Is Bible Study On Your To-Do List?
Bible study is an essential factor in your journey with Christ.
I remember deciding to start taking Bible study seriously after a lousy depression and break up. I was fasting, praying, and studying. A few months after I made that decision, my father was admitted to the hospital. He had the flu and pneumonia. I remember before he got sick during a conversation with a friend, I expressed how I didn't think I could live without my parents. I know we all have to go some time, but I couldn't fathom at that moment, losing a parent. I remember I had found this new respect and love for my father (we had a challenging relationship growing up). I wanted to make up for all the time that we didn't share that bond. Getting the Word of God in me prepared me for his passing. I watched my dad slowly leave me in the hospital every day. Before the doctors told my family and me, there was nothing they could do; God had already revealed to me that he wasn't going to make it. I remember trying to be reliable the entire time my dad was in the hospital, which was a total of two weeks.
Once God revealed to me, he wasn't going to make it, I went to the hospital and looked at my family and saw all of their hope. I didn't know how to break it to them, and I broke down. I mourned him before he left us. My family and I stood beside him as he took his last breath. I remember as our family cried and comforted each other, I blurted out, "God is STILL good!" I kept saying it over and over. I knew that God spent months preparing me for this moment. I was thankful; He strengthened me. I was obedient to the calling of studying, praying, and fasting.
I was praying for my dad's healing, and God did heal him just not in the way I wanted Him to.
On this journey, you have to get serious about studying the Word of God because life is going to happen. But how will you handle it? Will trial and tribulations beat you down so bad that you throw in the towel? We are going to get knocked down on this journey, but are you going to stay down? Are you going to go through your problems alone when you can have God in your corner? He's such a gentleman; He is not going to force His way into your life. He gives you a choice. Will you choose Him? God's Word speaks to you. It gives you direction, vision, peace, and everything else you will need. Studying the Bible needs to become a part of your lifestyle. It is challenging to do when you have so much going on in life. But, the Word of God is a NECESSITY on this journey. Jesus fought off the enemy with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11). Get his Word written on your heart, so you know how to fight off the enemy too!
Are you ready to make studying the Bible a habit? Do you need a few tips on how to get started? Well, keep reading.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A study Bible- get a translation that you will understand, you don't have to start with the King James Version. Listen, those thou's, and thee's sometimes have thrown me for a loop. I'm currently studying with the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible NKJV, which I LOVE!
2. The Complete Guide to the Bible by Stephen Miller (shout-out to my Instagram friend that recommended it.)
3. Journal
4. Highlighter
5. Pen/Pencil
A few tips based on how I like to study:
First, I want to get context about what I am about to explore. I start with The Complete Guide To The Bible. Using this, I get the writer, background information, the date, location, and main point. Beginning this way helps me digest what I am reading. If you have a study Bible, you can sometimes get this information from there as well.
Once I start reading if a scripture speaks to me, I write the scripture out in my journal. Studies show that writing by hand influences your cognitive process. It also slows me down and helps me process what I'm reading. Next, I reflect and write how I can apply the scripture to my life so that I am living a life more pleasing to God. Lastly, I write out my prayer to God, asking for His guidance and whatever else the Holy Spirit leads me to pray. I ask for forgiveness, and I repent. I do this with as many scriptures that leave an impression on me. Studying the Bible this way is called the SOAP Method: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. I didn't invent this method, I googled the best way to study the Bible one day years ago, and this method stood out the most. It's also been the most effective.
Another thing I like to do when I'm studying is journaling what God reveals to me as I'm reading. Sometimes I see myself in certain situations or people in the Bible, and I write it out. I also journal where God shows up and where I see His hand. I jot down things that I learned about the stories in the Bible that I didn't know before.
Now, you don't have to follow this method, but I would suggest finding one. Try different ones until you find what works best for you. When you go back and read your journal months later, you'll be amazed at the difference in yourself. When you add God to the equation, I can bet you will not handle life how you handled it before.
If you already have a method that works for you, I would love to hear about it. I'm always down to learn something new. Comment below and let me know how you study the Bible.