The Bible isn't always an easy read. Sometimes you have to expend great effort to grasp what some of the writers are saying. When Philip encountered an Ethiopian who was reading the scriptures, he asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian looked up from the book of Isaiah and answered," How can I, except some man should guide me?" (Acts 8:31). Let's face it, sometimes we need help!

The Bible is not just any book, it is God's guidebook for living. The Bible has a central message that everyone can grasp, yet it also has tremendous depth and subtleties that have kept theologians busy contemplating for centuries. We are greatly blessed to have a pastor that possesses a deep encompassing understanding of the Bible, with the God given ability to present scripture in such a manner that everyone can comprehend what is being taught.

•  You will be asked to do four things:

1. Look up the scripture and read it in its context.
2. Mark the relevant scriptures in your Bible.
3. Make notes, preferably in the margin of your Bible.
4. Answer questions designed to bring the scripture into focus.

• Systematic marking of the Bible is effective in three major ways:

1. It brings attention to the scriptures at the time of marking.
2. It catches your eye easily and quickly in future studies.
3. It makes key scriptures easier to find later.