Beginners Guide To Bible Study: Simple Steps To Get Started

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When I first started, I wanted to do more than just read the Bible, but I struggled to get a more conceptual understanding.

Unfortunately, most Christian books, websites and lessons online are not practical. They do not address or even acknowledge the practical challenge we face in searching after God. 

I know your struggle. How? Because I’ve lived it, and still do.

I’ve created some methods that have helped me. They will give you practical application steps and guidelines to get you over this hump.

More importantly, they also remind you that it is not about doing rituals but about knowing Jesus and not relying on your feeling but the Word.

If you want to see the change in your life, go all in, don’t hold back.

First Thing's First: There's no by passing the Word of God

Having you here means that you know its importance and really want to have a guide for bible study. As Christian, the Word of God is food for our spiritual man. Jesus refers to it as the "bread of life".

• Studying the Word - feeds us
• Studying the Word - makes us good stewards
• Studying the Word  -grounds us
• Studying the Word - grows us

Let us dwell on this for a moment:

1 Peter 2 : 2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby:

As Peter explained, at the beginning stages of our Christianity we are new born babes. Feeding on God’s Word provides the proper sustenance that is needed for us to survive and thrive. When we begin to grow, this same Word will continue to provide sustenance so that we can live.

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If Studying Is Key, Then Why Aren't We Doing It?

It's sad to admit but the Bible can be hard to understand, and confusing to study. I know exactly how this feels:

If you can relate, this beginners guide to bible study is for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Studying?

In brief you can study in three ways:

1. Digging deep and unraveling biblical truths found in God's Word
2. Scriptural Memorization
3. Scriptural Meditation
4. Scriptural Application
   

Doing each separately is wonderful for spiritual nourishment but combining all four is the best way to really get the full impact of studying. For what use will it be to learn how to study the Bible: just unravel God's word, document it on paper and leave it there to gather dust while we go on to another Bible study?

The real reason for Bible study is for you and I to grow right? Growth begins when the Word abides, takes root, and makes changes. This happens when we add memorization and meditation and of course application to the mix!

First Let's Prepare With These Helpful Resources

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Beginners Guide: How to Get Started With Bible Study

you can listen or download the audio here

Making bible study possible boils down to 4 achievable steps I call: - “G.A.P.E”

G- Gather

Gather all the resources we need to do Bible study such as

1. A study bible
2. Exhaustive Bible Concordance
3. Bible Support

A- Absorb

At this stage we will do a lot of reading. We will exhaust the guidance books and the Bible, taking down notes and noting down any questions or areas of concern.

P- Practice

Practice, practice, practice.

Here we shall practice to put aside time for Bible studies and honor it by being disciplined. Challenges and frustrations will happen. However, keep our heads high and be persistent.

E- Execute everything we learn.

At this point we will have overcome the barriers and we can finally enjoy Bible studies. Here, we will actualize our intentions by actually doing studies.

Step #1: Gather

We are going to be gathering all our resources that is going to be needed to get this done.

1) Get A Good" Show & Tell" Product or Book

In believe in every resource that we gather, it is important to have at least one book, or product that gives you an overview or guideline how to accomplish whatever you want.

Rick Warren's book on Bible study methods ( not an affiliate link ..yet) is a perfect book for this task. It goes above and beyond in helping you to understand how to use Bible study methods.

Most of the books that I’ve found are not that specific or the cover is very misleading. I’ve bought books entitled “How to Study the Bible” but inside it just summarizes each book of the bible.

Rick Warren’s book is different. It actually does what it says.

I bought Rick Warren’s book on Amazon so you can do so as well, if you are so inclined. Or better yet, why not get the cheaper, ready-to-read Kindle version!

But you should have at least one major product.

2) Get a Study Bible

Not just a bible, but a Study bible. Trust me, there is a difference. Apart from the bible helps that is found in this bible, some study bibles includes information in the footer and introduction of each chapter, which is supportive when reading.

3) Get an Exhaustive Bible Concordance

This goes without saying: you will most definitely need this exhaustive bible concordance. It is packed to the hilt with scriptural reference for any and every word that is found in the bible, and that can really come in handy when doing persona bible studies. I have never regretted purchasing my Strong Bible Concordance. You won't either.

Having these three tools is a very good starting point but I would suggest two others:

4) Bible Dictionary

As in any dictionary, it give you a wider understanding of  the meaning of the words used in the bible. Some bible dictionary takes you on a historical journey to unravel the cultural settings and the real depth of the terms used. For example when I looked up 'purification' in a bible dictionary one day I realized that it not only means ' to make clean' but it had a whole custom and ritual that came with the manner of purification!  Man, I never looked at the scripture in Esther the same again!

5) Topical Bible

I found out recently the power of a topical Bible. Imagine I have been doing without this topical Bible for years, and recently found out that I have been missing out! I got one right away!  It  is basically gives a list of scriptures on different topics  in the bible whether the keyword is included or not. For example under “abomination” a list of scripture plus all other scriptures that may be related to abomination. I think that is powerful. You get everything.

P.S:

I soon realized that my Nave Topical Bible [Kindle] is somewhat limited in the amount of scriptures that are beside each word. I am  now in search to find an Exhaustive ( KJV) Topical Bible ...( *singing* off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz).

Other Tools and Resources

• 30 Great Bible Study Apps to Explore God's Word With

• The Top 3 bible study guide books to have, filled with practical methods

Step 2: Absorb

What is meant by Absorbing?

In short: this is learning as much as you can.

• reading the bible
• understanding the background and overall theme of the bible
  
• reading articles, watching videos,
• soak in the information in the product/ book that you've purchased
• getting understanding of the bible tools that you listed above
  

On Positively Driven Christians, I have a section that talks about Bible for beginners. my intention for that area is to help you to get a basic overall understanding of this bible. 

It's important that you also start doing some Bible reading for now. It should not be too specific: just general bible reading. While you are doing Bible reading you’ll realize that certain questions is going to pop into your head: Why this? How? When? What? Where?

You can start noting these questions along with any areas that you would like more information.

Step #3: Practicing

Practice, practice, practice.

We can never get good unless we put the peddle to floor and we practice. First two things that we will be practicing is

1) Time & Discipline

Believe it or not: this is the key to staying on track, Time and Discipline.

We all have desires to accomplish lots of things, but most are left undone, because of not block away time in our schedule, and be disciplined to stick to the time. Ouch! I am guilty too. It happens to me!

That's why in this area, we should begin practicing scheduling time, and disciplining ourselves to be there ( at that place) to do Bible Study, whether we feel up to it or not.

If we rely too much on our emotions ( whether we want to do it or not) we would never get anything done. I know there might be emergencies. You may not feel like it at time, but if we focus on our feelings we probably would just do one bible study every 3 – 6 months!

2) Practicing bible study methods

We spoke about gathering a book on bible study methods. In that book Rick W arren explained several Bible study methods. If you have that book, you can begin practicing these methods. If you prefer, there are lots of methods that you can practice from my website, Positively Driven Christian.com.

Be prepared, while you practice, to not get everything all at once.

You may feel frustrated and at time even a little overwhelmed. Expect it.

Start with easier methods, and work your way up. Some methods you may find easier to adapt than others and you may naturally gravitate to those.

From experience, I understand that feeling. I have 3 methods that I absolutely adore that I often use, which can be a good and bad thing. So I am working on "evolving" to include other methods. ( say a silent prayer for me :) )

So embrace your preferences, but also try to at least understand the application of every method; these can come in handy down the line.

Step #4: Execution

We are now doing to start attempting complete personal bible studies.

Start preparing for bible studies, setting your time, showing up, opening your note book and spending the time with the Lord for the complete time that you’ve set.

• set the time
• use your bible study tool kit to make preparations
• stick to that time
• say a prayer
• use a bible study method
• open your note book
• take notes as you go along

By this time you will have a few bible study methods in your pocket to choose from but expect that you will still have a few rough times. You may start and stop, but eventually as time progress, you will soon find that you begin enjoying your moments in the bible. You might begin to get a few laughs here and there as you read, and God begin to reveal secret things to you.

As you familiarize yourself with the tools, it will become easier, so give it time, it will get brighter.

*singing* Ooo child, thing’s are gonna get easier…ooo child thing’s will get brighter ( I just had too, that song was just perfect for right here)

Conclusion

What questions do you have about bible study, that you would like content to be created for? Leave your comment below. Your ideas will help me to help you.

 Don't forget we make Bible study simply enjoyable then join me in "Setting Your Bible Study Time" using 3 ways I call A.I.M. See you there!

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