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New Opportunities for Old Practices

January 7, 2019 By Ryan Higginbottom

open bible

Eduardo Braga (2017), public domain

We’re already a week into 2019, so you’ve probably had your fill of blog posts and articles about New Year’s resolutions. Even if you’ve been able to focus on habits instead of resolutions, one can only take so much.

For a Christian who likes a fresh start with their fresh calendar, most advice focuses on reading through the Bible in 12 months. Here at Knowable Word we love the Bible and we love to read the whole thing (even quickly!), but in this post we’ll move beyond reading plans, apps, and translations.

For me, forming resolutions brings up feelings of duty and drudgery. So I prefer to think of the opportunities that the new year brings, especially when it comes to spiritual practices.

3 Bible Opportunities for the New Year

If you’d like to engage more with the Bible in 2019, here are three ideas.

Study a Book of the Bible

The beginning of the year is a great time to join a small group Bible study or a new Sunday school class. But it’s also an opportunity to study the Bible on your own.

Reading the whole Bible in a year will change you in ways you might not be able to discern. But studying the Bible carefully might just rock your world. There’s nothing quite like learning the meaning of a portion of Scripture and taking the time to apply it to your life.

If you’ve never studied the Bible before, don’t worry. You can do this! You don’t need to be an expert to study the Bible. In fact, we’ve created this website just for you! Poke around and make yourself at home; we are here to help.

We have a summary of our Bible study method here, with more details and explanations here. If you’re just getting started, you might consider printing some of the worksheets on this page.

Read a Book of the Bible Intensely

Instead of aiming to read the whole Bible this year, why not focus on just one book each season? Choose one book of the Bible and read it as many times as you can in three months. You’ll be blown away by all that you discover.

While understanding the large story of the Bible is crucial for Christians, so is internalizing all of its teaching. Aside from studying the Bible, one way to get the Bible’s message into your heart and bones is to read and reread and reread it.

Of course, the length of the book will affect how many times you can read it in three months. But no matter the length, keep reading. Repeated readings of the Bible follow a predictable pattern, a pattern it’s good to know before you begin.

You probably won’t have any problems up front. For your first three or four readings of the book you’ll be engaged and interested. Then somewhere around reading number five you might start to feel bored. You’ll want to skim, to skimp, to assume you’ve gained all there is to gain. Press on, because the gold lies ahead! With readings number nine, ten, and beyond, you’ll see the text with new eyes. You will notice nuances and depth and tone that one or two readings could never reveal. Read with a pen and paper nearby, and prepare to learn from God himself.

Memorize a Book of the Bible

While reading and studying the Bible are important, there’s no way to get yourself closer to the Bible than to memorize it. Memorized Scripture can become the mental soundtrack of your life in 2019.

If you’ve never taken up this practice, here are a few things I’ve learned. Over a period of weeks and months, I can memorize an average of one verse every two days. If your pace is similar to mine, this means that memorizing entire books of the Bible is within your grasp this year! The book of Titus has 46 verses, meaning you could memorize it in 92 days (just three months!). Similarly, Philippians (104 verses), Colossians (95 verses), 2 Timothy (83 verses), and Philemon (25 verses) are all possibilities. You could even tackle the first eight (82 verses) or the first ten (120 verses) Psalms. Think of the opportunity!

Remember Jesus in Your Resolutions

As we think and plan about making more of the Bible in 2019, we must remember the gospel. We must remember Jesus.

Jesus loves, knows, and has obeyed the words of the Bible perfectly. And because he obeyed for us, we can offer our efforts to read, study, and memorize the Bible to God as acts of worship. We’re not resolving to change our behavior in order to grab God’s attention and make him love us. Rather, because he loves us we can look to the Bible and learn what it means to live as a child of God.

Filed Under: Method Tagged With: Bible reading, Bible Study, Memorization, New Year's Resolution

Reading the Bible for the Ten Thousandth Time

November 26, 2018 By Ryan Higginbottom

bible glasses

Lilian Dibbern (2018), public domain

We’re good at learning our surroundings, aren’t we? After living in one place for many years, we know every last detail. We know which noises are normal and which drips and knocks require a phone call. We know the cold spots of each room, the number of stairs between floors, and which floorboards squeak the loudest. If necessary, we could find our bed in the deepest darkness, because we know our place. It’s home.

For some people, this familiarity is comforting. They like the warmth and security that comes from knowing a place inside and out. But for others, the comfort makes them uneasy. It seems boring and dry, like a mouth full of uncooked oats. They start to look for something new.

Some might think of the Bible as predictable and stuffy, especially those who have been reading it for years. They know every beat of every story. There are no more surprises; the excitement is gone.

By instinct we know that first-time readers of the Bible need guidance. But long-time readers need help too. In this article we’ll explore some of the ways to combat boredom and lethargy for experienced Bible readers.

Five Ways to Fight Bible Weariness

There are many ways to guard against the boredom that can come with age and familiarity. Here are five of the best.

Remember why you’re reading. The Bible is not boring because it has a grand, explosive, eternal purpose. We read the Bible in order to know the God of the universe! We wouldn’t know him, or know how to approach him, if he didn’t tell us. And because God is infinite, we cannot exhaust our understanding of him. So, while you might know all the stories in the Bible, you can always know and worship the God behind those stories better. And here’s a glorious follow-up: This is exactly what God wants!

Adjust your routine. There are lots of different ways to take in the Bible. If you’ve been reading a lot, try listening. Read through the Bible as quickly as you can. Or take six months, read one book as many times as possible, and let it sink into your bones. Study the Bible, memorize it, sing it. A different translation or a different physical Bible might offer the fresh perspective you need.

Teach the Bible. Most Bible teachers will tell you they learn far more during their teaching than any of their students. Most churches and ministries often need Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, and volunteers at the local nursing home. Don’t shy away from children’s ministries either—you really have to know and believe the Bible to explain it to kids! If your Bible intake is not just for yourself, you may find it more challenging, comforting, and life-giving.

Apply the Bible. Though the Bible’s text and truths don’t change, we do. This means that the same accurate interpretation of a passage at age 25 has massively different implications when we’re 55. Application is the most difficult step of Bible study, so we often skip it, but application is precisely where we are forced to trust in God. Our faith grows the most when we take steps of obedience and witness God supporting our feet. To fight disinterest in the Bible, push your Bible study from observation and interpretation all the way to application.

Share the gospel. It’s tempting to think the Bible is dusty and anemic when we never witness the power of God through its words. In addition to applying the Bible to ourselves, we can see this power as we tell others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit most often uses the words of the Bible to awaken the dead and grant faith in Christ, and we can be a part of this! If you want to see just how powerful the Bible is, pray for opportunities to talk to others about Jesus, and then rejoice and obey when those opportunities arise. (God loves to answer this prayer!)

Ask and You Shall Receive

When we feel fatigue with the Bible, the problem is not with the book. The problem is with us.

But remember—God is a compassionate father who loves his children. At the bottom of every strategy given above is this encouragement: Talk honestly with God about your struggles. Confess your sin, your apathy, your lack of love. Ask him to be merciful, to change you from the inside out.

Don’t let your boredom with the Bible lead you away from God. Take it to him; he already knows and is eager and able to help.

Thanks for visiting Knowable Word! If you like this article, you might be interested in receiving regular updates from us. You can sign up for our email list (enter your address in the box on the upper right of this page), follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to our RSS feed. 

Filed Under: Method Tagged With: Application, Bible Listening, Bible reading, Bible Study, Bible teaching, Evangelism, Prayer

Does Your Bible Study Need Some New Life?

August 29, 2018 By Peter Krol

In her book Study the Word: 12 Christian Leaders on Bible Study, Nancy Leigh DeMoss shares practical wisdom for followers of Jesus brushing up on her skills. The Logos Talk blog summarizes 4 specific steps you can take if you start to feel in a rut:

  1. Change up old study habits.
  2. Study the Bible daily.
  3. Rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding and application.
  4. Read and apply each biblical book based on its genre.

Check it out!

Filed Under: Check it Out Tagged With: Bible Study, Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Overcome Common Excuses for Not Studying the Bible

August 6, 2018 By Ryan Higginbottom

no-excuses1

Nick Youngson, Creative Commons

Because we’re human, our desires and motivations are in constant flux. Sometimes we want nothing more than to study the Bible, pray, and commune with God. Other times, we look to do anything else.

When my desires for God are weak, I make all kinds of excuses to avoid prayer and the Bible. Maybe you can relate. Last summer I tackled six major excuses we make for avoiding reading and studying the Bible.

  • I’m not smart enough to study the Bible. “We compare ourselves to all-stars and find ourselves lacking. How can we compete? If I can learn from experts, why should I study the Bible myself? I’ll never learn as much on my own.“
  • I don’t have enough time to study the Bible. “Among Christians, I suspect busyness is the top excuse for not studying the Bible. It seems we don’t have enough time for God’s word. I’ve made this excuse many times myself. But we must confront this Biblical truth: We always do what we want to do.“
  • The Bible is boring. “The Bible is God’s word. If God is the creator and sustainer of every atom that exists; if he is infinitely holy, good, wise, and glorious; if he is the very definition of love; then everything about him must be interesting.”
  • Bible study is complicated. “Studying the Bible is as straightforward as taking a walk. Lace up your shoes, step out the door, and go.”
  • I’d prefer to read something easier or different than the Bible. “Reading a devotional work or listening to a sermon can stimulate your spirit. But this is not the same as reading and studying the Bible for yourself. You need to hear directly from the mouth of God.”
  • I’m not motivated to study the Bible. “Though Christians have experienced this once-for-all change, we still drift and search after other fulfillment. We still need reminders about what is most valuable, what is most fulfilling, and what is the best use of our time and resources.”

Ultimately, we need a change of heart in order to seek God. But popping the balloons of our excuses and remembering the truth about God and the Bible can be a helpful step of obedience. As you read, I hope these help you as much as they helped me when I wrote them.

Filed Under: Method Tagged With: Bible Study, Excuses

Bible Study: Fast and Slow

July 9, 2018 By Ryan Higginbottom

hammock

Jeremy Bishop (2017), public domain

It’s July, and we’re up to our knees in summer. The pace of this herky-jerky season always astounds me.

Some summer moments happen in a flash: the pop of fireworks, the sting of a bee, the crack and boom of a late-afternoon thunderstorm, and the cool thrill of jumping in a pool. The whole summer, in fact—I’m amazed every September at how quickly the months disappeared.

Other parts of summer seem to stretch on and on: the long hours of daylight, humidity that suffocates the region for weeks, and lightning bugs that aren’t in a hurry to be anywhere in particular.

Just like summer, studying the Bible can sometimes feel like a slip-and-slide or a long hike in the woods. Faithful students of the Bible will set their expectations and effort accordingly.

The Fast

Some aspects of Bible study happen in an instant. We sit down, read a passage, and God gives immediate insight.

We grasp part of God’s character. We are in awe of our Creator. We bend the astonished smile of our soul toward God in praise.

We see our sin. We’re exposed and guilty. We fall on our face before God in confession and repentance.

We recognize the work of Jesus. God’s mountainous mercy casts us in its deep, loving shadow. We thank God for adopting us as his children.

A promise of God lands flush between our eyes. We sense the strength of the Holy Spirit in our weakness. We bless God for the hope and encouragement he gives.

These moments happen because some portions of the Bible are straightforward. We need no advanced degrees or hours in a monastery—God has made the meaning of this text plain, he has sent his Spirit, and his word lands with power.

We should anticipate, savor, and remember these moments. I fear that older Christians are prone to forget just how radical, beautiful, and simple some aspects of following Christ can be.

The Slow

However, not every encounter with the Bible is all snaps and flashes. Sometimes we need to take the long, uphill path to the summit to see the spectacular view.

It takes time to study the Bible well. Since we are removed from the original audience by years and miles, we must put in work to understand the meaning of the text.

But the work is worth it! The understanding that comes through hours of effort is no less valuable than that which comes in a moment. In fact, we’re more likely to remember and internalize those truths we must sweat to unearth.

The Bible rewards this work. It doesn’t take superior intelligence, sophisticated tools, or months away on a retreat. There are simple steps to studying the Bible that are available to everyone.

  1. Observe. Read the text carefully and notice what you read. Write down your observations. Every word of the Bible is inspired by God, so it is right for us to pay close attention to what is written.
  2. Interpret. Ask questions of your observations. Interrogate the text. Track the author’s reasoning through the passage and attempt to land on the main point. How would the original readers/hearers have understood this?
  3. Apply. Bring the biblical truth home. How should this truth affect you? How should it change your church? Your neighborhood?

Bible Study is for Plodders

Anyone that sets out to run a race must train. As a runner gradually builds technique, endurance, and grit, the miles get easier and the half marathon isn’t as intimidating. And throughout the training, she is actually running, making progress and doing good for her body.

Bible study is, in one respect, for plodders. Give yourself to the Scriptures regularly, and you’ll gradually build the skills you need to understand and apply God’s word. And as you grow in these skills, you’ll grow more and more into the person you were created to be.

 

Filed Under: Method Tagged With: Bible Study, Endurance, Insight

5 Common Mistakes in Bible Study

February 28, 2018 By Peter Krol

We can’t hear reminders like this often enough:

The gospel is good news, but not every page of the Bible is intended to make us feel good about ourselves. Quite to the contrary, Scripture often points out our depravity and unfaithfulness. However, it also reminds of our faithful God.

When we pick and choose verses from Scripture aimed merely at lifting our spirits when we’re feeling down, we run the risk of reducing the Bible to a self-help manual.

Drawing from Jen Wilkin, Crossway lists 5 common mistakes we make in Bible study. They are:

  1. We don’t let the Bible speak for itself.
  2. We allow our hearts to guide our study.
  3. We skip over large swaths of God’s Word.
  4. We confuse reading books about the Bible with studying the actual Bible.
  5. We fail to see the big story of Scripture.

Crossway’s post explains each point further. Check it out!

Filed Under: Check it Out Tagged With: Bible Study, Jen Wilkin

4 Bible Studies for Lent

February 5, 2018 By Ryan Higginbottom

Rod Long (2017), public domain

The calendar just turned to 2018. We’ve barely cleared January. You’re probably not thinking of Easter.

But Lent will be upon us soon! Lent is the season of the church calendar that comes before Easter and, like Advent, it is a season of prepartion.

What is Lent?

Lent is more commonly observed in the Catholic and Orthodox churches, but all Christians can benefit from the season. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14 this year) and ends just before Easter Sunday (April 1).

Lent lasts approximately 40 days, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before his temptation (Matthew 4:1–2). In this respect, Lent differs from Advent in its length. These two seasons also differ in emphasis.

While Advent is a season of excited anticipation, Lent is traditionally a season of contemplation and fasting. During Lent, Christians focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus, along with the sin that made this sacrifice necessary. As a result, Christians who observe Lent spend time in confession, mourning, prayer, and fasting. Some identify a pleasurable gift of God (like meat or chocolate or coffee) from which to abstain during Lent.

There is, of course, no Biblical command to observe Lent. But if you’d like to take advantage of this spot in the church calendar, you may see great spiritual gain.

Lenten Bible Study

If you decide to observe Lent you may want to adjust your devotional life accordingly. In this spirit, many reach for Lenten devotionals at this time of the year. These guides usually consist of daily Bible readings, some commentary, and a suggested prayer. These can be wonderful tools.

However, let me urge you not to rely on these devotionals. Feel free to use them, but don’t neglect the study of the Bible yourself.

When you read and study the Bible on your own, you hear the words of God directly. The interpretation and meaning of the text doesn’t come from a well-meaning author, it comes from the Holy Spirit working in you. And while we can benefit greatly from devotional writers, nothing should replace our personal communion with God through his word.

God has written his word to be read, studied, and understood by all of his children. You are smart enough to study the Bible on your own.

Four Bible Studies

As I did for Advent, I’m providing four Bible study plans for Lent. There is nothing earth-shattering in these suggestions, but some might find the structure and organization helpful. Pick one and go for it.

If you’re new to Bible study or you’d like a refresher, please see our overview of the OIA Bible study method as well as a more detailed explanation. We have some OIA worksheets too; you can find them on our Resources page.

You should also feel free to improvise! If you find a better division to these chapters than what I’ve listed, don’t hesitate to adjust your study.

I’ve planned each of these studies to take six and a half weeks, from Ash Wednesday through Easter Saturday. In each study I’ve focused on the last week of Jesus’s life, from his entry into Jerusalem through his resurrection.

A Study in Matthew

  • Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Matthew 21–25.
  • Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Matthew 26:1–29.
  • Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Matthew 26:30–58.
  • Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Matthew 26:59–27:14.
  • Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Matthew 27:15–44.
  • Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Matthew 27:45–66.
  • Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Matthew 28:1–20.

A Study in Mark

  • Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Mark 11–13.
  • Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Mark 14:1–25.
  • Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Mark 14:26–50.
  • Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Mark 14:51–72.
  • Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Mark 15:1–21.
  • Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Mark 15:22–47.
  • Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Mark 16:1–20.

A Study in Luke

  • Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Luke 19:28–21:38.
  • Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Luke 22:1–38.
  • Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Luke 22:39–62.
  • Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Luke 22:63–23:25.
  • Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Luke 23:26–56.
  • Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Luke 24:1–27.
  • Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Luke 24:28–53.

A Study in John

  • Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read John 12–17.
  • Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study John 18:1–24.
  • Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study John 18:25–19:12.
  • Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study John 19:13–37.
  • Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study John 19:38–20:18.
  • Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study John 20:19–31.
  • Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study John 21:1–25.

Lent for Your Soul

Depending on the tradition in which you were raised, you might not be thrilled about Lent. The season may invoke for you gloominess, deprivation, and asceticism that doesn’t seem rooted in the Bible.

Instead, Lent can be glorious! During the whole of his ministry, Jesus was focused on the cross, and if you follow one of these study plans, you’ll have that same focus. You can witness Jesus’s devotion, his love for his people, his power, and the supernatural explosion of the resurrection. Lean in during Lent, and you’ll be ready for a jubilant Easter celebration!

Thanks for visiting Knowable Word! If you like this article, you might be interested in receiving regular updates from us. You can sign up for our email list (enter your address in the box on the upper right of this page), follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to our RSS feed. 

Filed Under: Sample Bible Studies Tagged With: Bible Study, Lent

There’s a Sad Reason This is Funny…

December 27, 2017 By Peter Krol

From the Babylon Bee: “Revolutionary Women’s Bible Study to Actually Study the Bible”

Check it out!

Filed Under: Check it Out Tagged With: Bible Study, Small Groups, The Babylon Bee

4 Bible Studies for Advent

November 13, 2017 By Ryan Higginbottom

Rod Long (2017), public domain

Advent is right around the corner. It begins on December 3, and it will be here before you know it.

If you’ve thought of shifting your devotional life for the Christmas season, read on. Like many churches that put their sermon series aside, individual Christians can find great blessing in focusing on Jesus’s birth.

Bible Studies, Not Devotionals

There are no shortage of Advent devotional offerings, with scores of new volumes published each year. Some of these are excellent. (Some, of course are not.) But even good devotional books are no substitute for personal Bible study.

When you study the Bible on your own, you encounter God’s word directly. You’re not relying on an author or teacher to tell you what the Bible means; you’re reading and thinking and searching and praying yourself. Will that take longer? Of course! But wrestling with difficult and glorious truths on your own is worth it. The commands and promises and works of God will sink down more deeply into your soul—taking root both to form and strengthen you—if you uncover them yourself.

This is not a screed against devotional books, just a plea not to rely on them.

Four Bible Studies

If you’d like to mix up your Scripture study for Advent, I have four plans listed below. There’s nothing monumental in the plans themselves; I’ve simply listed some relevant sections of the Bible that could be covered in the listed time period.

If you’ve never studied the Bible before, let me suggest some resources before you begin. It’s our aim at Knowable Word to help ordinary people learn to study the Bible, so we’ve written much about the three primary areas of Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Start here to see an overview of this OIA method, and read the details here. We’ve collected some worksheets that you may want to use on our Resources page.

I’ve planned each of these studies to take four weeks. (So even though Advent is not technically four weeks, these plans take you from November 27 through Christmas Eve.)

A Study in Matthew

Matthew gives two chapters to the birth and early days of Jesus.

  • Week 1 (November 27 through December 3): Matthew 1:1–17
  • Week 2 (December 4 through December 10): Matthew 1:18–25
  • Week 3 (December 11 through December 17): Matthew 2:1–12
  • Week 4 (December 18 through December 24): Matthew 2:13–23

A Study in Luke

This study takes you from the beginning of Luke’s gospel through the second chapter, when Jesus is twelve years old.

  • Week 1 (November 27 through December 3): Luke 1:1–38
  • Week 2 (December 4 through December 10): Luke 1:39–80
  • Week 3 (December 11 through December 17): Luke 2:1–24
  • Week 4 (December 18 through December 24): Luke 2:25–52

Compare the Gospels

Each gospel writer begins his book differently. Matthew and Luke include narrative about Jesus’s birth, but Mark and John do not. In this study, you’ll compare how each of the gospels begin.

  • Week 1 (November 27 through December 3): Matthew 1–2
  • Week 2 (December 4 through December 10): Mark 1
  • Week 3 (December 11 through December 17): Luke 1:1–2:20
  • Week 4 (December 18 through December 24): John 1

Read Isaiah and Luke

Here is an option to read long portions of the Bible instead of studying small portions. Isaiah is full of messages about how the coming king/servant/anointed one will redeem Israel and the world. Luke writes about how Jesus was rejected by Israel and is offered to the Gentiles. They make a great Advent pairing.

  • Week 1 (November 27 through December 3): Isaiah 1–17, Luke 1–6
  • Week 2 (December 4 through December 10): Isaiah 18–33, Luke 7–12
  • Week 3 (December 11 through December 17): Isaiah 34–50, Luke 13–18
  • Week 4 (December 18 through December 24): Isaiah 51–66, Luke 19–24

Behold, Jesus!

Whether or not you use one of these plans—whether or not you change your devotions for Advent at all—I hope your celebration of the Savior’s birth is full of joy and wonder. As you ponder the One who gave his life to bring sinners to God, give yourself to reading and studying the Bible. This is how we see the magnitude of our need and the fullness of God’s provision. This is how we fight against sin, how we repent and believe. This is the revelation of God, and this is life.

Filed Under: Sample Bible Studies Tagged With: Bible reading, Bible Study

A Surprising Barrier to Personal Bible Study

October 16, 2017 By Ryan Higginbottom

Benjamin Balazs (2015), public domain

This article may be keeping you from studying the Bible. That’s not my goal, but it might be happening.

I should explain.

Like Productivity Advice

There’s a well-known paradox in the realm of organization and productivity advice. Some people spend so much time reading and thinking about productivity that they are less productive than they would have been otherwise. The very quest to be more productive has made them less so.

These folks can discuss organizational systems with anyone. They love setting up planners and talking about to-do apps. But they haven’t used the advice for its intended purpose. Productivity tips are only helpful if you eventually stop reading the suggestions and start implementing them. At some point, you need to stop fiddling and get to work.

Some people use Bible study articles the same way. Let’s face it—it’s much easier to read about Bible study than to study the Bible. Not only is Bible study a difficult mental task, but when we apply the Bible regularly, it is humbling and challenging.

Bible study articles are only useful if you turn away from the articles and spend time with your Bible.

Here at Knowable Word, we exist to teach ordinary people how to study the Bible. But we don’t want you to spend all your time on our web site. Our articles and resources are designed to be used.

How to Get Started

There are two general types of people reading this article: those who don’t know how to study the Bible, and those who do.

If you’re in that first category, we’d love to help you get started! I suggest you begin here and then here. After reading some of our foundational articles, print out some worksheets, grab your Bible, and dig in. Richness awaits.

If you already know how to study the Bible, we’re glad you’re here too. If you’ve come to our blog for a refresher, for help on a particular aspect of Bible study, or as part of your daily internet reading, welcome!

But there might be a few of you who are reading this in your devotional time. You’re putting off something difficult (prayer or Bible study) for a lighter read. This enterprise feels spiritual, because you’re learning about Bible study, but you’re just avoiding the more important task.

Please take this as a loving nudge: Turn away from your computer, tablet, or phone. Pick up your Bible. Listen to what God has to say about himself and his plan for the world. What God gives you in his word is much, much better than what we can give you here.

Go ahead, we don’t mind. Come back later. We’ll still be here.

Filed Under: Method Tagged With: Bible Study, Obstacle

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  • Sample Bible Studies
    Context Matters: You Have Heard That it was Said…But I Say to You

    Perhaps you’ve heard about Jesus' disagreement with the Old Testament. The...

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