KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
December 26, 2021: Dear Friends: As we enter into the last week of December, 2021, let us turn our attention back to what we studied and learned during our Bible Study this year. In January, 2021, a series of blogs were written on developing a relationship with God with the focus being on learning and understanding the wisdom of God. This series was followed by a short series, January 31 through February 14, on a word study on common words found throughout the Bible. The purpose of that study was to emphasize the importance of words in the Bible that convey God’s purpose in the words of the Bible.This series was followed by a series of blogs on Lent, which started on Ash Wednesday, February 17, and lasted 40 days, until the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, April 4. The focus of this series was on the life, death by crucifixion and resurrection, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Learning about Jesus’ examples, either in his teachings or in his daily activities, in this study gave the follower of this blog direction and guidance in how to live and grow in Christian faith.
The next series of blogs in 2021, began on April 11, and extended through the last Sunday in June. The focus of these blogs was to teach on learning the Bible. The series included instruction in learning the books of the Bible, learning how to search for verses in the Bible, learning how the books of the Bible are organized, the time line of the approximate time of when the events that were written about occurred, and information on how the books of the Bible are related. Geographic sites that transverse through several books of the Bible, as well as having several words and ideas that are found in many of the Bible books, helped in diffusing the confusion that can occur when trying to learn the Bible.
The second half of 2021 had a series of blogs that were written to help the follower learn more about God. The Bible is God’s Holy Word to its readers. Studying God’s Holy Word increases knowledge about God, who he is, how he thinks, and how he wants his followers to think and act. The more the follower grows in the knowledge of God through Bible reading and study, the nearer and closer one becomes to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8 which states, “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” This series was written between July 4 through August 22.
The last two series, studying important people who are written about and/or referred to throughout the Bible, August 19 through November 21; and the series on Advent, November 28 through December 19, complete our 2021 Bible Studies. For this week’s Bible Study, choose a particular series or maybe 2 to 3 series, and review what has been written. Spend some time thinking about where you are in your knowledge of the Bible. Determining what you want to accomplish in your knowledge and understanding of the Bible in 2022, will help you set goals and plans regarding the study and usage of the Bible. Then if time allows, write down your resolutions on your Bible Study goals for 2022. This will provide a reference as you progress in your study in 2022..
The Bible is a wonderful book, full of wise and purposeful prose, that will provide support, help, guidance and direction, as one goes through the day-to-day living experiences and challenges of life. May you continue to grow in your knowledge of the Bible, God’s Holy Word to you.
Happy New Year! MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY IN 2022. Bible Verses: Psalm, chapter 23, verses 1-6; Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-11; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13; and Matthew, chapter 25, verses 31-40; and Isaiah, chapter 58. verses 6-11.