How to Study the Bible A Practical Guide to Independent Bible Study Samuel G. Dawson $18.95 Add to Shopping Cart ISBN 978-0-938855-63-7 446 pages with comprehensive scriptural and topical indexes Although written by a serious non-denominational Bible student and teacher of nearly 40 years, this book is not for the professional Bible scholar or theologian. It is for the independent Bible student who would like to know more of the Bible's teaching without a denominational slant or dependence on a professional. In recent years, the availability of helpful reference works has exploded, as have resources on the Internet. As modern Bibles and the religious world are becoming more premillennialistic and Calvanistic, the emphasis on online easy-to-use Bible aids helps today's student remain true to God's word-for-word inspired text. You can take advantage of these new opportunities for yourself. Samuel G. Dawson brings the Bible to life as he makes it relevant for today. Lessons progress from examining basic attitudes toward the Bible to choosing a dependable translation to rules for interpretation to dealing with difficulties in the Bible. Not only will you learn how to study the Bible, but you'll also come away with good, basic Bible knowledge from all the examples given in the book. It begins with a new chapter on "Jesus' Call for Disciples" that demonstrates what it means to be a true disciple or student of God's word, rather than just a spectator sitting in a pew. Another chapter explores "The Importance of the Old Testament to New Testament Christians," while it exposes many of our unfounded prejudices against the Old Covenant. A great help is a list of "Old Testament Passages Quoted in the New Testament," which points us to the inspired commentary on those prophetic verses. Also, the 42-page "Outline of the Bible" provides a valuable tool for grasping the overall view and context of the Bible and is a fascinating read in itself. Other items of importance is a strategy for both individuals and churches to use in teaching and studying all of the books and topics of Bible in a timely fashion, and an analysis of how all of us have two reservoirs of Bible knowledge: topical and book-by-book. This book will open up the scriptures to you, highlight God's consistency and love for mankind, and help you learn independently of preachers and clergy. See the following for more information about How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide to Independent Bible Study: Issues Covered  |  Table of Contents  |  What People Say  Give Feedback  |  Samuel G. Dawson  |  Place an Order  |  Top How to Study the Bible will help you: be a serious disciple or student of God's word, so you can adhere to that teaching and bear fruit recognize the Bible's guarantee that you can understand it understand the Bible for yourself, with no denominational allegiance develop an overall view of the Bible consider habits which will aid your understanding rid yourself of practices which hinder your understanding investigate the differences in Bible translations appreciate many aids which will help you in more serious study learn common-sense principles of interpretation realize the power of figurative language explore the importance of studying the Old Testament in order to understand the New discover an orderly plan for studying all the books of the Bible determine when to study topics vs. the books of the Bible help your congregation develop an orderly plan for teaching all of the Bible manage the growth of your two reservoirs of Bible knowledge deal forthrightly with difficult passages in the Bible find commercial and free Bible software to aid your study study the Bible in the original languages it was written in, if you desire How to Study the Bible is ideal for: individual study, preaching, elders, classes, personal evangelism, new converts, and gifts. See the following for more information about How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide to Independent Bible Study: Issues Covered  |  Table of Contents  |  What People Say  Give Feedback  |  Samuel G. Dawson  |  Place an Order  |  Top Table of Contents for How to Study the Bible Introduction: Jesus' Call for Disciples Disciple Defined A Disciple Adheres to What He's Learned A Disciple Adheres to Christ's Teaching Above All Else A Disciple Bears Much Fruit Section I: Understanding the Bible Chapter 1: Why We Should Study the Bible The Bible Is Just Like Any Other Book We Study We Need Proper Attitudes for Studying the Bible Scriptures Emphasize the Need to Study Chapter 2: Attitudes Toward Understanding the Bible People Have Been Taught They Can’t Understand the Bible The Bible Guarantees That We Can Understand It Attitudes Necessary for Understanding the Bible Reasons We Should Strongly Desire to Understand the Bible Chapter 3: Attitudes Which Hinder Bible Study Don’t See the Need to Study the Bible An Inordinate Desire to Please the World Making the Bible Be the “Property of the Priesthood” Too Much Reverence for Authority Found in Great Names Using the Bible to Prove What We Already Believe Reading the Bible from a Sense of Duty Thirst for Distinction Fear of Distinction A Deliberate Determination Not to Understand the Bible Don’t Want to Obey the Will of God Failure to Employ “Helps” Unwillingness to Receive Criticism Like We Give It Chapter 4: Practices Which Aid Bible Study Determine to Study, Practice, and Teach Give Mental Diligence Broaden Education Keep an Open Mind Develop a Love for the Truth Promote Regular Study Seek Different Food for Different Stages of Growth Develop a Systematic Study Section II: Plan of Study Chapter 5: Developing an Overall View of the Bible The Old Testament The New Testament Summary Statements of the Overall View of the Bible Chapter 6: The Importance of the Old Testament to New Testament Christians The Old Testament Is Inspired of God Christians Need to Imitate Believers in the New Testament The Old Testament Is Profitable for Doctrine, Reproof, and Correction Christians Are Commanded to Study the Old Testament What Are Old Testament Christians? Christians Are Not Perfectly Furnished Without the Old Testament Chapter 7: Developing A Strategy for Studying the Bible Topics vs. Books Orderly Plan of Studying the Books Orderly Plan of Studying the Topics Two Reservoirs for Storing Bible Information The Author’s Outline of Everything He Believes Section III: Tools for Bible Study Chapter 8: What to Look for in a Bible Translation Verbal Inspiration of the Bible Translations Do Not Do Away with Inspiration Kinds of Translations Available Two Important Considerations in Any Translation of the Bible King James Version American Standard Version Revised Standard Version New American Standard Bible Comparison Chart Chapter 9: Modern Bible Translations New International Version New King James Version The New English Bible Good News for Modern Man, Today’s English Version The Living Bible Paraphrased Chapter 10: Aids to Bible Study The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order Practical Tips for Writing in Your Bible Old Testament Passages Quoted in the New Testament A Good English Dictionary Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words Vincent’s Word Studies Girdlestone’s Synonyms of the Old Testament Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament Chapter 11: Other Aids to Bible Study English Concordances Interlinear Bibles Hebrew and Greek Lexicons Bible Software for Your Personal Computer Halley’s Bible Handbook The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Life and Epistles of Paul Topical Bible Dictionaries Bible Encyclopedias Bible Atlases Concluding Thoughts on Biases in Reference Works Section IV: Interpreting the Bible Chapter 12: Principles of Interpretation—1 Cherish the Love of the Truth Act from Proper Motives Handle Accurately the Word of Truth Observe the Author of the Passage See Who Is Addressed Establish of Whom the Text Speaks Determine the Intent of the Passage Consider the Reason for the Passage Study the Surrounding Circumstances Chapter 13: Principles of Interpretation—2 The Sum of God’s Word Is Truth Harmonize Difficult Passages with Simple Ones Consider the Meaning of Each Word, Sentence, and Paragraph Honor the Law of Exclusion Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words Don’t Base Understanding on Ambiguous Scriptures Observe Any Special Reason Given Meditate on These Things Chapter 14: Dealing with Figurative Language Figurative Language Defined The Value of Figurative Language How Do We Recognize Figurative Language? Rules for Interpreting Figurative Language Chapter 15: Types of Figurative Language Parable Simile Metaphor Allegory Metonymy Proverb Irony Personification Chapter 16: Parallelism and Typology Parallelism Typology Chapter 17: Ellipsis: Speaking Where the Bible Is Silent Ellipsis Defined I Peter 3.3-4 John 6.27 I Corinthians 1.17 I Corinthians 7.3 I Corinthians 7.10-11 I Corinthians 14.22 Romans 6.14 I Peter 1.10-12 II Corinthians 3.6 Hebrews 10.24-25 Is Not an Ellipsis Chapter 18: Difficulties in the Bible Attitudes Toward Difficulties in the Bible God Slaughtering the Canaanites Sins of the Patriarchs The Unrighteous Steward Prophecy of the Potter’s Field Does God Repent? Seeing God Omniscience of God Section V: Appendices Appendix 1: Old Testament Passages Quoted in the New Testament Appendix 2: Outline of the Bible Appendix 3: The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism Bibliography Scripture Index Topic Index See the following for more information about How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide to Independent Bible Study: Issues Covered  |  Table of Contents  |  What People Say  Give Feedback  |  Samuel G. Dawson  |  Place an Order  |  Top What People Say about How to Study the Bible Request to Teach the Class a Second Time I used your first lesson as a sermon on a Sunday night to introduce the classes in hopes of generating interest. The classes went so well, I've been asked to repeat the class this fall by the elders. (Texas Christian) Learning How to Study More Effectively As a "student" of the Bible, I had fallen into the familiar rut of considering "filling out" of the quarterly workbooks, selected by the sunday school teacher, as adequate study of God's word. It wasn't until Bro. Dawson's, "How to Study the Bible," that I developed a strong, overall view of the Bible which has helped me better plan my study sessions. I have a much clearer understanding of the differences in the translations, the usage of figurative language and the myriad of aids to Bible study that are at my disposal. Whether a "babe in Christ" or a seasoned student of God's word, all will benefit by reading this book. (Tennessee Christian) Many Christians know that personal Bible study is important to their spiritual growth, but they've never been taught how to do it. In his latest book "How to Study the Bible" Sam Dawson has done an excellent job of addressing that need completely using practical and easy to understand techniques. No matter what level of spiritual knowledge a Christian has attained, all serious students of the Word cannot help but be enriched as they use "How To Study The Bible" in their life-long quest to learn. (Dallas, TX Christian) Value of Understanding Figurative Language I particularly appreciated the sections on Principles of Interpretation and Figurative Language. Just think how many incorrect or unnecessary convictions could be sorted out just by understanding figurative language! Thanks again, Sam, for another fine series. I'm looking forward to seeing this in book form and maybe ordering several to use as a Bible class study guide. (Alabama Christian) Buying Extra Books to Share I've been really looking forward to this book for a while now. Knowing how much I've gained from Sam's other books, I'm convinced this particular one will be a huge help to a whole bunch of people eager to become more independent in their search for Bible truth, as well as anyone wanting to help others become so. As I often do, I plan to get a second copy to share with friends! (Florida Christian) This book will open up the scriptures to you, highlight God's consistency and love for mankind, and help you learn independently of preachers and clergy. See the following for more information about How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide to Independent Bible Study: Issues Covered  |  Table of Contents  |  What People Say  Give Feedback  |  Samuel G. Dawson  |  Place an Order  |  Top Independent Bible students will find that the following books will challenge them to rethink issues they've taken for granted: Fellowship with God and His People: The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism deals with basic issues of establishing nondenominational fellowship and avoiding and solving problems in a local congregation. Christians, Churches & Controvery: Navigating Doctrinal & Personal Clashes shows how challenging subjects can be studied without members descending into an ugliness that will overwhelm or split the church. Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage: The Uniform Teaching of Moses, Jesus & Paul deals with a very controversial subject by demonstrating how Moses, Jesus & Paul all taught the same thing. The Teaching of Jesus: From Mount Sinai to Gehenna: A Faithful Rabbi Urgently Warns Rebellious Israel shows how when we rip Jesus' teaching out of the context of preaching to the Jews to repent before God punished them causes us to draw many false conclusions. Learn about the Latest Tradition-Challenging Publications Subscribe to free newsletter and receive information about New publications New free online materials Special offers and discounts Note: Gospel Themes Press rarely sends out newsletters more than once or twice a month. We do not sell or share our lists. Notification Form: Please enter your name: and your e-mail address: Feedback Form: Thanks for your input Top  |  Authors  |  Contact Us  |  Newsletter  |  Rights & Disclaimer  |  Purchase  |  Cart / Checkout We use CCNow as our online retailer to accept all major credit cards and your transaction is secure! See How to Order for ordering information and how to upgrade shipping. 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