I know that studying the Bible can seem intimidating at times. After all, your pastors can talk about one verse for forty-five minutes and pull out insights we’ve never even thought of. But you and I have the same Holy Spirit and Word of God that the “professionals” do. God does speak to us through His Word, but we have to give Him the space and time to do it. Here are a few things to remember the next time you open up the Bible for personal study.
Consider Context
Everything you study in the Bible truly happened. They were real events that real people experienced. Peter was an ordinary fisherman who supernaturally walked on water. Put yourself in his place and ask a ton of questions. What would that storm have sounded and felt like? Did the pelting rain make it hard to even see Jesus? Did they have to yell to hear each other? As you stepped up onto the edge of the boat before jumping out onto the waves, what would you be thinking? What would you feel? Did any of the other disciples try to stop Peter? How would that event have changed Peter’s relationship with Jesus?
Consider the context of every passage of Scripture you read and bombard it with questions. Think about the smells, sounds, and pressures of each circumstance. Being able to picture the scene makes the events come alive.
Take Notes
Writing notes makes you think more about the material you are studying. If all you do is read the text, it’s easy to forget what you read the second you close the book. But taking notes makes the experience more interactive.
But what am I supposed to write down? Great question. I asked the same thing when I started studying the Bible on my own. The answer is a simple one—whatever stands out to you. As you’re reading the Bible, something will stick out to you for some reason. Write it down. There is a great chance this is God speaking to you.
The Bible is a living book, and God uses it to speak to His people in different ways. What stands out to you in a particular passage may not stand out to me because God is speaking to you differently than He is to me. Whatever it is, write it down and pray about it. Ask God why the passage stood out and what He might be trying to say to you.
Look for personal application
God’s Word transforms us when we put it into practice. But for change to take place, we actually have to do what it says (James 1:22). After you’ve spent some time studying and praying through what stood out to you in the Bible, ask yourself, Now what? What are you supposed to do with what you just learned? Application is key to transformation.
Like anything else, you learn by doing
Grab your Bible, give yourself some time alone, and start studying. There are plenty of commentaries, devotionals, and other resources you could use to help. And remember, don’t forget to teach your kids how to study the Bible, no matter if you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro! Give it an honest go. Studying the Bible is a discipline that will change your life.
