An analytical look into effective ways to study the Bible in order to get correct interpretation and meaningful doctrines from the text.

1. Bible Study
The Principles of
Bible Study

2. The Admonition
Study to shew thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye
think ye have eternal life: and they are
they which testify of me. (John 5:39)

3. Why Search
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and
be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear: (1
Peter 3:15)
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon
the tower, and will watch to see what he will
say unto me, and what I shall answer when I
am reproved. (Habakkuk 2:1)

4. Revival and Refomation
Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual
life, a quickening of the powers of mind
and heart, a resurrection from spiritual
death. Reformation signifies a
reorganization, a change in ideas and
theories, habits and practices.--The
Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902. {1SM
128.1} {LDE 190}

5. Revival in Bible Study
A revival in Bible study is needed
throughout the world. Attention is
to be called, not to the assertions
of men, but to the Word of God. --
Manuscript 139, 1898. {Ev 456.1}
{SpM 141.3}

6. Reform in Bible Study
The urgent necessities that are
making themselves felt in this time
demand a constant education in the
word of God. This is present truth.
Throughout the world there
should be a reform in Bible study,
for it is needed now as never before.
{6T 131.2}

7. The Results
As this is done, a mighty work will be
wrought. When God declared that His Word
should not return unto Him void, He meant
all that He said. The gospel is to be
preached to all nations. The Bible is to be
opened to the people. A knowledge of God
is the highest education, and it will cover
the earth with its wonderful truth as the
waters cover the sea. --Manuscript 139,
1898. {Ev 456.1}

8. The divine Sower scattered grains of
precious seed, which we cannot see
until a skillful laborer, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, gathers
them together and presents them
to us as a complete system of truth,
unfolding the depths of divine love.
{ST, December 11, 1893 par. 3}{LHU
259.4}
Skillful Laborers Needed

9. Principle #1
The student of the Bible should be
taught to approach it in the spirit of
a learner. We are to search its
pages, not for proof to sustain our
opinions, but in order to know what
God says. {Ed 189.1}
1 Corinthians 8:2; Matthew 18:1-3

10. Principle #2
A true knowledge of the Bible can
be gained only through the aid of
that Spirit by whom the word was
given. And in order to gain this
knowledge we must live by it. {Ed
189.2}
John 14:15-16, 26; 16:13; 7:17

11. Principle #3
The study of the Bible demands our
most diligent effort and persevering
thought. As the miner digs for the
golden treasure in the earth, so
earnestly, persistently, must we seek
for the treasure of God’s word. {Ed
189.3}
Proverbs 2:1-5

12. Principle #4
In daily study the verse-by-verse method is
often most helpful. Let the student take one
verse, and concentrate the mind on
ascertaining the thought that God has put
into that verse for him, and then dwell upon
the thought until it becomes his own. One
passage thus studied until its significance is
clear is of more value than the perusal of
many chapters with no definite purpose in
view and no positive instruction gained. {Ed
189.4}

13. Principle #5
The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is
to be compared with scripture. The
student should learn to view the word as a
whole, and to see the relation of its parts.
He should gain a knowledge of its grand
central theme, of God’s original purpose
for the world, of the rise of the great
controversy, and of the work of
redemption. {Ed 190.2}

14. Principle #6
The book of Revelation, in connection
with the book of Daniel, especially
demands study. Let every God-fearing
teacher consider how most clearly to
comprehend and to present the gospel
that our Saviour came in person to make
known to His servant… {Ed 191.2}
Revelation 1:1-3

15. Principle #7
And this continuous study is one
of the best means of cultivating a
love for the Scriptures. Let the
student keep his Bible always with
him. As you have opportunity, read
a text and meditate upon it. {Ed
191.4}
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

16. Principle #8
As the student of the Bible beholds
the Redeemer, there is awakened in
the soul the mysterious power of
faith, adoration, and love. Upon the
vision of Christ the gaze is fixed,
and the beholder grows into the
likeness of that which he adores.
{Ed 192.1}

17. Principle #9
Let the youth of today, the youth who are
growing up with the Bible in their hands,
become the recipients and the channels of
its life-giving energy, and what streams of
blessing would flow forth to the world!--
influences of whose power to heal and
comfort we can scarcely conceive --rivers
of living water, fountains "springing up
unto everlasting life." {Ed 192.2}

18. The Principles Summarized
1. Study the Bible to learn
2. We live and learn through the
Holy Spirit
3. Bible Study requires diligemce
and perseverance
4. Study One verse at a time
5. Compare verses with each other

19. The Principles Summarized
6. We should especially study
Daniel and the Revelation
7. Bible Study should be
continuous
8. Bible Study brings
transformation
9. We should share what we learn