Here are my top tips for making the most of Bible study for dummies pdf. Sometimes you don’t have to drill down into the details to learn something new. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of looking at things from a different perspective.
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Bible Study For Dummies pdf
It’s written in a very accessible way, so even if you’ve never read the Bible before, you’ll be able to follow along.
It’s important to note that this book doesn’t focus on specific books of the Bible or specific passages in the Bible—it’s more general than that. Millions of people have read it, but many have not studied it in depth.
If you’re one of those people, we invite you to join us for this free Bible study for dummies pdf. You’ll discover how easy it is to read and understand the Bible on your own. And you’ll be inspired by its wisdom and guidance as well as challenged by its truths.
It’s simple, straightforward and easy to understand.
You can use it on your own or with a group of friends!
Bible Study for Dummies by John R. Kohlenberger III and Ralph W. Klein
How To Study The Bible Effectively For Beginners
As small group leaders, one of the best gifts we can give our group members is to teach them how to study the Bible on their own. It is inspiring to watch a Bible study teacher or discuss this week’s sermon, but the benefits of personal Bible study are immeasurable.
If we only surface-read a passage, we can miss out on hearing from God. The Bible says that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). As we’ve experienced God communicating to us while studying Scripture on our own, don’t we want people in our groups to experience that too?”
There is a sense of empowerment when believers can sit down, read the Bible and discover truth for themselves. We each grow closer to God in the process. Time spent studying the Bible equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We become more confident in sharing what we know with others and discover that the Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) in our daily lives.
Common barriers people experience include feeling overwhelmed, lacking time, and feeling under-qualified. Learning about different methods and study tools will make study seem more approachable. Experimenting with different study methods helps individuals identify the most accessible study.
A few tools will help you, no matter what study method you choose:
- Study Bible (digital or paper)
- journal or notebook
- pen or pencil
- highlighter
For those who prefer to study using a computer or tablet, digital versions of the Bible and resources make in-depth study extremely easy.
Whether you are just starting out or looking for fresh ways to approach your Bible study, let’s look at a few study methods to consider. Whichever method you choose, start with prayer, asking God to give you wisdom and new insights.
S.O.A.P. Study of the Bible
This devotional style study method is a simple approach to go with your daily Bible reading. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.
- Scripture: Write the verse in your journal.
- Observation: Write down observations about the Scripture.
- Application: How can you apply what you observed in your life?
- Prayer: Write out a prayer to God based on what you just learned and ask Him to give you opportunities to live out this truth.
Study a Book of the Bible
Select a book of the Bible to read through. Each day read through a passage or entire chapter. Then read through a second time and underline keywords and phrases.
- Write down what God is saying in this chapter and identify a theme.
- Take a few minutes to identify the spiritual truth or principles in this chapter that are applicable to your life.
- Finally, write down how you will act on the lessons learned in this passage.
- As you work through the book of the Bible, create an outline.
Topical
When you want to know what the Bible says about a certain topic, use a concordance to search what the Bible says about it. For example, when you look up the word courage in your concordance, you’ll find several references.
- Select a topic and look it up in a concordance.
- Choose 10-20 verses on the subject.
- Read the verses.
- Write down observations.
- Make conclusions and identify how you can apply something you’ve read to your own life and also share with others.
Biographical
Did you know that there are more than 3,000 people mentioned in the Bible? There are epic tales filled with challenges, heartbreak, and family drama. But that is not the end of the story. Each of their stories illustrates how God met these people and tells of promises He made and fulfilled.
For this method, select a person from the Bible to study. Look at their strengths and weaknesses and consider what could be applicable to your own life. What about them encourages you? Inspires you? A few potential characters to study include Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Ruth, Rahab, Jesus, Mary, Elizabeth, and Paul.
Here are the basic steps.
- Select a character. Start with someone with a few references you can easily study. Save characters like David and Paul for later.
- Read the passages of their story and create a timeline.
- Note their background, key events, relationships, and the challenges they faced.
- Try to imagine what it might have been like to be in their shoes,
- What Biblical truths do you discover while researching this person’s life?
- Write out a personal application for your own life.
As you conclude, ask yourself if you see any of yourself in this person’s story. How might God be leading you to make a change or take the next step? What impressed you about their story and how does it challenge you and your choices?
Inductive
If you want to take a deep dive into Scripture, along with its historical and cultural context, the inductive method might be right up your alley.
- Start with observation. Approach the passage like a journalist asking the five “W” and “H” questions. As you continue along, note key words, contrasts, and comparisons. Keywords are words that point to biblical truth and are often repeated for emphasis. If there are time and geographical references, write them down.
- Next, look to interpret the passage to understand the deeper meaning. Ask questions like:
- What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage?
- What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage?
- What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one?
Is there anything you have overlooked, and have you made any underlying assumptions that filter your interpretation?
Summarize what you see as the clearest meaning of the text based on your research.
- Finally, you’ll want to apply what you have learned. Ask yourself what the biblical truths you have discovered mean to your life, your priorities, and your relationships. This application step can be uncomfortable, for it is where truth and life might conflict. Don’t stop; it is important, and it is worth it.
Free Printable Bible Study Guide For Beginners
TIPS FOR BEGINNER BIBLE STUDY
The only way to know God’s Will and have our lives changed, renewed, and restored according to its teachings is to study His Word.
The teaching on righteous behavior is foreign to a person who is still dependent on breast milk. On the other hand, the more experienced among us can benefit from the solid food because they have learned through repeated experience to distinguish between good and evil. In the Bible, these verses can be found in Hebrews 5:13 and 14.
Our relationship with God begins as a babyhood experience, but we don’t want to remain there forever. To fully grasp the “unsearchable riches of Christ,” we must continue to develop and mature in our relationship with God (Ephesians 3:8).
HOW SHOULD I BEGIN STUDYING THE BIBLE?
“Present yourself to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, handling the word of truth correctly,” the Bible instructs. The Bible, 2 Timothy 1:15
For if anyone hears the Word of God but does not put it into practice, he is like a man who carefully examines his own features in a mirror, then walks away and promptly forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24
Our goal in studying the Bible should be to put its teachings into practice. As James 1 puts it, it’s as abnormal as it gets to look at yourself in the mirror and then immediately forget what you look like to refuse to let God’s Word lead to action.
Therefore, schedule a daily appointment with God no matter where you are on your journey. THEN DEDICATE YOURSELF TO DAILY BIBLE STUDY.
A GUIDE TO PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY
Don’t get me wrong; reading God’s Word is vitally important.
Perhaps you are experiencing difficulty and would benefit from a topical search of the Bible. I like that suggestion, and there are times when focused topical study is warranted.
But I urge you to regularly read through portions of Scripture verse by verse so that you can understand God’s Word in its proper setting.
Studying God’s Word expositionally (verse by verse) keeps us from being selective in our attention and keeps us from being swayed by our own preferences over what we might actually need to hear.
I explain the inductive approach to studying the Bible in this post because I think it’s the best way to learn about God’s Word in its original setting.
When studying a verse out of context, you miss out on a wealth of information about the author, the book, and the event being discussed.
The inductive approach to studying the Bible is more in-depth and can accommodate a variety of learning styles.
A GUIDE TO RETIREMENT WITH THE LORD
Find a peaceful, relaxing spot where you won’t be disturbed. Before I converted a small closet into a prayer space, I used to use the table in my dining room by the window. On the other hand, you’re not limited to a specific location for your alone time. You should always have the following things handy in that spot.
What is the best Bible translation for serious study?
There are two basic categories of Bible translations. Formal equivalents include the English Standard Version (ESV) and the New American Standard Version (NASB), while informal equivalents include the New International Version (NIV), The New Living Translation (NLT), and the King James Version (KJV).
When translating from Greek or Hebrew, formal equivalences are preferable because they stay as close as possible to the original word order. The emphasis in informal equivalences is on the way a word or phrase sounds rather than its meaning.
Therefore, although formal equivalencies, being a very literal translation, can sound a little strange in English, they are a good practice to employ when studying the Bible. Equivalents in an informal setting are more likely to reflect the rhythms of current speech.
If you’re looking for a translation that stays true to the original but still sounds natural, I recommend the English Standard Version (ESV).
A fantastic translation into the ESV is as follows: Women’s ESV Study Bible
THE PERFECTIONIST/PROCRASTINATOR’S CROSSING
Remember that there isn’t just one correct approach to Bible study before you dive in. Don’t give up if you have a hectic day and can’t complete the steps I’ve outlined below.
He knows how hectic life is right now, and he also has a firm grasp on the stage of life you’re in. God will still reward your earnestness and devotion to gaining a deeper understanding of Him, no matter how chaotic your prayer time may be.
DO I NEED TO DO DAILY BIBLE STUDY?
I recall thinking to myself, “you mean you expect me to study the Bible every day?” and that’s the second reason I’m telling this story.
That was daunting at the time, and it still can be at times. In all candor, though, I find that the days on which I spend time with God are the days on which I experience the most happiness, calm, and a sense of belonging.
When I spend time in God’s Word, I feel the most “at home,” and even though my trials may continue, I can experience more peace in spite of them.
PDF GUIDE TO EFFICIENT BIBLE STUDY – INFORMATIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD
To draw conclusions about a passage of Scripture, the inductive method first makes observations about that passage and then helps the reader interpret those observations. Your How to Study the Bible PDF lays out these three primary steps:
Astute observation: what does the Bible have to say about this?
The meaning of the Bible: an interpretation.
How can I apply what I’ve read in Scripture?
A HISTORICAL FRAMEWORK FOR BIBLE STUDY
First things first when studying the Bible: learn about the context of the book the chapter is from. For more information on this topic, you can consult the introduction notes of the ESV Study Bible or my preferred online commentary. Bible Study Notes from Dr. Constable’s Expositional Commentary
(You won’t need to do this every time you study God’s Word; it’s only necessary at the beginning of a new chapter.)
Using Psalm 46:1-11 as an example, here is how we might apply the principles of contextualization:
Who penned Psalm 46 and what is its historical context? Dr. Constable’s Commentary suggests that King Hezekiah, not David, penned this Psalm after God delivered them from Sennacherib.
So, let’s start with the obvious: why did the author write the book? Humanity’s inspired responses to God’s Word are collected in the Psalms. A compilation of worship songs and prayers. The song extols God as their safe haven, and the lyrics declare their faith in Him.
Although the exact date of composition for this psalm is unknown, the book as a whole likely dates back to somewhere between 1400 and 400 B.C.
Basic Bible Study Methods
In need of some pep in your Bible reading? Here are seven straightforward approaches to studying the Bible on your own. We borrowed these strategies from the Open Bible Study Notes (both the KJV and NJKV versions!).
Together, the Old and New Testaments total 1,189 separate chapters in the Bible. If you study just one chapter per day, you could finish the Bible in a little over three years. Studying the Bible should typically begin in the New Testament.
Needed time: just 20 minutes.
Learn the Bible Book by Book
Take your time reading this chapter.
Look for the topic(s) it primarily deals with.
BOOK OF THE BIBLE STUDY
Make sure the titles of your chapters reflect their contents.
To organize the chapters of the Gospel of John, for instance, you could call them something like this:
Beginning with “Jesus Christ, the Word of God” in Chapter 1, following with “The Wedding at Cana” in Chapter 2, “The New Birth” in Chapter 3, “The Woman at the Well” in Chapter 4, “The Healing of the Man at the Pool of Bethesda” in Chapter 5, and concluding with “The Feeding of the 5,000” in Chapter 6.
You should reread the chapter and make a brief outline.
The gist of it, if you will. The following is a sample outline for the first chapter of John, which is titled “Jesus Christ, the Word of God”
In Jesus Christ, God spoke forever (1–9). Around the years 10-18 CE, Jesus Christ was born into the world. From A.D. 19-28, John testifies about the soon-coming Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God, according to John (29:29–37:37 e). The first disciples are called by Jesus (verses 38-51).
Notate any issues that may arise in terms of either practicality or theology as you read this chapter.
Next, use your concordance to look up the topical words in those verses and see what else the Bible has to say about the issue at hand. Usually, you need to study the chapters before and after a given Bible chapter to fully grasp what it’s talking about in that one.
TEACHING THE BIBLE IN CHUNKS
PARAGRAPH STUDY OF THE BIBLE
In formal writing, a paragraph consists of several connected sentences. When shifting the focus of a piece of writing, the author will often start a new paragraph. In this Bible, a verse number in boldface indicates the start of a new paragraph. Analytic Bible study refers to a method of studying the Bible that focuses on individual paragraphs.
Find the paragraph’s central idea or topic by reading it thoroughly.
The Text Needs to Be Rewritten
Rewriting a paragraph can help you identify key phrases and determine their connections within the original text. To rewrite the prayer section of Matthew 6:5-8 from the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, you could use the following:
Also, you must not be a hypocrite when you pray. They prefer to pray aloud in public places like synagogues and busy intersections so that others can see them. They will be rewarded, I tell you this with absolute certainty. But you, when you pray, should withdraw to your inner sanctuary, close the door behind you, and make supplication to your Father who is hidden; and your Father, who is able to see what is done in secret, will reward you openly. And when you pray, don’t waste time with meaningless chants like the ungodly. Since they are confident that their volume of speech will guarantee them attention. So don’t follow in their footsteps. Because your heavenly Father already knows what you need before you ask for it.
Create a Plan
Now that you’ve rewritten the paragraph so that you can see how its parts relate to one another, you can easily create an outline from it. You could use Matthew 6:5-15 as an example and create an outline like this:
Jesus Gives Us Praying Lessons
(Matthew 6:5-15)
A. Matthew 6:5, 7, and 8—Prayer Refusals.
(1) HOLLYWOOD HYPOCRITES, 6:5
(2) IN A REDUNDANT FASHION (6:7, 8).
B. A Model Prayer (Based on Matthew 6:6-9, 13)
- CONFIDENTIALLY TO YOUR heavenly Father, 6:6.
To paraphrase Jesus’ pattern prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13: (2)
Ignore Matthew 6:5, 7, and 8 and instead consult a concordance for the proper way to pray.
Words like “hypocrites” and “heathen” that appear in this paragraph should be looked up in the concordance for further clarification. You can avoid erroneous conclusions about the true nature, conditions, and results of prayer in accordance with God’s will by comparing other passages in the Bible that teach about prayer.
VERSE-BY-VERSE BIBLE STUDY
Most of the Old Testament and some of the Gospels deal with historical events, so each verse may have only one simple meaning when interpreted in this context.
However, further study is warranted because many verses in both the Old and New Testaments are packed with great Bible truths. A single Bible verse can be analyzed in a number of different ways.
Focus on the verse’s verbs as you read it.
Among the many verbs you’ll find in John 3:16 are “loved,” “gave,” “should not perish,” and “have.”
A list like this might help you make a decision:
That which God cherished, People think God bestowed upon them… The human race must not perish… People are immortal.
To illustrate this, we can simply look at the nouns in this great verse: “God,” “world,” “only begotten Son,” “whoever,” and “everlasting life.”
Analyze the characters in a verse to better understand the text.
Using John 3:16 as an example again, we see how its most basic elements are illuminated: “God… only begotten Son… whoever… Him.”
Look for profound truths hidden in a verse as you study it.
Let’s take John 3:16 as an example once more. One possible title for this verse is “The Bible’s Greatest Verse.” What follows are some of the themes that emerge from reading it:
“God” is the greatest Person; “so loved” is the greatest devotion; “the world” is the greatest number; “He gave” is the greatest deed; “His only begotten Son” is the greatest gift; “that whoever believes” is the greatest condition; and “that whoever perishes” is the greatest tragedy.
“Have everlasting life” is the greatest blessing and the greatest outcome.
Sometimes the most fruitful outcomes come from employing multiple approaches to a single verse.
Consider Romans 5:1 as an illustration:
For this reason, 4:25 is necessary for understanding this verse. Jesus’ resurrection establishes and ensures our justification.
Justified means to be declared or established as innocent.
The basis for our justification is “by faith” (see also 3:24; 4:9).
We currently “have” — no future tense implied — this.
“peace with God”—Because of what Christ has done, we no longer have to be at odds with God. Through Jesus Christ alone is peace with God possible (“through our Lord Jesus Christ”).
REFERENCE BOOK STUDY OF THE BIBLE
BOOK-BASED BIBLE STUDY
Your preparation to study the Bible by books will be complete once you have begun by studying individual books, chapters, and verses. Bible book study can be done in a number of different ways.
Of these, one is known as the inductive approach.
This is a strategy for understanding a Bible book by first learning everything there is to know about its subject matter, and then extrapolating broad principles or rules from that knowledge.
The synthetic approach is an additional method of reading and understanding literature.
In this approach, the Bible is read through several times without paying close attention to the text in order to get a feel for the book’s overall message and themes. (Differentiating between the two approaches can be challenging.) If a Bible book deals with the events of a specific nation or person’s life during that time period, then studying that book can be considered historical research.
The Book of Exodus, for instance, chronicles the Israelite people from the time of Joseph’s death in Egypt until the construction of the Tabernacle under Moses. Around 400 years’ worth of time are represented here.
Inductive and synthetic approaches to studying Bible books follow similar principles. Investing in such research will take more time than the aforementioned approaches, but it will pay off handsomely in the end.
Several book-based Bible study strategies are outlined below.
The best way to understand the book’s perspective and central argument is to read it in its entirety. Then, read the book over and over, taking notes each time you find something new. The most vital inquiries are as follows:
The Initial Perusal
So, what exactly is the book’s main point? Where can I find the pivotal verse?
Two-Hundred and Second Perusing
Take into account how the book’s central idea is expanded upon and emphasized. Check for any unusual circumstances or potential uses.
A Third Glance
In what ways can I learn more about the author and the time in his life when he wrote this book?
Reading Level 4
What does this book tell me about the people it was written for and the world they lived in?
Reading Level 5
Where does the book break down into its major sections? Does the book follow a clear plan in terms of how it’s structured and how it progresses? While reading, separate the text into paragraphs and label them with appropriate titles. If there are any issues, questions, words, or concepts that need to be compared to other passages of the Bible, mark them with a line down the right side of the outline.
the Sixth and Subsequent Readings
Try to find more evidence supporting the claims made in your earlier readings. Certain phrases will jump out at you from the book now. Track how frequently they occur. (In Philippians, for instance, the word “joy” appears numerous times. Be on the lookout for instances of this word and the context in which it is used throughout the book.
WORD-FOR-WORD BIBLE STUDY
A WORD-BASED APPROACH TO THE BIBLE
There are two approaches to studying significant concepts or words in the Bible that are both fruitful and helpful.
- A theological examination of individual Bible books as lexical units.
In some books of the Bible, there is an emphasis on the use of a particular word. Tracing the use of the words “believe” and “belief” throughout the Gospel of John, for instance, is a rewarding and illuminating exercise. They happen 99 times out of 100. Bible scholars believe that John 20:31 expresses the purpose of John’s Gospel, so if you read the book quickly and highlight every instance of the words “believe” and “belief,” you’ll see why this is the case. - Vocabulary in a broad sense.
This Bible is well-designed with an excellent index and concordance that will prove very useful. Great Bible words can help you quickly familiarize yourself with the Bible’s great doctrines and understand the Bible’s great theological principles. You could use the concordance to start with the definition of the word “grace.”
Following this word’s usage from the Old Testament to the New Testament will help you see how graciously God has always dealt with His people and will help you grasp the profound truth of Ephesians 2:8.
TOPIC-BASED BIBLE STUDY
Studying Bible passages based on broad categories like prayers, promises, sermons, songs, poems, and so on is closely related to the word-by-word approach.
Alternatively, one could read the Bible quickly, keeping an eye out for any mentions of water features like rivers, seas, or mountains, and call that a study in Bible geography. Examining Abraham’s life, with its dramatic climaxes on Mount Sinai and other mountains, is fascinating.
Reading quickly through the Gospels and Epistles in search of the Lord’s commands to us is another difficult study.
The Bible covers an infinite number of subjects.
The first step is to do a topical study on prayer by looking up the word “prayer” or “pray” in a concordance. Find various definitions for these terms and related ones like “ask” and “intercession” in a dictionary. Once you’ve found these verses, take the time to read them and compile any other teachings you come across that pertain to prayer. You’ll learn when to pray, where to pray, what to pray for, and what to expect from prayer.
BIBLE STUDY AS HISTORY STUDY
Scripture is a record of God’s communication with humanity, both directly and indirectly. Biographical studies like this abound in both the Old and New Testaments. Some examples:
References to Noah in Genesis Chapters 5:32–10:32
Gen. 12-25: Abraham
Genesis Chapters 37–50: Joseph
Judges 4 and 5 with Deborah
Various approaches to reading the great biographies in the Bible are summarized below.
In the case of Abraham, this would be Genesis 12–25, as well as the passages in Hebrews 11 and Romans 4 that make reference to him.
Use the concordance to follow a character’s trail.
Keep an eye out for hints about the person in other parts of the Bible.
Olive Tree in the Bible Versions of the Bible: KJV and NKJV
INTERVENE IN CONTINUOUS EDUCATION
How did you feel about this article? Sweet! It was lifted verbatim from a guide on how to read the Bible. It was included in our Open Bible Study Notes. For over twenty years, these user-friendly study Bible notes have provided readers with a wealth of useful information and study aids to aid in their exploration of the Scriptures. The King James Version (KJV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) are both available.
