4 Tips for More Effective Bible Study
How can we transform our personal Bible study time to make the most of the time spent in God’s Word? There are several things I know now that I wish I knew the first time through. These tips have made a huge difference for me and I hope they’re a help to you as well.
DO seek to understand the context!
Historical - Ask yourself: when did this happen in history? What other biblical events happened before and after this?
Literary - The Bible is organized thematically into law, history, wisdom, prophecy, gospels, acts, epistles, and apocalyptic. Determining the type of literature helps the reader understand.
Scriptural - How does this passage relate to other parts of Scripture? Are there references to other events or prophecies being fulfilled here?
This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a great starting point. A simple answer of “Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?” goes a long way!
DO pray!
Before you read, pray that God would give you illumination - opening your eyes to behold and understand the Holy Scriptures (Ephesians 1:17-18).
As you read, pray specific prayers based on what you read in the text. For example, if you read about Elijah’s boldness for God, pray God would grant you boldness. If you read about Jesus’s patience with sinners, pray for patience as well.
After you read, pray for God to make His Word effective in your heart, changing you into His likeness. (James 1:25)
DON’T ask: “How does this apply to me?” but rather “What does this say about God?”
Some instructions and promises were made to specific people at a specific time and while they are written for our instruction, comfort, and encouragement (Romans 15:4), they may not directly apply to us.
So instead we can focus on what the passage teaches us about the character and nature of God. After all, the Bible is not a self-help or self-improvement book, but the divinely inspired Word of God.
DON’T think of Bible study as “quiet time", but “morning watch.”
The phrase “quiet time” didn’t come about until the late 19th Century and became popularized in the 40s as the name for personal Bible study and prayer. This time was previously known as “morning watch” and had a much more strategic outlook for engaging in the spiritual warfare of life on behalf of one’s family and community instead of a more inward focus.
The switch to “quiet time” coincided with a turn toward a more individualistic faith. Of course, each person’s walk with the LORD is individual, but it also affects the family, church, and community. So if we think about our time with God as equipping us for battle (Ephesians 6:10-18), the one we’re all a part of, we may be better prepared for whatever comes our way.
Of course, the particular word choice isn’t the most important thing. Some say, “devotions” or “worship” - it’s certainly all worship. Personally, I like just plain old “Bible reading and prayer.” It’s the mindset that matters, so to each their own!
That’s all for now. It’s my prayer these would help guide you toward deeper intimacy with God. The kind that can only be attained through sincere seeking Him in His Word, powered by prayer, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As always, remember that your standing before God is based on the righteousness of Christ, not your personal piety. The ordinary gospel is simple but extraordinary.
