How to Study the Bible

                                         www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

When I put out a mini request for what topics my reading audience would like me to write about, I received a good bit of responses. This particular topic was the largest response! And I am not surprised. I’m actually super elated about this - and I know God is even more than me! Now, if you didn’t submit your topic, it’s okay, because I think this topic can help everyone across the board, including me. So in this fresh post, I’m going to talk about How to Study the Bible.

The first thing that I would say, in today’s busy world, is to remove the distractions. My reason for kicking it off this way is because when you set out to study the Bible, you will quickly discover that the enemy is not happy about your increased hunger for learning more about God’s Word. He will find all sorts of ways to throw you off and make you feel like everything else is more important. So be alert.

Don’t get sucked into your social media alerts or feeling the need to answer an email or two. Try not to think about all of the other things that you need to do. Time spent in the Bible takes precedence over it all. So, discipline will be required in order to get all that you can out of your study time. With that being said, let’s dive in.

Here’s a list of ways on how to study the Bible…

• Plan a time that you want to study (don’t just wing it). Decide when is the best time to study (early in the morning, lunch time, or late at night when the house is silent, and then pencil it into your schedule)
• Decide which book of the Bible that you may want to study or feel led to study
• Consider how much time you will spend studying (i.e. 30 minutes, an hour)
• Choose a day where it’s just you and the Lord. That day might be a Saturday or Sunday. This is a time set aside where you spend hours digging deeper into God’s Word. Don’t let up until He does (this is my personal favorite)
• Get a good commentary, concordance, and Bible dictionary and dig deeper (paperback or online works)
• Download a Bible study software program (this has the Bible in a variety of versions, commentary, dictionary, note section, etc. - I like the "Bible Explorer" software program)
• Get a Bible app on your phone, so that you will have the Word at your fingertips at all times. This is a great way to read and listen to the Bible more consistently (grab some earbuds)
• Read a book of the Bible at a time. For instance, read 1 Timothy all the way through once (or twice) in one setting or by chapters, and then break out the highlighter, pen, study journal (not your personal journal), and go to work. Also, pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His Word as you read and study
• Go to your local bookstore or online store and purchase a 6-week Bible study on the book of the Bible that you would like to know more about (i.e. Ephesians, Romans, Revelation, etc.)
• Highlight words and passages that stand out to you and put them on index cards for memory verses
• Pause in the middle of your studying if something stands out to you and meditate on it for a few minutes. Give it time to sink in
• Do a “word” study – in other words, a topical study (i.e. fruit of the Spirit, character, leadership, Jesus, joy, etc.) – Dig deep into the word for better understanding and application. Find out what it means in Greek also (you will be amazed how much more understanding you'll gain when you study this way...try it!)
• You can study with a group as well. Join a women’s Bible study at your church or community, or form one yourself and learn and grow together
• Also, when you study and research topics on YouTube and Google, pray for discernment. Some things are misinterpreted or twisted. So ask the Holy Spirit to reveal complete and uncompromised truth to you. Studying the Scriptures will help you have better judgment as well

These tips are tried and true, my sister! So I'm sharing what I know works. Whether you're studying alone or with others, go for it! Don’t wait. The Lord is waiting for you.

I’ll tell you, once you get started, you will be hungry for even more. I personally love in-depth Bible study. And I love spending uninterrupted time in God’s Word. In order to grow personally, know God deeper, and help others, we have to make time for it. Joshua 1:8 instructs us to, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Before I close, I want to give you a few resources to grab.

• “Pocket Bible Handbook” by George W. Knight
• “Making Sense of the Bible” by David Whitehead
• “How to Study the Bible for Yourself” by Tim LaHaye
• “Successful Leaders of the Bible” by Katara Washington Patton
• “The Essential Bible Comparison” by John H. Walton, Mark Strauss, & Ted Cooper, Jr.
• “Christ-Centered Exposition” by Daniel L. Akin
• “How to Study Your Bible” by Kay Arthur
• Sign up for www.rightnowmedia.org (it’s a library full of teaching series)

I pray that this helps you, sis. Time to study the Bible! ;-)

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION:  If you'd like prayer, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.

ALSO, my NEW 8-Week Study Guide and Video Teaching Series from my book, "IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ & Moving Forward in Your Purpose” is FINALLY available!!! Purchase here.

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