How To Study The Bible For Yourself
With that said, lets look at some super practical tips for learning how to study the Bible for yourself.
Studying the Word really doesnt have to be intimidating, time-consuming, or difficult. You simply need to know how to study the Bible for beginners! And in this Bible study guide, Im going to show you how.
There are tons of Bible study methods for beginners but this is my favorite method of teaching you how to understand the Bible because its easy, straightforward, and very adaptable.
This is the same method I teach in my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women.
What Is The Soap Bible Study Method
The SOAP Bible Study Method is an easy way to study your Bible, breaking down scriptures into manageable pieces, and identifying what is being said and how it can apply to your life.
All you need is your Bible, a reading plan, a pen, and some paper. You could even , which includes free to make your study easier.
Using this method, as you read, you would identify a verse or verses that were either difficult to understand or stood out to you for one reason or another.
You would jot down the scripture under the scripture heading, next write what you observed from the text , then how you could apply what you just learned, and finally, youd write a prayer that referenced the verse, or what you just learned, or asking God to help you understand. Dont worry, I break it down even more, below.
This method helped me tremendously. It was simple enough to understand and remember for years to come. It helped me dig deeper and opened up the door for many other different methods of study. As a baby Christian/new believer, I wasnt ready for the inductive study method or other complicated versions.
In school, we dont jump into calculus before taking basic math and algebra why would this be any different?
Reasons To Study The Bible
Why do you want to study the Bible? Pause and consider this. God is drawing you in, prompting you to grow closer to Him. Having some concrete reasons and understanding why this is important to you will help you stay motivated to study long after the initial inspiration has passed. Here are three solid reasons to begin studying the Bible:
To gain insight on who God is. Theologians have described the Bible as Gods love letter to us. It teaches us his likes, dislikes, and about his character. The Bible is a book about God, and it reveals to us a little bit about who God is on every page. How can we truly know him if we dont intently study his word?
To receive wisdom and instruction. The Bible teaches us so much, and studying it helps us grow in wisdom. For example, in the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs is filled with instruction and principles for how best to live our life here on earth. We also find needful insight in the gospels and letters to the New Testament churches. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
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A Simple Bible Study Method
When I first began to read and study the Bible, I felt so overwhelmed and ill-equipped. I had no idea where to start, what to read, or how to study the Bible. Thankfully, through an incredible home church, I was able to grow in my faith and learn how to begin.
There isnt a perfect/exact way to study the Bible. There are quite a few different methods. Some are way more sophisticated , and others are artsier .
Each has a reason and purpose behind it, yet for me, I needed to start with something simple yet effective. Thats where the S.O.A.P. method comes into play.
S-Scripture
P-Prayer
Use A Bible Study Method To Illuminate Gods Word
You dont have to be overwhelmed when reading the Bible! While you may not understand everything you read, the study methods below will make it simple and convenient to process your time in Gods Word. Plus, the more you read and draw near to the heart of God, the more He will reveal Himself to you.
As a total beginner, the Read & Respond Bible study method worked well for me. It allowed me to process what I read and think through how I could apply it to my life.
Plus, its practical enough to squeeze into a busy schedule. If you have 10 minutes in your day, this Bible study method can work for you!
Watch how simple the Read & Respond method can be in the tutorial video:
As I matured in faith, I was looking for a study method that went a little deeper into the passage and helped me dissect the meaning. The Write the Word study method was a perfect solution, and I enjoyed taking this next step to grow in faith.
Watch the Write the Word tutorial here:
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What Bible Study Tools And Resources Are Available For Use
There are many Bible study tools and resources you can use when studying the Bible. Here are a few of them.
- Bible Study Tools A database of over 20 Bible translations, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. It also includes popular history books, texts, and writings on the beginning of the early church, Bible lexicons, maps, guides, and other resources to enhance your bible study experience.
- Blue Letter Bible This is very similar to Bible Study Tools. It contains in depth study software that include commentaries, concordances, Greek and Hebrew word tools, sermons, and commentaries. I personally use the Blue Letter Bible in my personal Bible Study.
- Bible Gateway Bible Gateway is great because it contains a large database of Bible translations in a variety of languages. I love that you can enter a keyword or topic in addition to a bible verse when searching. It helps if you have a topic in mind but arent sure of the specific passage it comes from.
- You Version Finally, YouVersion is a Bible app filled with a huge database of translations as well. However, its Bible reading plans and devotionals make it unique. They cover a wide variety of topics from healing and freedom to singleness, dating, and marriage.
Bible Study Methods When Youre Just Starting Out
When youre just beginning to read the Bible, pick one method and stick with it for a bit. Dont get overwhelmed by all the different study methods out there! Try out a few and see what feels most natural for your learning style. I often rotate between methods, depending on a variety of factors, such as how much time I have, whether Im doing the study alone or with others, etc.
Lets look at some popular Bible study methods for beginners.
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Know What Type Of Writing It Is
Different people use different categories for the types of Biblical writings but I am just going to share the broader types to help you get started.
The broad writing styles of the Bible are these:
- Law
- Epistles
- Acts
Are you going to read poetry differently then you would American laws? Would you read a persons memoir differently than a letter from a friend?
Yes, you would! You would be reading it differently expecting different messages and ways of translating. The same is true for Scripture.
For example, Leviticus is a book of law while Psalm and Proverbs are poetry. They are written differently, for different purposes and we must approach Scripture according to those differences.
After choosing a book to set up camp in, determine what kind of writing it is!
What God Has To Say About Family
It is appropriate that you honor your father and mother, because they are the Lord your Gods children. In spite of adversity, each of us loves unconditionally even when we are lost. In addition to raising their families, children belong to their crowns, and parents are the best ambassadors for these young people. You should honor your father and mother.
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When I Was A Kid I Had The Notion To Read All The Encyclopedias From A To Z
My beloved Encyclopedia set lined the bottom of my closet, and I would curl up in there with a flash light and read until someone told me to go to bed.
No matter how many times I set out to accomplish this goal, I never made it past Johnny Appleseed.
I sometimes wonder how far I would have made it if I hadnt insisted on starting at the very beginning of the set every.single.time. If I had just picked up where I left off the first time, I might have finished the As at least.
Nevertheless, I was a perfectionist, and I like things done the right way if its going to be done.
If I say Im going to read through all of the Encyclopedias, then I should read through them all front to back, cover to cover, never missing a line or getting out of order.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that when I became a Christian and wanted to get to know the God I served through His written word, I thought starting at the very beginning and reading straight through was the only way to do it right.
Genesis to Revelations here I come!
Time and time again, Id set the goal of reading the entire Bible beginning to end, and no matter how many times I tried, I never made it past the list of Noahs descendants in Genesis 10.
I felt like such a failure. What sort of Christian cant even read the Bible let along study it?
In his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney says:
Find Relevant Verses On The Topic
Once youve chosen a good topic, youll want to look up as many Bible verses on the topic as you can.
This is because, unfortunately, studying the bible for beginners isnt as simple as looking up a topic, flipping to the page, and seeing what the Bible has to say. The Bible is not a step-by-step guide with easy instructions and answers to every situation
Rather, you will want to look up the multiple places the Bible addresses a certain topic so you can read all the verses together in context.
When you do this, youll quickly see that some Scripture verses add additional clarifying information and context to others.
Here are three of the easiest ways to find Scripture verses on a topic when youre first learning how to study the Bible for beginners:
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Is The Bible A Good Read
It is worth reading because it is so influential and important. As to whether its any good or not Some of the stories, especially in Genesis and Exodus, are pretty good. Its a long read thats worth your time and study but the endless lists of who begot who in the Old Testament get a little tiring.
The Bible Is A Relevant Bookalways
Since the Bible is inspired and accurate, its always relevant. Its more up to date than any of todays self-help books, advice columns, theological tomes, or runaway best sellers. Because it came from the mind of the eternal God, it is timeless in its application. We never know when a verse of Scripture may come out of thin air and change our lives.
Out of thin air? Well, consider what happened to Andres, the oldest son of Chief Fernando of the Muinane tribe in the nation of Colombia. As Andres tended his rubber trees in a large section of the South American jungle, he started asking himself questions about life, like where we came from and what happens after death. One night in boredom, he began fiddling with a transistor radio given to him by a rubber baron. Suddenly Andres picked up a sharp, clear signal from Trans World Radio. A man was reading these words: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory .
Andres was spellbound. He later said, When I saw you reading that book, I knew it was the book from the radio, the book that had the truth.
As we study the Bible seeking its meaning according to sound principles of Bible study, it has a way of speaking to us. If it is inspired and accurate, it must be relevant.
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Know That You Can Start A Bible Studyby Faith
Faith is the essential component of the Christian life. Followers of Jesus Christ are to live every day by faith. That is what Paul is communicating to us in Galatians.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The life you and I live every day is by faith in the Son of GodJesus Himself. Christ not only lives in you, He is living through you.
Jesus Christ gave His life for you, so that He could give His life to you, so that He could live His life through you.
If you are being prompted by the Lord to start a Bible study, just say yes Iwilldothis,Lord.Pleasehelpme. Jesus is with you every step of the way and in every situation. That includes:
- in your church, neighborhood, community, or workplace.
- at any age or stage of life. Someone around you needs to know Jesus or to know Him better through studying the Bible.
- with any size grouplarge or small.
- whether you have been studying the Bible for 2 years or doing it for decades. Share what you know and what you are learning.
You can start and lead a Bible study not because you are so great or smart or have been a Christian a long time or know the Bible really well. You can do this because Jesus is the one who enables you to do it. Say “yes” and jump in with both feet.
How Do I Start Reading The Bible Start With John
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
The Holy Bible can seem like a big, overwhelming, sometimes highly confusing bookwe know your hesitation with reading it, and we know exactly how you feel when deciding where to start in the Bible.
A lot of people reading the Bible for the first time have had the same thought how do I start the reading the Bible? Is it like a regular book that I read from the beginning? Is it something I can just open and dive into from any page? Do I go for the Old Testament first, or the New Testament? In what order should I read the Gospels?
Are you even wondering if you should pray about something specific and see if God will drive you to his answer from a random page?
We get it! Its hard to know where to start with your Bible study and how to get the most out of it.
So we recommend this: start with John.
Whos John?
John wrote the Gospel of Johnthe book of Johnin the New Testament. If youre pretty new to Christianity or are unfamiliar with reading the Bible, youll get a lot out of John because he covers the entire life and ministry of Jesus.
John was one of Jesus 12 disciples, and he witnessed many of Jesus miracles firsthand! The book of John is his own retelling of these events.
Considering that our faith is rooted in the life and miracles of Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us on the cross, the book of John really is a great place to start studying the Bible.
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Tips For Studying The Bible For Beginners Or Experienced Believers
How to study the Bible for beginners â tips & ideas for beginners and experienced Christians. We are not taught in church how to read the Bible, but studying the Bible is an essential activity of Christianity. It is easy to learn to study the Bible with these 10 practical tips.
I received an email last week from a sweet mom of five boys. She is a new believer, and she is trying to find ways to fit her walk with Jesus around her already busy life.
I responded to that email and told Amanda that I understood a little of her dilemma , and hopefully I could help her to figure it out.
I remember being a new believer. I was introduced to the Bible as a child, but I never read or studied any of it until I came back to the church as an adult. It was not all that long ago that I opened at The Word, knowing I was supposed to read and study it, but not having a clue what read and study really meant.
I was intimidated by the Bible and, if Iâm being totally honest, completely overwhelmed by it. I had a King James Bible, and it didnât make any sense to me at all!
If you are there, my friend, read on. Even if you have been a believer for years and years, if you donât have a strong Bible study habit, this post is for you, too.
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