Many believers who are new to reading and studying their Bibles usually don’t know where to start. There are many Bible translations and resources that can overwhelm an individual when choosing to study God’s Word. However, there are many practical and simple resources that can help a believer study their Bible effectively. Here are the 5 practical steps to studying your Bible and strengthen your faith:
Picking an Easy-to-Understand Translation of the Bible
Choosing an easy-to-understand translation of the Bible can make reading and studying it way less complicated than what it has to be. It is important that you choose a translation of the Bible that is simple to read and has easy-to-read commentary such as NIV (New International Version), ESV (English Standard Version), et. I personally prefer the NJKV (New King James Version) of the Bible because it is the original standard of the Gospel and makes it easier for me to study and read it during my bible study time.
Beginning with Prayer
Starting your Bible reading time with prayer. By spending time with God in prayer, ask Him to help you understand what you are about to read in His word for the day. He will guide you as you read and study His word and help you to hear His voice clearly. As you continue to start your Bible reading time with prayer, it will strengthen your faith in Him and give you a great head start towards your day.
Starting with New Testament Gospels
As you begin to read and study your Bible, starting in the New Testament Gospel is a great way to start. Starting in the book of John is great start to the Gospel as you’ll learn about the life of Jesus and His teachings. Following along with the book of Romans, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts are also great ways to start studying the Bible while also learning about the Gospels. Personally, I started with the book of John when I study my Bible because it teaches me about the ministry of Jesus and who He is.
Using the S.O.A.P. Method
Using the S.O.A.P. method is another great resource to study the Bible because it is a simple method that can make Bible reading easy to understand and reflect on God’s word. S – Scripture: Writing down a verse that stands out to you. O – Observation: Observe what the biblical text is saying. A – Application: How can you apply this to your life today? P – Prayer: Pray to God and ask Him to help you understand what you read and how to apply it to your life.
Having a Quiet Space
Starting your day in a quiet space to read your Bible is a great way to start. You would be starting your day in God’s Word which will help you navigate how the rest of your day should go. Spending time with God in His word will not only strengthen your faith but also help deepen your relationship with Him each day. I find that starting my day in God’s Word deepens my relationship with Him and sets the tone for how the rest of my day will go.
These practical steps I shared above are all ways that you can start reading and studying the Bible effectively today. I pray that these steps will strengthen your relationship with God and growing closer to Him each day.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (NKJV)
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