T1L1 Welcome to Bible Study [Discipleship Class]

Rev. Bruce A. Shields
5 hours ago
8 min read

Discipleship Classes from The House of Faith Church by Rev. Bruce A. Shields

THE HOUSE OF FAITH CHURCH | REPLUM DISCIPLESHIP COURSE

REPLUM INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES | WWW.REPLUM.ORG | WWW.PS127.ORG

LESSON 1: WELCOME TO BIBLE STUDY

LESSON OBJECTIVE

By the end of this lesson, you will understand basic principles for effective Bible study and develop confidence in approaching Scripture with proper methods and attitudes.

KEY VERSE TO MEMORIZE

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105

OPENING PRAYER SUGGESTION

"Dear Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word. As we begin this study, please open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Help us to be faithful students of Scripture and to grow in our knowledge of You. Guide us through this course and use it to draw us closer to You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

LESSON OVERVIEW

Welcome to your journey of biblical learning! This course will help you grow in your understanding of God, His Word, and His plan for your life. In this first lesson, we'll explore how to study the Bible effectively and discover why God's Word is so important for every believer. You'll learn practical methods that will serve you throughout this course and for the rest of your life.

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

GOD'S WORD IS OUR GUIDE

The Bible is not just any book - it is God's written revelation to humanity. Through it, God speaks to us today just as clearly as He spoke to people thousands of years ago. The psalmist understood this when he wrote:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

Just as a lamp helps us see in the darkness, God's Word illuminates our way through life's challenges and decisions. It provides the guidance we need for daily living.

GOD'S WORD TRANSFORMS US

The Bible has power to change our lives from the inside out:

" All Scripture is God-breathed [inspired by God] and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Notice that Scripture is "God-breathed" - this means God Himself inspired the writers. When we study His Word, we're not just reading human wisdom, but divine truth that can transform our hearts and minds.

GOD'S WORD GIVES US SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

Just as our bodies need food to grow and stay healthy, our spirits need God's Word:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (Jesus responding to Satan’s temptation)

Regular Bible study feeds our souls and helps us grow spiritually strong so that we can withstand Satan’s attacks on us.. It's not optional for healthy Christian living - it's essential.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY

THE FIRST QUESTION NEW BELIEVER’S ASK

“Which bible translation should I read?”

The short answer to this question is, “The one that’s easiest for you to understand.” There are many approved bible translations in the world today. They vary on a range from “paraphrasing to literal” in translation style.

Paraphrase is usually the easiest translation to read and understand for a new believer, such as;

· The Living Bible (TLB) – Originally published in 1971, this was one of the first popular paraphrases. It puts Scripture into very simple, everyday English. It’s easy to read devotionally, though not designed for in-depth study.

In the middle of the spectrum of translations between “paraphrase” and “literal” is the “thought-for-thought” like;

· New Living Translation (NLT) – A dynamic-equivalence translation (not a strict paraphrase), it often reads like one. First published in 1996, it is highly readable and one of the most widely used modern “thought-for-thought” Bibles.

· New International Version (NIV) —it is a dynamic equivalence (or thought-for-thought) translation. That means the translators tried to balance accuracy to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek with modern readability, rather than rewriting the text freely in their own words (which would be paraphrasing).

Finally, at the far end of the spectrum, is the “formal-equivalence translation.” Or, as close as you can get without a literal word-for-word translation, such as the Young’s Literal Translation. The only way to be more accurate would knowing how to read Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

The favorite at The House of Faith Church, used by Rev. Bruce A. Shields is the Legacy Standard Bible, which is used by Pastor John MacArthur, The Master’s Seminary, the Lockman Foundation, Ken Ham (CEO of Answers in Genesis), Grace Community Church, Jason Beales ThM, PhD in systematic theology.

· Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) – A formal-equivalence translation (word-for-word), it builds upon the NASB 1995 with an even greater emphasis on accuracy to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. First published in 2021, it is known for retaining precise wording, including consistently rendering the divine name as Yahweh, and for preserving grammatical detail that other translations often smooth out. It is designed for serious study and expository preaching, making it one of the most literal modern English Bibles available.

Translation Comparison

Version	Translation Philosophy	Paraphrase Rate	Literalness Word-for-Word vs. Thought-for-Thought	Approx. Accuracy to Original Texts Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
LSB Legacy Standard Bible	Formal Equivalence (literal)	*Very Low* ~2–5%	Extremely literal, preserving word order and nuance (esp. OT names of God)	~95–98%
NIV New International Version	Dynamic Equivalence (thought-for-thought)	Low-Moderate ~10–15%	Balances literal translation with readability, often smoothing idioms	~85–90%
NLT New Living Translation	Dynamic-Paraphrase Blend	Moderate-High ~25–30%	Prioritizes readability and modern expression; less tied to word structure	~75–80%
AKJV Authorized King James Version, 1611	Formal Equivalence (literal for its time)	Low ~5–10%	Very literal, but based on Textus Receptus (limited manuscripts)	~80–85% by modern standards (due to manuscript base)

Jesus promises in Matthew 7:7-10 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?”

So, choose a translation that you can read and understand. Most Christians begin with NIV, and as they grow in understanding and wish to look deeper into the scriptures, graduate to a translation, such as the LSB.

So choose a bible and proceed!

STEP 1: OBSERVATION (WHAT DOES IT SAY?)

Before we can understand what a passage means, we must carefully observe what it actually says. Ask questions like:

Who is speaking or being addressed?
What is happening in this passage?
When and where do these events take place?
Are there any repeated words or phrases?

" The simple believes everything, But the prudent one discerns his steps.

Proverbs 14:15

Heaven & Hell: In the Old and New Testament by Rev. Bruce A. Shields of The House of Faith Church

STEP 2: INTERPRETATION (WHAT DOES IT MEAN?)

Once we've observed the facts, we seek to understand the meaning. Consider:

What did this passage mean to the original readers?
How does this fit with the rest of Scripture?
What is the main point the author is making?

"And Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." Acts 8:30-31

Like the Ethiopian in this story, we sometimes need help understanding Scripture. This is normal and good!

STEP 3: APPLICATION (HOW SHOULD I RESPOND?)

The goal of Bible study is not just knowledge, but transformation. We must ask:

How does this apply to my life today?
What changes should I make based on this truth?
How can I live out what I've learned?

"But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22

IMPORTANT ATTITUDES FOR BIBLE STUDY

APPROACH WITH HUMILITY

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Come to Scripture ready to learn and be corrected, not to prove your own ideas.

PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

Always begin your study with prayer, asking God to teach you through His Spirit.

BE CONSISTENT

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Acts 17:11

Regular, daily time in God's Word is far better than occasional long sessions.

KEY POINTS SUMMARY

• The Bible is God's written revelation - His lamp for our path

• Scripture is God-breathed and has power to transform us

• Effective Bible study follows three steps: Observation, Interpretation, Application

• We must observe what it says before interpreting what it means

• The goal is not just knowledge but life transformation

• Approach Scripture with humility, prayer, and consistency • Regular daily study is essential for spiritual growth

SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What has prevented you from regular Bible study in the past, and how might you overcome those obstacles?
Which of the three study steps (Observation, Interpretation, Application) do you think will be most challenging for you, and why?
How do you hope this Bible study course will change your life over the next year?
What time of day and place would work best for you to have consistent Bible study?

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Start Your Study Habit Today: Choose a specific time and place for daily Bible reading. Even 10-15 minutes consistently is better than longer periods sporadically.

Begin with Prayer: Always start your Bible study time by asking God to teach you and open your heart to His truth.

Find a Study Partner: Consider asking someone to join you in this course or to pray for your studies. Accountability helps maintain consistency.

Be Patient with Yourself: Learning to study the Bible effectively takes time. Don't be discouraged if you don't understand everything immediately.

QUIZ - WELCOME TO BIBLE STUDY

Instructions: Answer all questions. Check your answers with the answer key below. Calculate your score and write it in the space provided.

True or False: The Bible is just another book written by humans with good ideas.
Fill in the blank: "Your word is a _____________ to my feet, and a _____________ for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Multiple Choice: According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Scripture is: a) Helpful but not essential b) God-breathed and useful c) Outdated for modern times d) Only for pastors
True or False: We should try to understand what a Bible passage means before carefully observing what it says.
Fill in the blank: "Man shall not live by _____________ alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God's mouth."
Multiple Choice: The three basic types of bible translations are: a) Hebrew, English, Aramaic b) Paraphrase, Thought-for-Thought, Literal c) Good, better, best d) Pray, read, discuss
True or False: It's normal to need help understanding some parts of Scripture.
Fill in the blank: "But be _____________ of the word, and not only hearers, deceiving your own selves."
Multiple Choice: What attitude should we have when approaching Scripture? a) Humility b) Prayerfulness c) Consistency d) All of the above
Short Answer: Why is regular Bible study important for Christians?