How To Study The Bible - PART 1

Learn how to study the Bible the right way!

How to Study the Bible - Part 1

Summary: Studying the Word of God is a daily necessity, but before you decide WHAT to study, it's important to know WHY and HOW to study.

The first step to effective study is Preparation - getting our hearts ready to receive the Word. In our preparation, we must approach God's Word in two ways:


  1. Dependently – depending on Holy SPIRIT for illumination. Depending on other mature believers helps to bring balance as we walk this thing out.
  2. Purposefully – being clear in our minds WHY we study God’s Word.

The 10 Reasons Why We Should Study God's Word

1.) To settle the issue of our own salvation.

A good place to start is the Gospel of John as it was written so people might read about Him, believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.

2.) To grow spiritually.

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2


This fosters a steady, strong Christian not likely to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. This is also how we protect ourselves from false doctrine.

3.) To receive personal blessing and encouragement.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4


Through the Word we find the power of God to transform.

4.) To receive personal guidance.

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105


God’s Word is a lamp for life that lights the way before us so we can see where we are going. Often times the Bible addresses our specific situations, but when it doesn’t, there are principles we can apply to our lives and situations so that we have confidence that we are being led by the Spirit of God. If our personal decisions contradict the Word of God, then we can be sure we are not being led by God.

5.) To defend ourselves against the devil.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11


The Christian life involves spiritual warfare. The WILES of the devil are the methods he uses against people, trying to keep them from doing the Will of God.  

6.) To effectively teach truth to the next generation.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

7.) To be able to counsel others.

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another.” Colossians 3:16


Let the Word of GOD be at home in your life. The WORD of God is to take up residence within us, influencing every area of our lives. In time, God wants to use YOU to help others who may be newer to the faith.

8.) To be ready to speak to unbelievers about Christ.

The concern of Christians should not be winning arguments or debates, but winning souls! The more we learn in study, the more effective we will be in winning souls.


“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” 1 Peter 3:15

9.) To verify that the teaching of others is the truth of God.

“They received the Word with all readiness , and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

10.) To present ourselves approved unto God.

Like divers who work to locate pearls in the ocean or miners who labor to find gold in the earth, Christians are workers who study the Bible to discover God’s truth.


“Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB

Conclusion: God’s Word is truly living and active, ready to change us from the inside out!