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Bible study can be one of the most exciting things a person has ever undertaken. I would liken your study of God's Inspired Word to taking a trip to some country to which you have never been. You know virtually nothing about the country nor the trip; it is a totally new experience. However, this does not discourage you from wanting to get started. So, let's go!
The first thing about taking any trip, is you must prepare for that trip. May I suggest some things I believe important? You must begin prayerfully. The psalmist wrote, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law". (Psalms 119: 18). James, the brother of our Lord said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given Him". (James 1: 5).
Secondly, safety is important. In fact, it has become a way of life in America. We are told constantly, "buckle up for safety", etc. We teach our children to walk, ride, and play safely. Bible study must be approached carefully also. God promised Israel an inheritance, "only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 15: 5). Again, this trip requires reverence. Psalms Chapter 111, verse 9 says, ". . . holy and reverend is his name". The outcome of this trip depends upon your reverence to God and His Word. The psalmist writes again for us saying, "Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word". (Psalms 119: 161).
Fourthly, this trip must be taken intently. "Ask, and it shall be give you: seek, and you shall find: Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt.7: 7).
I believe another necessary requirement for Bible study is trust. We must study trustingly. You need to realize quickly that you will not always understand why God says certain things, but "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
A final point I feel necessary to mention about your trip is: it's a daily thing. God's word is spiritual food and drink. No man can live long without food and water physically. Neither can one live long spiritually, so make it a daily habit. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17: 11).
Now we are ready for our trip. First, the Bible is a library consisting of sixty-six books under one cover, called the Holy Bible. it is broken into two major divisions called Old Testament and New Testament, or two covenants, (Galatians 4:24). The Old Testament consists of 39 books. The first five (5), Genesis through Deuteronomy, are called law. The next twelve (12), Joshua through Esther, are History. From Job through Solomon are considered Poetry. The final seventeen (17) are Prophecy, called major and minor prophecies. They are considered major and minor only because of their size. From Isaiah through Daniel are major or large prophecies and Hosea through Malachi are minor or small prophecies.
The New Testament is divided into twenty-seven (27) books which may be grouped into five distinct classifications. The first four (4) Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are biography, dealing with the life of Christ. The fifth book, Acts is just that the acts of the apostles, telling us how to get into Christ and his church. The next twenty-one (21) tell Christians how to live after they get into Christ, and they range from Romans through Jude. The final book is Revelation. This book is a book of prophecy telling of Christ and his church from beginning until its climactic entry into heaven.
One final word. Please study your Bible systematically. Do not sit down and let it fall open to some place and read. If you do, you most surely will be confused.
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