"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105.
A few weeks ago, I did a poll on Instagram asking if anyone would be interested in a post about how I read the Bible/Bible study tips. A lot of you said yes, so here it goes!
For starters, I absolutely love the Bible. Seriously. I have loved the Bible since I was saved at ten years old: from that early on, God gave me a deep hunger for His Word and a deep desire to see others love the Bible too. Two of my spiritual gifts are knowledge and teaching, and on this blog, I try to use those gifts to share with you and teach you about the Bible! Whether it's writing a blog post or talking at a booth in Chick-fil-A, I love talking about the Scriptures. So, with that being said, let's talk about some tips for studying the Bible.
The first thing I do is choose one book to dig into. For example, I just finished the book of John. I read one chapter a day until I finished the book; then, I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me where I needed to read next. I'm in Mark now, reading one chapter a day. Before you actually start reading, take time to really pray and ask the Lord to teach you and help you understand what He wants you to understand. You may fear that you can't understand everything in the Bible (welcome to the club)! The great news is that God has given us His Spirit to teach and help us.
After I figure out what book to read, I have a system for how I read. I use two Bibles: a journaling Bible and a study Bible. I begin with reading the chapter all the way through in the journaling Bible then writing down anything that stands out to me in the margins. Then, I read the chapter again in the study Bible going verse by verse reading any study notes that may be connected to that verse. Then, I write down anything that I either missed the first time I read or that I learned from the study Bible. I recommend both a journaling Bible and a study Bible because 1. With a journaling Bible, you can go back and see things you've learned in the past, and you can also journal prayers in the margin relevant to what you're reading. For example, if you're reading Philippians 4, you could journal a prayer asking for God's peace that passes all understanding. 2. With a study Bible, you get to learn facts about specific books (like for example, what year it was written) as well as other verses in other books of the Bible it connects with. This system works well for me because it allows me to really dig in and learn as well as keep track with all God has taught me.
There are also amazing Bible studies you can buy on specific books of the Bible, people, or topics. I have one on the life of David and another on the topic of worry/overthinking. If there's something specific you want to learn about, you could buy a Bible study on it and really dig in that way. These help you with questions for you to answer along the way to really engage you with the reading and help you apply it to your own life.
Lastly, try your absolute best to read everyday, even if you can't do a deep study like I described above. If you're having a "go, go, go" type day and struggling to find time to even just stop and sit down for a second, just pull out your phone and use the Bible app to read a chapter. Making time to be in the Word of God everyday, even in the days where it's more difficult than others, is a game changer. And when you miss a day, just jump right back in! God will be waiting with open arms to teach you from His Word.
Studying the Bible is a journey and a joy! After coming to know Jesus, there is nothing that has changed my life more than reading the Word of God. I've been reading the Bible for almost 12 years now, and I seriously still get so excited to open it up. It's the best part of my day. I still have so much to learn though, and I can't wait to continue growing in knowledge of God and His Word for the rest of my life.
I hope you found this post helpful and that you try out these tips the next time you have your quiet time. Now, go! Open up the Bible and dig in!
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
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