Learning How to Study the Bible

Reading and studying the Bible are important disciplines for all Christians, but the concept of Bible study can be more elusive. In Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods, Warren starts out by saying, “I have discovered that most Christians sincerely want to study their Bibles on their own, but they just don’t know how.”

THE BIBLE PROFESSOR SAYS…

There are many classes, books and seminars full of theories and methods to teach you how to study the Bible. I took a class in seminary called Principles of Inductive Bible Study, and to this day I can hear the professor’s voice in my head.

Every day the professor would ask, “What’s the first step in inductive Bible study?” and as a class we had to respond in unison, “Observation!”

Then he would ask, “What question do we ask in the first step?” and in unison we would again respond, “What does the text say?!“

Often he would repeat these questions over and over until he felt we responded enthusiastically enough. He drilled into us what he believed to be the right steps for inductive Bible study, but his was just one out of a multitude of  methods.

LEARNING WITHOUT BIBLE COLLEGE

I’d recommend taking a look at How to Read the Bible Book by Book and How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart as good introductory resources.

Learn To Study The Bible by Andy Deane, and Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul are also helpful for picking up good  tools and habits.

Study Bibles, like the NIV Study Bible can provide notes, cross references and other insights into the text to help you. I have several study Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries and other resources that I consult when researching a particular passage of Scripture. However, don’t get too bogged down with study books and miss out on the truths you can glean from digging into the text on your own.

Here are some things I do when studying (don’t worry; I won’t make you memorize these!):

1) CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT

I start by looking for the historical context: the author, style of writing, time period, audience and the historical background that surrounds the text. Then, I focus on the biblical context. I read the previous and subsequent chapters to get a full picture of the passage. Finally, I look for how the passage is applicable to my life.

2) ABSORB IT

I like to read the passage through three times. I write down repeated words or phrases, metaphors, similes, exclamations or anything that stands out. If anything reminds me of another passage I’ll look it up and compare. I like to pick out a couple of the repeated words and phrases for a quick word study, looking for other places those words are used in Scripture using my Strong’s Bible.

3) RETAIN IT

I like to rewrite the passage of Scripture in my own words, taking into account all of the work I’ve done up to this point. I then summarize my study in three sentences or less. I’m terrible at memorizing Scripture, but I’ve found that re-writing the passage in my own words helps me to recall the verse, even if it isn’t exact.

Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods

Did the above content intrigue you? Then you’ll love the rest of Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods! Inside, you’ll find twelve approaches to God’s Word that can shake up your routine and maybe even your understanding of Scripture. Head over to our store and get your copy today!