Studying the Bible: My Approach

A few folks from Hope have written me and asked for a quick summary of the strategy for personal Bible study that I shared last Sunday. Of course, there are lots of great approaches out there that are far more detailed and systematic; if it works for you, go for it! My simple approach helps me interact with the text in a thoughtful way. It engages my mind, forces me to think through what the author is saying, and increases my comprehension and retention. Your mileage may vary, but here's the approach in a nutshell. And remember: Don't take shortcuts or you'll rob yourself of some of the benefits of this strategy.

(1) Choose a manageable chunk of scripture to study for the day. For me, this tends to be about a chapter or so, though sometimes I'll grab a longer passage (especially in an Old Testament story) or a shorter one (like when Paul gets really deep in some of his letters).

(2) Pick a translation that you enjoy. The NIV is my mainstay; I enjoy its accuracy and its dynamic equivalence approach. It works well especially for studying a paragraph or two at a time. The NASB is better for zooming in on a verse or two, but its formal equivalence approach makes it a bit clumsy for reading longer passages. I'm learning to enjoy the NLT for its casual and comfortable style, and am recommending it more and more to new followers of Christ. And the NET Bible (bible.org) is intriguing to me as well. But pick whatever works best for you.

(3) Print out the text. I like it double-spaced with wide margins so I can write notes all over it. I also like to remove chapter and verse numbers as well as those paragraph headings that come with most translations. I use Logos Bible Software (logos.com) for this, but there are other choices (see biblesoft.com or quickverse.com). You can also copy-and-paste from sites like bible.org, biblegateway.com, or blueletterbible.org.

(4) Read the text aloud. Don't just see the words with your eyes; hear them with your ears. Try to feel the tone and voice of the text. Give it your full attention.

(5) Write out a summary of the passage in your own words. Think through what is being said. What's the main idea? The more you work at forging an accurate summary, the better you'll understand the passage. If you have time, work on making your summary memorable (i.e., using alliteration, rhymes, or whatever helps improve your retention).

(6) Start your scribbling and note-taking. Break the passage up into manageable chunks by drawing a line across the page whenever there's a break in ideas or flow of thought. Write a word or two in the margins that summarize the idea of each section.

(7) Circle words/names/places that you want to look up later. Underline key phrases and repeated ideas that you think are important. Jot notes in the margins and between the lines. The goal isn't to "get it right" here; just start writing and marking up the text in whatever way helps you think it through. Again, the more you interact with the text at this point, the better you'll understand it.

(8) Only after you've done your own study and have a good grasp on the passage should you turn to outside tools. A Bible Handbook or Bible Dictionary can be useful in filling in background for the passage, the people, the places, etc. Commentaries can be helpful if you think of them as a dialogue with someone else who has studied the same passage; compare you conclusions with theirs and expand your thinking. And, of course, the Internet is a great tool for finding additional information; Google is your best friend here. But don't rely on these tools to do the work for you; they're helpful to finish off your work and take you to the next level, but they're not a substitute for your own discovery and encounter with God.

(9) You're not done until you ask, "So what?" What are the implications for your life. If, as 1 Timothy says, all of scripture is the breath of God and useful for changing us and empowering us to be successful followers of Christ, then the passage you've just studied can be life-changing. How? What are you supposed to DO with what you've learned? Listen for God's voice here; he's speaking to you. Don't rush. Take your time. Let the Spirit stir in your heart and mind and you'll never be the same.

(10) Now get out there and do it! Live it! And don't forget to share what you've learned with others, and listen as they share what they've been learning, too. It's easy for God's people to talk about the weather, or what we saw on TV last night, or whatever headline catches our attention, etc. But when we share God's message with one another — when we "speak to one another" in songs and scripture — we're all better equipped for the adventure.

I hope that's helpful!