Bible Study For Dummies: A Guide On How To Study The Bible

How To: A Bible Study Guide

“Guide On How To Study The Bible.” Is that what you just typed into the search bar?

How’s that going so far? Have you found what you’re looking for?

I remember when I used to search that same phrase.

Consequently, I also remember that I did not find what I was looking for. I know where you are. I’ve been there.

Now, I’m a church pastor. Studying the Bible is kind of my job. That’s why I’m writing this guide on how to study the Bible… So you, too, can study with confidence!

I’d love to guide you through a Bible study method that will empower you to be a student of the word and become a Big Bible Nerd, too!

Discourage Discouragement

It’s like this… You’re a beginner and you are looking for a guide to help you study the Bible.

A quick Google search makes you feel like you have no idea what anyone is talking about. Perhaps you feel like you have bitten off more than you can chew…

You find words like exegesis, hermeneutics, and exposition. You likely have no idea what those things mean. Let alone that they are very simple constructs hiding behind intimidating words.

In response, you close the cover of your bible, place the cap back on your pen, and place them back neatly on the bookshelf from whence they came feeling discouraged and disappointed.

I promise it’s not as complex as it seems.

Bible Study Necessities

A Good Bible

There are many types of Bibles and translations available, however, they’re not all good.

Which one is a good one?

Well… specifically… the one you will read and understand.

At this point, which translation you choose makes no difference whatsoever. Just find something that you can understand when you read it.

If you’re unsure, I have compared the major translations’ strengths and weaknesses here.

A physical book is my personal preference because it minimizes distractions on my phone or computer.

However, if you don’t have a physical book, there are many free online Bible readers such as Blue Letter Bible, Bible Gateway, or Bible.com.

A Way To Take Notes

When you sit down to read your Bible, do so with the expectation of receiving something in your spirit.

If you’re expecting to receive something, you’ll always have a pen and paper (or digital equivalent) ready.

Again, I try to avoid my phone or tablet to minimize distractions. Sometimes I use my dedicated moleskin notepad. Other times I use the coffee-stained napkin I just used to wipe my mouth with.

Basically, it doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to be functional.

A Way To Search Key Words

Bible dictionaries and concordances are immensely helpful when studying the scriptures.

While you can purchase these books, this is where I personally prefer to use digital versions.

Again, Blue Letter Bible, Bible Gateway, or Bible.com are good, free options that are simple to use and navigate.

If you do not have access to any of these, never fear! Your bible probably has a small-scale version in the back.

It’s a helpful addition, but not 100% necessary.

*PSA: Be careful about asking Bible questions in the Google search bar. Anyone can publish answers online. What you find may be 100% accurate, but it may not be. I’m not saying to never do it, but do be careful!

Let’s Do This Thing!

Here me out…

The best ‘guide’ to study the bible is to open your bible and start studying it.

Basically, the more you read the more you will understand.

Though it’s composed of 66 individual books, the Bible is one big whole. It references itself hundreds of thousands of times.

As you begin paddling the boat of Bible reading, you are bound to happen upon something you do not understand.

Chances are you’ve just found a passage that is referencing something that happened earlier in scripture or a foreshadowing of something to come.

Don’t let those moments of murkiness discourage you.

Start Where You Are

Embarking on a self-led guide through the Bible can be a daunting study for beginners.

My advice to you is to start where you are.

Realize that the Bible is the most amazing book in existence. It is simple enough that a child can understand it but complex enough that scholars have studied it for years and still do not grasp its depth.

If you’re just starting out on this amazing journey, then you are in for a real treat! The Bible is the most interesting book in the world. It has love, vengeance, murder, fight scenes, and more. What’s more, through all those things, it speaks directly to your heart.

Secondly, determine the purpose of your study before you ever get started. Are you studying to answer a specific question? Studying to get closer to God? Studying for deeper knowledge and understanding of scripture?

If you do not know your purpose, then you will not know if you’ve accomplished your goal. I want you to be proud and confident of your ability to open God’s Word and find what you’re looking for. You can do it! Identify the goal, and meet me in the next section.

S.T.U.D.Y. Method

The S.T.U.D.Y. Method is something I personally created. I believe it will help you gather your thoughts and put them on paper.

There are dozens of different methods that people follow. They’re all very similar. You can use this one or any other that you’re familiar with.

The S.T.U.D.Y. Method Explained

SCRIPTURE

Determine which passage of SCRIPTURE you’ll be meditating on today. It can be a single verse, a short passage, or even full chapters or books.

It’s generally better to err on the side of quality over quantity.

Perhaps you can try starting with a smaller portion of text and moving forward as your confidence grows.

I find the best way to determine which scripture I will study is to just start reading and wait for something to catch my attention.

If this process is new to you, I’d strongly suggest starting in the New Testament. 1 John is a wonderful, short book that is great for new believers!

Additionally, the Gospel of John is a solid place to get started if you’re unsure of where to begin.

Read the text several times.

There is no rule that says you have to internalize the entire thing in one reading. After all, it’s not a race. It’s all about understanding and application.

THINK

Afterward, THINK about the passage and write down anything you have questions about.

These notes are yours. You don’t have to censor them for fear that someone will judge your level of understanding. There are no silly questions.

In other words, just be yourself.

Jot down questions like, “Who is this?” or “Where is that?” or “What does that word mean?”

All things considered, it’s your Bible study. It would be a shame if you didn’t accomplish your goal because you were too prideful to ask the right questions.

UNDERSTAND

This is the part where you dig in and start answering all those questions you asked earlier.

Sometimes they can be answered by simply reading a little further through the text or referencing a different Bible translation.

Other times you may want to consult a dictionary, concordance, or commentary.

Don’t rush this part! It’s the real meat and bones of Bible study. Without a doubt, this is the portion of your study that will leave you with a deeper understanding of scripture.

You will undoubtedly learn things here that will be applied again and again in additional studies.

Luckily, you will already know the answers to some of the questions that may pop up tomorrow, next week, or next year as you continue to follow the Big Bible Nerd study guide!

It’s important that you do not move forward until you feel you UNDERSTAND the text and have addressed the questions that came to your mind.

DECLARE

Following the time of intellectual study, it’s time to shift to spiritual processes.

Indeed, every word included in scripture was given for your benefit. There is always something to learn, a truth to embrace, or a correction to receive (2 Timothy 3:16).

Given what you have learned in the previous steps, apply the teachings to your own life. Ask yourself, “What is God telling me, personally, through this passage?”

There is no right or wrong answer that can be found in a book. The only correct answer is the answer that God speaks to your heart.

Again, don’t rush it here.

Slow down, and DECLARE what God is saying to you right now, in the moment.

Write down how this scripture applies to your life and how you can use it to be a better follower of Jesus Christ.

YIELD

Lastly, it’s not enough to only be a hearer (or reader) of God’s Word.

He wants you to be a doer (James 1:22)!

Now that you have an understanding of the text and, more importantly, an understanding of what God expects you to do with it, it’s time to make a plan to implement it into your life.

Prayerfully reflect on what God has spoken to you during your study and YIELD to the work He is accomplishing in your spirit.

Your Bible study is more than a pursuit of knowledge, it’s a pursuit of God. It’s a wonderful way to know Him more and develop a meaningful relationship with Him.

Study With Me

Learning how to study the Bible doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

I’m confident you can take what you’ve learned so far, make it your own, and be well on your way to studying like a pro!

But, just in case, let’s study together.

I was reading 2 Kings recently and came across a verse of scripture that caught my attention.

It was interesting, and immediately caused me to start asking questions and seeking answers.

In return, I feel that God used this scripture to speak to me and aid me in understanding His ultimate, sovereign plan.

Let’s get started…

A Sample Study

SCRIPTURE

¹⁹ Then the men of [Jericho] said to Elisha, “Behold now, the site of the city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” 
²⁰ And he said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 
²¹ Then he went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not come from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’” 
²² So the waters have been purified to this day, in accordance with the word of Elisha which he spoke.

2 Kings 2:19-22 (NASB)

THINK

After reading this a few times, I grabbed my pen and wrote down some questions.

1. Where have I heard of Jericho before?
2. Why is the water bad? What does it mean that it’s bad?
3. Why salt? Is there a Biblical reason/reference for that?

UNDERSTAND

And then, I set out to find the answers to my questions.

1. Where have I heard of Jericho before?
I typed ‘Jericho’ into the search bar on Bible Gateway and got a few results.

The top suggested result reminded me that Jericho was the first city defeated by Israel when they entered the Promised Land in Joshua 6.

I turned my Bible back to that passage and familiarized myself with it.

Then on to the next question…

2. Why is the water bad? Has it always been?

During my reading of Joshua 6, I learned that a curse was placed on the city after it was defeated (Joshua 6:26).

That answer makes sense because the water was not always bad.

There was a great city built around that water source. It used to provide resources to a massive, walled city.

There is no mention of the water being bad anywhere until after the city is cursed.

Great! Moving right along…

3. Why salt? Is there a Biblical reason/reference for that?

This question came to my mind because I know that salt water is not good for drinking. I thought it was interesting that God chose to use salt to heal the water when salt water is generally avoided.

Again, back to my online Bible search tool to look up the word ‘salt.’

Remember, you can use the concordance in the back of your bible if you do not have access to online resources.

Hmm… Interesting discovery.

Not only is the word salt used 41 times in scripture, but Jesus Himself has something to say about it!

I turned to the suggested result in Matthew 5 and read what our Lord taught about His followers being the salt of the earth.

DECLARE

What could this have to do with me and my life right now? How is God using this scripture to speak to me today?

All of a sudden a light seemed to turn on in my head.

In the original passage, I read about a body of water that was cursed. I read about how God chose to send a man to put salt into the cursed water in order to bring about its healing.

Then I see Jesus teaching that I am supposed to be the salt of the earth.

Aha! The world is cursed! It was not created that way, but sin has separated us from the presence of God and we are currently in a fallen state.

God chose to send a man to heal the sinful curse that is on humanity.

That man is His only Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus said His followers are to be the salt, the permeating agent, that points the world back to Him.

I get it!

The salt had no power to heal the water on its own but made a difference because God declared that it would.

In the same way, I have no power to save anyone from sin or hell, but God does! And He declared that if I live a life devoted to Him that I will make a difference in this world for His Kingdom!

YIELD

To wrap it up, it’s not enough to simply read or even study the scriptures if you make no effort to apply the teachings to your life.

At this point, I wrote a note in my journal to be mindful of the way I speak to and treat people. I also wrote that my duty as a Christ follower is to influence people for Him!

Nothing I say or do should ever be ‘bad water.’ I am hear to share the love of Jesus and do my part to make the world a better place in His name.

I then closed my study in a time of prayer by thanking God for speaking to me from His Word and asking for help to apply it to my daily life.

Conclusion

There you have it! Thanks for letting me guide you through a simple Bible study!

Here’s one closing secret that may blow your mind…

As you get better and more confident in your Bible studies, this is still pretty much the way that it’s done. There are different methods and types of studies, but the concept remains the same.

You will read a passage. You will ask questions about what you read. Then you’ll do the research and answer as many of them as you can. After that, you meditate on how what you’ve learned applies to your daily life. Then you put what you learned into practice.

The main difference is that you get more comfortable the further you progress.

Then you can pass on what you’ve learned and guide your friends through their first Bible studies, too!

Happy Bible studies! God bless!

Pastor Aaron Morton,
Big Bible Nerd