Take a deep breath and get back to the basics. No matter how others study, if you are new or overwhelmed, slow down, take a deep breath, and focus on God. Read these tips anytime during the study that you need the encouragement or are feeling overwhelmed.

As you study, keep this in mind to help keep things simple:

• Watch for God’s big story. Look for how the Holy Spirit leads, how the gospel spreads, and how believers respond.

• Don’t get stuck on the details. Some passages may raise questions that aren’t answered right away—and that’s okay.

• Focus on worship first. Let your first response to what you read be praise and worship for what you learned about God (Father, Son, or Spirit)

• Let application be Spirit-led. Ask God how He wants to use His Word to shape your thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

The same Holy Spirit who empowered the early church is the One living in you today. Trust Him to teach, guide, and encourage you as you study.

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