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1 - How to Improve Your Personal Bible Study by Ralph F. Wilson 
How to Improve Your Personal Bible Study by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson Every sincere Christian wants to have a more meaningful personal Bible study, to understand the Bible better. While learning the Bible is the joyful task of a lifetime, I'd like to offer several suggestions that can enrich your Bible studies. Bible Reading vs. Bible Study If you really want to learn the Bible, I recommend that you read broadly rather than narrowly. A one-verse devotional may be quick, but it won't really help you understand the Bible. I try each morning to read one chapter from the Old Testament, one chapter from Psalms or Proverbs, and one chapter from the New Testament. If I'm consistent, this will get me through the Old Testament once each year and the New Testament twice. That's an example of broad reading and takes five to 10 minutes a day -- 15 minutes if the day's chapters are long. But Bible reading as part of your daily devotions should be separate from your times of Bible study. Let me explain. Blocks of Time for In-Depth Bible Study For example, right now in the New Testament I'm reading the Epistle to the Hebrews. I'm realizing that though I've read it many times, I need to dig in and figure out what it's really saying. That's where Bible study comes in. Bible study takes a longer block of uninterrupted time. Perhaps you'll set aside 30 to 45 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday nights for in-depth Bible study, or an hour on Saturday mornings before the family is up -- or perhaps longer. Blocks of time are important to Bible study. Learn to Ask Questions
Several questions occur to me as I read this:
You get the idea. Your questions of this passage might be different than mine, but that's okay. There are no right or wrong questions. But questions are vital, since they provide direction to where you're going in your Bible study. Give yourself freedom to follow some "rabbit trails," to explore one theme and then another as you get acquainted with a passage. The questions will vary depending on the passage you're studying, but here are some typical questions:
You'll be able to think of more questions. The key is to develop a questioning mind, and you'll learn. You won't find answers to all your questions, of course, but over time many will be answered. Take Notes on What You Learn One main difference between reading and studying is writing down what you learn. This isn't just so you'll remember it later. The very act of writing requires you to formulate your thoughts clearly. Writing forces you to recognize fuzzy thinking for what it is and push beyond it. Write down what you're learning because it helps you understand it better. I recommend that you begin a notebook in which to record your observations or research. Forty years ago I began taking notes on 8-1/2" x 11" binder paper. In the left margin I would record the date. In the top right corner I would record the book, chapter, and verses of the passage I was studying. This made it easy to file my notes in scripture order. I began with a single 3-ring binder, but now my binders fill a five-foot bookshelf and beyond. I look back at some of my early insights and am reminded of how the Holy Spirit has taught me over the years. Start small, but take notes in a way that can be expanded easily. Another approach is to get a bound book that you can take notes in -- a kind of journal. (I've tried that, too.) Journaling has great value, but a bound notebook that contains many topics is difficult to organize or index in such a way that you can find your notes on a particular verse in the future. That's why I really like the binder paper approach. You could also take notes on a computer, naming the files in such a way that you can find them again or search an entire folder for a word or phrase. It's probably a good idea to print out your notes when you're finished and file them, however, since computer files have a way of getting lost after a few years. I am so glad I began the habit of note-taking with my Bible study. Now when I study a passage again, I know what I learned the last time I studied it and what I need to explore next. For Bible teachers, small group leaders, and preachers, such a notebook of previous studies becomes especially valuable. Get a Good Translation
The best study Bible contains a balance of both. You want a careful, accurate translation, but one that reads easily and clearly for family devotions or public worship. Another issue is the underlying Greek and Hebrew text. The KJV translators worked with the best texts available to them in 1611, but in the last 150 years we have gained a much more accurate understanding of what the original text must have been. Nearly all modern translations are enriched by the translators working from the most accurate Greek and Hebrew texts possible. Here are some of the most popular English translations. Your church or tradition may have a particular preference, but any one of these might be a good choice for you:
Of course there are many other modern translations, many of them good for serious Bible study, too numerous to list here. The Living Bible and The Message are not translation, but paraphrases. They can be refreshing to read but aren't good Bibles for careful study. Learning to Use a Study Bible After you've decided what translation to use, I encourage you to purchase a study Bible, since it will contain a number of tools in one volume that can help you dig deeper. Nearly every Bible publisher offers a study Bible. Your local Christian bookstore can help you figure out which one is right for you. Here are some of the features that you'll come to appreciate:
Other features you may find include articles on various topics, a brief Bible dictionary, outlines of topics and Bible books, index of place names, time lines, and so on. Specialized Tools for the Next Step Obtaining a study Bible is the place to begin. But as your Bible studies increase, you may want to invest in some more specialized books. Some to explore:
If you need advice on Bible study books, ask your pastor or the manager of a Christian bookstore. These days many Bible study resources are available online at no cost, such as Crosswalk Bible Study Tools (bible.crosswalk.com/). You can also purchase excellent Bible study software for your computer. Don't Forget the Most Important Step It's possible to be so engrossed in Bible study that you forget the most important purpose of Bible study. It's not Bible knowledge for its own sake nor being able to quote verses and recite orthodox doctrine. Ultimately, the purpose of Bible study is to learn exactly what the Bible teaches so that you can apply its teachings to your life. Perhaps the simplest approach to Bible study is to use the three basic inductive Bible study questions to ask of a Bible passage:
My prayer is that your Bible study results in a heart that is tender to listen to what the Spirit is saying to you through Scripture and a will that is determined to live out in your everyday life what you're learning. Dr. Ralph Wilson is a California pastor, director of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries, and author of more than a dozen free online Bible studies from the Old and New Testaments. Each Bible study is also available in e-book and printed format (www.jesuswalk.com/ebooks). Copyright © 2006, Ralph F. Wilson <pastor@joyfulheart.com>. All rights reserved. Reprint of this article with permissions from Dr. Ralph Wilson.
Cowboy Times Submission, 2006 The Cowboy! The Church! which came first? Does it really matter when you live in Texas and can have the best of both worlds living a western lifestyle, better yet a Texas lifestyle, while sharing your love of God with others who have the same passions. We all know that the Cowboy Church came of age here in Texas not just a few years ago when Ron Nolen started the movement with the Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, but many years before that with the cattle drives and ranches holding prayer meetings and reading the Word while the wranglers, trail hands, and cowboys were out working the land and the herds, away from their bunks. You could always depend on 'ole Cookie' to have the Good Book close at hand, if not for reading over someone, for reading to someone. But was it all hard working cowboys on trail rides or ranching? No, there were others living in those times, bankers, store clerks, cafe owners, craftsmen, teachers, artists, musicians, and lest we forget the circuit preacher riding from town to town. These same good folks are still here today, and had and have just as much to do with, and love the Cowboy way of life, as does the Cowboy, old and modern alike. Yet not all of them live in the country or rural areas with horses, cattle, farming, or other things typically thought of when you think of the Cowboy. They live in cities and urban areas, and still yearn for the simpler times, and want to worship God in an unencumbered setting without guilt or fear of being criticized for their rough and tumble lifestyles. That's where the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church in Plano comes into play. A Cowboy church in an urban setting, with highways and malls all around, but none the less the Cowboy spirit rings true each and every Sunday with a good time of praising and singing for the Lord and some good down home preachin' to fill out the morning. Narrow Trail Cowboy Church is unique in its approach and ministry through Texas Music inviting Texas Music singers and songwriters to their stage for sharing of their testimonies and music with those looking for God and faith, if not in all the wrong places, at this little stop along the way. Narrow Trail meets every Sunday morning with a fellowship breakfast and service at the Love & War in Texas restaurant in Plano, Texas, just down the road from Big D, but over a little bit from the sprawling farms and ranches just a bit to the north. We meet out on the Front Porch sitting at the tables and chairs that were used just the night before for partying and a little (no usually you would make that a lot) of hootin' and hollerin', when a bunch of good folks are having a good time listening to music, enjoying a good meal, spending time with family and friends, well just plain enjoying life. Oh, by the way did I say the restaurant is also a bar, and no one passes judgment, kinda like the Bible and Jesus in some fashion of not judging others, don'tcha think. A line from one of Tom T. Hall's songs goes on to say "maybe the good Lord likes a little pickin too". How do we do it? Do what, you might ask? How do you reach those who need or want to go to church, know they should, but really don't like all the brick and mortar, ties and jackets that are associated with church goin' in the city. We do it with good ole Texas down home friendliness, a caring group of believers (been there for goin' on two years, and still haven't seen a visitor yet, you'll have to come out to find more) and testimonies and music from real Texas musicians. The likes of Thomas Michael Riley, Brian Burns, Bill Mullis, Rebecca Hendricks, KR Wood, Danny Mitchell from Sulphur Springs, Austin Cunningham, Jay Johnson, Rusty Wier, Bodie Powell, Cheryl Dunn and many others have passed through the doors sharing their music and blessings along the way. One of our other ways of reaching out and ministering to others through our beloved Texas Music is with our semi-annual music festivals, and the 2nd Annual Fall Roundup is coming on Sunday, October 29th. This year we have the privilege of having the 2006 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and Official Texas State Musician, Billy Joe Shaver (www.billyjoeshaver.com) on the stage. By his own accounts Billy Joe shouldn't be alive today, and most likely should have never been born. But it would seem that he, more likely "He", had a purpose and mission for Billy Joe and he's doing it through his music and inspirational songs. The tragedies and trials that have hit Billy Joe throughout his life have not hindered his love of Jesus and what it has meant to him. An excerpt from his book "Billy Joe Shaver Honky Tonk Hero" really says it best:
That's just a little bit of who Billy Joe is, and isn't that what the Cowboy Church is all about, and exactly what Jesus was looking for when He spent time in the streets and villages with others outside the synagogues and churches. Think about it darlin' Along with Billy Joe we'll be featuring Austin Cunningham (www.austincunningham.com) recipient of the coveted Johnny Mercer Award for Emerging American Songwriters. Austin has written such great songs as Riverstone, Narrow Trail (Red Stegal), From The Ashes (Martina McBride), Dancin’ With Angels (SHeDAISY), and many others. Austin's Christian cuts include recordings by Susie Luchsinger, Roy Clark, Ken Hollaway, and Lisa Daggs among others. Joining Billy Joe and Austin out on the Front Porch will be our own band Unbridled opening up the show. That pretty much does it, that's who we are, and think that's how it's done, honest and true. So why not come on out for the afternoon and have a good time. And come hungry not only for some rejoicing and sharing, but some good ole fun and food, Love & War serves up some pretty good grub. The cowboy spirit Laid-back church appeals to boots-and-jeans crowd Tuesday, January 4, 2005 By LINDA STEWART BALL / The Dallas Morning News The Narrow Trail Cowboy Church in Plano may seem like a study in contradictions to some. Held beneath a covered patio at the Love and War In Texas restaurant, it attracts more suburban professionals than real rural cowhands. Yet, it's one of three so-called cowboy churches that have sprung up in Collin County in recent months with moral support from the Collin Baptist Association. Statewide, there are more than 30. This is a place where folks say they can worship God in pointy-toed cowboy boots or comfy tennis shoes without feeling judged or preached at. "It's really laid-back," said restaurant owner and church co-founder Tye Phelps, who provides a free migas-and-venison-sausage breakfast half an hour before the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service starts. "The people who tend to show up are those who don't feel comfortable in typical church surroundings." The Narrow Trail Cowboy Church is far from traditional or typical. For starters, there are no crosses in this Christian church. Neon beer signs cover its rustic wood and stone walls. Picnic tables are the pews, on which folks put their Bibles or steaming cups of java. And the restaurant's Shiner Texas Music Stage – an unabashed ad for the beer – is the pulpit. Someone once cracked that the church could use a beer cooler as a baptismal pool. Given the high cost of land in these parts, churches have been held in some pretty unusual spaces, including storefronts, movie theaters, hotels and schools. But a restaurant/bar? "It doesn't matter where you are, if you're praising the Lord it can be in a bar or a church," said singer-songwriter Austin Cunningham, one of several country musicians who have performed at the restaurant on a Saturday night and swung back by to play more Gospel-oriented tunes at the church Sunday morning. His song "The Narrow Trail" was a hit at the first service 10 weeks ago. The lyrics tell of a cowboy who is "lured down a deceptive canyon by a whiskey bottle and saloon girl's smile." The cowboy is trying to stay on a straight and narrow trail. The congregation quickly claimed the song's title as its own. "The music is a big part of it," Mr. Phelps said of the church's appeal. Couple dozen in flockAbout 30 people, including a handful of children, come each week. "I love it," said Hoot Gibson, 57, of Frisco, who rides a longhorn steer, sports a handlebar moustache and wears one of the few wide-brimmed hats to church. "Everybody is so friendly. It's real personable." Many said the relaxed and informal fellowship, complete with good-natured ribbing, is a big draw. They don't pass an offering plate at the Narrow Trail church. A metal bucket marked "tips" sits at the door, where some leave donations. "We don't want to scare people off," said preacher John Myers, 42, a part-time student at the Dallas Theological Seminary who makes his living selling commercial real estate and restoring buildings. Though he grew up on a farm and ranch in Kansas, Mr. Myers said he got "citified" and longed to return to his rural roots. He's raising his family in Lucas and was intrigued by the notion of the cowboy church he came across in his religious studies. When he heard Mr. Phelps reminiscing on the radio about cowboy camp meetings he attended in his youth in Kerrville, he knew he had found a kindred spirit. "It's kind of a new phenomenon, an awakening going on across Texas and the country," Mr. Myers said of the church. "The first one was started up in Nashville ... ." Area churchesLocally, there are start-up cowboy churches in Celina, Royse City, and the community of Rhea Mills, northwest of McKinney. There are more established services in Waxahachie and Fort Worth. "There are no pretensions. You can just be who you are," said Richard Hagar, director of church-starting for the Collin Baptist Association, which assists 105 churches in Collin County. Organizers admit that Narrow Trail isn't a "true cowboy church" in the sense that folks have manure on their boots. It's more an Old West attitude. "There are only a few hats here, and we take them off when we're praying," Mr. Myers said. "It's a church for people who don't care for church. "I'm looking for people who have been out drinking Friday night and the wife has been saying, 'Go to church.' " He says he seeks to change lives through the Scriptures. So when he takes the stage in his new black cowboy hat and Western shirt, he keeps his message simple and guilt-free: God is love and offers forgiveness through Jesus. Gerald Johnson, 47, a computer technician, said he was raised Baptist and had been going to a big church but never felt at ease. "This is a little unorthodox, but it's great," Mr. Johnson said. Uplifting serviceLast Sunday, as the rain poured down on the white tent-top attached to the restaurant's patio, the congregation tuned out the swoosh of cars driving by on Plano Parkway. Folks leaned forward to hear the soft-spoken testimony of a McKinney man who recently toured the Holy Land and said he stood where Moses once did. The congregation listened in reverent awe. Mr. Myers followed up with an equally sober prayer. "This is so wonderful," said Susie Coffman, 51, an executive assistant at Brookhaven College, after a recent Narrow Trail service. "You go away from here feeling like you've been to church. It's uplifting."
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