Study 1
by Charles Tan
Text: Daniel 1; 2 Kings 24:1-2; 2 Chronicles 36:5-7
Dear Young People,
TAKING THE TROUBLE TO LOOK UP BIBLE REFERENCES
We begin our study of the Book of Daniel today. Let’s pick up some very important pointers before we actually begin our study of this important Book.
- Each week, there will be a Text given. You must train yourself to check up all textual references. Sometimes, we are too lazy to even read the Scriptures. We content ourselves with reading stories, testimonies etc. We must correct this approach.
- We must appreciate the true value of God’s Word. There isn’t any literature that comes close to the value of the Scriptures. Let’s train ourselves so that we have a very healthy regard for the Bible.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU THINK THROUGH WHAT YOU READ
Though we make ourselves turn to the Bible and dutifully read it, many of us are too lazy to take time to THINK! If things are not too difficult, if there are interesting stories, if there are good testimonies, we find ourselves engrossed reading them.
However, when we come across tougher texts, we find our minds too lazy to interact with the Word that we are reading. We need to overcome this bad habit. We must be prepared to have a vigorous mind at all times, when we come to the study of God’s Word. Then will we benefit that much more from the reading of the Scriptures.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING
We come across another problem. We do not take time to ask ourselves whether we truly understand what we are reading. Let’s try and correct this problem. I will be posting questions for you to study. Take time to answer the questions. This approach towards the study of the Scriptures will make you a very sharp Bible student. You will then find that the Scriptures will become that much more alive to you.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORD “CONTEXT.”
When we read the Scriptures, one of the most important things to look out for is “CONTEXT.”
- If we do not try and understand the context of the Bible portion we are studying, we will be unlikely to fully understand the Truth.
- We must do our part to vigorously investigate all related Bible references.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER OVER
- Who was Jehoiakim?
- Why did God allow Judah to fall into the hands of Babylon?