God communicates his Word to us because he wants us to connect with Him. But we must interpret these Scriptures correctly instead of forcing false ideas into his Word. This guide will help you uncover the foundations of scriptural knowledge. Find out the importance of seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and learning from church members. 

Know the Five Biblical Principles

Obtaining scriptural knowledge entails understanding five principles.

• The Bible: Consider the Bible as the primary source of our faith and belief in God. God inspires everything in this holy book. Therefore, it contains no errors and is the primary source of all faith-related knowledge and practice.
• God: The Bible teaches us that there is only one God. He exists in the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. 
• Man: We are also part of the picture. God created us to have a relationship with Him, and the Bible is a tool to strengthen this connection. 
• Salvation: As the Bible promises, faith in God leads to our salvation.
• Christian Character: The Bible determines the principles we should have as Christians. For instance, we learn from the Scripture that we should be responsible for loving God wholeheartedly. We should also pursue righteousness, justice, and mercy for all people. 

Seek Guidance from the Holy Spirit

You do not need a high IQ to understand the Bible. There’s also no need to investigate huge mysteries about the book. You only need faith in the Holy Spirit. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to acquire scriptural knowledge. 

This is not to say you need some mystical ritual to understand the Bible. But human judgment and understanding are limited compared to the Bible’s sacredness. The Holy Spirit will help you discern properly. 

Be Patient When Learning the Bible

Another foundation of scriptural knowledge is patience. You can spend your whole life reading the Bible. You can reread it a hundred times a year and still need to understand its deeper meaning. Your interpretations of each story change from time to time.

The beautiful thing about the Scripture is that even theologians haven’t fully understood its most essential message. So stay humble and patient when internalizing the Word of God.  

Learn From Teachers

God entrusted His Word to trained and learned ministers who can help you learn more about the Gospel. These theologians, priests, pastors, and others have devoted their lives to studying the Word of the Lord. While these people are imperfect, we should always acknowledge what God tries to say through them. 

Be Born Again

“The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14

One of the most important ways to understand the Bible is to be of new nature. In simpler terms, we have to attain spiritual rebirth. The Bible also shows the concept of human inability. Sin impacted people’s likelihood of being saved by God. Sin is also the reason behind our inability to accept God’s word fully. 

Depend on God

“Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God.” – 2 Cor 2:12

Depending on God is also essential when understanding the Scripture. Even though God enlightens us to have wisdom, we should remain dependent on Him to continue understanding the Bible. 

Stay Obedient

Believers are also obeyers. We cannot completely understand God’s word if we do not know how to obey and internalize it. Be involved in the church, where people preach the Bible fairly. Feel free to join Bible study groups, so you know how to take action after learning different passages and stories. 

Have a Diligent Spirit

Lastly, be diligent. Spend time and effort interpreting God’s Word from different perspectives. Be willing to work hard to understand it. Learn various doctrines related to God’s Word. For example, make sure you know the concept of the Holy Trinity. Understanding the virgin birth and the atonement also matters.