All pictures in this post are courtesy of Pexels and Tara Winstead
Studying the Bible effectively requires patience and dedication. You read the Word of God because you love Him and want to get to know Him better. It is a practice that will provide you with deep abiding peace and will develop and grow your faith in ways you never thought possible.
Whether you’re reading the Bible for personal reflection, spiritual growth, or academic purposes, here are some steps to help you study it effectively:
Choosing a Translation: The Bible exists in various translations, ranging from traditional (e.g., King James Version) to modern (e.g., New International Version). Choose a translation that is readable and suits your understanding level.
I personally read the New King James Version and use the Amplified to help bring the passage to light if the original language is difficult for me to understand. The Amplified, in my mind, takes the Bible passage and adds similar words as you would see in a Thesaurus. This serves to magnify and define what the passage is saying and I find it easier to understand.
I also have a Christian Standard Bible I use at times, and when things need more clarification I will use the Bible my children used, the New Century Version! This is the Bible that my children used growing up and I find it simplifies the passage so I can understand it.
But, here’s the thing; we can feel ignorant when reading and studying the Word, but we shouldn’t feel stupid or less than! The Word itself says also says in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” If we don’t understand it we can ask the Holy Spirit to help reveal it to us.
We should also keep in mind 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” For those things we cannot understand at the moment we must trust that God sees, knows and understands and that we can entrust our future to Him.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out
of your study time:
1. Start with defining your overall purpose: Are you seeking spiritual insights? Want to get a better handle on historical context? Are you looking for moral guidance? These are important questions to ask as your purpose will shape your approach.
2. Select a Study Method:
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- Book-by-Book: Choose a book of the Bible and read it from beginning to end. Take it slow and highlight or underline verses that stand out to you. Take some time to journal about what you’ve read and write down your thoughts. Spend some time in prayer asking God to bring what you’ve read to light so you can understand it and apply it if possible. Reading through an entire book as a study is helpful as it brings together context, themes, and messages from the Holy Spirit.
Personal Reflection:
This is the method I have been using this year and I am truly enjoying it! For me, it has been helpful to stay in 1 book at a time and not bounce around. However, I do feel that one can always add Psalms or Proverbs in addition to your book study approach. These books of wisdom provide incredible insight and guidance for life. It is by no mistake that there are 31, 1 for each day of the month!
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- Thematic Study: Explore specific themes across different parts of the Bible, connecting related verses and passages. Examples of this would be grace, hope, or love. Similar to a topical study you can research Bible verses on these themes to get a better understanding of God’s grace toward you, His love for you, and the eternal hope only He provides.
- Topical Study: This particular type of study is one of my all time favorites! Topical study provides greater clarity to a particular topic. For example, if you are struggling with anxiety there are numerous verses in scripture that speak about that topic. The next thing I do when undertaking a topical study is to look up the verses by using Biblical concordance and then write out the verses related to this topic.
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- Character Study: This type of study focuses on the lives and stories of specific individuals in the Bible to gain insights into their experiences and lessons. There are a lot of fascinating people in scripture. I enjoy reading about Peter, Joshua, Rahab, and Deborah to name a few. Their lives and their circumstances, their faith, all of it still has many lessons for us to learn and sometimes apply in our own lives today.
Now that you have chosen the type of study you will do, what comes next?
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- Owning what you’ve read. You may be asking the question, how do I own what I’ve just read? How do I see myself as God sees me in this verse? Ex. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This is true of me. This is how God set it up and how He sees me. At this point you may want to write out a prayer to God asking Him to help you believe what He says of you. Ask Him to help you break old patterns and free you from anxiety’s grip. Thank Him for the strong, bold, anxiety free spirit He has given you and to help you walk in it. Doing this type of study and journal/prayer helps you to “own” it and begin to move forward into all God has for you. It helps you to live life more abundantly just as He said in John 10:10.
3. Understand the Historical Context: The Bible was written in specific historical and cultural contexts. Research the time, place, and culture in which the text was written to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning. Years ago my husband and I were gifted a Bible dictionary. I still use it today. It helps me to have a better understanding of the culture at the time the book was written providing greater insight into the passage and its lesson for us today.
4. Use Study Resources:
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- Commentaries: Some people find commentaries helpful. Consult reputable commentaries that provide insights into the historical, cultural, and theological aspects of the text. Bible Gateway offers commentaries on their site and app that provide greater insight for you.
- Concordances: Use concordances to find specific verses or words throughout the Bible. You can use the Strong’s Concordance app to quickly reference verses and terms.
- Bible Dictionaries: Look up unfamiliar words or terms to better grasp their meanings.
- Online Resources: Take advantage of online study tools, apps, and websites that offer various resources and guides. I use the resources from Bible.com and listen to the Bible using the reading plan I chose from the different plans they offer. You can also use The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble. She provides historical details and context regarding the writer as well as helps you understand the overall theme. I have found the recaps have been very helpful for more difficult books and passages.
5. Take Notes: Keep a journal or digital document to record your thoughts, observations, questions, and prayers as you read. This will help you retain what you’ve learned and facilitate future reflection.
6. Pray and Meditate: If you’re studying the Bible for spiritual growth, take time to pray and meditate on the verses you’re reading. Allow the words to resonate with you on a deeper level.
7. Don’t feel you need to rush! Take your time. Cross reference, and discuss what you are learning with a friend. Be patient with yourself and know that the growth of anything doesn’t happen over night nor should it. God is patient with you, be patient with yourself as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply what you have learned and do what He wants you to do.
Final Thoughts.
The Bible is the amazing love story of Almighty God to His creation. There will always be things to learn and discover. Remember to tailor your study to the areas in which you wish to grow your faith.
Use the Word of God to answer the questions you have and uncover your gifts. Take your time and enjoy the process of deepening your faith and understanding more of your Creator God, His character, and His eternal love for you His child.
You may not see your own growth, we rarely do, but rest assured you are growing. From time to time take a look back on those journal notes, thoughts, and prayer requests and you’ll see. You are not in the same place you were when you first wrote them. Progress takes time. The key is trusting God with your future and enjoying the journey on the way
Happy studying!
What comes next?
Growing in your relationship with God covers time reading and studying the Bible as well as prayer time. Here’s an article just for you to help boost your prayer life to the next level.
You can read the article here or click the picture below.
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