3 Simple Bible Study Tips for Beginners
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Starting a Bible study journey can be both thrilling and daunting. As beginners, you may often wonder about the best place to begin, how to maintain consistency, and how to comprehend everything. This guide presents three key Bible study tips to help you confidently start studying the Word.
We will explore creating a well-organized plan, staying committed, and incorporating reflective practices such as journaling. Rest assured, we have all your needs covered.
3 Bible Study Tips
Crafting a Structured Plan
The first step to mastering Bible study when you are just starting out (or even if you have lots of experience for that matter) is to craft a structured plan. Think of it like drawing up a roadmap for a trip. Whether you’re using pre-made plans or creating your own, having a clear plan helps keep you on track and ensures that you feel overwhelmed.
Consider your goals, schedule, and study preferences when drafting your plan, and don’t be afraid to adjust it as needed along the way.
If you need a Bible study plan, you can get free monthly Scripture Reading/Writing plans here:
Staying Consistent
Consistency is the key to success in any endeavor, and Bible study is no exception. However, maintaining consistency can be a challenge, especially with the demands of daily life. That’s why it’s important to establish a regular study routine that works specifically for you.
Find a rhythm that you can stick to. Again, consider your goals, schedule and study preferences when coming up with a plan and, as I said, don’t be afraid to make adjustments to it as you need to! Don’t bite off more than you can realistically chew!
Remember, it’s not about being perfect – it’s about showing up, even on the days when you don’t feel like it!!
The more you have structure when starting out, the easier it will be to remain consistent. Many people stop studying on a regular basis because they either don’t know WHAT to study (there’s a lot of different information out there about where to start in the Bible, how long to read, etc.) or they simply study when they can without a schedule or plan.
If you want help with consistency, try our free 52 Week Bible Reading Challenge here:
Engaging in Reflective Practices
In addition to reading and studying the Bible, it’s important to engage in reflective practices that deepen your understanding and connection with the text. One effective way to do this is through journaling.
Whether you’re jotting down observations, questions, or prayers, keeping a journal allows you to process what you’re learning and track your faith journey over time. Plus, it’s a great way to look back and see how far you’ve come.
In our Mussar program, I stress journaling ALL the time!! When you are working on developing spiritual traits, like we do in Mussar, it is important to keep track of how far you’ve come over a period of weeks (or areas you may still need to develop more).
So I cannot recommend journaling enough!!
And if you would like to join our Free Mussar program, we would love to have you!
In Conclusion:
So there you have it – a VERY simple (yet effective) beginner’s blueprint for Bible study success. And it is just that…simple. But these steps are also critical if you want to build a habit of study!
It is said by many that it takes about a month to form a habit. If you can start with small, simple yet clear steps that fit into your life AND you can maintain this for a month, you will be well on your way toward making this daily Bible study routine a habit!
By crafting a structured plan, staying consistent, and engaging in reflective practices like journaling, you’ll be well on your way to mastering a regular routine of Bible study.
Remember, as I said, it’s not about being perfect – it’s about making progress and growing closer to God with each step.
So dive in, explore, and enjoy the journey. Happy studying!
If you would like to join us for some short Bible studies and also fellowship and chat with members of our community, you can join our brand new Discord Server. Once you join, be sure to go to the Rules channel and accept the rules and then go to our Select Roles channel and choose the topics that interest you!
If you are looking for an easy method to start studying the Word, our post on the SOAP Bible Study Method, along with free companion tools, might be able to help!
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.
Photo on Scripture image by Noelle Otto