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How To Study The Bible
This brand-new guide provides a brief, concise overview of personal Bible study for the layperson. Long-time Bible teacher Robert West gives insight into the types, tools, and techniques of personal study, offering both practical guidance and encouragement to pursue the command of 2 Timothy 2:15 ("Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth"). Covering topics such as the inductive method, word studies, commentaries, dictionaries, and concordances, How to Study the Bible also emphasizes the personal benefits of private Bible time.
96 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
996 people are currently reading
681 people want to read
About the author
Robert M. West
21 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 5, 2021
I was surprised at the depth of this little book. It discusses bible study methods, reasons for studying the bible, learning how to determine what bible study aids to use and even a section with some well known bible study resource websites.
January 8, 2014
I read this book in about an hour. It was actually just sitting on my book shelf for I don't know how long, but it caught my eye because I have been pondering how to get myself on a consistent, regular schedule of bible reading. It is that part of my spiritual life that is severely lacking. Well, the book did its job because now I'm motivated, and I'm getting started as I just needed that little push. I did get some helpful tips, and the additional resources provided have been helpful. However, I don't believe the average person would learn anything new from this book. I found it to be a motivator for me, and maybe it is meant to be just that.
August 26, 2020
This is a small but powerful book on studying the Christian Bible. It provides solid reasoning on what the Bible is, and how it was put together. It also gave me great insight into the various translations. The author was able to strike a good balance between providing good information but not getting too deep, and losing me as a reader. I highly recommend it.
February 2, 2018
Very helpful tools. Rec this to anyone who needs to learn how to read the Bible.
January 3, 2012
I am planning to teach a course in prison ministry on basic Christian Discipleship, Bible Interpretation being one of the modules has me researching various books.
Robert West's How to Study the Bible is not a high level approach and gives some primary practices that are worth noting. It is very easy to read.
For a more in depth book on this subject Robert Stein's 'A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible' was recommended to me. I certain there are other books that are more advanced but my objective is basic interpretation for a beginners level.
I've not yet read Stein's book but have a Kindle version and have it in my reading schedule for a February start.
Robert West's How to Study the Bible is not a high level approach and gives some primary practices that are worth noting. It is very easy to read.
For a more in depth book on this subject Robert Stein's 'A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible' was recommended to me. I certain there are other books that are more advanced but my objective is basic interpretation for a beginners level.
I've not yet read Stein's book but have a Kindle version and have it in my reading schedule for a February start.
November 28, 2019
Mature Christian that needed to learn how to study GOD'S word!!!
As a senior citizen and a mature Christian for many years, you would think I would know how to study the Bible. Not true! I have struggled for many year's on my own to study GOD'S word. My frustrations have been countless, near the point of giving up forever I saw this book in the Amazon book store for $.99 cents. I bought it as a last resort! I just now finished reading it. Now thanks to this author I have a renewed spirit and the confidence that I can do it! I now have the tools to study GOD'S word and receive HIS blessings. AMEN:
As a senior citizen and a mature Christian for many years, you would think I would know how to study the Bible. Not true! I have struggled for many year's on my own to study GOD'S word. My frustrations have been countless, near the point of giving up forever I saw this book in the Amazon book store for $.99 cents. I bought it as a last resort! I just now finished reading it. Now thanks to this author I have a renewed spirit and the confidence that I can do it! I now have the tools to study GOD'S word and receive HIS blessings. AMEN:
December 31, 2017
Very helpful especial in the 2nd to last chapter where West leads you on what other books you could use to help studying the bible. I currently have the concordance he recommends The Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. This is a very important resource. He also includes websites in his book.
This book is easy to understand and is a great help for the first time reader or the advanced. First and most important starting book is your Bible. Joyful reading.
This book is easy to understand and is a great help for the first time reader or the advanced. First and most important starting book is your Bible. Joyful reading.
October 8, 2018
Quite helpful!
A good and easy read. This book is a template to follow to help you learn the bible. It provides great references and describes different methods to choose from while studying the bible. If you really want to learn how to study the bible, this is a good place to start. There's no particular trick to it, as Robert West quoted Nike "Just Do It"! Choose a style that is comfortable for you and fits your daily lifestyle.
A good and easy read. This book is a template to follow to help you learn the bible. It provides great references and describes different methods to choose from while studying the bible. If you really want to learn how to study the bible, this is a good place to start. There's no particular trick to it, as Robert West quoted Nike "Just Do It"! Choose a style that is comfortable for you and fits your daily lifestyle.
February 2, 2017
Excellent Bible Study Overview
How to Study the Bible by Bob West is a great, concise overview of personal Bible study. It's written in a more scholarly style but it gives a very simple, clear overview of the basic principles; as well as sections on motivation and preparing your own heart. Definitely recommend!
How to Study the Bible by Bob West is a great, concise overview of personal Bible study. It's written in a more scholarly style but it gives a very simple, clear overview of the basic principles; as well as sections on motivation and preparing your own heart. Definitely recommend!
January 23, 2012
Our pastor just completed a course based on this book. I found both the course & book very helpful. Often I wonder, "am I studying the right way." This book helped clear that up by explaining the different methods available. Highly recommend.
December 7, 2015
A helpful book, though short and mostly review for me. I appreciated the links to Bible study websites, and just the encouragement to read and study the powerful Word of God.
February 25, 2021
Contents
- Introduction
- Preparation (...for study)
- Interpretation
- Classification (... Bible study methods)
- Collaboration (... study helps)
- Motivation (some examples of people he knew)
He is in the sola scriptura camp. That belief ignores the history of how we got the Bible. If a person knows how we got the Bible, he/she realizes that it is a collection of books. Those books went through a selection process, and different selectors will come up with different books to include. For example, the Great Books of the Western World selected in 1952 is quite different from the Wester Canon by Harold Bloom, which is different from the Harvard Classics.
Sola Scriptura also limits the accepted canon to a small region in the Middle East. Doesn’t God care about and speak to any of his children, regardless of where on the Earth they live.
What about those prophets cited in our present Bible, whose works are not included in the current canon? Authors in the Bible regarded them as worthy of citing.
Despite those limitation, it has a variety of ideas on how to study, which will vary over a person’s lifetime as interests and needs change.
It is a short little book, and thus a quick read that can give a person some useful ideas about Bible study.
I received this book as a gift (or perhaps it was a loan) from someone my wife and I are discussing the Bible with.
- Introduction
- Preparation (...for study)
- Interpretation
- Classification (... Bible study methods)
- Collaboration (... study helps)
- Motivation (some examples of people he knew)
He is in the sola scriptura camp. That belief ignores the history of how we got the Bible. If a person knows how we got the Bible, he/she realizes that it is a collection of books. Those books went through a selection process, and different selectors will come up with different books to include. For example, the Great Books of the Western World selected in 1952 is quite different from the Wester Canon by Harold Bloom, which is different from the Harvard Classics.
Sola Scriptura also limits the accepted canon to a small region in the Middle East. Doesn’t God care about and speak to any of his children, regardless of where on the Earth they live.
What about those prophets cited in our present Bible, whose works are not included in the current canon? Authors in the Bible regarded them as worthy of citing.
Despite those limitation, it has a variety of ideas on how to study, which will vary over a person’s lifetime as interests and needs change.
It is a short little book, and thus a quick read that can give a person some useful ideas about Bible study.
I received this book as a gift (or perhaps it was a loan) from someone my wife and I are discussing the Bible with.
November 25, 2024
Robert M West shares ways to study The Bible. In just six sections, (the middle four my favorite), West inclines his readers into acknowledging The Word as the ultimate authority also known as Sola Scriptura. If you’ve read a little theology you know this is the bedrock of Protestant belief. I’m not Protestant, but still agree to most if not everything West says. If you’re against going to church, have strayed away, or need encouragement into reading your Bible, this little book is a pearl. A similitude of a mature brother in Christ sharing his learnt tactical ways to reading your Bible.
I recommend this book to New Converts or even more Advanced / Moderate Knowledgeable Christians.
This little book can be a mustard seed. I read it in one day and the next I picked up my bible. Is this not the goal the author intended? Well done and thank you, West!
I recommend this book to New Converts or even more Advanced / Moderate Knowledgeable Christians.
This little book can be a mustard seed. I read it in one day and the next I picked up my bible. Is this not the goal the author intended? Well done and thank you, West!
April 19, 2022
Kick Starting My Bible Reading
I've been a Christian for a long time and have over the years started and stopped for long periods of time reading my bible. I enjoy reading my bible but always let my laziness and procrastination get in the way.
I'm prayerfully starting my journey again
Thank you for your helpful examples on how to read and study the bible.
I'm very determined this time to stick with it and make studying and reading the bible as much of my life as waking in the morning.
I've been a Christian for a long time and have over the years started and stopped for long periods of time reading my bible. I enjoy reading my bible but always let my laziness and procrastination get in the way.
I'm prayerfully starting my journey again
Thank you for your helpful examples on how to read and study the bible.
I'm very determined this time to stick with it and make studying and reading the bible as much of my life as waking in the morning.
Read
September 26, 2021Challenging
The book gave orderly instruction on how to go about learning from the bible. He stressed how it is very important to spend time learning what the Bible teaches and not taking someone else's thoughts and ideas as gospel truth. Study to show thyself, not read what someone else says. Mention was also made that it is good to read from other trusted bible scholars to get a well rounded understanding.
Reading this e book makes me want to get a hands on copy.
The book gave orderly instruction on how to go about learning from the bible. He stressed how it is very important to spend time learning what the Bible teaches and not taking someone else's thoughts and ideas as gospel truth. Study to show thyself, not read what someone else says. Mention was also made that it is good to read from other trusted bible scholars to get a well rounded understanding.
Reading this e book makes me want to get a hands on copy.
May 2, 2020
This handy little guide provides some tips, suggestions, and explanations on how one can become consistent in their personal pursuit of God's Word. There are different study plan options that readers can try as well as lists of Bible study resources. No matter where you are in your Bible study journey, this guidebook can give you insights to guide you along.
November 17, 2020
This book may be helpful to someone who has no familiarity with the Bible. Although it is all true and good information, it is extremely basic, which - to be fair - is its purpose; therefore, I would say it accomplishes its goal. But if you are looking beyond scratching the surface with your study of the Bible, this is not your book.
November 18, 2020
Great reading. Very informative and to the point. Worth the purchase. Will highly recommend this book to my Christian family and friends.
Will highly recommend this book to others. Glad I came across it. Also very direct and to the point. Was not too church or over my head theology wise. Thanks so much.
Will highly recommend this book to others. Glad I came across it. Also very direct and to the point. Was not too church or over my head theology wise. Thanks so much.
August 4, 2024
A great place for Babes in Christ to start
I have been doing Bible studies and reading the Bible for about a year. I have learned a great deal but know that I have only scratched the surface. Reading Robert West’s book has given me a new outlook on how to read my Bible and work on my Bible studiees. I think every Babe in Christ, as Mr. West says, should read this book.
I have been doing Bible studies and reading the Bible for about a year. I have learned a great deal but know that I have only scratched the surface. Reading Robert West’s book has given me a new outlook on how to read my Bible and work on my Bible studiees. I think every Babe in Christ, as Mr. West says, should read this book.
September 27, 2017
Must read for any serious student of the Bible
Easy to understand and very helpful in giving clear examples of bible study resources. Not just information but this book has several meaningful stories to help connect with the reader.
Easy to understand and very helpful in giving clear examples of bible study resources. Not just information but this book has several meaningful stories to help connect with the reader.
March 13, 2020
This is a concise, comprehensive guide to how to study the Bible. The author uses easy to read and understand language with plenty of examples to understand the context. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing direction on studying the Word of God.
September 9, 2020
Awesome Teachings
Yes I loved this book it made me open my eyes to Kno like is bigger than my wants. God will provide what we need if we just Humble ourselves and be Obedient. Pray my Strength in the Lord in Jesus name amen!!!
Yes I loved this book it made me open my eyes to Kno like is bigger than my wants. God will provide what we need if we just Humble ourselves and be Obedient. Pray my Strength in the Lord in Jesus name amen!!!
October 12, 2020
An amazing book
This book is concise and straight to the point. It provides a solid foundation for studying the Bible to anyone wishing to be more effective in their personal Bible study. Highly recommended.
This book is concise and straight to the point. It provides a solid foundation for studying the Bible to anyone wishing to be more effective in their personal Bible study. Highly recommended.
February 1, 2022
This was a really fast read which I truly enjoyed. The author provides easily digestable content and practical ways to study the bible. He also references a few different bible study resources he has personally used.
March 18, 2024
Wise instructions
This is not only a good primer for new Christians, it's a good reminder to study and grow no matter where we are on our journey. Will be using it in a small group setting. Great resource.
This is not only a good primer for new Christians, it's a good reminder to study and grow no matter where we are on our journey. Will be using it in a small group setting. Great resource.
April 4, 2024
A good for those searching for new ideas for how to study
I enjoyed in and from it have learned a few new ways in which to study GOD’s word.
It’s worth a read for all new and not so new Christians.
I enjoyed in and from it have learned a few new ways in which to study GOD’s word.
It’s worth a read for all new and not so new Christians.
February 28, 2025
This book is a concise quick read with tons of valuable information. Highly recommended to both new Christians and long-time Christians who have never studied the Bible on their own. Practical information that can be implemented right away.
June 19, 2017
Great Instructional
I enjoyed reading this, it is full of good information and council on how to study the bible. I recommend it.
I enjoyed reading this, it is full of good information and council on how to study the bible. I recommend it.
May 17, 2018
A good guide
a good guide book with references to other study aids. Recommend reading for anyone wanting to further study the Bible.
a good guide book with references to other study aids. Recommend reading for anyone wanting to further study the Bible.
July 10, 2018
Good information for people wanting direction on how to approach personal Bible study.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews