4 Simple Steps to Study the Bible

So many of us just need a place to start when it comes to our Bible study. Use these 4 simple steps to study the Bible from my friend Johanna to enhance your time with the Lord!

 

One of the most amazing privileges Christians have today is to read and study the Bible. We can read it anywhere, anytime and on any device, yet many Christians do not realize the POWER of the Word of God. Until we open the pages for ourselves and learn what God’s Word says about every topic in our lives, we will never truly grasp God’s amazing POWER.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

How should we study the bible? Well, there are numerous ways to study the Bible so we can get to know the Maker of our soul. In a few moments we will look at how to study the Bible by topic but for now, here are a few tips for how to do bible study:

  • Historical knowledge
  • Topical study
  • Prayerful meditation on specific verses
  • Artistic worship of Bible study
  • Writing out the entire Bible as one reads it and take notes (I have a friend who does this)
  • Study chapters or verses within the context of when it was written
  • Church group Bible study
  • Online Bible studies 

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Reading and studying God’s Word is everlasting life to your body, soul, and mind. Hosea 4:6a says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Let us study God’s Word and be full of wisdom and knowledge from above.

 

4 Simple Steps to Study the Bible

Do you need a place to start with your Bible study? Are you looking for practical tips to help you get going? Use these 4 simple steps to study the Bible!

 

1. Pray!

Before studying a specific word or topic, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and reveal to you what He desires.

 

2. Pick a specific topic or word to study.

For example, if you want to know more about prayer, love, grief, joy, salvation, good works, serving, or even a specific person in the Bible (Abraham, Moses, Paul)- do a word study specifically on that. 

See this post for how to do a word study using free online tools.

 

4 simple steps for topical Bible study

 

3. Dig deeper.

Dig in the Bible to find what you’re looking for! Here are some options you can use to dig deeper:

  • Go old school. Use books, a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (I love mine) or the Concordance in the back of your Bible. You can also find a good commentary on the book of the Bible you want to study.
  • Go new school. Research verses about your topic online. I love to use Google as my go-to resource. It takes me to all the relevant websites I need like www.blueletterbible.org, OpenBible and Bible Study Tools. Use what works best for you! If it applies, you can look up the original Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic word that was originally used before it was translated into English. Understanding the root of a word helps immensely.

 

4. Apply it to your life.

The best way to apply it to your life is by writing down the key verses you studied and memorize them.

  • Use note cards to write the specific Scriptures you are studying. If you do a topical word study on “prayer” then write out the verses pertaining to prayer. There was a season several years ago when the Lord lead me to write out scriptures about loneliness. At the time I was not feeling lonely but my future circumstances would take me there. Sadly, I dragged my feet and did not obey Him until months later when I sat in prayer asking the Lord why I felt so lonely. He reminded me about looking up scriptures on loneliness, again. I finally obeyed and what freedom His truth did for my heart! To this day, I still have my note cards around the mirror in my bedroom to remind me- I am not alone even when I feel lonely.
  • Take notes, journal, scrapbook journal, journal your prayers, or write out verses and scriptures. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (ESV). God loves you seeking Him and He will bless you spiritually as you seek and study His Word.
  • Memorize scripture about your topic. Once you research it, write it down on note cards and memorize it. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
  • Ask the Lord. How does this apply to my life? What does He want you to learn from this?

Now that we have these four simple Bible study steps: Pray, Pick a topic, Dig Deeper, and Apply it to life– let’s put our faith into action. Studying the Bible matters and it can be fun. 

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For more help on doing topical Bible studies, check out our post on how to do a topical bible study here.

What will you study? Let’s dive right in and start today!

Johanna from Devoted to Maker shares how to study the Bible by topic in 4 simple stepsJohanna Henderson is a wife to her amazing guy for 16 years + mom to three wonderful boys + totally in love with the Lord. She is a graphic designer by trade, but writer for the love of it. Her blog, DevotedToMaker.com has a little of everything: devotionals, homeschooling life, living with three adventurous boys, recipes, saving money, couponing and a life fully Devoted to her Maker. Stop by and get some encouragement for you soul today!

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11 Comments

  1. I’ve gotten a ton out of my topical Bible studies. It helps open my eyes to a point that I struggle with while reading the Bible straight through. It’s great. I’m glad you shared how you go about it.

    I would also like to invite you to join my weekly link up, The Cozy Reading Spot, where we share what is on our hearts, minds and bookshelves. If you are at all interested, I’ve left a direct link that is good through Sunday evening, but it will reopen every Thursday morning. I do hope you decide to join us!

    Marissa

    The Cozy Reading Spot on Reading List

  2. I love the ideas you put forth in this post!!! I really want my readers to know about this too! I want to share this in my weekly series called “Roll Out The Red Carpet Thursday” – I share bloggers’ amazing posts that I’ve found during the week. I hope that’ ok! Have a great night!

  3. Thank you so much it helped me very much. I have been having challenges with staying faithful to reading scriptures daily and knowing my bible especially the Old Testament. It’s like I have certain books from the bible I prefer to read more than the others and as a Christian I feel like I limit myself to more amazing stories and hidden secrets in the bible that can turn around my life. So I found the 4 steps very practical and helpful especially being a busy person. Thank you. God bless you

  4. I love your suggestion to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and reveal to you what He desires as you read. Sometimes it can be hard for people to know exactly how to do this though. To listen for that stirring in their heart and recognize it as the voice of the Holy Spirit. Even after years doing this myself I still miss it sometimes.

    It’s a very subtle movement of your heart. A little twitch or a thought tugged in a certain direction that surprises you. Then when you dig deeper you’re amazed at what you discover and how it inspires faith, hope, love, or freedom in some way for you. Those little faith-building moments are an awesome way to get closer to Jesus and learn how to hear the Spirit moving in your soul. Thanks for sharing these great tips to get us started!

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