iServe Africa apprentice Njeri Maina reviews a very helpful resource for Bible study…

Dig Deeper is a book written by Nigel Beynon and Andrew Sach. Both authors are theologians who have worked majorly among students even at the time of writing the book. The book provides a summary on tools to use to aid in understanding the Bible.

The book lays out, all through, different tools to unearth the Bible’s treasure with emphasis on how to approach the Bible. The book has provided me an avenue of growth and how to keenly and reflectively look at the scriptures. It greatly challenged me on the context and helped me see just how many times I have misinterpreted the scriptures (sadly even taught a wrong doctrine). It has also challenged me to read the scriptures too and, just like the Bereans of the early church, confirm each word I get to hear from the source – the Bible itself.

The ‘Bible Timeline’ tool, the ‘Who Am I’ tool and the ‘So What’ tool have been very insightful. They have particularly been eye opening in understanding the different times the Bible was written in, the reader’s position in the timeline and consequently the reader is able to identify their place in the particular scripture.

Some tools however are quite specific to a particular Bible version. For instance the ‘Linking Words’ tool which points at linking words such as ‘for’, ‘therefore’, ‘if’ and ’so that’. These words change with the different versions of the Bible which may use different grammar and vocabulary – so the reader may miss out on their effect depending on the version of Bible they are using. The authors of the book use the New International Version whereas in another version the King James Version the same linking words are not used – however the KJV uses other words that maintain the meaning of the verse/s.

It’s a book I recommend to every Christian, particularly those with the calling of being teachers of the Word and disciple makers. It’s worth investing in time to read the scriptures, and be sensitive to get the intended meaning of the Scripture and not interpret it in ‘our own’ way consequentially losing out on God’s message through the Scripture.

And the emphasis remains; 2^nd Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness , so that the man of God maybe thoroughly equipped for every good work’.

[For more resources that help you dig into God’s Word visit the iServe Africa Bookstore.]