Basic Bible Study Steps

Set-up Week (I suggest that you take one entire week to learn the book background, prepare your supplies, and read the book a few times :

1. Read the entire book, possibly in a few different translations

2. While you read the book, consider looking for and color-coding:

   • All mentions of God (Father, Son, Sprit, all titles for Him, & all pronouns in place of His name- He, His, etc.)

   • Repetitions and themes that string together through the entire book (I use the same color for each repetition-repeated almost always means important)

EACH WEEK WE WILL WORK ON ONLY ONE CHAPTER:

• Pray for clarity

• Read the chapter watching for important information (things that stand out to you)

• You can take simple notes if you find that helpful for retaining information

• Now focus on one section or passage at a time (you will recognize them by the bold headings) These are the steps you will use to study in-depth:

1. Clarify biblical meanings

   • More details on how to do this in the next lesson

2. Connect biblical truths

   • More details on how to do this in a future lesson

3. Consult biblical experts

   • Study Bible notes, commentary books, or online guides that help you understand the passage better- only write down what is helpful to you personally- I call them "fun facts"

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     Please note: If studying the entire chapter in-depth is a bit overwhelming, or if you are short on time, you can simply read the entire chapter and then just verse map one or two verses (there are suggestions in a future lesson)

• After you have completed your in-depth study of the chapter, you are now ready to pray and praise God for what you learned about Him (you can write it down if you want to)

• You will also want to let Him know how you want to change your attitude, thoughts, actions, and behaviors to be more like Christ. If He put something on your heart to confess, do that too (you can write it down if you want to)

Remember this as you commit to change &/or confess in prayer:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12