How can I read & understand the Bible?

Important Things to Note
Due to the age of the text of the Bible, it’s cultural background, as well as many other factors, reading and understanding the Bible can prove to be challenging. Every believer in Christ has struggled to understand what they read in the Bible. There are examples of people in the Bible who longed to have a great understanding of the Old Testament texts that they read. Today, laypersons, seminary students, and even Pastoral Staff all wrestle with how to understand the Bible and apply its teaching accurately to their lives. So, if you are concerned because you have difficulties understanding some of the things you read in the Bible, you are in good company! 

Bible Study Tools
There are a few tools that will help on your way to understanding God’s Word.
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-Bible Translation: Acquiring a good translation is the best place to start. Two you may consider are the New Living Translation (NLT) and the New International Version (NIV). There are others that are good as well, but the most important thing to remember when selecting a Bible is to find one that is written in a contemporary language so that it is readable. 
-Study Bible: A study Bible is another tool that is helpful. Study Bibles provide information about the context in which each Bible book was written, information about the author, geographical and historical details, as well as information about translation choices and specific words that are most helpful. Bible commentaries, Bible handbooks, and Bible Encyclopedias are all great tools to have on hand to guide you as you study the Bible. However, much of the information these tools provide are included in a Study Bible. So, a great study Bible is like having several Bible study tools together at once.

We at Peace Church are praying for you. We are praying that God will use this to be the time you connect with God’s Word in a new and fresh way. We pray that the Holy Spirit of God will open your mind and your heart and grant you an understanding of His Word and guide you to applying it your life. Our Pastor and staff here at Peace are here for you. So, along your journey, please contact us and let us know how we can help. ​