Seven Principles for Studying Scripture by George Whitefield
From the book Whitefield on the Christian Life.
First was the recognition that the Bible was written to reveal the way of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Second, he taught readers to approach the Word with a "humble child-like disposition," because God hides His truth from the proud.
Third, one must be intentional to grasp the mysteries of the kingdom of God, for those who ignore this counsel will never understand God's message.
Fourth, Whitefield taught that to "make an application of everything you read to your own hearts" will increase your effectiveness in studying Scripture.
Fifth, Whitefield stressed the aid of the Holy Spirit to encourage the reader to pray before engaging Scripture so that Christ would remember His promise to send the Spirit "to guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
Sixth, Whitefield counseled his readers to pray frequently throughout the reading—pausing to "pray over every word and verse, if possible"; and after reading, "earnestly beseech God," so that what has been read "may be inwardly engraven in your hearts, and bring forth in you the fruits of a good life."
Seventh, one must read Scripture continually with an intensity that resembles someone searching for buried treasure.
Taken from Whitefield on the Christian Life by Tom Schwanda and Ian Maddock, Copyright © 2025. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.