How to Study the Bible

Over the years I have been asked many times, how to study the Bible. I personally didn’t know how to study the Bible when I first started, so what I’m going to share with you comes from my own growth process. I started by reading and reading and reading the Scriptures. Never stop reading. I would suggest this to everyone, read and reread Scripture everyday anytime you can. Find a Bible translation comfortable to you and read every day. As you read the Word study the definitions of the Hebrew and Greek words. I have found often times there is a lot more depth to the Hebrew and Greek words than the English meanings we see in scripture.

Learning to Study

  1. First, always read the whole Bible and never stop reading it. You need to have an overall understanding of the Word of God. Every time you read the Bible you will understand more, and when you go back and read something you have already read, it may seem like you have never read it before. The Word of God is living and active…

    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    Hebrews 4:12 ESV

  2. It is helpful to look at multiple translations of the Bible when studying. I do not recommend reading commentary. I do not recommend commentary study Bibles. The reason I do not recommend reading commentary is because commentary is usually someone’s opinion of the Word of God. Commentary, essays, books about the Bible’s content, etc. is not the Word of God. It is extremely dangerous to base your beliefs off of someone else’s opinion. We, as disciples of Jesus, should point flashlights on the Word of God and tie the scriptures together for others. We should never teach someone based off our opinion. With that being said, historical information about the Bible is helpful as long as it is not someones opinion. This brings me to my next point.

  3. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you when you don’t understand something you read in the Bible. Do not disregard what you don’t understand. Be patient because sometimes the education and deep understanding comes with experiences. As you walk out the Scriptures in your own life, understanding and knowledge will be given as needed.

    NOTE: Something very important that I have learned is to look up everything you can on the subjects from within the Scriptures. Search within the Bible for the answer, not someone’s opinion. I discourage anyone looking at commentary.

    26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

    1 John 2:26-27 ESV

  4. Utilize cross references. 

As Your Understanding Grows

  1. As you grow in your understanding of the Word of God, pay attention to themes in the Scriptures and make your own cross references. This will help you as you study and disciple others.

  2. Don't get stuck on one verse. Always read Scripture in context. One verse may bring insight to others in Scripture but don’t get stuck on one verse. Do not build theology (a belief system) around one verse. This is dangerous.

Studying Together

  1. Always start with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach everyone. Humble yourselves to learn from Him.

  2. I’ve learned the best way to study with others is to read the scripture silently and then out loud. I recommend reading verse by verse slowly and talking through each verse together. Doing this allows each person to share what the Holy Spirit shows them pertaining to each verse. You can read out loud together, but I have found this isn’t always best method to allow for everyone to process what they read.

  3. I encourage you to allow time to tie in other Scriptures the Holy Spirit brings to mind and/or cross references that go with the Scriptures you are reading as a group. Don’t rush through Scripture. Take time and ponder it. It’s more important for everyone to understand it than to rush through it.

Remember, the Holy Spirit is our teacher, allow Him time to teach. If you are the teacher (leader of any kind) realize you are only shining a flashlight on God’s Word, never absorb God’s praise from people. God gave me an example of how the Holy Spirit is the only teacher. I had 2 people I was saying the same thing to both of them. One had ears to hear and the other didn’t. One was able to learn and the other was not. It had nothing to do with me, I was only the person pointing a flashlight at the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit was bringing the Scriptures to my mind and one person had ears to hear and a heart to receive.

Personal Experience:

At one point in my growing process I was reading the Scriptures, asking God how His word fits into our culture? He said, “I don’t fit into your culture, you fit into mine.” That was an eye-opening experience for me and changed my life. Always remember He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our culture has changed, He hasn’t. We must learn to live His way.

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

Hebrews 13:7-8 ESV

The most important thing I can tell you is to never say you don’t believe what you read in the Scriptures. If you are having a hard time understanding something just put the information or question you have on the shelf in your brain. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you, be patient. Allow God to teach you in His time. If not, you may fall into unbelief in an area of God’s Word and unbelief is sin. Unbelief is disobedience.

18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:18-19 ESV

Never tell God “NO”, always ask “HOW?”