Reading YOUR Bible

Unexpected development today, from a simple twit about a Bible verse, I was led to another deeper study about this topic (maafkan gua, Angel. Kalo menumpahkan isi pikiran ke lu, tapi ga terlalu berat kan? kan? :P)

First of all, I found article about BIBLE's CONTRADICTION with the explanation from Answers in Genesis (you click on it if you want, but it's long, dan tolong jangan tanya apa isinya gua lagi males menulis kesimpulan *memelas)

HOW to read your Bible?
When I was younger *ceilee, I was taught this 'Inductive' way of reading (OIA):
ps: Praying to ask for God's guidance and wisdom before reading Bible is a MUST *end of story*.

1. Observation
What, Who, Where, When, Why + How and Conclusion

2. Interpretation
What's writers want us to understand from their writings?

You can (should) check and compare each writings using the facilities:
Another Bible translation: KJV, NAS, ESV etc
Bible Dictionary
Bible Maps
Commentaries (written by Theologians)
Concordances

To read Bible verse in parallel, most of the time I use: http://bible.cc/
(just type out your desired verse, and WOOSH, it'll give you almost all versions of Bible translations).
Ah yes, with Commentaries!!

For concordance, I use http://www.biblestudytools.com/
Choose KJV or NAS as your Bible translation, type out the verse, and check the 'Strongs Numbers' box on right side below 'version' box)

Bible.cc provides us the same facility of Strongs Concordance Numbers, but well, I've gotten used to Biblestudytools (thank you for asking)

3. Application
Know + Relate + Meditate + Practise
Yes, PRACTISE
Don't let your understanding be in vain because you are not practising it

You can find the full information HERE

WHY is this kind of "How to read Bible" important?
In short words: So that we are not translating it RANDOMLY or even according to what we 'think'.
Practise EXEGESIS, NOT EISEGESIS (I hope some readers understand these terms :P)

By understanding what the writers meant, we can understand more about God (because He inspired the writers). Bible is about God, God's Stories, God's Laws, God's Loves for us, while He is the main actor.
That's why I'm not the protagonist there (if you understand what I mean)

The most crucial point is: Understanding and reading your Bible in the right way is important (read: IMPORTANT), but don't forget to DO what the Bible says

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. - James 2:26

Let's become the DOERS of God's Words (starting with understanding the Words in the right way)