Bible Study People take up Bible study for a lot of different reasons, and there is often debate about what the best one is. Some people join Bible study groups because of religious reasons. This is by far the most common purpose, but it is not the most scholarly one. Academics will claim that the study Bibles used by these groups are not meant to present the most accurate version of the text, but to advance a particular reading of it. Religious followers of Bible curriculum, meanwhile, argue that the academics are missing the whole point of the Bible – being inspired by the word of God. In my opinion, you don't have to choose one approach or the other. The Bible is a fascinating manuscripts, whether you view it as the work of a single writer or many. It has interesting things to say, whether you think of it as primitive mythology or the word of God. In short, Bible studies offer something for everyone. The first Bible study group I ever participated in was in college. I never really thought much about how to study the Bible. I figured I would just read it like any other book. Back then, I wasn't particularly interested in historical context. I wanted to read the text for itself and see how it spoke to me. Ironically, this approach to Bible study is much closer to that favored by many Christians than to that used in most university programs. Soon, one of my professors set me straight. He turned me on to some Bible scholarship that gave a lot of excellent information about where the stories came from, what they meant to the people they were written for, and how the interpretations have changed over the years. It was some of the most fascinating stuff that I have ever read, and it firmly cemented my interest in world religion and mythology. I never actually used a study Bible. The most comprehensive Bible study – if you have the time to do it – can be done by consulting several different interpretations at the same time. Doing your own research really gets you thinking about the text. When you don't really have the time to do your own research, however, letting other scholars present a condensed version is the next best thing. Study Bibles help many people get a better grasp on the text, distilling the essential meaning when it might not be clear to the modern reader. Summary Bible study courses offer a great way for adults and kids to get acquainted with the bible and it's many stories. There are online courses you can take, or consult with a local church of your choice. Most offer adult study classes during the week for those who want to understand more of this religious book. Related Articles Bible Passages Unique Approach For Bible Lesosns For Children Related Sites