Teach me to do your will, for you are my God … Psalm 143:10
The Bible is an incredible reference book for life. The Bible is filled with wonderful stories of Kings and amazing women. The Bible tells us of Jesus!
It is my goal to help others enjoy reading and studying the Bible. Here are a few tips that has worked for me in my Spiritual Journey.
Read > Study > Understand > Commit > Act
Choose a Bible Translation that Resonates with You: Select a Bible translation that you find easy to understand and connect with. Different translations have different styles, so find one that speaks to you personally. I like to use the New International Version (NIV). However, I do look some verses up in the King James Version (KJV) just to compare.
Establish a Regular Study Time: Set aside a specific time each day or week for Bible study. Consistency is key to developing a habit and deepening your understanding. As a young mother, this was very hard for me. I would set my alarm about 20 minutes earlier than everyone else in the household. That way I could have quiet time alone while the others still slept.
Start with Prayer: Ask God to help you understand the Scripture and enlighten you on the meaning as you read. Ask God to show you how the Scripture relates to your life.
Use Study Aids: Utilize study tools such as concordances, commentaries, and study Bibles to gain insights into historical context, language, and cultural nuances. Many words and phrases we use today do not have the same meaning as they did during Biblical times. I like to use the dictionary to look up words when I am unsure of the meaning. When I read commentaries, I read more than one to get a different perspective from several scholars. These resources can enhance your understanding and make your time spent in the word of God more enjoyable.
Take Notes and Journal: Keep a notebook or journal to jot down your thoughts, questions, and reflections as you study. Writing can help reinforce your understanding and provide a record of your spiritual journey. I am fond of color coding. I have colored pencils, pens and highlighters that I use. I use the workbook listed below, A Simple Guided Bible Study.
Memorize Key Verses: Choose key verses that hold personal significance or address specific areas of your life. Recalling these verses can provide strength and guidance. However, if memorizing is difficult for you, don’t stress over it. Get the gist of the verse and how to apply it. This is what I do, memorizing has always been difficult for me and I want to enjoy my study time not cause excess stress.
Apply What You Learn: The Bible is not just a book to be studied academically; it’s a guide for living. Consider how the principles and teachings apply to your life and strive to incorporate them into your thoughts and actions.
Be Patient and Open-Minded: Studying the Bible is a lifelong journey. Be patient with yourself and remain open to new insights. As you grow spiritually, your understanding of the Scriptures may deepen and evolve. The more I study, the more I understand. The more I understand, the more I want to study.
As I was making notes in my color-coded method, I realized I was working in a specific pattern. I would write the verse and then look up any words or phrases I did not know or understand. Next, I wrote how it related to me followed by how I was going to apply the verse to my life.
Read the verse then write it down; Study the verse; Understand how the verse and message relate to my life; Commit to making a change; Act on what I have learned
For a minimalistic journal to help study Scripture, I put together A Simple Guided Bible Study. It has four sections: Scripture; Definitions; In relation to my life today; A point of focus. There are verse suggestions divided into 12 categories and examples of how to break down the verses for studying.
It is my sincere hope for you to enjoy your Spiritual journey.
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