Thank you for question on recalling the Bible lessons, “I read the Bible but then a few hours pass and then I forget about it later on. What can I do to remember what I have learned in my Bible studies?”
To be honest when my wife asks me to go down to the grocery store to buy an item, sometimes I forget what I was to buy by the time I drive into the parking lot of the grocery store. My mind was on something else.
Here’s some thoughts to help remember what one is learning:
A. There is a difference between a Bible reading program and a Bible study program.
A Bible reading program may include a chapter or two of the Old Testament and the New Testament. This provides an overall view of the book that one is reading.
A Bible study program focuses more on observation, interpretation, and application. It is getting down into the details, looking at grammar, defining words, and the flow of the passage. Bible study without application will have the same effect of a Bible reading program. There is no inward transformation except perhaps knowing more facts.
B. It is helpful to define the reason or purpose for studying a passage or book.
This will give the person purpose or reason to read or study a book of the Bible. Without purpose, one is sailing without a destination or compass. It’s wandering in the pages of the Bible.
It may be helpful to ask the Lord to reveal a need or to meet a need in your life before one begins a study. It’s believing that the Spirit of God will guide you, speak to you as one opens one heart, mind, and spirit. God’s Word will not return void to him.
C. It is helpful to ask, “What is the central point of the passage?”
Whether one is reading or studying the Bible, it is important to pause and think about what is God saying in what I have just read? What is God saying to his people?
If one can restate the central point of the passage, it is more likely that you will remember what you read. The reason is that you have taken the time to think about it. It is distilling down the narrative to one sentence.
If you can do that, the truth of that passage will remain longer in your consciousness. Unless one review the central point through the week, other information will replace it. By reviewing, it shows or imprints into your mind as important.
D. It is helpful to study the passage for one week.
By constant reading and studying the passage again, you will begin to observe new things that one may overlook the first time. This will allow you to look at the passage from the writer or speaker’s point of the view, the listener’s point of view, and our point of view.
One may consider asking what other passages that I know that relates to this passage. This build bridges and relevance to other passages. This will help you grow biblically and theologically.
E. It is helpful to mediate on a verse or two during the week.
As one studies the passage, a verse or two may stand out to you. You may want to write that verse down on a 3–5card so that you can review it. Before you go to sleep, think about that verse. Take that verse apart grammatically and ponder each word.
More than likely you will fall asleep before you finish the verse. That’s ok. You’re thinking about the Word and allowing it to sink deeper into your mind and heart.
F. It is helpful to apply the truth of the passage to oneself.
Without application, there is the abortion of the truth. God’s Word is personal, not impersonal. When the writer wrote those words, it was for a people who heard it. It is also for us as well. Taking the time to reflect on how is that relevant to me is critical.
As one reviews the day, ask yourself, “Was there a time when I applied the Word?” or “What opportunity that I missed in applying the Word today?” The Word of God is active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It’s a living Word to those who are spiritually alive.
God wants to transform us by causing our hearts, mind, and spirit to perceive and by his Spirit to enable us to transform our character or our actions. Don’t forget, it is not what you can do for God, but what God can do through you.
To be honest, this is easier said than done. If we can spend 30 minutes in a day in his Word, it will transform us if we open our hearts, minds, and spirit to the Spirit of God.
Summary: The quality of time in the Word will determine the effectiveness in one’s life.
-Kingston