• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

  • Home
  • Bible Studies
    • New Testament Bible Studies
    • Old Testament Bible Studies
    • Topical Bible Studies
    • What is the Gospel?
  • Study Help
    • Resource Library
    • Resources by Book of the Bible
    • Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible
    • Bible Study 201: Learn to teach the Bible
  • Articles
    • Theology
    • Faith & Life
    • Family
    • Women’s Ministry Resources
    • Most Popular
  • What is WitW?
    • Meet Krisan
    • What We Believe
    • Looking Back
  • Contact
You are here: Home / start here / How do I study the Bible?

How do I study the Bible?

July 12, 2022 by Krisan Marotta

How do I study the Bible? | WednesdayintheWord.com

Wondering how to get started studying the Bible? There’s no one right way. You can jump in anywhere. But here are a few suggestions to get you moving.


Read a good book

If you’re brand new to Bible study, one of the best basic books is now free online:

Basics of Bible Interpretation by Bob Smith

Though the language and examples are sometimes dated, this book stands the test of time. If anything, it is more relevant today than ever, as the art of expository bible teaching has become an endangered species in our instant society.

Other recommendations:

Knowing Scripture, by RC Sproul is designed to help people master the basic rules of biblical interpretation.

Living by the Book (Book and Workbook) by Howard G Hendricks & William Hendricks – also available as an ebook and a video series. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. The writing is clear and engaging and you will learn a lot.

Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks. Available free on archive.org.

The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward – a classic resource for small groups to work through together; teachers guide is also available.

The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward. Available free on archive.org.

Go to top

Study something

I suggest 1Corinthians 1-4. These chapters are often misunderstood because individual paragraphs are often taken out of context and not understood in light of the argument Paul develops through all 4 chapters.

1Corinthians: Pride & Prejudice in the church, chapters 1-4

Go to top

Explore a topic

Start improving your skills by working through Bible Study 101.

Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible

I suggest starting with these:

5 C’s of Bible Study

How to do an Analytical Outline

5W’s and H

How to use context

A simple overview of biblical history

Go to top

Gather some tools

Start building a Bible study library, here are the basic tools you need to get started.

Invest in study software: My favorite: E-Sword

Bible Study Tools #1: Different translations

Bible Study Tools #2: Good maps

Bible Study Tools #3: Concordances

Bible Study Tools #4: Lexicons & Dictionaries

Bible Study Tools #5: Multi-volume Encyclopedias

Bible Study Tools #6: Commentaries

Go to top

Practice

In his 2008 book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell proposed the idea that it requires 10,000 hours of concentrated practice in order to gain world-class skill in something. While you don’t need “world-class” skill at Bible study, it’s true that the more you study, the better you’ll get. The Bible is coherent and does not contradict itself. Each passage you learn and understand adds to your foundation, making it easier to understand the next passage.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Go to top

Series: Bible Study 101

Where to next?

6 Basic Bible study tools & how to use them

Resources Book of the Bible

Bible Charts, Lists & Outlines

Quotations: Where Scripture quotes Scripture

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

(This article has been read 77 times plus 1 today.)

Related posts:

  1. Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible
  2. 30 Tips to Improve your Bible Study
  3. Bible Study Websites & Apps
  4. Goal of Bible Study
  5. Bible Study Tools #1: Different translations

Filed Under: start here Tagged With: Bible Study

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Find the podcast on:


  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • Google Play

  • iTunes Podcasts

  • Apple Music

  • Pinterest

  • SoundCloud

  • Spotify

  • Stitcher

  • TuneIn

  • iHeart

  • Email

  • RSS Feed

Wednesday in the Word is the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.

Contact us

Privacy Policy

Legal Disclaimers

Copyright © 2023 · Krisan Marotta, WednesdayintheWord · Log in