How To Study The Bible | Different types of bible study + useful tips
It’s the start of a new year—a time for fresh beginnings and setting goals, especially when it comes to growing in our relationship with God. Many of us are thinking, “This year, I want to spend more time in the Word and be more consistent with my Bible study.” If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How can I study my Bible better?” you’re not alone.
Studying the Bible can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re new to Bible study or just looking to refresh your approach, I’ve put together some tips and methods to help you dive deeper into God’s Word. This list isn’t exhaustive—there’s so much more we could explore—but it’s a great place to start. And don’t worry, I’ll probably do a follow-up blog to keep the conversation going.
Different ways to study your bible
Here are 3 of my favourite types of bible study:
Book study
Studying the Bible one book at a time is a powerful way to dig deep into God’s Word and understand its full message. By dedicating your quiet time to a specific book, you can explore its themes, key teachings, and how it fits into the larger story of Scripture. Start by reading the entire book for an overview, then go back and work through it chapter by chapter, reflecting on what you learn along the way. There are lots of book study devotionals on the Bible App too to help you stay on track, my favourites are by Ligonier Ministries.
Character study
Sometimes, studying the lives of people in the Bible can teach us powerful lessons. The lives of people in the Bible show us how God can work through ordinary people, just like us.
The Bible mentions over 2,900 people—some in just one verse, while others, like David or Peter, have entire stories written about them. If you want to study someone in detail, you can use a Bible encyclopedia to find all the verses where their name appears. Just be careful—some names are shared by multiple people! For example, there are six Marys, five Johns, and five Jameses mentioned in the Bible.
If you want to explore the lives of these Bible characters further, I’ve heard that “Twelve Ordinary Men” and "Twelve Extraordinary Women” by John MacArthur, are great resources to dive deeper.
Topic study
Sometimes, we want to dive into the Bible to learn about a specific topic that’s on our hearts. Maybe it’s faith, idolatry, grief or fear. A great way to do this is by collecting everything the Bible says about that topic and organising it to see the bigger picture. Tools like a Bible encyclopedia or a topical Bible make it super easy to find verses related to specific subjects. This approach lets us see how the Bible talks about the topic across different books, in both the Old and New Testaments, and through the eyes of various authors.
A good book that I’ve seen that can help on this is called Major Bible Themes by Lewis Sperry Chafer, later updated by John Walvoord. It breaks down 52 key Bible teachings, making it easier to focus on specific areas and understand what God says about them.
Just remember, when studying by topic, always read verses in their full context—pulling a verse out of its setting can often lead to misunderstanding.
Tips for reading your bible
Pray
Before you even open your Bible, take a moment to pray. Ask God to open your heart and mind to understand what you’re reading. Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to guide you and reveal truths that apply to your life. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word, so talking to Him before you dive in makes the experience personal and meaningful. It’s not about checking a box; it’s about building a relationship with Him.
Read the Chapter for Context
When you study the Bible, it’s so important to read the whole chapter or section around the verse you’re focusing on. This helps you see the bigger picture of what’s happening and prevents misunderstandings. For example, some verses might seem confusing or out of place until you understand the situation or who’s speaking. By reading the full context, you’ll get a clearer idea of God’s message and how it all fits together.
Use a Commentary
Commentaries are like having a Bible expert sitting next to you, explaining things as you read. They provide insights into the culture, language, and background of the text, helping you see things you might not notice on your own. For instance, when Jesus calls Himself the “Good Shepherd,” a commentary can explain what shepherding meant in biblical times and why it’s such a powerful image. Just be sure to treat commentaries as a tool to enhance your study—not a replacement for reading Scripture itself.
Find Related Sermons
Listening to sermons on the passage or topic you’re studying can bring fresh perspectives and deeper understanding. Pastors and teachers often share real-life applications and stories that make the Bible feel more alive and relatable. Many sermons are available online, so you can easily find one that connects to your study. Just remember to compare what you hear with Scripture itself—God’s Word is always the ultimate authority. I’d also advise against doing a ‘blind search’ online, use pastors and preachers that you can vouch for and know are doctrinally sound.
Start Small
If you’re just beginning, don’t feel like you have to tackle entire books of the Bible all at once. Start with shorter passages, like a Psalm or a parable, and take your time reflecting on it. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to understanding God’s Word. As you grow more comfortable, you can expand to longer sections or deeper studies. Starting small helps you build confidence and a habit of consistency without feeling overwhelmed.
Remember - the beauty of spending time with God is that it’s not about perfection—it’s about connection.
Life will always have its ups and downs and we’re not going to be perfect, but God’s love for us remains. When we approach Him with a willing and sincere heart, no matter how much time we have, we’re drawing closer to Him—and that’s what matters most. Rememeber to give yourself grace and enjoy the journey of growing in His Word!
Other Helpful Resources:
Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible, Revised and Updated by Howard & William Hendricks
More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!
What Does the Bible Say About . . ? Easy-to-Understand Answers to the Tough Questions by Ron Rhodes
Got questions? If you’d like us to cover a specific topic or part of this series then drop us an email!
