Two Steps to Effective Bible Study

Studying God’s Word will change your life if you put what you learn into practice. But all of that starts with your willingness to study his Word.

The Bible says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18 ESV).

God has so much he wants to show you, but you have to be willing to look into his Word with open eyes. 

So how should you study God’s Word? Effective Bible study, no matter what Bible study method you use, has five parts. We’ll look at two today and three tomorrow.

1. Ask the right questions. Learning to study the Bible starts with learning to ask good questions of the text. There is no limit to how many questions you can ask of the Bible, because there is no limit to its wisdom and insight. The deeper you dig, the more gold you’ll find.

Asking questions of the text you’re reading will help you look at the text through a whole new perspective. Suddenly, every time you pick up God’s Word to study it, new truths will jump out at you.

2. Write down your observations. Never study the Bible without pen and paper in hand (or a “notes” app if you prefer). When you ask your questions and find your answers, write down what you learn. You can just read the Bible without writing something down—but to really study the Bible, you have to write down what you learn.

Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators ministry, used to say, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and fingertips.” In other words, to really understand something, you need to talk it out or write it down. Even if you don’t see anything in the verse, write down that you don’t see anything. Just the act of writing that down will open up new thoughts.

Do you want the Bible to change your life? Start by asking good questions and writing down what you learn!