There is no book like the Bible because it is the very breath and words of God Himself. Through this book, God has provided us with the revelation of Himself as well as His plan for mankind: salvation through Jesus Christ and dedication to the cause of Christ. In this book, we will find God's plan for our personal lives now and for eternity. All the questions of life are answered here if we will be patient and hard-working enough to find them.
Our Bibles come to us over a period of 1,600 years, having about forty authors, containing sixty-six books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses and 774,746 words. Although the Bible is a large, unified work of the Holy Spirit, it is still the simple guide every person needs to help with the issues of life. No matter what you face today, tomorrow, or in the future, God is ready to speak to you through His precious Word. The following information will be of aid to you in beginning your process of Bible study. Consider each point and attempt to make application in your life right now. It has been said, "Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book." Enjoy your study!
WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND IN BIBLE STUDY
First, you must be saved; otherwise you will not understand that which you study. The Bible says that true knowledge of the Scripture comes to those who have spiritual discernment (ability to know things). Without divine help, our minds might be filled with Bible facts, but our lives will not receive help because we don't know how to direct truth to our lives in the right way.
Second, you need the filling of the Holy Spirit; otherwise, you will have no guide to truth. John tells in his first epistle that the Holy Spirit is the One Who guides us to all truth. To receive the Spirit's filling one must be receptive to His leadership in everything. The Holy Spirit is the One Who illuminates our thinking from the inside. We need Him and should request His help in Bible study. Third, you need diligence; otherwise you will discover very little. To simply pray about the meaning of Scripture is not enough; neither is just listening to what someone else says about the Bible enough. We must dedicate ourselves to the task of reading, knowing, and studying. This will be work (sometimes), but the rewards will be great.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
	Have The Proper Attitude. This begins with a person's desire to study the Word. Seldom will we pursue something we don't like. We can build a "like" for the Bible as we think about the wonderful things we can learn about God and about ourselves. The next important attitude for Bible study is having an openness to be impressed by the Word. This means that we need to be moved with the importance of that which we read. The Bible is more than for head knowledge. We need it for direction in many areas of life.
Very importantly, we need to have a commitment to follow the Word. Of what value is information if one does not follow the truths learned. In fact, that is who is a "fool." A fool is not one who is simply ignorant; rather, he is a person who has information but fails to act on it. We certainly don't want to be "fools" as it relates to God's Word. Have The Proper Approach. A good approach to the Bible reading is to begin simply, then to that which might be more difficult. I suggest beginning with 1 John. This book will reinforce salvation, assurance of salvation, and commitment: all necessary themes for young Christians. Next you should read the gospels. John will emphasize Christ's deity, and Mark will present Jesus as a servant. Both of these gospels are easy to read and present characteristics you will find important to your life and needs. In fact, it is a good idea to read looking for a specific need in mind. You will be surprised how often the Bible speaks to us about the things we are presently concerned about. After the gospels, you might try studying easier doctrinal books. Such books that are good in doctrine (but not as heavy as Romans, Galatians, or Hebrews) are Philippians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, etc. There is nothing wrong in attempting to find easier material to digest as you begin you attempts at Bible study. Exercising your abilities in easier books will prepare you for the deeper areas of other studies. Along with these about readings, try reading a Psalm each day and one Proverb chapter each day. Stop long enough to "chew the cud" on a special passage that speaks to your heart. This is what we call "meditation." Ask the Lord to help you understand it and apply it. Remember this: you are not required by God to understand everything you read every time you approach the Bible. He would expect us to attempt to understand, to claim, and to follow everything we do understand. Therefore, approach the Bible to get what you can, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.
Have The Proper Tools. Get a good Bible to read. The King James Version is not impossible for you to understand, especially with helps. At all costs, avoid paraphrases or poorly translated versions. Ask for the pastor or others you have confidence in to help in these selections. I would suggest, if you are able to do so, to get a Bible you do not mind writing in. Write down interesting and meaningful outlines you hear; write down certain things that God speaks to your heart about; underline words you might need to look up later, etc. You can make such a Bible like a devotional diary as you grow in the Lord. You will probably find yourself going back to special passages again for help.
	Get some good Bible helps. Always good for looking up interesting stuff are books like Bible handbooks, Bible dictionaries, and Bible encyclopedias. These books are easy to use and give you the information you need very quickly. Some good Bible CD's for computers also offer the same help for you at your fingertips. Also, get a good concordance. The best are those which list every word in the Bible and where to find it. If you can remember even one word from a Bible text you want to find, this book will list it for you. Some Bibles have "okay" concordances in the back.
HOW TO GET SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART FROM THE BIBLE STUDY
When you come to a passage you have read, consider the following four questions. What does it say? That is, I need to know what the words mean and what the author is saying in the words and sentences. I need to know that what I have read makes sense to me. I want to make sure that I understand the basics of the information I have read. This question helps me understand what the words mean. What does it mean? Now that I know what the passage basically says, I need to discover how the words state the truth I am to learn. I need to make sure that I have the general teaching that the words express. This question helps me understand what truth the words present. What does it mean to my life? This is taking the truth of the words understood and making application of the truth to my life personally. It is a conscious effort on my part to allow the Word to change me today by what I have studied and understood. This question helps me apply the words of truth to my heart and life. How will I do this today? This is taking the application and performing it specifically. Application might come by command or by principle. There is no purpose of anything else in Bible study if this is not the result. This question helps me know there is something I must do because of my study.