10 Life Changing and Effective Bible Study Methods
There are many Bible study methods that are helpful to have as tools in your spiritual growth toolbox. Different Bible study methods can draw out different truths and applications for us as followers of Jesus, and also keep you from spiritual boredom or apathy by doing the same thing day after day, year after year in your quiet time with God.
Bible study is an important part of the Christian life–we have to KNOW the God we are following! And one of the most powerful ways we get to know Him is through studying His Word.
God’s Word itself tells us to study it!
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. -Psalm 119:33-35
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17
10 Life Changing and Effective Bible Study Methods
Any of these methods are great for small group or personal settings! You will probably find one or two of these methods that you enjoy the most and really connects with you emotionally and spiritually in your Bible study time. Each method can be used in the Old Testament and the New Testament and in any type of Biblical reading (narrative, poetry, epistles, prophetic).
It’s a great idea to switch between methods to stretch and expand your spiritual growth and use different “muscles” in your walk with God! Think of this as “cross-training” for your spiritual health.
Like a tennis player who needs strength training, cardio, and stretching–along with tennis drills to stay at the top of their game. If they just do tennis drills and games, then they will likely burn out or become injured.
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1. Inductive Bible Study Method
Inductive method of Bible study is one of the most popular types of Bible study and is a great way to approach and understand the Word of God. Most times inductive Bible study is used to go through an entire book of the Bible verse by verse.
Inductive Bible study makes observations about the text taking into account the history, context, author, and audience. Inductive Bible study also helps us interpret and apply the Scripture by asking ourselves “What is the author saying?” and “What does the passage mean for me today?”.
You can check out my FREE Inductive Bible study worksheet that guides you through this process that is part of my Bible Study Confidence Kit!
2. Topical Study
Topical studies are a great way to dive into a topic that peaks your curiosity or feels applicable to something you are going through in your life. Topical Bible study examples are studying the Names of God, Faithfulness of God, One Another passages, the role of women in the Bible, financial principles in the Bible or Kingdom of God in the gospels.
Topical studies help Christians know for sure what the Bible says about specific topics and be able to confidently live out the principles and truths of the Bible in their ordinary life. You can use a Bible concordance to look up all the Bible verses on the topic you are studying and go through each one verse by verse– reading in different translations, expanding to the paragraph and surrounding Scriptures, asking those inductive study questions or verse mapping skills, and reflecting and journaling.
Here are some great examples of topical Bible studies I recommend.
- Claiming God’s Faithfulness Bible Study
- Lord, I Want To Know You: Names of God Devotional Study
- People of Remembrance: A Study of the Biblical Practice of Remembering
- Claiming the Promises of God Bible Study
3. Verse Mapping
Verse mapping is a fairly new Bible study method for me, but I especially love it for unpacking powerful verses I encounter in my Scripture reading or when I’m preparing for a devotional based on a passage of Scripture. Verse mapping key words can be incredibly helpful for finding fresh nuance in familiar passages. In the verse mapping method, you will write out the verse you are studying by hand and then break it down word by word with definitions and insights as you go.
There is a verse mapping sheet in the FREE Bible study confidence kit AND in the Bible Study Confidence Course, I have a step-by-step video breakdown of using verse mapping!
4. Scripture Journaling
Bible journaling is simple writing out longhand a Bible passage. Doing this helps you slow down and really soak in and connect with each verse you are reading. It’s a great idea to use two or more Bible translations to help you expand and reflect on the different ways translations express the Word of God. As a visual learner who often needs to slow down I love incorporating Scripture journaling in any and all Bible study methods I use.
Learn more about the Scripture Journaling Method here!
5. Creative Bible Study Journaling
If you’re creative and artistic (or just would like to be!) creative Bible journaling is for you! This method became very popular thanks to social media and I love that it’s become more mainstream because there are SO many ways to connect creatively with our creative Heavenly Father!
Uses watercolor paints, colored pencils and markers to engage with God’s Word in creative ways. This can be one of the best ways for creative types connect with God or for the more left brained, logical believers to stretch themselves spiritually in different ways through artistic mediums!
Check out some examples here!
6. Character Study Method
Character studies can be a rich way to dive deep into how God works personally and differently in each Bible character’s life. I love a good character study! There is so much we can learn from the good and bad characters in the Bible.
Character studies examine the life of a Bible character, taking into account the time in history, geography, cultural context–along with the Biblical text of what happened in this person’s life. There are some great applications we can draw from seeing how God has uniquely worked in an individual’s life. Here are some of my favorite Character studies:
- The Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John
- David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His
- Ruth: Fields of Grace
7. Soap Bible Study Method
The Soap method uses an acronym to guide you through the process of studying the Bible.
S- Scripture – Read the Scripture passage of the day and write it out.
O – Observation – Ask great questions of the passage and make observations about words or ideas that stand out to you.
A – Application – The Bible is an ancient book that is for modern times. It is meant to make a difference in the way you live today. Reflect on how this Scripture can change the way you think, feel, and act.
P – Prayer – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember and implement the things you have learned. Pray with Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
8. Devotional Reading
I’m sure this could be a controversial take, but I’m including devotional reading as one Bible study method. Devotional books incorporate shorter passages of Scripture with a short personal story, reflection, and application. They are great for new believers who are just starting reading God’s Word, for those who are short on time, and those who are feeling spiritually dry or in wilderness seasons.
If you’re interested in this method, check out the 30 Best Devotionals for Christian Women to get some great ideas!
9. FEAST Method
This method was developed by Asheritah Ciuciu and is a great way to work through your Bible reading plan and intentionally connect with God beyond a checklist. FEAST stands for Focus, Engage, Assess, Spark, and Turn. You can read about each part of the method (and get a free printable bookmark!) here!
10. The “God Shot” Method
I love this lens for Bible study from Tara-Leigh Cobble founder of The Bible Recap. It’s asking “What’s my ‘God shot for today” as we read our Bibles. This helps us see Scripture as not about us and what we can gain from it, but a Big Story all about God. And we get to know more of Him through the various types of books, personal stories, and literary devices in Scripture.
Additional Bible Study Resources to Grow Your Faith
The right Bible study tools can increase your confidence and desire for studying God’s Word! You can see my favorite Bible dictionaries, Study Bibles, Bible Commentary picks and more in this article and how I use them in my personal Bible study.
Don’t forget to grab your Bible Study Confidence Kit filled with worksheets to help you implement these methods!
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