There are so many Bible Study Methods and choosing one is no small task. There are many to choose from and it can be difficult to know where to begin. In this article, I want to help you find the Bible study method that will work best for you by giving you some pointers on how to go about choosing one.
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It may seem like an irrelevant question, but knowing what the Bible is would be the first step in studying it. The Bible is God's word. Christians believe that the Bible is straight from God. The Bible does not just contain words from God the Bible is entirely God's word. The Bible is the living word, it does not change, but it's alive in that it is relevant today just as much as it was when it was written.
The Bible is God’s Word to us. In it, He reveals Himself, His will for our lives, and His love for us. For these reasons, Bible study is essential for Christians.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
2 Timothy 3:15-17
John says this about God's Word (The Bible.)
In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2
3 Reasons to Study the Bible
- We Get to Know God Better-Through Bible study, we come to know God better. We see His character revealed in the pages of Scripture, and we learn how He wants us to live. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we also grow in our love for Him.
- The Bible Equips Us to Serve-Bible study equips us to serve God more effectively. As we learn what the Bible teaches, we are better able to apply it to our lives and share its truth with others. We can also use our knowledge of the Bible to refute false teaching and defend the faith.
- A Spiritual Discipline-Finally, regular Bible study is a spiritual discipline that helps us grow in our relationship with God. As we spend time in His Word, He speaks to us and transforms our hearts and minds. The result is a deeper faith and a greater desire to please Him.
The Bible is an ancient text that contains a wealth of wisdom and guidance. People have been studying the Bible for centuries, and there are a variety of different methods that can be used to glean insights from its pages. Some people prefer to study the Bible alone, while others prefer to join a Bible study group. There are also many different Bible study resources available, such as commentaries, concordances, and study Bibles.
Choosing a Bible Translation
There are so many different Bible translations that choosing one could be overwhelming, but don't let it be. When you are picking a translation you need one that is easy to read. If you get a translation that is difficult for you to read it will be easier to give up your study. That's not what we want! I like the New Living Translation (NLT), and The New American Standard Bible (NASB). If find both of these translations easy to read and understand. I also like The Living Bible. The Living Bible is a paraphrase, and it's a nice version to have when you want to read a passage in a more modern language.
Choosing a Study Bible
It's important to know what your purpose is when you choose a Bible. If you are just looking for one to carry back and forth to church a study Bible may not be for you. But if you are looking to dive deeper into God's Word and learn more about God, then you need to find a study Bible. One of the most popular study Bibles is The Life Application Study Bible.
How to Find the Right Method for You
With so many different methods available, how do you know which one is right for you? Here are a few questions to ask yourself that can help you narrow down your options:
When it comes to studying the Bible, there is no one “right” method. The best approach is the one that works best for you and helps you grow in your understanding and love for God’s Word.
- What is my learning style?
- Do I prefer to study alone or with others?
- How much time do I have to dedicate to Bible study?
- What are my goals for Bible study?
- What resources do I have available?
- Do I want a printed study or do I want to do self-study?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start exploring different methods and see which ones fit best with your preferences and needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a good fit!
Bible Study Methods
There are many different ways to study the Bible, but there is no one right way. The important thing is that you find a method that works for you and that you stick with it. There are several different Bible study methods listed in this article, so take some time to look through them and see which ones might work best for you.
The Inductive Study-This method involves looking at a passage of Scripture and observing what it says, what it means, and how it applies to your life. You can use this method on your own or with a group of people.
- S-Scripture
- O-Observation
- A-Application
- P-Prayer
- H-highlight
- E-Explain
- A-Apply
- R-Respond
- scripture read and/or write
- offer commitment
- apply
- kneel in prayer
Bible Journaling-Bible Journaling is a creative way to express yourself in your Bible. It is also a great way to study individual scriptures or passages. As you study you will be inspired to draw what the scripture or passage means to you. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Bible Journaling is an artistic expression of what you are reading, and what is speaking to your heart.
Verse Mapping-Verse Mapping is similar to an Inductive Study, but it's more personal and a deeper study of an individual scripture. This method allows you to break down a scripture word for word and study what each word means. This is one of my favorite ways to study the Bible.
Printed Bible Studies-There are hundreds of Bible Studies already written that guide you through the study. If you are just starting out and some of the above methods seem overwhelming start with a Bible Study Book.
Whichever method you choose, make sure that you are consistent with it and that you are spending time each day in God's word.
Resources for Bible Study
Pens-I love pens! I buy so many that I always have a great selection to choose from! For Bible Study, there are several options. Bible pages may be very lightweight. If that is the case you want to stick with pens that do not bleed through. The Micron Bible Study Pens are great for that purpose!
Highlighters-Along with fine liner pens, highlighters are an important tool too. My favorite highlighters are Mildliners. They don't bleed through paper and their pastel colors are pretty.
Bible Journaling Kits-Amazon and other retailers also have Bible Study and Bible Journaling kits. These are great because they have both writing pens and highlighters.
Journals-Keeping a Bible Study journal is a great way to remember what you study in the Bible. There are all kinds of journals available, from lined to blank there is a journal for everyone. The selection at Amazon is great, but don't let the number of journals overwhelm you. Pick something nice, order it and move on.
Bible Concordance-A Bible Concordance is a great resource. With the concordance, you can look up words from the Bible and specific passages. The concordance will explain to you the context and many other aspects of a verse or word. My grandfather was an American Baptist Pastor for over 60 years and he would only use Strong's Concordance.
Bible Dictionary-A Bible Handbook is great because some passages in the Bible need definitions. I mean how much is a shekel anyway? And what exactly is a cubit? A Bible Handbook will be able to tell you! Again, my grandpa's had a favorite, and it's Halley's Bible Handbook.
Studying the Bible doesn't have to be complicated. Learning more about God and His love for us is always a good thing. Whatever Bible, journal, pen, highlighter, or method you chose know that your time in God's word will be rewarded by Him.