Comments on: Spiritual Disciplines: Study http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/08/14/spiritual-disciplines-study/ Let these stones be a witness to what we have done here this day. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:54:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tim Sweatman http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/08/14/spiritual-disciplines-study/#comment-7855 Tim Sweatman Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:26:56 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2007/08/14/spiritual-disciplines-study/#comment-7855 I have never really considered the challenges in studying the Bible faced by those who are not reading oriented in their learning style. I'm sure this is mostly because I learn primarily by reading, but probably also because I assumed that since the Bible was given to us in written form believers should learn mainly by reading it. Of course, the latter assumption completely fails to take into account the fact that throughout history most believers were illiterate or did not have their own copy of the Bible. While it would be interesting to discuss how believers who cannot read or do not have Bibles can study God's Word, I would guess that everyone reading this blog has a Bible and can read it, so it would be more profitable to stay on the subject of reading/studying God's Word. Like you, Art, I have found myself gravitating toward certain areas in my study, teaching, and preaching. I focus more on the New Testament in my teaching and preaching, especially the gospels and the non-Pauline letters. Oddly enough, I focus more on Paul's writings in my personal study, but I always felt like I needed to lay a foundation based on the life and teachings of Jesus and on the more practical general epistles before leading a congregation or class deep into Paul's writings. When I preach or teach from the Old Testament I tend to draw more from the historical narratives. In personal study I tend to read only the Biblical text unless I have a specific question, at which point I will consult a commentary. In preparing for sermons I try to use at least 3 or 4 commentaries or sermons about a passage to get some sort of interpretational context. I also use lexicons, dictionaries, and an interlinear Bible to get a better grasp on the meaning of the words in their original language and context. These tools are essential for me since I do not have a working knowledge of the original languages. I have never really considered the challenges in studying the Bible faced by those who are not reading oriented in their learning style. I’m sure this is mostly because I learn primarily by reading, but probably also because I assumed that since the Bible was given to us in written form believers should learn mainly by reading it. Of course, the latter assumption completely fails to take into account the fact that throughout history most believers were illiterate or did not have their own copy of the Bible. While it would be interesting to discuss how believers who cannot read or do not have Bibles can study God’s Word, I would guess that everyone reading this blog has a Bible and can read it, so it would be more profitable to stay on the subject of reading/studying God’s Word.

Like you, Art, I have found myself gravitating toward certain areas in my study, teaching, and preaching. I focus more on the New Testament in my teaching and preaching, especially the gospels and the non-Pauline letters. Oddly enough, I focus more on Paul’s writings in my personal study, but I always felt like I needed to lay a foundation based on the life and teachings of Jesus and on the more practical general epistles before leading a congregation or class deep into Paul’s writings. When I preach or teach from the Old Testament I tend to draw more from the historical narratives.

In personal study I tend to read only the Biblical text unless I have a specific question, at which point I will consult a commentary. In preparing for sermons I try to use at least 3 or 4 commentaries or sermons about a passage to get some sort of interpretational context. I also use lexicons, dictionaries, and an interlinear Bible to get a better grasp on the meaning of the words in their original language and context. These tools are essential for me since I do not have a working knowledge of the original languages.

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