Tips for Finding a Bible Study Approach that Works for You

Knowing your goal, your learning style and more can help you engage with Scripture on a deeper level

Spending time in God’s Word is one of the core values of The Bookery. We are convinced that reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word are powerful ways to grow in relationship with God, sense the Holy Spirit’s leading and mature as believers. 

But there are a plethora of ideas about how best to study Scripture and more apps, books, websites and tools than you can count. So how do you find an approach and a practice that works for you? We’ve got a few ideas. 

What’s Your Goal? 

Think about why you’re studying the Bible. Is it to learn and grow personally, to become more like Christ? Are you trying to learn more about a particular theological topic or doctrine? Knowing what you want to get out of your Bible study can help you make an informed decision about the tools you use and the way you go about it. 

Are You Reading or Studying? 

Studying Scripture is different from reading Scripture. We read for a lot of different reasons — to learn, to gain deeper understanding, to escape or do something we enjoy — and you can read the Bible that way, too. But studying implies that you’re coming to Scripture with the expectation that it is powerful and beneficial and has something important to offer you in your daily life today. Studying means you are digging deeper and seeking to gain understanding, not just skim over the verses for pleasure or to check off a to-do list. Understanding your mindset about how you’re approaching the Bible can help you figure out approaches that work for you. 

What’s Your Learning Style? 

We all learn differently. Some of us learn from reading, while others find listening more beneficial. Maybe you’re hands-on, and it helps to draw or craft while you engage with content. Try apps like Dwell or YouVersion that allow you to listen to Scripture or set aside time each day where you can read and take notes without interruptions. Try out a few different styles and figure out what works best for you. 

What Tools Do You Need? 

Different approaches may require different tools. If you tend toward a more inductive Bible study approach, which involves deeply engaging with the text in context, you might need a study Bible, commentary or Bible dictionary. If you struggle with figuring out where to start and what to read, you might need a Bible reading plan, such as the seasonal ones we offer at The Bookery or those available in YouVersion and other daily Bible apps as well as countless books. Classes, podcasts or group discussions at your local church may also be helpful in helping you engage with Scripture more deeply. 

What Are Some Approaches To Consider? 

You may prefer a topic study that focuses on a specific theme and traces it throughout Scripture. In another season, you may want to do a book study and spend several days to weeks reading through a specific book of the Bible. Some people use a process called verse-mapping that involves breaking down individual verses or passages with cross-references and word studies. The point is that there are many ways to study the Bible — and there’s no one “right” approach or combination of approaches. It can take trial and error to find an approach and process that works best for you! 

How Much Time Do You Want to Devote to Studying? 

If you don’t schedule time to do something, it probably means you won’t actually do it. So, if you want to study Scripture, you need to figure out when and where you’re going to do that. Some people like to start their day with Bible study, carving out time each morning to pore and pray over God’s Word and think about how it impacts their daily lives. Others might prefer to dig into Scripture midday or in the evening after you’ve put the kids to bed. You know your rhythms and schedule, so pick a time frame when you heart, mind and body will be best prepared to engage with Scripture — not when you’re too tired or trying to meet a deadline at work or ferrying kids to practice. When you really want to study Scripture, you have to have the time and space to actually focus on it, so it’s vital to find a time of the day or the week that you can set aside to do just that. 

As we’ve said a million times before — even in this article — there’s no one “right” way to study Scripture. But God’s Word is valuable and powerful. It is one of the primary ways he guides and encourages us, and it helps us to know, understand and love every facet of his character. Try out a few approaches and let us know what works for you in the comments!