How to Study the Bible

As believers, most of us have probably heard over and over how important it is for us to study the Word of God. But all too often we don’t really understand why and consequently have a difficult time really getting started. So before we get into the how-to of Bible study, let’s look at why studying the Word is vital to our Christian growth and maturity.

God’s Word is Alive

What a majority of Christians don’t realize is that the Word of God is alive! The Word can really affect and have a life changing impact on your day-to-day living. God reveals Himself through His Word. As He reveals Himself to you, you can expect your life to change because you are getting to know God Himself, not just about Him. The reason we study the Bible is that we may know God, know His ways and walk in them. Then we can truly live a victorious Christian life.

Settle in your mind that, while the Bible is God’s inspired Word, it was also meant to be down-to-earth. Don’t just reverently give it a place of honor on a bookshelf, but treat the Word as your personal hands-on reference book on life. Get rid of the negative idea that it is just a set of rules. God’s Word is our very source of liberty. God sent His Word to set us free.

So read the Word with a positive attitude, approaching it as an open door to freedom, not as a list of do’s and don’ts. Knowing why studying the Bible is important will hopefully make it easier for you to make that quality decision to get started. For some, getting started is the most difficult part. But all it takes is a decision followed by pure and simple determination.

A Study Method

As you get started studying, it is wise to use a Bible you feel free to write in and take notes. Start underlining scriptures that have significance and special meaning to you. This will help personalize the Word for you. Marking these scriptures will also help you find them more quickly when you need them. An important part of your study of the Word is meditating. To meditate means to think deeply and continuously, ponder or reflect. Meditation brings your spirit and your mind together and builds a capacity for your faith to be released (Romans 10:17).

Read the scripture over and over again, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding so you can comprehend the deep things of God. Then expect the Lord to do it. Expect Him to meet you on the level of your need and reveal His Word to you.

When starting out, spend the majority of your time in the New Testament (primarily in the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church). These Books are as follows: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.

We would like to suggest that you start with Ephesians, but let the Lord lead you to what book He wants you to start with. We also suggest you look for and underline phrases such as “In Him, In Whom, and In Christ.” These phrases are found 134 times in the New Testament from Acts to Revelation. Every one of them has something to offer you personally. Make what God says the authority in your life. That means we shouldn’t just believe what God says to us in His Word, but we need to act on it. Acting on it is what produces results (Matthew 7:24-27). Part of acting on the Word is speaking it. You will find that what you really believe in your heart is what you speak all the time — and what you speak determines what
happens in your life (Mark 11:23). Like a sponge, soak in as much Word as possible. Then, when you are faced with a situation that requires the wisdom of God, the life of God will flow from you — through your words — to meet any need. And that’s the best way to study the Word.

Recommended Bible Study Resources

All the resources are available at any Christian bookstore.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
— a listing of all scriptures in the Bible, a dictionary of the Hebrew, Chaldee and Greek words.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
- A dictionary for scriptural words and means.

If you do not have these resources you can still study the Word and understand the scripture. Here are some steps to follow in studying the Word:

1. Apply the Word to yourself personally.
2. Allow the Holy Spirit to make the Word a reality in your heart.
3. Carefully meditate how the Word applies to your everyday life.
4. See yourself as God sees you.

Here is a prayer to pray with confidence as you sit down to study and meditate on His Word:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You today. I ask that You will give me understanding and knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding.

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