different way of receiving the Word.
Reply:Don't give up. The best way to understand the Bible, is to ask God for the truth about Him when you read. If you mean this prayer, you will begin to understand what you are reading. I did it and began to truly understand the Bible. Report Abuse

Reply:What version does your church use? Try finding a good, readable version that is a solid translation (not a paraphrase) so it is in common everyday language (my preference is the New International Version, but there are other good ones too). If your church is using the King James version, it is understandable that you might not follow everything. It is only a little easier than Shakespeare for most English-speakers to read today so not something most people are up to reading unless you've grown up on it. Here's an article to help you understand more about the different Bible versions. http://www.oaim.org/whichbible.html





Once you have a good version in common language, a good way to understand the Bible is first read it all, cover to cover. Don't worry about understanding it all, or even much of it, the first time through. Just read it straight through to get a feel for what it is all about. Some parts you can skim (like the genealogies, although they do have things you can learn from, -- but that is for later in the process). If you have an overview of the "whole story" as it were, it will start to make more sense to you.





My advice is to steer clear of the Jehovah's Witnesses and their study courses because they use their own translation of the Bible and believe that everyone else's versions are all corrupted. Many of their beliefs go against the mainstream Christian beliefs.





A good study Bible can help you understand, but always remember that any notes added to the Bible are purely opinions of the people writing them. They are writing from their own perspective and biases so don't be afraid to question them.





Listening to the Bible as you read it can help you focus better on it.





But the best advice I can give you is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what the Bible says and to help you focus on what you are reading.
Reply:It may help if you place your understanding of the Bible in terms of time and commonsense. Some stories in the Bible refer to things that happened thousands of years ago and may not relate that easily to today's world unless you've actually experienced similar situations. Also other stories and verses and points of view are timeless and apply very well to today's world like some of the psalms, proverbs and the teachings of Jesus. If you begin your studies of the Bible in this way, it may help to open up more doors for you.





Good luck and God bless....
Reply:I felt the same way when I was younger. It wasn't until I was in college that I really became interested in the Bible. I even transfered schools so I could study it more. It is pretty fascinating to me now.
Reply:The thing about the Bible is you can't just sit down and read it and understand it. It's ancient literature, written in a very different time, and it's been through a few translations before we even saw it. To really understand it you'd need to be an expert in the cultural environment in which it was written, and it would help to be able to read the ancient languages too.





Consequently, most people learn about the Bible not from the Bible itself but from what they read and hear -about- the Bible. The problem with this is that you don't know where God's truth leaves off and someone's interpretation begins. As far as I'm concerned -every- view of the Bible is biased, including the one you're reading right now.





I think it's best to keep an open mind, read a range of views, then think about it and decide what seems reasonable to you. 'Bible-believing' churches seem to think that every phrase in the book has one meaning, that this meaning is clear to all, and that there is no other way to look at it. This really bothers me because I was raised in a tradition where we looked at alternate views.





But there have been a lot of really brilliant people over the years who have looked at these books and seen things you and I and your minister would never have picked up on. If you really wanted to know the books well, you want to at least consider what these scholars and sages have had to say.





Some views are more scholarly, some are historical while some are doctrinal, some are emotional and faith-affirming. -All- these views are important! They all sort of dovetail together.
Reply:Although it may only be a small factor, you might try finding a more readable version of the Bible. I would normally recommend the New King James Version Bible, but you may find a paraphrased version more readable.





Paraphrased Bibles suffer from heavy interpretive errors, so are not the best for study, but it's better than not reading it at all.
Reply:Jehovah's Witnesses offer free home bible studies.Just you and a sister from the local congregation.She would help you understand the Bible and learn about our Creator and his will for us.


I have found that only Jehovah's Witnesses have a thorough and accurate understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
Reply:Hon, The reason you are there is to learn and reach our God.





Have you considered talking to your Pastor about this? There may be another group that is in line with where you are right now..





If you are NOT being fed, You need to move on.. God isn`t in the house.. Please keep looking. There are many resources and ways to find the info you seek... IF, you were being spiritually fed, You would be in tune.. Please find a different study group..





Peace %26amp; God bless from Texas %26lt;%26gt;%26lt;
Reply:The Bible is not a novel and you will find it hard to understand it if you read it in such a way, but if you really want to be able to understand the Bible next time Jehovah's Witnesses call at your door, ask them for a free Home Bible Study they will take the time with you, to make sure you understand when you read it, that's what I experienced.
Reply:I agree. The way that bible study groups " work " the readings are quite boring. I have found that simple childrens bible lessons are good for adults as well as children.
Reply:You might have an attention disorder, I think I do. On top of that, I naturally hear the bible and then realize that what is being said is dumb. Although actually usually I will listen more intently because I like to hear the junk people actually believe.
Reply:Listen.


Be attentive.


Ask questions.


Desire to know His Truth.
Reply:in Gods Word threes a verse Colo sans 1:9-10 pray that verse to God Daily he will answer your prayer. for His will is that you have a relationship with him. i can pray for you now.


Father, i ask you in Jesus name that you pour the blood of Jesus over the author of this question. i ask Father that you give her the understanding of your word open her eyes, mind and heart to that she can receive your word from this point on, giver her understanding of the spiritual realm so that she may be prepared to stand with your armor. protect her from the fury darts of the devil and show her your love through your word. in Jesus name i pray, amen.
Reply:Sometimes it can be challenging. I read a book here and there sometimes. I also like to look at the concordance at the end of the bible to look up topics i am interesting in learning more about. I also like to use it to help answer questions on here. It helps learn new things by using some of these questions as challenges to learn more.
Reply:quit while your ahead

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