I want to encourage each and everyone to read and study their Bibles. A sincere lover of God will read to understand. Too many are reading the Bible like some Reader's Digest or demean it to mean as some "long, lost love letter." It is the holy words that came from the heart and passed the lips of our holy God to mankind. While it is true is expressing His love for us, it is a life changing message for people to take in sincerity.
In order to gain insight to the Almighty and His word, you will need to start with a good Bible. Just my personal view from my studies, I like the New American Standard Bible (NASB). It seems to hold to the accuracy of the Scriptures in both Hebrew and Greek while using more of our language today. The New International Version (NIV) is very popular today because it is easy to read. In my personal studies and in speaking with many who are steeped in the Greek and Hebrew language, the NIV does not seem to hold as true and at times tries to add things or change words in different contexts. I know some will not like hearing that who hold to the NIV but that's as honest as I can be about it. I make personal notes in the back of my Bible on some of the word changes the NIV does. I realize there are things about every version that could be picked on, but I am holding to what I have found the most accurate. The New King James Version (NKJV) is fairly good but still needs some work in my personal opinion. Just one thing, stay away from any version that is a paraphrase!
Get a notebook! Write down questions that arise in your mind and make notes of verses how they strike you. Writing them down will keep things fresh in your mind. You might even take some time and print by hand a short book of the Bible, word for word, and words will begin jumping out at you or statements.
To help in furthering your personal studies, you need a concordance. A concordance will help you locate verses from any part in the Bible. Young's or Strong's concordances are good. They are valuable tools. Get a good Bible dictionary. A Bible dictionary will give you basic information on almost any subject you read about in the Bible. Once again, personally speaking, I have found the New Bible Dictionary about one the best single-volume dictionaries available. A Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words is good.
Finally, you need to find someone you trust to give you some guidance. God's word can be difficult at times and we need guidance (Acts 8:30-31). I might say one thing here, there is always a danger in asking for help. The person who offers their help and insight or the person you might seek out may hold some really strange and different views. They may be views that are fundamentally bad. Here is some advice: if a person holds himself/herself aloof, speaking like they have the only insight to the real meaning of things or they are upset at others while thinking they are in good spiritual condition, look for guidance elsewhere! Sometimes I will hear brethren tell me they are studying with so and so and I cringe inside knowing that the one they are studying with has a self-righteous, high minded opinion of themselves and hold themselves above others. As you grow in your personal study, you will be come more and more discerning and will see the things I am speaking of.
On a final note, you cannot study the Bible with any sincerity if you wait for an "in the mood" time! It is a commitment you must make. It takes a serious commitment to invest the time and energy to do it rightly. The Lord looks at the heart and it will be up to Him to open up His storehouse in heaven to you or withhold it from you. Sometimes I wonder about those who teach our Bible classes how much commitment they put forth in preparing their lessons to teach. Many seem to just "throw" something together and their lives reflect that same mentality.
LISTEN! You need to listen to God speak through the different writers. Be attentive and pay attention to His word by applying it to your life. Let Him in to change your thought patterns. Let Him guide you into dropping some habits you have while drawing closer to His side from your study. You have to be humble and willing to change and that change comes about as you touch His life and love for your soul. Don't be afraid! Don't fret what you don't understand! You're coming into the presence of a holy, loving God that wants and desires a relationship with you. He will grow you! He will equip you! Just be committed to Him.
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