10 Tips for Studying the Bible

1. Begin your study with prayer.
2. You don't have to start at the beginning.
3. Choose a topic relevant to you.
4. Get to know a character.
5. Write down what you learn.
6. Listen to the Bible online.
7. Read or share with someone else.
8. Look up what you don't understand.

Though there may exist some form of worship and prayer, the purpose of Bible study is to collectively grasp an understanding of God through His Word. These groups become small communities often sharing this personal journey to discovering the meaning of the passage.

Reading the Bible on a regular and consistent basis has several benefits. First, the Bible shows us God's character and provides us God's revelation of himself to his people. In each section of the Bible, we see God's holy, unchanging, faithful, gracious and loving character.

Why Study the Bible?

• Cultural literacy.
• To learn what it says firsthand.
• Personal edification.
• To help others.
• Jesus.
• Because it is God's Word to us.
• To know God better.
• Avoiding error.

The unfolding message of the Bible is really a message about God's work to save his people for his glory. It's a message about God's character as a holy, righteous judge. It's about God's grace toward sinners who turn their back on him. But he continually cares for us, he's patient with us, he sent his son to save us.

Reading the Bible is how you learn who God is. The Bible contains His message about life, relationships, work - really all the things that give your life meaning. The Bible contains accounts of God interacting with people. It shows how God cares for humanity.

In the New Testament, Jesus showed us a better way to follow God. He taught that in addition to keeping the commandments, we must also keep our thoughts and heart pure. The core of faith in Jesus is following His two great commandments - loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Since the Bible is God's Word, studying it is a way to know God better. Through His words we come to know not only the nature and attributes of God, but we also come to understand His plan for each of us. In a larger sense, we also come to know God's plan in history, His sovereignty, His providence, His love and more.

Though there may exist some form of worship and prayer, the purpose of Bible study is to collectively grasp an understanding of God through His Word. These groups become small communities often sharing this personal journey to discovering the meaning of the passage.

Love God and your neighbor This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39). When you replace hate with love, and anger with kindness, you'll feel closer to God and notice more peace in your life.

Second, 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when discussing the topic of Scripture says that it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” The next verse goes on to say that this leads to the completeness and equipping “for every good work” (ESV).

In short, general purposes for the believer are to be made alive in Christ, to be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ by God's grace through faith, and to do the good works God prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 8:29; 12:1-2; Titus 2:14; 3:8).

Here's a practical approach to apply Scripture to life:

1. Verse. Write out the verse or passage.
2. Truth. Use your own words to state the truth of the verse.
3. Need. Honestly assess your own life in relation to the truth of Scripture.
4. Intent. State a specific change you want to implement in your area of need.
5. Checkup.

It will tell you: Be strong. Abide. Honor.