Now we have learned what the Bible is, some principles for interpreting it, and some precautions to take. However, there may be some of you that do not have much knowledge of the Bible. Perhaps some of you have read the Bible several times but have never really studied it. Since each verse of the Bible is dependent upon the context of the whole, it is important to grasp the context of the whole Bible. The way we do this is to start gaining knowledge of the Bible. Now we begin by the principles spelled out in the term REM.
R is for review. We often read the Bible, close it, and then it is out of our mind until we pick it up again. For this reason, if someone where to ask us at 3PM what we read in the Bible this morning, we would not be able to share much. Now how are we going to start remembering the whole Bible, if can’t remember one chapter? The purpose of the Bible is not for it to just be read, we must conform our minds to it. Of the Word, the Bible says, “It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot” (Numbers 15:28). In this verse the purpose for remembering what we read is stated. Doing so enables us to live in obedience to the Lord over our own desires.
Peter said “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1:12). Again, it is our natural tendency to drift from the truth of God in belief and practice. For that reason, even if we feel we’ve mastered the Bible (which will never be the case), we must continue to study it. We must review.
There are a few things we can do to start remembering biblical truths. First, once you have finished reading a chapter or passage of the Bible for the day, summarize in your own words what you just read. Then later that day reread that same chapter or passage or at least state that summary again. Doing this frequently will start cementing the Bible in your mind. Study theology and topics in the Bible and constantly remind yourself of them. Remind yourself on a daily basis of what is true and what is right according to the Bible.
Also, start taking sermon notes. Now a preacher can misinterpret the Bible or teach something that is incorrect, but take notes on the sermon. If you believe something is incorrect then write down the point and the verses used and see if it is true according to the Bible. If it is not you will know this for the future. Do this whether you know the point is correct or not. Check the sermon with the Bible, toss out what is wrong and embrace what is correct. Doing this will help you get a perspective that you were not seeing on your own reading of the Bible. In doing this you will be building an understanding of the Bible.
