Practical Helps For Bible Study

God wants us to study His Word. Consider what the apostle Paul told Christians, “When you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). While there are some things in the Bible that are more difficult to understand, those things necessary for pleasing the Lord can be understood.

Listed below are some practical helps that can help each of us in getting more out of our study of the Bible:

1. Study the Bible regularly. A “hit or miss” approach to Bible study deprives one of gaining a more complete knowledge of God’s Word. By studying for a few minutes daily we are establishing a pattern for our lives. As we regularly study, we are laying the foundation for gaining additional knowledge.

2. Study from all sections of the Bible. Most of us probably have our favorite sections of the Bible. But by studying from all sections of the Bible in an organized way we will receive benefit in being better able to “piece” things together from our study of the Scriptures.

3. Study in view of making application to your life. A constant thought we should keep in mind as we are studying the Bible concerns how we can make application to our lives. As James admonished, “Be doers of the word” (James 1:21). The Bible is more than history, but we have been given God’s Word to make a positive difference in the here and now and to prepare us for eternity.

4. After studying the Bible, meditate upon what you have studied. In Psalm 1:2 is presented a beautiful picture of the “blessed man”, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” To meditate means to ponder or to engage in deep thought. As we review in our minds what we have previously studied, additional applications and the planting in our minds of sacred truths can take place.