Three Ways to Study and Dig Deeper into the Word

In last week’s blog post, I encouraged you to start reading and studying the Bible daily. Today, I am going to give you three different options for studying scripture.

If you are still intimidated and unsure of where to begin with your reading, here is one thing that I’ve learned; I’m not studying to be a theologian. I am studying the Word to increase my faith and to grow a deeper relationship with Christ.

So, what are the best ways to study scripture? What may be the best way for me to study scripture may not work for you. I suggest that you try a few of these ways that I have listed and find the best possible one that fits your current mothering or career stage. As your children grow older, or life gets less hectic, you can adjust or add to these study methods. By no means are these a complete list of methods, but these are the ones that I have used and found effective.

Ready, Set, Go!

It’s time to grab your favorite beverage (coffee, tea, or something else), a journal for note-taking, some post-it notes, and put your phone on silence. The journal is for writing down any questions or observations you may have when reading the verses. The post-it notes are to write on when something pops in your mind that is not related to what you are reading, and you need to remember it. This will always happen, so keep those post-it notes next to you.

As you begin, pray for the Lord to give you some wisdom and understanding as you study the word. You can incorporate specific Bible verses about studying scripture, such as Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” or Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

As you begin to study the Bible, start with an overview of what you are reading, beginning with the five W’s:

1. Who: Who wrote the book, and who is the audience?
2. What: What is it about? What event is taking place, and what is the purpose of the book?
3. When: When was this written?
4. Where: Where did the events or happenings take place?
5. Why: Why was it written?

By answering these questions, you will have a better understanding of the chapter’s background and context.

Three Ways to Study and Read Scripture

Bold-to-Bold

When I started reading the Bible, I was pregnant and tired. My mind could only comprehend a few verses at a time, yet I was determined to get as much reading done as possible. I decided to read from subheading to subheading. Often, these are the bold subheadings in your Bible. By focusing on these short chunks of text, I stayed engaged in the Word without being overwhelmed. The amount of text you read each time using this method can vary, as the number of words between subheadings will vary.

For example, John 4 in the CSB version lists the subheadings as “Jesus and the Samaritan Woman” and The Ripened Harvest.” Between those two bold to bold subheadings are 25 verses, a manageable read.

Write Out the Chapter

It’s a proven fact that you will remember what you have written if you write out something. Why not try this with the chapters of the Bible? Each day write a few verses down in your own handwriting until it’s completely written. It doesn’t have to be your best penmanship or even in the same color of ink—that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are spending time in the word.

Outline It

After reading your selected verses for the day, create an outline highlighting what stood out to you in the reading. Write down as many words as you need to remember what you have studied.

Which One Is Best for You?

I hope that these three ways to study scripture have inspired you to pick up your Bible and read! It doesn’t matter how many verses you get in during your time, as long as you get some in. Please let me know in the comments how you will be studying the Word. I am cheering you on!

Resources to Download

Verses to Pray: 31 Days of Prayer for Students, Parents, Teachers, and Staff at Our Schools

Now more than ever, our schools need our prayers! I’ve created this guide for you to pray daily for our students, parent, teachers, and staff. Please click here to download this free resource.

My Identity: A Five-Day Devotional to Remind You of Who You Are in Christ.

In the rush of life, we often forget our true identities, our identity in Christ. In this devotional, you will be reminded that you are forgiven, free, loved, redeemed, and seated. Click here to download.