1. First of all, before you can expect to acquire an understanding of God' s Word, you MUST meet God. Be sure that you have been born again. (See John 3:5.) If you are not sure of this, we shall be happy to help you to make sure. Do this before you proceed any further.
  2. Second, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Acts 19:2. Jesus said, “ The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.
  3. Third, HUNGER AFTER GOD! “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matt. 5:6.
  4. Fourth, provide yourself with a good Bible, not too large to carry but large enough to be easily read. Select a study Bible with type that can be easily read. Avoid unnecessary notes and helps, which only serve to detract the reader into the precut channels of interpretation. It is to be your purpose in this study to find your answers from GOD' S WORD, AND TO ACCEPT THE WORDS THAT YOU FIND IN YOUR BIBLE AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY IN ALL THINGS. Only the Word of God itself can measure up to that. Too many people have fallen short of God' s blessing because they have lived by the notes in their Bible instead of by God's Word itself. You cannot have effective faith unless you are ready to believe that God means exactly what He says!
    Quotations in the lessons will be taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

    If possible, choose a clear type Bible with only center column or marginal references and possibly a concordance. Many feel that even these helps are crutches, and that one knows his Bible better who can find his Scriptures without the use of such helps.
  5. Fifth, set apart a time for study, as definitely as if you were attending a class, sitting with other pupils and listening to a teacher. Some will prefer to set this study time early in the morning; others may prefer to choose a later hour. Choose the time in which you are least likely to meet with distractions or necessary breaks in your schedule; then stick with it!
  6. Sixth, start each class session with prayer. Your Bible and the lesson sheets are your textbooks. THE HOLY GHOST IS YOUR TEACHER. Be sure that you have invited His presence and yielded yourself into His hands as you search God' s Word. You will find every day's study a time of spiritual refreshing as well as enlightenment.
  7. Seventh, secure a loose leaf notebook, 8 1/2" X 11", either two hole or three hole: in which you can keep the lessons of your Bible Courses in order.