How to Bible Study 101: Bible Study Guide for Beginners!
Written By: Andrea Onukwugha
If you’re looking up how to study the bible, chances are you want to grow a deeper relationship with God.
As we search for clarity and direction in this area, oftentimes we are met with the typical “well you need to read your bible” or “study his word”, but no one actually tells you HOW to study the bible in a way where you actually retain what you’re reading.
So now you’re probably asking yourself…
“Well where do I start” because if we’re being honest, the bible can seem pretty intimidating at first glance —especially when there’s no set way to properly navigate its contents.
But what if I told you there’s a way to study the bible that’ll help you better understand what you’re reading and apply it to your everyday life? That’ll help deepen your relationship and draw you even closer to God?
In this guide we’ll be showing you:
- How to study the Bible effectively
- Best practices that help make bible studying easier
- Best Bible study tools for a successful bible study
- The importance of finding a bible study method that works
I can reassure you that this bible study guide will make studying the bible plain and simple.
Why Should I Know How to Study the Bible?
The Bible is the ultimate guide to life. It’s food for the soul and medicine for the mind.
It is the living word of God that carries the power to transform your life and steer you in the right direction.
In fact the bible says,
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT.
Therefore we know that this book is backed by God’s spirit and is made specifically to impact our daily lives. Through scripture we learn the very nature of God and how he speaks.
It is the very thing that brings us into communication with him, ultimately building a deeper relationship and strengthening our overall faith.
Scripture offers wisdom for navigating life’s challenges with grace, revealing God’s purpose for our lives and guiding us toward a more fulfilling path. This is all the more reason why we need to stay rooted in his word and this can be done by:
- Prioritize studying the bible
- Find an effective bible study method
And we’re here to show you exactly how to do that
Bible Study Tools and Tips That’ll Transform Your Life
When studying the bible, we recommend breaking down what you’re reading into sections so that you’re not overwhelmed. One of the best ways to do this is through the S.O.A.P method.
S.O.A.P stands for scripture, observation, application, prayer.
This method does not require you to have prior knowledge or special skills. It’s simple and replicable for every bible study session and all you need is a journal and a pen. A great bible study tool I use is the Holy It Girl Bible study journal. It is great for those who are new to reading their bible because it helps you reflect on how to apply what you are reading to your daily life.
Once you’ve gotten the materials needed, you’ll want to label S.O.A.P down your page. Luckily, the Holyitgirl Bible study journal already does it for you.
Starting with,
SCRIPTURE:
Scripture is God’s truth. It is the very words that he’s spoken, so that our lives will be filled with truth. When reading a chapter in the bible, a specific verse (or verses) may stand out to you.
This may also mean that God is trying to communicate something to you, since we know he speaks through scripture. You’ll want to write the verse down so that you can further explore its meaning using the SOAP method.
If you’re using a digital Bible study journal, I recommend copying and pasting scripture using these Bible study tools
Once you’re done, it’s time to reflect on what you’ve read through the observation portion of the SOAP method.
OBSERVATION:
Observation is a way for us to carefully examine and reflect on what we are reading, so that we receive a better understanding. When writing down an observation, think about what stood out to you about that scripture and why. Whether it’s the way the character spoke or a particular event that happened, make note of any and everything you’re thinking. Don’t worry about being right or wrong but instead focus on what you think God may be communicating or teaching you through this observation. This is also a great place to research and see if there are any historical events or information you may be unaware of behind the scripture that adds more context to what you are reading.
The more time you spend pondering on his words, the deeper revelation you’ll receive. The Lord desires to give you wisdom that’ll help you become closer to him and that’s exactly what’s happening when we bible study this way.
APPLICATION:
Time for the fun part,
Application means to apply what you’ve learned to your everyday life. As it is said in James 1:23-24, “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”
Therefore, It’s not enough to just read the word, but we must also be intentional about implementing it throughout our day. When we put God’s teachings into action, true transformation follows. In this section ask yourself, “What is the underlying lesson within this text?”, “How does this apply to what I am currently going through or what I have been praying to God about?”
In this section of the bible study guide, I want you to think about how you can exhibit what you’ve learned to a part of your day or your life in general. If the scripture you studied was on forgiveness, maybe reconcile a severed relationship. If it’s to help the poor, buy a meal for the homeless. However you’re led to implement this practice just be sure to make a conscious effort.
Lastly,
PRAYER:
This is a crucial part of your bible study session. All things are made possible through the help of Christ, so we need to be drawing our strength and seeking direction from him on how to apply his teaching to our everyday lives. This’ll also cultivate a habit of communicating with Him before carrying out actions, which is essential in building an intimate relationship with God.
Take a moment to soak up everything you’ve studied then write down how you’d like Him to help you, as you carry out His lessons. Likewise, thank Him for all He has already done. Be sure to draft this in prayer form.
Like such,
Repeat this prayer to yourself and sit in the presence of God for as long as you need. If you need a reminder throughout the day, we recommend taking a picture of the prayer or copy and pasting it from your digital Bible study journal.
And just like that you’ve successfully read scripture, reflected on its meaning, discovered how it applies to your life, and wrapped it up with prayer. This method has been an absolute game changer for the Holy It Girl community. As believers, it is essential that we take the time to really connect with what we are reading. The more we get to know Him, the easier it becomes to recognize His voice. As we grow in this ability, we can be confident that he is guiding our lives; this further deepens our relationship with Christ.
Which leads me to my next point.
How to Know You’re Getting Closer with God
So we’ve discovered an effective bible study guide that’ll help us retain what we’ve read and have been implementing it into our everyday lives. Now the question comes “How do we know that our relationship with God is growing?”
Well It’s simple,
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you…” [James 4:8]. So ultimately, the more we intentionally seek him, the more our relationship flourishes. However, there are some physical signs to watch out for that’ll give you confidence that you’re on the right track.
A clear sign that we are drawing nearer to Christ, is our ability to hear God speaking to us. This is not only limited to audibly hearing but can also take the form of body sensations, dreams, visions, through people, etc. The real challenge is recognizing when it’s truly Him, but studying scripture helps us discern whether what we hear aligns with God's character. I highlight a few more ways God may be trying to communicate with you HERE!
You’ll also notice your relationship with God is growing, when your self awareness starts to become more heightened. You’re becoming keenly aware of your thoughts, actions, and motives more than before and clearly see discrepancies in your mindset. This kind of awareness is a sign that the Holy Spirit is actively working in you, guiding you toward growth and transformation.
Finally, there will be an unexplainable hunger to know more about God. You’ll find yourself desiring to dive deeper into scripture, hoping to uncover truth and answers to burning questions. The taste for a community that is venturing on the same faith journey as you, will develop. You may even find yourself seeking guidance from spiritual leaders or other christians you know. It’ll feel as if there’s this pull towards anything that has to do with God.
This is because God is bringing you nearer to him, restoring both your mind and soul in the process. Filling it with his truth and building a firm foundation within you.