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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105
Studying the Bible will help us every day of our lives. You want to go deeper with the Lord. So do I. Truth be told, we could study it for our entire lives, hour after hour, day after day, and never plumb the depths. It’s richer than we’ll ever understand until we get to Heaven.
According to Hebrews 4:12, Scripture is “alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”
We know that to be true, but we also get tripped up by interruptions and diversions that can keep us from getting started or derail us once we do.
So, what are some ways we can actually dive in on a daily basis… and keep going? It’s not as hard as we may think. There are a few things we can safeguard and plan in order to have a solid study time every morning (or evening, or whenever). Try these!
10 Tips for Studying Your Bible
- Remove distractions.
- Keep a notepad beside you to write down thoughts that might divert you so you can set them aside for later.
- Pray before you start.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and stop occasionally to listen and meditate on the Word.
- Read and study one book at a time.
- Use a Bible journal.
- Read Chronologically.
- Research new and interesting learnings.
- Learn along with a video Bible study.
- Memorize verses or passages (or chapters).
Bonus. Don’t just read it; listen to the audio Bible.
5 Tools for Studying Your Bible
The Chronological Study Bible
Take a journey through the history and culture of the Bible with the only study Bible that unfolds in historical order. The Chronological Study Bible presents Scripture in chronological order – the order in which the events happened – with notes, articles, and full-color graphics that connect the reader to the history and culture of biblical times. Starting with creation and moving through God’s people in the Old Testament, the life of Jesus and the birth of the church, this Bible provides a vivid picture of God’s work throughout history. Perfect for readers regardless of where they are in their faith journey, the Chronological Study Bible is a great study resource to not only better understand the text but to also help you experience those moments in fresh, new ways.
Kristy Cambron’s Verse Mapping
If you have a deep desire to unpack the meaning of the Scriptures you’re reading but you want to do it in a simple way – then verse mapping is for you. Verse mapping includes Hebrew/Greek word studies, finding connections in Scripture, comparing Bible translations, and learning as much as you can from your time with the Holy Spirit.
Seminary in a Box
Want to know more about the Bible but don’t have the time to go to seminary? Zondervan’s Seminary in a Box includes everything you need learn the basics of Christian theology, biblical interpretation, the Old Testament, and the New Testament from today’s top biblical scholars and theologians. It includes:
- Christian Beliefs by Wayne Grudem
- Journey into God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays
- Introducing the Old Testament by Tremper Longman III
- Introducing the New Testament by D. A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo
This collection of four introductory books gives you a foothold for understanding the Bible and applying its teachings to your life.
Max Lucado’s Life Lessons
Go through the Bible book at a time. The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word.
N. T. Wright’s The New Testament You Never Knew
Do you know the real story behind the New Testament? In this eight-session video Bible study, well-known Bible scholars N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird team up to take you on a tour of the story behind the explosive story of the New Testament.
10 Bible Verses to Encourage Your Bible Study
- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. — Joshua 1:8
- Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. — Ephesians 6:11-17
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:2
- Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:1-4
- Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law. — Psalm 119:18
- But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. — Psalm 1:2
- My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. — Proverbs 3:1-2
- “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lordswore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him... — Deuteronomy 11:18-23
- I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. — Psalm 119:11
RESOURCES
Our Top 5 Men's Bible Studies With FREE Videos to Watch Now
Why Is Bible Study Important for Women?
Bible Studies for Beginners: Read, Listen, Watch… Just Get Into the Bible!
How to Have a Family Bible Study
Where to Start Reading the Bible, with Verses and Tips!
Watch a video study on StudyGateway.
