Before You Study the Bible

Before you study the Bible check out these tips to enrich your Bible study time.

This resource is certainly not meant to complicate Bible study. On the contrary, studying the Bible should be simple. It doesn't require a great deal of elaborate preparation, but there are a few things that you can do to improve the quality of your Bible study time, making it more personal and meaningful.

Get to Know the Basics of the Christian Faith

First, you may want to spend time getting to know the basics of the faith. Do you understand what it means to be a follower of Christ? Common misconceptions about Christianity can hinder your Bible study and slow your spiritual growth.

Also, you may not be aware that Christianity is the largest religion in the world today. The Bible is the best-selling book in the U.S. every year, and approximately 38 million Bibles are distributed worldwide each year. So I've included a few statistics to provide you with a global look at Christianity and a greater appreciation for its distinguishing text—the Bible.

• Christianity Basics
• Common Misconceptions About the Christian Life
• Christianity Today - General Statistics and Facts of Christianity

Choose the Right Bible for You

Next you'll want to choose the Bible that best fits your wants and needs. For some it's important to choose the Bible translation that your pastor uses. This makes it easier to follow along during the weekly messages when your pastor preaches or teaches. For others a study Bible with good study notes is important. You may prefer a devotional Bible. Just know that a good quality Bible usually requires a bit of an investment. It's important to do your research first, then select your Bible. You don't want to spend a lot of money and then discover that the Bible is not the best one for you.

• Top 10 Bibles
• Popular Bible Translations

Learn How to Study the Bible

Now you're ready to learn how to study the Bible on a regular basis. One of the most important essentials in the daily life of a Christian is spending time reading God’s Word. And there are actually many ways to study the Bible. I offer one method to help you get started. This particular method is great for beginners; however, it can be geared toward any level of study. As you become more comfortable with Bible study, you will begin to develop your own techniques and discover favorite resources that will make your Bible study very personal and meaningful.

• How to Study the Bible
• How to Create a Daily Devotional Plan
• Spending Time With God

Additional Tools for Studying the Bible

Lastly, as you develop your own Bible study methods, you may want to include some additional tools that will help you go further and deeper into understanding and applying the Word of God. A Bible reading plan is crucial to remaining consistent and disciplined as you make it a practice to read through the entire Bible. Today a wealth of Bible commentaries and Bible software programs are available. These suggestions are meant to help you choose the tools that best suit you.

• Unique Bible Reading Plans