3 Ways To Study The Bible Better

I have been having a Bible Study about once a week with a sister in Christ for almost 3 years. Recently, I have changed up how I study and it has been beneficial not only for myself but it has been greatly helpful to my sister in Christ, as well.

Today, I would like to share what I have been doing and somethings I have been working on adjusting to enhance my Bible Studying.

3 Main Tips For Bible Studying (Broken Down)

• 1. Less Is Best – I am a completionst. What I mean by this is I am very goal-oriented to the point the sense of accomplishment can be an idol. Last year, I went through the Bible in a year, and there were some days I played catch up. This isn’t a problem, but what is a problem is when we are reading the Bible just to read the Bible and “get through it.”
  • If all we are doing is reading, but not retaining and thinking about the context, our efforts are not where they need to be. What I am NOT saying is that we shouldn’t read scripture, we should. But it’s better when we are reading scripture for the right reasons. That being said, there are going to be days we struggle with scripture. Days we are not going to really retain anything. Some books are easier than others.
  • Solution: Read less, absorb more. So reading less does not mean, necessarily, we will study less. The goal might be to read less so we can study more.
  • Reading and studying scripture can be two separate things. Sometimes, all we need to do is read or listen (see next point). But studying and writing down notes has its own benefits, as well. (See point 3)

• 2. Using Audio For Scripture Reading – Sometimes we retain better if we listen to someone else read to us. I know many people commute and they use the driving time to listen to scripture, sermons, or commentary, which is great. I have played audio of scripture while doing chores. If I am stressed, I will remind myself to turn to scripture, and audio has been helpful to have available during those times.
  • Reading can be difficult for various reasons. I know if our mind gets blurry or we just have one of those days our thoughts are not making much sense, it’s beneficial to have audio available. There is nothing shameful about using audio. I think, for a long time, I was prideful about it. I wanted to read scripture, not have it read to me. But after using audio during chores or other times when it would be harder to read scripture, I must say, I am grateful for the blessing.
  • I recommend to make time so that you are reading, as well, not just listening. – You can follow along with the audio. What I like doing is I have a Bible plan I am following for the audio I’m using, and for the weekly Bible Study or others portions I am studying, I read scripture. I study better breaking down the verses. But you could use audio verse by verse, just pause in-between as you study.

Studying more and with less reading has been an amazing blessing. It adds to my own understanding of scripture. It has been very beneficial in discussing scripture with others. I feel less pressure to “accomplish,” marking off reading tasks. I enjoy being able to listen to audio of scripture and if I did not catch something or if I was thinking about something else, I can always play again (or reread).

• 3. Note-Taking – Okay, here is where the in-depth Bible studying takes place and below I share an example of my study of Jude, which is only 1 chapter.
  • Verse by Verse– This is why I started with tip 1- less reading can lead to more studying. The book of Jude took me about 2 weeks to study and go over in notes. Eight pages of notes, to be exact. It’s only about 20+ verses. But when you break down chapters into verse by verse, there is A LOT, you can glean. Jude covering the topic of apostasy had a lot to take from. (However, you could easily use these note-taking tips for whole chapters, too, if you like. I recommend going by verse for a more in-depth study, and if that means you only get 2 to 5 verses a day. GO FOR IT! What we want is quality not quantity.)
  • Write down summary – What is the verse you are going over saying? How would you summarize it?
  • Look at the Hebrew/Greek meaning of the verse – You can do this, for free, by going over to Bible Hub. They have the Strong’s concordance available. Do you notice any words that help define the verse better? For example, in Jude, the Strong’s says Jesus was the one to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. Well, for making a case for the Trinity, and for pointing out how Christ is in the Old Testament, this is very helpful! (Jude 1:05 in Strongs)
  • Do you have any questions?– Sometimes we read something and it does not make sense. Write down those thoughts and questions. If you later understand what the answer is, write that down, too.
  • Do you notice any connection to other scriptures?– Whenever you notice other references of scripture in what you are currently reading, write it down. This helps us retain better and it can be great for discussions with others. I often refer to John 16:08, discussing the role of the Holy Spirit, to convict of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. The more scripture you are familiar with, and can properly attribute to context, the more understanding you will have of God’s word. This knowledge will be helpful not only to you, but to others.
  • Types & Shadows Of Christ- Another connection to look out for are types and shadows of Christ in the Old Testament. What this means is simply looking for images we see in the Bible, the Passover, example, that is symbolic of Jesus Christ, the Gospel. Mike Winger has a 25 video series on how to find Jesus in the Old Testament. Allen, from The Beat, currently has been going over how the tabernacle of Moses points to Christ (his playlist). For more information, read the book of Hebrews. The author helps explain the significance of types and shadows, why they are there to begin with.
  • Use Commentary/Study Bible Notes – Currently, my husband has a NKJV Study Bible and I have received the John MacArthur Study Bible for Christmas. The notes for each of the verses has answered questions I’ve had. They have helped explain how verses correlate to one another when sometimes the context seems really confusing. When I find notes on verses that help me, I write those down.
  • As you go through other verses look for a theme– Study Bibles often help with this in their introduction for each book. As I just went over the book of Jude, I knew ahead of time the theme was apostasy. In Jude, there are many examples in the verses of men speaking evil and of things they know nothing about. These same men seem so spiritual with their knowledge, yet, they are empty, like a dead barren tree. They have rejected God and His will. They act nothing more than like a brute beast. How do other verses in Jude show/relate to this? (See below)

EXAMPLE Of Note-Taking- Breakdown Of Jude’s Theme of Apostasy

I am still excited over studying Jude and want to share what I have learned.

After the introduction Jude gives, the verses begin to talk about fallen angels who rejected their roles and God’s will. Then Sodom and Gomorrah is discussed, what did those men do? They rejected their roles and God’s will. Then it seems odd (or it did to me in the past) that Michael and Satan are brought up regarding Moses’ body, but is it really that out of place? (Jude 1:06-09)

Scripture says Michael did NOT speak evil of Satan, but instead Michael said to him that the Lord rebuke him. Michael, unlike the fallen angels we saw previously, did not reject the role he was placed in and he did not speak evil. He obeyed God’s will. Apostates reject their role and they reject God’s will for them.

Just like when the way of Cain is brought up. Cain rejected God’s will not to sin. Instead, Cain did what he wanted, which was to murder his brother like a brute beast (a term that the apostates are referred to. They become nothing more than following their instincts like a dumb animal, which references back to Romans 1 and how God gives sinners over to their desires.) It all connects. When I just read Jude, without notes, and did not study the verses in-depth, the chapter was kind of confusing, but now it makes so much sense! (Jude 1:11)

Bible Studying Is More Than Knowledge

There are moments when scripture ministers to me and I am reminded to pray for people or I am convicted of sins that I need to give the Lord and repent from. We are to love the Lord, our God, with all our of mind, and the cool thing is for a Christian when we love Him with all of our mind, that knowledge is applied in our life through the Holy Spirit. So we can love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We live through living the word of God. (Mark 12:30)

(ESV) Matthew 4:04, “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

(ESV) Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

The worst thing we can do is put off listening and reading the word of God. Scripture is the only place we will hear Him. It is the only place we can really grow. Christ is referred to as Living Water and the word of God. Like a seed, we need to be watered and nourished daily in His truth, scripture.

Don’t be afraid or so rushed to take your time in His word.

To understand more in-depth what I mean by Christ dying for our sins and why we need to seek forgiveness from sins please see:  Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)

Monthly Scripture To Ponder/Memorize From Psalm 37– (NKJ) Psalm 37:03, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” 

Community Prayer & Praise – January 2021 

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