Easy Bible Study Tips & Resources to Get You Started
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Are you looking for some Bible study tips? I know it can be overwhelming because there are so many resources available.
I wanted to share with you first the importance of your Bible study time, and some Bible study tips and resources that work for me. This is by no means a fully comprehensive list, and not everything may work in your life.
There are so many bible study tips and resources out there that it can be overwhelming at times to choose something that works best for you. There are a ton of different Bible translations, study guides, workbooks, journals, and more to choose from.
They each claim to give you the best results or be the most effective. There is not one perfect or best option out there because we are all different and we have different ways of learning.
I used to get so overwhelmed trying to find the best option to do “the how” that I wouldn’t get to the study part. I would be paralyzed from all of the options available.
My hope for you as you read through this is just to give you some tips and resources to get you started and that you’ll find what works best for you. Think of this as more of a guide and not an all-inclusive list of requirements.
Why Is Bible Study Important?
Growing your relationship with God is the most important part of your day. When you spend time studying His Word you gain a better understanding of what His Word says which means you get a better understanding of who God is.
You understand what it means to be His child and the life that He desires for you. When you read the word of God it strengthens and empowers you because His Word is the Living Word (1 Peter 1:23).
His Word is sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), that brings healing and gives hope. God’s Word will equip you for any obstacle that you come against (Ephesians 6:10-18).
When you start your day with God you tend to have a better outlook for the day. Something about His Word can start your day on the right foot. It can help you walk through the troubles that each day brings, and gives you a better perspective on the day.
What Resources Do I Need?
I have made a list of the resources that I use for my study time. This is not an all-inclusive list and not everything may work for you.
These are just suggestions so you can see some different available resources. I do not use all of them every single day. Some days I just spend time reading the Bible.
Bible
- There are an overwhelming number of translations out there. if you do not already have a Bible a few of my favorites are the NLT, Amplified, and the Message.
- The NLT translation uses clear, contemporary English that makes it easier to read.
- The Amplified translation uses explanations to assist the reader in understanding.
- The Message translation does not use formal language and helps you to understand the Word for everyday life (I do not recommend using this translation as your only Bible)
- The NLT translation uses clear, contemporary English that makes it easier to read.
| TRANSLATION | PSALM 23:1 |
| NKJV | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
| NLT | The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. |
| AMPLIFIED | The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. |
| MESSAGE | God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. |
- My personal Bible is an NKJV because that is the translation my church used when I first started there many years ago. I like it because it’s the translation I was taught, so I understood the language.
- Study bibles can be very helpful as they give you extra information like history, definitions, further reading, etc.
Journal or Notebook
- There are a variety of Bible study journals out there, but I use a regular notebook for my study time. I prefer a notebook or journal with lines but some people prefer one without lines. Choose whatever you prefer.
Writing Utensils
- The Ink-Joy pens by Papermate are my absolute favorite pen to use. I love the way they write and I love that they come in a variety of colors. Choose the writing utensil that works best for you.
Bible Highlighters
- I discovered highlighters made specifically for Bibles a few years ago and I love using them. What I love about these highlighters is that they do not bleed through the thin pages of a Bible.
They come in a variety of colors so I can color code different things that I mark.
Strong’s Concordance
- The Strong’s Concordance is a resource that I love to use to help me understand what certain words mean. It gives the Greek or Hebrew definition of the word so you can understand the word in the context that it was written.
Plan/Guide
- There are so many options available for Bible plans, devotionals, and study guides. You can choose one that looks good for your needs or make up your plan according to your own needs. The important thing is choosing the option that is best for you.
Space
- It is important to choose a space to study that is free from distraction. You might choose a table, a desk, your bed, or some other space.
- I do most of my studying on the couch in the morning. I keep a basket next to the couch with everything in it that I need.
Bible Study Tips
There is not one specific method that is best for studying the Bible. You may have to try out a few different ways and see what works best for you.
What I am sharing below is what I have figured out through time what works best for my study time. You can follow this method step by step or just pick out the things that work for you.
Don’t feel like you have to stick to one method. You have the freedom to change things up as often as needed. This is your time so do what works best for you.
Set a Time
The first thing you need to do is set a time that you will be doing your Bible study. Having a plan in place makes it easier to stick to. Set this time on your schedule.
Keep in mind that no scripture in the Bible gives a specific time or length for studying the Word. Pick a time that works best for you. Some people choose to do it first thing in the morning.
I do not do it first thing in the morning because I am not a morning person. I have my time about an hour after I have woken up to give myself time to wake up and be alert. I tried to do it first thing in the morning but my brain just did not cooperate and it was not a very effective study time.
Make a Plan
The next thing you need to do is decide what you are going to read. You might want to read scriptures that focus on a specific topic, or maybe you want to read through a book of the Bible.
There are also reading plans to read through the Bible chronologically. You might even choose a devotional to guide you through. The important thing is to choose the option that meets your needs.
Focus
Once you have your plan in place it is good to start your time by quieting yourself. Focus your attention on this study time. You may consider putting your phone on silent during this time.
After you have gotten yourself quiet and ready, it is helpful to start with a time of prayer. This helps you to turn your focus to God and ask Him for His wisdom and guidance as you work through His Word.
Read
I like to read through the scripture three different times. The first time I read through, I will read out loud using my regular Bible.
Then I like to read through it a second and third time using a couple of different translations such as Amplified or the Message. It is helpful for me to see the scripture written in different ways so I can make sense of the wording.
Once I have read through the scripture 3 times I write it out in my notebook, leaving a blank line between each row on the paper. The reason I leave a blank line between each row is so I have space to make notes.
Write it Out
After I have written the scripture in my notebook I go through and define any word(s) that I need further understanding. I also make notes to clarify anything that needs further explanation.
Then I like to rewrite the scripture in my own words as a method of showing understanding.
Pray & Apply
When I have gone through all of that, I spend time talking to God about what the scripture means and how it applies to my life.
I hope that these Bible study tips and resources will help you during your study time. My prayer is that you found at least one tool or tip that you can start implementing today.
What is your favorite Bible study tip?
