Right now I've just started reading the bible I just got through mathew and im just starting in on mark. The>

Granted that the Bible I read is a bit different from yours, I think the same principles apply. Scriptural study allows one to participate in a study session that has gone on for thousands of years across countless generations. Study the text and see what meaning you can find within it that relates directly to you. Then check out the commentaries that generations past have left behind of their own engagement with the text. Don't take their opinions as the final word on the matter, but see if you agree with them and if so why; see if you disagree and if so, why. Each new perspective brings a new facet of the text to life. If you can, get a friend or two or three to study with and bounce ideas off.

"Turn it over and over, for everything is contained within it."

Great advice for sure.

One thing I learned early on was to try and understand the passage you are reading from the perspective of those who heard it for the first time. What was their culture like? What were their customs? What was their situation at the time? What was the social scene, political scene etc etc. Helps you really get a grasp on things. Of course that requires a study of sources outside the Bible (I know, heresy in some traditions ;-) ) But understanding those things can give you huge insight into things. Commentaries are great for finding out some of that setting, depending on the commentary. There's one set that I like. It has two volumes, it's called "The Bible Knowledge Commentary". There is an "Old" and a "New" testament version. I have both. At the start of each section of the commentary they give you a lot of info into those questions I mentioned above before they actually get into the passages and verses etc.

It also helps to have multiple translations on hand. I mainly use the NIV (New International Version) and the NASB (New American Standard Bible). You can use others or even more than two if you want. That can really help as well. As the focus of the translation can really effect what words are used in that translation. In the two I use, their focus differs. One tries to translate word for word what the original language said. The other tries to translate the best idea or meaning behind a particular verse or passage rather than that exact words. I find the two together has been very very helpful to me.

I understand that there many interpretations of the bible and that if you truly want to understand you have dig deep into the history of it all as to what was going on back then. I don't see it that way I see it as a story told about relationships that jesus wants us to engage upon one another and to make us understand that there is sin all around the world. IF we follow his way we will be entered into a kingdom of eternal life by following the father.

For it to touch my heart as study tool too life doesn't sound right to me because each one of us could write our own bible and interpretations and put analogies behind everything. I guess what I truly see is the lessons hes teaching us about everyday life that happens today that even happend 2000yrs ago. Just believing in his truth is what I see about humanity and life and there is something to look forward to after we have fullfilled our lives dispite the adversities we've been through.

Maybe thats where I see things wrong... I don't know but all I know is god has something for us all that is his peace, faith, hope but most of all love for us all..

I have derived great comfort and strength from reading Psalms. I have a list of Psalms which nourish me. When I am tired or discouraged, I can read several psalms and they minister to me.

Psalms 46 to 50. Psalms 96 to 100. Psalme 146 to 150.

Psalms 30 and 51 will lead you in getting your heart right.

Psalm 10 shows you God's hatred for the perp. But then it must be answered by Psalms 11 to 13 etc to see God's response.

I can supply my list of comforting Psalms if it would help anybody.

There are many other verses that help me. There are verses in Isaiah that speak of God hugging the hurting me. etc.

I like that. An open mind and a willing heart.

Since I am no scholar in koine Greek, I rely on an interlinear greek new testament to help me along. It has an excellent Greek dictionary with it. My Sunday morning class did a study of Greek for a few months. It gave insight into how words conjugate, etc. Very useful in making sense of those new testament writings.

Andy

The bible im reading right now is "the message"(NIV). I guess I believe in my own interpretations but the beliefs and ideas from others is great as well, but I think the first thing Im trying to accomplish is not reading it as a text book but as a story and how each story corelates with my life and experiances.

Because every where I go about it everyones you need to break it down and really get into it. Why? I mean yes once I read it and feel comfortable then I will go back and get some meaning behind it. I guess the best thing I can say is that its like driving a car when you read when your driving 55mph your flying but when your going 25mph things are slow and you can get a feeling for things... just like in the bible i need time to read it and indulge in it and ponder over it and get some feeling behind it. Im not the type of person to read something repeatedly to understand it once I've read something it sticks with me.

I guess thats what really gets under my skin is the way people approach me about the bible and they make it overwhelming for me like im in a 3hr lecture hall. I like to read it on my own time when I feel comfortable and have the need to take the time to understand the meanings behind the truth of it all.

Sounds like you're doing it right to me. Taking time to ponder it is definitely the way to go. You're "Meditating" on it as you should be. I find the added tools and methods helpful for those passages that are really hard to understand. I've also had some passages that I've read and pondered before take on whole new depths when I come back and read them again when I'm at a different point in life.

I think getting away from the "text book" approach is a good first step. Too many people view it as a sterile educational book. When it's actually a guide to a way of life.

I want to echo what Scott said above about "I've also had some passages that I've read and pondered before take on whole new depths when I come back and read them again when I'm at a different point in life."

I've found that to be so true in my life as well. Sometimes the>