In the Seventh-day Adventist church one of the leadership's goals is to bring daily Bible study and prayer among its members from 50 percent to at least 65 percent. It may seem that the simplest way to find out what the Bible says is to pick it up and rea
In the Seventh-day Adventist church one of the leadership’s goals is to grow daily Bible study and prayer among its members from 50 percent to at least 65 percent. It may seem that the simplest way to find out what the Bible says is to pick it up and read it. However, Bible study can be just as puzzling to new believers as it is for veteran Christians. We interviewed several of our own veteran pastors for their insights on Bible study. We asked three questions: How do you approach Bible study with fresh eyes? How should you approach the writings of other non-Adventists on the Bible? And how do you handle difficult questions in the Bible?
For those who have faithfully studied their Bibles over the years, how can they approach Bible study with fresh eyes?
Pastor Roscoe Howard, secretary, Adventist Church in North America: Feeling like you know everything the Bible has to say happens a lot to pastors. When you’ve done 2,000 sermons you have a tendency to think, ‘been there, done that.’ I believe we should make Bible study personal. Go through the Scriptures and insert your own name in place of different Biblical characters. It may sound crazy but also envision yourself in particular scenes. Imagine what it would have been like and what feelings you would have had at the time. Then look at things from a contemporary perspective. By personalizing Bible study it gives you a real sense of what the Bible is about by bringing the stories to life.
Pastor Jonathan Kuntaraf, director Sabbath School/Personal Ministry, World Church: I’ve been an Adventist for 42 years. I went to the seminary and still I find something new every day. The Bible is not out of date. You can always find something useful in it. It doesn’t matter how you study the Bible my suggestion is that you pray before you even open up the Bible. The main thing is to pray, then read the text, meditate on its meaning, and use the writings of Ellen G. White [a pioneer of the Seventh-day Adventist church].
Kwabena Donkor, associate director, Biblical Research Institute: If we must do serious Bible study we must change our perspective on what that means. Unfortunately for many Adventists Bible study is simply Sabbath school alone. But Ellen G. White said we must become students of the Bible and approach it in the spirit of a learner who wants to hear what God says. I recommend the verse-by-verse method. I find that concentrating on one passage until its purpose becomes clear is much better than perusing many verses with no purpose. It is best to read texts in context because the Bible has a wholistic message. When we do so we get the meaning of not just one passage but we can understand what God is saying as we see echoes and allusions all over the Bible. When we see this Bible study becomes very exciting.
How should Adventists approach spiritual writers that are not Adventists?
Kuntaraf: There are some good non-Adventist sources but we need to be careful. These books do not take the place of the Bible. Some offer good insight but not good enough. If you must read other writers I suggest reading Ellen G. White’s writings. She always leads us back to the Bible.
Donkor: Read the Bible for itself, as it is, with prayer. The last thing you want to do is read other people’s opinions which can influence you. When you study on your own, you form your own opinions. Then go and see what others have said. It makes it more exciting when you can find things out that other so-called Bible scholars have also found.
Cliff Goldstein, director of the Adult Bible Study Guide: After I became a Christian, for 13 years all I did was read the Bible. Then I started reading philosophy again. I felt that I needed 13 years to get thoroughly grounded in my Christian worldview. Now everything I read is filtered through the Bible. Reading a lot of non-Christian writers keeps me grounded in what I believe and gives me new ways to explain my faith. It also helps me to understand my own Christian worldview.
When faced with a difficult concept in the Bible how should you resolve it?
Kuntaraf: Difficulty in Bible study is all a part of the process of discipleship. It is a process of getting to know Jesus Christ. I recommend group Bible study or getting support from an older member. Also pray about it and see what other texts have to say. Sometimes it is helpful to look up the original meaning of a particular word in Greek or Hebrew. I also suggest reading Ellen White or using a Bible commentary.
Donkor: Sometimes we do not struggle enough with the text. Sometimes the more you struggle with a text the more the meaning shines. Things that seem puzzling at first may not be. It has to do with the way we approach the text. It helps to read the entire context of a particular text or read it in its historical context.
Howard: I also suggest group Bible study because the diversity of thought is incredible and can be very helpful. Also realize that sometimes you will read the same passage for 10 years and you won’t understand it until you’ve gone through an experience that clarifies it for you.