JINSI YA KUSOMA BIBLIA NA KUIELEWA / HOW TO UNDERSTAND BIBLE

Mtafsiri kwenda Kiswahili: Rulea Sanga

Biblia yenyewe ni mwalimu bora. Biblia haijajipanga kama “encyclopedia” huwezi kwenda ukurasa wa kwanza na kusoma kila kitu kuhusu Mungu na kwenda ukurasa wa pili na kusoma kila kitu kuhusu Yesu n.k.

Vitu vya kuzingatia unavyotaka kusoma Biblia

• Fanya maombi kabla ya kufungua au kusoma Neno la Mungu au kufungua Biblia.
  Omba kwa Mungu mwongozo na kuwa tayari kuyakubali yaliyoandikwa na kuweza kuyatekeleza.
  
  
• Tafadhari usijaribu kusoma Biblia na kutaka kudhibitisha imani yako na vitu vingine.
  
  
• Unaposoma na ukaona kuna kitu hakileti maana au hukielewi, rudia tena na tena kusoma aya hiyo au maada hiyo. Kama bado huelewi andika chini hilo eneo la tatizo na endelea kusoma mbele. Unaweza kugundua jibu la tatizo jinsi unavyoendelea kusoma.
  
  
• Usisome eneo kubwa sana katika Biblia yako kwa wakati mmoja. Pata muda wa kupumzika. Au unaweza kusoma maada ya 4-6 kwa siku.
  
  
• Anza kusoma Agano Jipya. Watu wanaoanza na Agano la Kale mara nyingi hawawezi kusoma vizuri na kuelewa. Agano Jipya ndilo linalotuongoza sisi leo na sio Agano la zamani.
  
  
• Jaribu kkusahau yote uliyoambiwa kuhusu Yesu, Mungu na Biblia.
  
  
• Nunua Biblia ambazo zinauzwa kwa bei ndogo na jaribu kupigia mistari katika zile maada ambazo zimekugusa. Unaweza kuandika katika daftari yale ambayo yamegusa nafsi yako na uyarudie mara kwa mara ili kujenga imani yako na Mungu
  
• Tafuta eneo la utulivu, eneo ambalo halina makelele ya watu au wanyama au kitu chochote.

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HOW TO UNDERSTAND BIBLE

The Bible is its own best teacher.  The Bible however is not arranged like an encyclopedia.  You cannot go to chapter 1 and read everything about God and go to chapter 2 to read everything about Jesus, etc.  Remember when reading the Bible the verses and chapter breaks are placed in the scriptures by man.  It is better to read by paragraph, these too are man-made but they do conform better to the original language than verses. Some ground rules need to be set up first:

• 
  Pray first before opening God's word.  Ask for guidance and to be able to accept what is written and to be able to apply His will to your life.
  
  
• Never, never read the Bible trying to proof your belief on any subject.  It is only human nature to take ideas out of context.
   
• When you are reading and come across something that does not make sense, reread the paragraph or chapter again.  If you still do not understand, write down the problem area and continue onward. You may discover the answers later in your reading.
  
  
• Do not read large amounts of the Bible in one setting.  Take breaks often.  Or stay with about 4-6 chapters a day. A good reading schedule is here.
  
  
• Start with the New Testament, people who start with the Old Testament almost never read the Bible all the way through.  The New Testament is what is binding on us today not the Old.  We need to follow God's will for us today not what was intended for the Jews.
  
  
• Forget everything you have ever heard about Jesus, God and the Bible before you start reading the Bible.  Don't take what you want it to say with you first.
  
  
• Always use a 'literal' translation like the KJV, ASV, YLT, NKJ, KJII, KJIII, LITV, MLV, NASB (1978). (Other translation not listed should be avoided.)
  
  
• If you don't have a cheap Bible, buy one. Write on it, highlight it, make notes, if later you want to retire it for better, do so. NEVER buy a 'study bible.' They are full of peoples opinions which you don't need clouding your mind.