Simple Bible Study

Some steps to getting started or digging a little deeper

1. Pray! Thank God for His Word, ask for His blessing on your time of study, and for His Spirit to

teach you.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it… Ezra 7:10

2. Where to start? At the beginning! Genesis 1:1…

a) If you have some time, read an entire book (all of Genesis, for example) in a few sittings. Look, in a general sense, for how God expresses Himself, and how He accepts our worship of Him.

b) Or, try reading the same section (start with a chapter or two) in several different translations. You might want to compare the English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the Amplified Version (AMP) to begin. You can find these online at www.biblegateway.com or find book copies at a second hand store (or look in your church library).

Then, if you want to dig deeper, look up the passage online at a site like http://bible.cc/

Use the Interlinear translation (the Hebrew/English) for Old Testament readings, and the Apostolic Polyglot (Greek/English) for New Testament readings. Remember Hebrew is read right to left, don’t let it confuse you! Instead, use this step mostly for clicking on specific words you’d like more information on, and searching out the expanded meanings. Then, with a fuller understanding, read the Bible section again.

c) After you’ve read a book, for example, Genesis, go back and study the lives of the godly people in it. In Genesis that would include Enoch, Noah, Shem and Abraham. Look up their names on a site like www.biblegateway.com on a word search, then study all the verses/passages that apply. Look for what pleased God in the lives of these people. How was their faith and trust in God lived out in their lives?

The fear (reverence, awe) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

3. Once you’ve read through a section, you can use a ‘chain’ bible or an online website like www.biblegateway.com to study cross referenced verses in any sections you’d like more

information on.

4. Depending on how much depth or organization you are comfortable with, you might want to keep

a simple notebook as you read. Use one page to write down questions that come up. Leave room to note passages or insights as you continue study. You could use another page to keep track of

the date and what you’ve read.

5. This is the most important step: as you learn what pleases God…think and pray about how

best to live that out in a way that honours HIM. Then...do it!

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.

And his commandments are not burdensome.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:3-4)

6. If you find it difficult to read and comprehend, if it is easier to listen instead of read, use software or CD’s of the Bible. If you feel most comfortable with a teacher, download lessons from a site like www.torahclass.com. These are excellent lessons which teach the Bible from the Bible, and you will hear a lot of Scripture read in each lesson.