Knowable Word

Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible

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Why the Bible is Difficult to Understand

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Kevin Halloran lists 9 reasons the Bible is difficult to understand, along with what we can do about it. His reasons:

  1. We live at a different time
  2. We live in a different culture
  3. We speak different languages
  4. We have natural minds that struggle to understand spiritual truths
  5. We are sinners
  6. We don’t know how the Bible storyline fits together
  7. We have weak reading skills
  8. We are lazy
  9. We don’t approach the Bible correctly

After explaining these five hurdles, Halloran continues with reasons to rejoice in the resources God has given us. And he offers suggestions for growing in handling the Word.

This is great, practical instruction, which I highly commend.

Check it out!

A Surprising Barrier to Personal Bible Study

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Benjamin Balazs (2015), public domain

This article may be keeping you from studying the Bible. That’s not my goal, but it might be happening.

I should explain.

Like Productivity Advice

There’s a well-known paradox in the realm of organization and productivity advice. Some people spend so much time reading and thinking about productivity that they are less productive than they would have been otherwise. The very quest to be more productive has made them less so.

These folks can discuss organizational systems with anyone. They love setting up planners and talking about to-do apps. But they haven’t used the advice for its intended purpose. Productivity tips are only helpful if you eventually stop reading the suggestions and start implementing them. At some point, you need to stop fiddling and get to work.

Some people use Bible study articles the same way. Let’s face it—it’s much easier to read about Bible study than to study the Bible. Not only is Bible study a difficult mental task, but when we apply the Bible regularly, it is humbling and challenging.

Bible study articles are only useful if you turn away from the articles and spend time with your Bible.

Here at Knowable Word, we exist to teach ordinary people how to study the Bible. But we don’t want you to spend all your time on our web site. Our articles and resources are designed to be used.

How to Get Started

There are two general types of people reading this article: those who don’t know how to study the Bible, and those who do.

If you’re in that first category, we’d love to help you get started! I suggest you begin here and then here. After reading some of our foundational articles, print out some worksheets, grab your Bible, and dig in. Richness awaits.

If you already know how to study the Bible, we’re glad you’re here too. If you’ve come to our blog for a refresher, for help on a particular aspect of Bible study, or as part of your daily internet reading, welcome!

But there might be a few of you who are reading this in your devotional time. You’re putting off something difficult (prayer or Bible study) for a lighter read. This enterprise feels spiritual, because you’re learning about Bible study, but you’re just avoiding the more important task.

Please take this as a loving nudge: Turn away from your computer, tablet, or phone. Pick up your Bible. Listen to what God has to say about himself and his plan for the world. What God gives you in his word is much, much better than what we can give you here.

Go ahead, we don’t mind. Come back later. We’ll still be here.