Bible study is both progressive and gradual. This is necessary because it is the way we think. Bible study is thinking about the Bible and addresses questions like what it says, why it speaks, so what?

It is exciting to think that you can do Bible Study online. The excitement comes because the online experience is so one on one, so available, focused, social, and disciplined.

Starting is all important. For this we must look to God for only He can grab a person’s heart and move him or her into Bible study. Since the task is unfamiliar, it will take some explanation to grasp each step.

1. Motivation. Even if you’re interested, you still need motivation. You have to become convinced that you need to do some Bible study. Most of us know we need to learn more about the Bible. We are even tempted to get more involved in reading the Bible than we already are. But there are fears and frustrations in our way. We are afraid of failure and need something more than good reasons. MacArthur may help you get motivated with his sermon Who can study the Bible? Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest and not to reason.” Exposure will generate interest.
2. Exposure. Online Bible study makes exposure easy. You can listen to the Bible on your cell phone. One of the resources for listening is Biblica. When the books of the Bible were first written, most recipients experienced them with their ears. The apostle Paul’s letters, for example, were read aloud to the local church communities who received them. This step in Bible Study should begin with a simple commitment. Choose a book of the Bible – any book. For starters, it is wise to choose a small book. I selected 1 John. To get exposure listen as you listen to your favorite music – over and over again.
3. Observation. To observe you must read. Your attention must focus on each word in the Bible. Your Online Bible study becomes exciting when you focus your eyes and your mind on the Scriptures. You will find a useful English translation in the English Standard Version. This step will call for you to copy and paste each verse or paragraph into a text editor. There you can highlight and makes notes to save for the next step.
4. Interpretation. An interesting article in CARM gives a helpful definition of interpretation. There is a handy resource at Verse Study. You will find some comments on the meaning of each verse of the Bible. This resource is free, but since it is incomplete, you might want to look at Logos. There is hardly anything to match it for completeness for Bible study. One caution – interpretation does not come easily or quickly. It requires a good amount of thinking.
5. Application. You cannot avoid application. Bible study is meant to change your life. It will change your life. The Word of God will do that to you. God’s Word is powerful. Your Pastor’s sermons are intended to apply God’s Word to your life. Take notes when he preaches. Think about what you study. Pray. The application will grab your attention.

Now you know how. The challenge is to do Bible study. Online Bible study gives you opportunity anytime, anywhere to engage the Scriptures. What stops you in your steps? I’m taking a survey…

Please tell me which is the greatest hindrance to Bible study you find – distractions, opposition, confusion, time, noise, neglect, language?

Jim Thorne

Jim Thorne is a writer after years serving the Lord as a missionary, pastor and college teacher. His Exploring the Bible is the website he uses to provide intriguing and relevant truth from the Bible. He is a Certified Online Instructor and holds Graduate Guest Blogger certification.

jarden1937.blogspot.com

The post 5 Steps to Bible Study Online appeared first on Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO.

Every local church attracts eager tech-savvy young people who will respond to the idea of not only reading the Bible on their iPhones and other devices but can be challenged to increase their Biblical knowledge by reading/studying the Bible online. Your church website can provide these young people and others in your church with resources to stimulate such Bible study activity.

You can try out the following links and insert them into your Resources page. You will find people thankful for the benefits each source provides.

1. About the Bible –  This is a good place to find an introduction to Genesis and Exodus with lots of links. The study on Psalm 51 is good. I notice that there are some Bible character studies offered. It is a good place to start.
2. Free Inductive Bible Study Lessons – Word studies and Bible character studies abound with pithy bits of information. A side bar offering on Christian Worldviews is especially attractive. This site will keep your attention for some time.
3. God-Centered Discipleship  – Especially targeted to college age students, this site provides some helpful Biblical counseling as well as Bible studies. There are some posts on missional and theological subjects that are interesting.
4. Petes Blog – Pete has a compelling website. I especially like the post he has “There are no contradictions in the Bible”. Especially appropriate for young people is his contribution –“on young people leaving their faith behind (and doing something about it)”
5. Essential Bible Blog – I like the article “Top 10 Reasons the Bible is True”. There’s even a free e-book offered. Another post among the offerings is “Top 10 Urban Myths about the Bible”. An article appears with the challenging idea of reading the Bible through in a year.
6. Blue Letter Bible – A potpourri site by Timothy Paul Evans sporting his interests as a pastor/teacher with posts and articles, even a video, about the Bible for the person interested in contemporary Christian ideas.

Your church website can provide an exciting resource to young people who want to study the Bible. Use it for all it’s worth. People will respond if you give them enough reasons to look. You can even announce the features available from the Pulpit. The studies and articles in these sources will enrich your own people as they pursue their Bible study.

Which resource do you like the best? Your answer will add luster to my next post!

Jim Thorne

Jim Thorne is a writer after years serving the Lord as a missionary, pastor and college teacher. His Exploring the Bible is the website he uses to provide intriguing and relevant truth from the Bible. He is a Certified Online Instructor and holds Graduate Guest Blogger certification.

jarden1937.blogspot.com

The post 6 Resources for Church Websites to Stimulate Bible Study appeared first on Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO.