How to Improve Your Personal Bible Study

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Author of the JesusWalk® Bible Study Series (www.jesuswalk.com)

Free E-mail Bible Study Faith of Abraham (Genesis 11-25)

Articles on Bible study

Bible Translations

Bible Study vs Bible Reading

Bible Study Is about Asking Questions

Begin a Bible Study Journal

Bible Study Tools

Study Bibles

Every sincere Christian wants to have a more meaningful personal Bible study, to understand the Bible better. While learning the Bible is the joyful task of a lifetime, I'd like to offer several suggestions that can enrich your Bible studies.

Bible Reading vs. Bible Study

Recognize that Bible reading and Bible study are both important, but different. In order to grow, you need to read the Bible every day as part of your time with God -- your devotions or Quiet Time. But taking time for more in-depth study is also important so you really understand what is going on. More on reading vs. study.

The real key to Bible study is being inquisitive, learning to ask questions of the text. First, read the passage. Then be a detective; look for clues. What's going on? What stands out to you? What don't you understand? More in asking questions of the text.

Take Notes on What You Learn

Write down what you learn in your Bible study

One main difference between reading and studying is writing down what you learn. This isn't just so you'll remember it later. The very act of writing requires you to formulate your thoughts clearly. Writing forces you to recognize fuzzy thinking for what it is and push beyond it. Write down what your learning because it helps you understand it better. I recommend starting a simple Bible study journal for your studies. More on a Bible study journal.

I am so glad I began the habit of note-taking with my Bible study. Now when I study a passage again, I know what I learned the last time I studied it and what I need to explore next. For Bible teachers, small group leaders, and preachers, such a notebook of previous studies becomes especially valuable.

Get a Good, Modern Translation

One of the keys to Bible study is to get a good modern translation. You know, of course, that the Bible wasn't written in English, but in Hebrew (and a bit of Aramaic) in the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament. A good translation tries to render the original languages into clear, accurate, understandable English. There are two types of translations:

Literal word-for-word translation. A good example is the English Standard Version (ESV), which I use in my personal devotions.

Dynamic thought-for-thought correspondence. Here the translator takes a thought in the original language and tries to translate it into the same concept in good English, without being tied to the exact words in the original. A good example of this might be the New Living Translation (NLT).

The New International Version (NIV) is a great balance between word-for-word and readability. That's why I use it for preaching and as the basic text for my online Bible studies. More on Bible translations.

A good study Bible is a modern translation that contains a number of extra aids to study -- cross references, Bible book introductions, study notes or annotations, a concordance, a topical index, and maps. More on a study Bible.

Specialized Tools for the Next Step

Bible study books for serious Bible studies. Obtaining a study Bible is the place to begin. But as your Bible studies increase, you may want to invest in some more specialized books. Some to explore are: a Bible handbook, Bible dictionary, Bible concordance, Bible commentary, word study tools, a topical Bible, and a Bible atlas. More on Bible study tools.

Don't Forget the Most Important Step

It's possible to be so engrossed in Bible study that you forget the most important purpose of Bible study. It's not Bible knowledge for its own sake nor being able to quote verses and recite orthodox doctrine. Ultimately, the purpose of Bible study is to learn exactly what the Bible teaches so that you can apply its teachings to your life.

Perhaps the simplest approach to Bible study is to use the three basic inductive Bible study questions to ask of a Bible passage:

What does it say?
What did it mean to those reading it in Bible times?
What does it mean to me as I seek to apply it to my life?

My prayer is that your Bible study results in a heart that is tender to listen to what the Spirit is saying to you through Scripture and a will that is determined to live out in your everyday life what you're learning.

Dr. Ralph Wilson is a retired California pastor, director of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries, and author of more than fifty free online Bible studies from the Old and New Testaments. Each Bible study is also available in e-book and printed formats. Copyright © 2006, Ralph F. Wilson <pastor@joyfulheart.com>. All rights reserved.

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