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Bible Study Does it matter where I get it from?

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coday182

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I know that the Bible is God's word. I also know that you can't grow in him and be an effective Christian without knowing his word. I haven't always been the best about reading the bible, though. My question is, though, is it the same when I read a book that has scripture directly from the bible in it? Example:

Right now I am reading a book called TouchPoints for Troubled Times. It is divided in to different things that people have problems with their life with i.e. depression, faith, etc... It quotes scriptures from the bible about how we are supposed to work on them then it has a paragraph or two to help break down the scripture so it's easier to understand.

So is that just as good as reading the bible since I am reading the same context?
 
These books can be used as tools to help you understand the bible and you can keep using them. But don't forget that some of those scriptures are taken out of context.

I think you should make a plan of reading the Bible. Start off with one chapter a day. I would start with the New Testament, one of the Gospels. Do it the same time every day. One chapter isn't long and won't take you very long to read it. I would read a translation that is easy to understand. The Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New Internation Version (NIV) are good ones. If you only like the KJV (King James Version), then maybe you can use the NKJV (The New King James Version). Whatever you like best.
 
Paul says "test all things and hold on to the good.". Books are great if they are orthodox. Dangerous if they are not. In order to discern between what is dangeous and what is good, one must have a solid foundation in the teachings of Christ. The scriptures are a good place to start. Don't forget however that the Church is the pillar and support of the truth. Thus you need the Church to guide you and teach you, help you to understand the scriptures.

Blessings
 
If reading is the problem have you thought of downloading some mp3's of scripture? They are great to put onto an MP3 player or similar device that can play them. And you can take them virtually anywhere.

When I read or listen to scripture I am fed. I digest it and it is meat to the spirit. But when I read a book, even though it quotes scripture or tells me how I should interpret it, much of the value can be lost because someone else has done the chewing.
 
That is a great idea. Recorded scripture could be played in your car while you are driving to work and home again. 8-)
 
Does it matter from where I get it?

There have been many good suggestions. Though like someone said, scriptures can be taken out of context to prove a particular viewpoint.

There are a number of excellent "Bible aids" or commentaries, pointing out how God deals with different subjects at different times.

One book that I would recommend is "HOW TO ENJOY THE BIBLE" by E.W. Bullinger. It is available through amazon.com or other book stores.

Bick
 
Re: Does it matter from where I get it?

Bick said:
There have been many good suggestions. Though like someone said, scriptures can be taken out of context to prove a particular viewpoint.

Mutz said:
Isn't that the truth - or at least to TRY to prove a point
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There are a number of excellent "Bible aids" or commentaries, pointing out how God deals with different subjects at different times.

Mutz said:
What are "bible aids"? Something you get from unprotected reading? :-? Woops - couldn't help myself.
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One book that I would recommend is "HOW TO ENJOY THE BIBLE" by E.W. Bullinger. It is available through amazon.com or other book stores.

Mutz said:
Mmmm sounds interesting. I'll look it up.
However I must admit a certain degree of scepticism where some of these books are concerned. Aren't they just another man's opinion?
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Bick
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Reading is a weakness that I share with you also. I hate to read and can honestly say that over the last 4 years that I have only finished 1 book that I've started reading and it was due to being on an airplane for several hours. I started using a reading guide called B.R.E.A.D(Bible Reading Enhances Any Day). http://www.alc1.org/forms/bread_form.htm is the website where the form can be printed off. It's a guide that if you follow you can read the bible through in a year. I started in Matthew and after a few weeks it's to where that if I don't read the scriptures that i'm supposed to for the day that I feel like something has been left out of my day. So this was really helpful to me. Reading other books are helpful, but you must remember that most of these books were written from another person's perspective of the bible and if you do not have a feel for what the bible really says about something, you could be opening yourself up for(even though it may be unintentional) false interpretations.
 
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