The following suggestions will make this study profitable.
1. Pray to God.
Ask God to help you understand His Word. Claim the promise of Psalm 119:130: “The entrance of thy Words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple.” It is impossible to truly understand God’s Word without God’s help (2 Corinthians 2:14).
2. Prepare Before Class.
a. Read the Notes. Read and reread the lesson. Underline key thoughts, mark anything that you do not understand or that you have questions about. Make notations on the wide margin at the side of each lesson.
b. Look Up Key References. If time permits, read all Scripture references from a modern translation such as New American Standard Bible. A typical reference is written with the name of the book followed by the chapter number and verse number which are separated by a colon (example: Colossians 3:23). The abbreviation “cf.” means to compare two references (example: Psalm 45:6-7, cf. Hebrews 1:8). Most Bibles have a table of contents that lists the starting page number for each book of the Bible. After finding the page, locate the appropriate chapter and verse.
c. Answer Homework Questions. Complete all items of the homework as directed. If you have trouble with a question, pass on to the next question.
3. Attend Class Regularly.
There is a time for small group interaction as well as a lecture period. Your questions and comments will encourage others to share.
4. Save Your Notes and Materials.
These will help you in your further study and you may wish to share them with others.