Getting More Out of Bible Study

How to Improve the Quality of Gospel Reading and Scripture Studies

Jun 25, 2009

Reading the Bible fosters faith and a more personal relationship with God, but it requires specific study skills. These simple tips can enhance a study of the scriptures.

Answers to prayers, nourishment of faith, and increased closeness with God can be found in the scriptures, but a person must know how to study them.

Studying the word of God is always better than simply reading it, and anyone can start getting more out of their Bible study by incorporating some of the following tips into their lives.

Make a Regular Commitment to Scripture Study

People are not likely to get very much out of sporadically reading the Bible here and there when their schedules allow. They need to set a time every day for scripture reading, and that commitment needs to become a priority. Depending on your schedule, some of the best times to read the scriptures may be first thing in the morning or before bed at night.

Pray Before Beginning to Read

Begin each scripture study period by asking God to help you focus, to receive inspiration, and to find answers to questions about life. Doing so will intensify gospel study time and invite the Holy Spirit to be your guide as you read.

Study with Pen and Notebook in Hand

Most people who get a lot out of their scripture study take time to record their thoughts and feelings as they read. Jotting down notes in a scripture journal helps people to focus, ponder on gospel themes, and remember what they've read for longer.

Personalize Your Scriptures

If a person hasn't got their own copy of the scriptures, they need to obtain one. Paper volumes as well as electronic versions of the Holy Bible are easily available in various translations. Feel free to highlight significant verses and make notes in the margins as you read.

Look for Answers to Prayer in the Bible

The student of God's word should always be consciously looking for real-life applications of what is read. A person may read over the Bible's account of the Good Samaritan and think, "That's a nice story." But a true student of the gospel will be asking themselves, "What is God trying to tell me through this scripture? Who is my neighbor? Who can I help today and how?" Scriptures are often God's way of answering personal prayers, and people will miss the answers if they are careless.

Study Topically as Well as Chronologically

There's a lot to be said for reading the Old or New Testament straight through from beginning to end, but sometimes to get immersed in the scriptures it helps to study a gospel topic. Pick an area of interest and use a Bible study devotional or cross-reference index to learn more about it. Good topics to study could include:

Even academic types with advanced degrees still need to learn how to truly study the Bible, because studying secular material requires a much different skill set than studying the scriptures does. With commitment to regular Bible reading and a willingness to accept the Lord's help, anyone can enhance the quality of their gospel study.

The copyright of the article Getting More Out of Bible Study in Bible Studies is owned by Jenny Evans. Permission to republish Getting More Out of Bible Study in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.