Frequently the question is asked, What is the best way to study the Bible? Many answers are given to the inquirer. Some say, "Read the Bible like you would any other book." That is very good so far as it goes; but it lacks decidedly of going far enough. In some respects the Bible is like other books. In some other, and very important respects, it is vastly different. Another says, "Memorize it." That is fine fundamental work. The young especially should strive to acquire a great memory-treasure of God's word; and to young and old a fund of memorized Scriptures is of inestimable value. But clearly average people cannot memorize the whole Bible, or any very extended part of it. Furthermore, memory work is as much preparation for the real study of God's word as anything else. Then there are many schemes of study by books, by historical periods, by dispensations, by topics, by doctrines, by persons, etc. Many of those are excellent. I have never, for example, found anything finer in its line than R. A. Torrey's, "How to Study the Bible to Greatest Profit." Nevertheless the best of the schemes and plans I have examined are somewhat unavailable to average people. They presuppose more time, more previous mental training, more power of concentration and application than the average man can bring to the study of the Bible. Many of these plans are too elaborate. They make the mastery of the Bible seem a task of such magnitude that our hearts fail us before we begin, However excellent these plans may be, they do not as a rule meet the difficulty of the most numerous class of Christians, because they fail to take into account the limited time, and in many cases the limited training and taste for "book studies." Now this Home Bible Study Course is designed to meet these problems; and the aim shall be constantly before us to make these lessons of easy access to the humblest beginner, while yet making them worth while to more advanced students. A few words first about the Book we are about to study.

      1. It is the most remarkable book in the world. Its extreme age, yet constant youth and freshness; its wonderful power to influence human beings of all ages and stations; the fact that it [28] is far and away "the best seller," and enjoys a larger and more widespread circulation than any other book, establish this fact to such an extent that no intelligent unbeliever would care to deny it. I should want to know this Book even if this were all that could be said about it.

      2. It is a wonderful book. Simple enough for a child to find delight in it, but so profound that the greatest minds are overwhelmed at its unfathomable depth and wealth of thought; as a book on "morals"--containing every known principle of right conduct; as, "literature," not equalled in power or beauty; as to its knowledge of human nature, surpassing, as a book of "revealed religion," of such rank, that after it were rejected none other could come into consideration. Its unity, although it consists of 66 different books, which were written by different men, to different peoples, in different languages, during sixteen centuries, would easily leave the impression that some one master-mind had designed and outlined the whole.

      3. It is a marvelous book. By this I mean that it cannot be accounted for on purely natural grounds. Even if all that has so far been said could be explained on natural ground (which I do not think could be done)--there is yet one element in it, which is superhuman and miraculous: the hoary predictions the fulfilment and fulfilling we behold with our eyes at this day.

      4. Where it is actually received into the hearts of men, it bears its fruit and its truth is abundantly vindicated by practical results. And even its indirect benefit upon the nations among whom it is most generally circulated is remarkable.

      5. The highest point of interest, to as, however, and the explanation of all the foregoing points, is this that

      Whether it be Moses or David or Isaiah or Jeremiah, or the apostles that are writing, the, writers of the Bible disclaim all originality. It is not the "legislative genius of a Moses" or the "poetic genius of David," or the "fire-tongued eloquence" of Isaiah, or the "trained intellect of Paul," and what more of such phrases we hear, that accounts, for the Bible; but the fact that, whoever may have been the instrument or mouth-piece, it was in each instance GOD that spoke.

      This diagram (taken from Hebrews 1:1, 2) not only marks the great division of the Bible, but stamps it as from first to last God's Utterance.

      And that means much to us. Evidently God's word must partake of his Character. If he is good, so must his word be ("the good word of God"); if he is true, his word is truth (John 17:17); if he is holy, it is holy; if he is powerful, then so is it; if he [29] is the Living One, his word is living; if he is eternal, his word is. And that accounts for all the great and marvelous power this word has manifested among those who received it. In fact truly to receive the word of God is to receive him. And whatever attitude we assume toward the Word, it is as if we had assumed that attitude toward God himself.

      To get the good of the word of God we must receive it as the word of God. "And for this cause we also thank God that when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God which also worketh in you that believe." 1 Thess. 2:13.

      These facts will encourage us to take hold of the Book with eagerness and earnestness. We will now take up a few points that are necessary to the successful study of it.

      1. Take time, In order to take time we must make time for it. We will never find the time. We must set a time apart, daily, regularly, with purpose of heart. Some days we will "feel like it;" and some days not; but if we make a rule to abide by, our feelings will not control us so much, and we shall find delight in the recurring hour of prayerful Bible study. And let us give it the best time we can. If possible the first time of the day, before the noise and the pressure of its duties obtrudes upon the mind. Let us give it enough time--"time enough to forget about the time"--half an hour, surely; but an hour if we can spare it from sleep; and two hours even. If we put God's word first he will put us first; and if you exalt it he will exalt you.

      2. Mingle the word of God with prayer. The two belong together, and the one very naturally leads to the other. As in conversation with a friend we listen and talk, and alternate between hearing and speaking, so the hearing of God's word and speaking to him go hand in hand. Every lesson we learn lends itself to make the body of a prayer; and if we sum up what we have learned in a prayer to God it will fasten. itself upon our hearts, and bring us into touch with God.

      3. F. W. Robertson has a sermon on "Obedience the Organ of Spiritual Vision." Truly, truly. Disobedience darkens the eye; but obedience quickens our insight. Study to obey.

      4. A noted lady who had been at a Bible class, found a visitor awaiting her return. She explained the cause of her absence, and he, a university professor, when be heard her speak of studying the Bible, with a sneer, said, "Ah, you believe that book?" The lady responded in her gracious way, "Why, yes; I have the pleasure of being acquainted with the Author of that Book, you know." To know the Author of it--that gives interest to the Book; just as the friend you know makes the letter he writes you interesting in proportion to your regard and love. And you read your friend's character and disposition into the letter and out of it also. So the notion you, have of God will color your view of the Bible. To know him as the Lord who is holy, yet whose name is Love; to know God as he stands [30] revealed in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6)--that is the key to the Bible.

      5. Finally--don't try to get everything. You can't But get what you naturally can take in, and you will be getting exactly what you need for the time. And study to find God's mind, not to corroborate your own; not to bolster up anything nor to disprove anything, but to be taught at the mouth of God.

      The Lesson: A chapter a day, with side-readings. But each chapter will not be studied; and sometimes the lesson may include more or less than a chapter.

      Chapter 1. The Existence of the Universe Accounted for. Note frequency of the word God. Read John 1:1-4; Heb. 1:10-12. See in Gen. 14:19 who the great Proprietor of the whole establishment is--lest we forget; and how he feels toward his handiwork (Ps. 145:9); how great and condescending. Isa. 40:12-31. Read Psalm 104.

      Chapter 2. Man. Note how in the very creating of him he is distinguished from animals. (Gen. 1:26-28, 2:7). Read Psa. 8, and Heb. 2:5-9. On the Second Adam's bride read Eph. 5:22-32.

      Chapter 3. Sin. For identification of the Serpent, Rev. 12:9. He tries to corrupt the Second Adam's bride also. 2 Cor. 11:3. Note how fear and shame follow sin. Vs. 7, 10. Who is the Woman's Seed? Isa. 7:14; Gal. 4:4. Also Rom. 16:20. Sinners must have spiritual covering. Some wear fig leaves. Rom. 10:3; Rev. 3:17, 18. Note how Adam realized himself "naked," despite his covering of fig leaves. (V. 10). But God provides a true robe. Isa. 61:10; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 1:30.

      Chapters 4 and 5. Cain and Abel. The difference in their sacrifices. Heb. 11:4. The first murder due to religious hatred. 1 John 3:12. Was it not the same principle that slew the prophets, crucified Christ, persecuted Christians in all times? The descendants of Cain: godless, enterprising, inventors, musicians, artificers, city-builders, poets, polygamists, murderers. Note the seventh in the line, 19-24. How like the men of the world today! (Ps. 17:14) The line of Seth--not marked by great exploits, but see 4:26 and the seventh in this line, 5:21-24; Heb. 11:5; Jude 14, 15.

      Chapters 6 to 9. The Flood. Note the condition of the world. 6:5-7; 11, 12, 13. Is it likely the people realized their wickedness? What the secret of Noah's life. 6:8, 9. Why did God tell him his secrets? (Ps. 25:14). Read Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21. When will Noah's times be duplicated in some respects? Luke 17:26, 27. Note 9:21, 22, and the covenant of chapter 9. With whom did God make this covenant? But see 2 Pet. 3:7. Note [31] the prophecy of 9:25-27. Japheth is the forefather of the Caucasian race; Shem of the "Semitic" peoples of whom Israel is the greatest.

      Chapter 12. Read (chapters 10 and 11). Here begins a new epoch. God has dealt with the rate thus far; now he takes up one man. The rest of Genesis and of the Old Testament is taken up chiefly with him and his descendants. Read first Acts 7:14; then Gen. 12:1-3 and Heb. 11.8. Mark the item of promise, verses 2, 3, 7. Abram's faults am recorded faithfully.

      Chapter 13. Abrams generosity. (v. 8, 9). Can the heir of God's promise afford to be generous? Two points about Lot: 1st in v. 10, 11; 2nd, in v. 13. When we hear of him he lives in Sodom. Compare Phil. 3:19-21.

      Chapter 14. More noble traits in Abram. On Melchizedek see Psalm 110 and Heb. 7. By what new name is God called here? 18-20. A fine example in verse 22.

      Chapter 15. Two things Abram needed just then--God promised to be both those things to him. Compare what God was to David in a desperate time, Ps. 3:3 (and heading of this psalm). Here Abram's faith rises to a climax. Read carefully Rom. 4, especially verses 17-25. Note the ceremony of the covenant. Jer. 34:18, 19. The prediction to Abram, 13-16, was it not fulfilled to the letter?

      Chapter 16. As to Abram's relations with Hagar--(1), it was the custom of that day (2) the suggestion came from Sarah, not from Abram. (3) Had God told Abram up to that time, that Sarah should bear him a son? Verses 7-14 show that God cares for the slave woman and has a plan for her life as well ask for Abram's. On v. 13 read Ps. 139. Note the allegory in Gal. 4:21-31.

      Chapter 17. Note verse 1. Would not God say as much to each one of us? The renewal of the covenant. vs. 3-8. Mark the items. Henceforth it is Abraham. For whom was circumcision? What did Paul teach in Galatians about circumcision in case of Gentile Christians?

      Chapter 18. Another fair trait in Abraham; his hospitality. Who did the visitors turn out to be? Compare Abraham's laughing and Sarah's laugh of incredulity. (17:17; 19:12; compare 21:6). The name Isaac means laughter. See Heb. 11:11, 12. Why did Jehovah stop to tell Abraham his business? John 16:15. How did Abraham make use of the information? Does the intercession of a man of faith avail anything? See how very ready God was to make concession. How very unwilling to destroy sinners! (Ezek. 33:11). [32]

      Chapter 19. What did God mean in 18:21? He knows all things anyhow. This chapter shows he put them on examination, while they did not know it. Compare Luke 19:41-44. Note what Lot lost by his selfish, worldly course: Home, possessions, married daughters, wife, and (worse than lost) his two daughters who escaped with him. "He that loyeth his life shall lose it." Lot is the type of the Christian who loves the present world. (2 Tim. 4:10).

      Chapter 20. Abraham's sins were due to unbelief; his excellences to his faith. We could make excuse, consider the morals and the pressure of that period. Do not people even in this late day, and under gospel light, make excuse for prevarication and even justify it? But God makes no excuse like that and accepts none. Verse 9. Is it not a disgrace when one of God's people has to take a rebuke like that from an outsider? V. 17. Abraham must be instrumental in undoing the evil that he brought on Abimelech. Read Psalm 105:1-15.

      Chapter 21. At last the child of promise! Read again the allegory in Gal. 4:21-31. Do not be misled by the poems about the tragic parting of Abraham and Hagar; they misrepresent the relation between Abraham and the handmaid. Read again notes on chapter 16. The promises and predictions about Ishmael have met literal fulfilment.

      Here we close the Bible study for this month. The unavoidable delay in the publication of this number and the introduction to this course have consumed time so that a full month's lessons could not be taken; and space so that it could not be given. May this beginning arouse our hearts' interest in a new study of Gods word!

["Bible Study Course" (Introduction and Genesis 1-21). Word and Work 9 (January 1916): 28-33.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "Bible Study Course" (Introduction and Genesis 1-21) has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 30:     'Ah, you believe [ "Ah, you believe
            name is Loe; [ name is Love;
 p. 31:     Gen. 14:9 [ Gen. 14:19
            Isa. 7:14;; [ Isa. 7:14;
            Isa. 63:10; [ Isa. 61:10;
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 18 January 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.