Do You Know How to do Bible Study?

So let's talk about how to do Bible study. What's a good step-by-step method to understand the most effective way to get what we need from God's Word.

Here are a few tips and tricks:

How to Do Bible Study: The Basics

Here are a few basic ideas to help get you started with effective Bible study.

1. Get a Bible.

Yeah. I know. Who would think that you could do Bible study without a Bible? This seems pretty obvious. It's not.

I don't know how many people I've met who skip this step. They have their phone. They have a Bible program on their computer. They've bookmarked their favorite site. So what more do you need?

They missed the most important step of Bible study. Have a Bible. Not just an electronic one (which I actually use quite a bit myself!). You need more than that.

Point? Get a paper Bible. Even if you only use it occasionally, it's good to have on hand in a pinch. Everyone should have a paper Bible.

For more about this, I've written a short article that explains why you should have a paper Bible (coming soon!).

2. Get Something to Take Notes.

If you use electronic-based study aids, programs like OneNote, Word, Google Docs or something simpler, like Notepad work well.

I use Logos Bible Software because that's where I keep all my study materials. That can be a little pricy, but it works for me as a pastor.

For all you luddites out there, a simple notepad (the paper kind!) and a pencil work well. I would recommend pencil over pen simply because pencil is erasable and pen is permanent. Much harder to correct mistakes with a pen.

3. Pray!

I can't stress this one enough. I'll tackle this one in later content. Look for it!

How to Do Bible Study: The Technique

The next steps deal with the mechanics of Bible study. Pay close attention to these. These are important if you really want to know how to do Bible study properly.

1. Find a Method that Helps You.

Now we get to the meat and potatoes. This is where we sink our teeth in. This is all about how we do Bible study when we're sitting in front of our Bible or computer screen. This is about how to draw closer to God.

Having a method is necessary. Why?

We need direction. We have plans for everything in life because we want to succeed in life. If we have no plan for Bible study, we'll wander the earth like lost spirits.

Okay, maybe that's a bit overly dramatic. My point is that we need to plan our Bible study so that our Bible study doesn't become boring.

No one wants a boring Bible study time.

One method is the SOAP method. SOAP is an acronym that means Scripture, Observe, Apply, Pray. These steps drive the study method.

I'm not a big fan of this method. For one, prayer is important enough that it needs to come first, not at the end. We need direction for the study process, not just the application of it.

I have other reasons, but I won't mention them now. You can find my entire review of the SOAP method here.

The inductive method is more of an exegesis of the text. It deals with the mechanical aspects as well as the overall scope of Bible study. I like the detailed system. I believe everyone should learn some semblance of the inductive method.

My issue with this one is that it tends to discourage people who are less academic. Simplicity is a better. Maybe you don't get every single detail from the text. That's okay as long as you get an accurate view of what the writer meant when he wrote it.

I prefer simplicity. That's why I use a general framework model called the PEEL method. It means Pray, Examine, Experience and Live. Click here to find details on the PEEL Bible study method.

I deal with the details of this kind of Bible study method here. You'll find a rich discussion there. It's my prayer that you will benefit from it.

The point is, if you want to know how to do Bible study correctly, you need to have a plan.

Maybe none of these fit your personality. If not, fine. Find a method that fits your abilities and style. Just remember to stick to it doggedly. Don't abandon your system of Bible study!

2. Don't Get Stuck. Move Forward!

Here's an important one. Let me explain.

Even the best and brightest get stuck in the Bible study mud. As a pastor, I still sometime struggle with this. And I'm a pastor!

With that said, I've been in those situation where I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. It's like being stuck in mud and not being able to get traction. Sometimes the more we spin our wheels, the deeper down we go until we don't know what to do.

Ever been there? What's the cure?

Here it is. Here’s how to keep going when things feel unclear or dry:

• “I don’t understand this passage.”

Try a simpler translation, look up cross-references, or ask: What’s the main idea here?

• “I don’t feel anything.”

That’s okay. Faith isn’t always felt. Keep showing up—God honors persistence.

• “I missed a day.”

Don’t guilt yourself. Just pick up where you left off. The Word is always waiting.

• “I’m distracted.”

Try shorter passages, write down one key thought, or pray for focus before you begin.

• “I’m overwhelmed.”

Go back to basics. One verse. One prayer. One step forward.

The point is, always move forward no matter what.

If you want a page on this, contact me.

3. Embrace Persistence as a Friend.

This is a corollary of the last point. So I won't spend too long on this one. I'd just like to make one point.

Don't get bogged down in the details. Take it slow and move forward. If you move too fast, you'll get discouraged. Learning some of what you're reading beats getting discouraged and giving up.

The point? Invite persistence to every Bible study. It will derail the tendency toward being too detailed.

One caveat: If you want to be the best Bible student you can, you'll need to move beyond "not sweating the small stuff." But for now, avoid getting bogged down too much.

Just be persistent.

How to do Bible Study: The Outcome

Bible study is more than academics. It's a learning experience. Even more, it's an experience with God through His Word. So there's one very important point I'd like to make here.

Embrace Whatever You Learn No Matter How Difficult.

This one's simple. Even if you don't like what you've discovered, embrace it. Our human will sometimes grates against God's plans. It's our job to accept what the Holy Spirit has given to us.

It's too easy to pick and choose what we want to accept. Here's the thing.

We're called to accept the whole council of God as is.

Point? Even if you don't like it, embrace it. God knows better.

What's Next?

Now that you're empowered on how to do Bible study, click the links below to go beyond what this content has given you. Continue to learn. That's what Biblephoria.com is all about. We hope you'll be blessed by what we've prepared.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Here's how to study using the SOAP method. (Coming soon!)

Here's my PEEL method to help show you how to do Bible study.

Click here if you want to know more about How to Study the Bible?

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