Ploughing Through Life-Changing Truth

Let us picture the Bible as a farm that is divided into seven fields. To save yourself from being "bogged down" in what some might consider to be the less thrilling portions of Scripture, we suggest that you cycle through these seven fields by studying only one chapter at a time from each field.

We invite you to systematically plough through these seven fields as explained below. DO NOT try and read a chapter from each field every day, but rather set aside a period of time that you are going to spend with God in His word every day, maybe 30 minutes, maybe 45 minutes, or even an hour or more. Let the Lord convict you as to what time period would be best suited to your case. On some days you will plough through 2 or 3 chapters, on other days you might get through a few more than this.

Warning

If you base your study period on a fixed number of chapters you will be pressurized to "finish", rather than to "search". It is far better to base your study period on a predetermined length of time as this will allow you to read slower, to concentrate better, to underline significant words or verses, and to dig much deeper into the word of truth.

Let's Get Started

All you need is a Bible (we recommend the NASB), a very flexible plastic ruler for underlining purposes, a pen, and a sheet of paper that will serve as your study record or index.

Take the sheet of paper and, leaving an inch gap between each field, enter the starting chapters for each field as follows:

Now start studying at the top of the list and work your way down reading first Psalm 1, then Matthew 1, and then Romans 1 etcetera - updating your index as you finish each chapter.

Let's say you finish four chapters on your first day. At the end of that day your index will look as follows. Now, at the end of day one, simply fold up your index and insert it at Matthew 1 to serve as your bookmark for the next day.

Some chapters contain long genealogies. Do not be tempted to skip these. All Scripture is given by God for a life-changing purpose, and the purpose of these portions is no doubt to teach us patience - to make us the masters of our own minds - and to help us to overcome our impatient tendencies and our longing to do only those things that we want to do or that we enjoy doing.

Do not be tempted to set yourself a daily quota of any number of chapters, but rather lay aside a special time (when you feel fresh and your stomach is empty) during which you are going to lose yourself in the presence of God in any of the following ways:

During your study time, it does not matter if you spend one hour on one verse, or one hour on seven chapters - all that matters is that you spend precious time alone with the Author of life and wisdom - for it is this alone that develops the human mind and that levels the pathway of life.

In order to begin your adventure in the Word of God, the only tools you will be needing will be your Bible, a pen, and a quiet place (and an empty stomach because you do not want your energies devoted to digestion when they should be devoted to mental exercise). The first step is to go through your Bible and write the words "New Field" at the top of the first page in each of the seven "fields" listed above. If you click here you will be able to print out the table of fields, together with a handy book marking method that you can paste in the front of your Bible. Then use the BACK key on your browser to return to this place.

Now, starting at the first chapter, read the chapter verse by verse and, with your attention fixed on each verse, ask the Lord to help you to uncover any deeper meaning that may be hidden within the verse. 

Very often, and especially if you are new to Bible Study, you will look at a verse and you will wonder what on earth you will ever be able to dig out of it - yet, with meditation, and with practice, and provided you are studying on an empty stomach, you will often be surprised at the gems of truth that God will reveal to you. And always remember, for as long as you are feeding your mind on sacred truth, your life is being changed.

Please bear in mind that you are not alone at such times. This is a joint venture between you and your Maker. Feel free to speak to Him for He is your special Friend. Ask Him to enlighten your mind and He will do it. Do not allow yourself to believe that you can spend time reading the words of men - as spiritual as they may be - as an alternative to reading the words of God. Our need is to hear what God has to say to us, not what other people think that that God has to say to us. Our need is for a direct relationship with God via His Word and Prayer, not for a spiritual courier service.

Bon voyage - we commit you to the hands of the Almighty. As any kind and caring father would be, He is delighted when you spend time with Him. He will be your faithful Guide from here on into eternity - see Psalm 91. 

See you in heaven one day. Just remember that when we get there, it will not be because of anything we have done, but only because of what Jesus has done for us.

Now that you are on the path that leads to an ever-deepening knowledge of God, which knowledge is the key to life eternal, you might like to visit the feature Friend of Friends.