How to Study the Bible—12 Effective Ways

An essential key to spiritual growth is daily, habitual study and meditation on portions of the Bible, God’s word. The apostle Paul compares the word of God to milk, which a newborn baby needs to grow (1 Peter 2:2). Therefore, just as a baby needs his mother’s milk every day to grow, cultivating a daily habit of feeding on God’s word results in steadier and more impactful growth. The word is food to us.

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

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

The Bible is the inspired word of God

The Holy Spirit inspired the words of the Bible. He is the real author and only used human vessels to record God’s words. The word of God is the primary means through which God speaks to us. Jesus is also referred to as the Word of God. The scriptures, therefore, are Jesus himself.

The word of God is God’s mind and will revealed to us. It helps us know him and his will for our lives. The word of God helps a believer grow spiritually and in holiness. It also makes us productive in our Christian walk.

“For the prophecy did not come in times past by the will of man, but the holy men of God spoke, being inspired by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Below are 12 effective and useful tips from my own experience that I believe will be helpful to new converts and anyone seeking to make scripture study a daily part of their lives.

1. Study the Bible daily: Set aside a place and time

Make it a daily habit to study God’s word by deliberately setting aside time each day for this purpose. This requires discipline and deliberation. The best time is in the morning as you do your morning prayers. Choose a quiet place without distractions. Feel free to set aside a time that suits you best. But make it a set-apart time so that it becomes a habit and an appointment you must keep. We should prioritize spending time with God even more than we do other things like work, grooming, exercise, and so forth. God is sure to bless us if we put him first every day.

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

2. Use a physical Bible and a reliable translation

Invest in a quality physical Bible, as this allows you to have a personal Bible, which you can make notes on, underline, travel with, and become familiar with. This is more enriching than using Bible apps and online Bibles as your main Bible, which tend to promote laziness and distractions.

I recommend the King James Version (KJV), which is one of the oldest and most faithful translations, dating back to 1611. It is not corrupted as with many modern translations. A KJV cross-reference Bible is best, as it will have alternative word suggestions for the more archaic ones in the cross-reference section.

If the KJV English is just too hard for you to understand, you could get a New King James Version (NKJV), which is not bad. But I would still recommend getting a KJV Bible eventually or concurrently, as this is the best and most faithful translation even for memorization. I use a Thomas Nelson KJV Center-Column Reference Bible I have had for 13 years now.

I recommend investing in a good cross-reference Bible, as this will enrich your study more. If you do not have a cross-reference Bible, BibleHub has good cross-references.

Picture of a center-column reference Bible below.

I also recommend getting a Bible with maps at the back. These maps include maps of Israel during Jesus’ time, Paul’s missionary journeys, and other Old Testament maps. These are very useful to give you a vivid picture of the places Jesus and the apostle Paul traveled to. This will greatly enrich your understanding and enjoyment of the scriptures.

A quality Bible may be expensive, but it is the greatest investment you can make in your spiritual life and is worth it. A good-quality Bible can last you many, many years.

3. Have a study plan: Study the entire Bible, book by book

It is essential to have a systematic Bible study plan to stay focused, measure progress, and maintain consistency of thought. Study book by book, starting with the New Testament if you are new to the Bible. Aim to read a certain number of chapters a day, as this will help train your discipline and concentration (e.g., a minimum of 4 chapters a day). Read systematically until you finish the entire Bible. Reading a verse here and a verse there haphazardly is not wise, and you will not grow in maturity or doctrine that way.

If you’re a new believer, I recommend starting with the New Testament and studying it a few times over before you go to the Old Testament. Once you are familiar with the New Testament, the Old Testament will be more understandable and relatable.

I recommend downloading a good Bible study plan. Our flexible One-Year Bible Reading Plans are excellent to support you in doing this. By reading a minimum of 4 chapters a day, it is possible to finish the entire Bible in a year. Check out and download our two One-Year Bible Reading Plans here.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof (conviction), for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete), thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

4. Pray and ask for wisdom as you study God’s word

The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, and he is also our Helper and Teacher (John 16:13, John 14:16, John 14:26). Ask Him for wisdom and understanding as you begin to study the scriptures, and He will do it. Only He can illumine our minds to understand God’s word.

“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:45

5. Meditate on and memorize the word of God

Take your time when studying the Word of God; don’t rush. You are studying and not just reading. Meditate (ponder) on what you are reading. To meditate is to think upon, imagine, and ponder. Meditating is like a cow chewing cud; it is running the words over and over in your mind and heart. The word of God is living and active. It is therefore crucial to meditate upon it rather than just read through it like a novel. As you grow in the Word, you can also aim to memorize verses that stand out.

“This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

Memorize scriptures.

As you read the word aloud, memorize verses that stand out. Memorizing the word of God will prove helpful in times of temptation and trial. The word of God is a sword (Ephesians 6:17). It is through the word of God that we can counter Satan’s attacks. Jesus did this in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil because he had memorized the word of God. He spoke scriptures against the devil and defeated him. Memorizing the promises of God also encourages and builds up our faith.

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

The word of God admonishes us to meditate on God’s word day and night. The only way to do this is if we have memorized passages of scripture. It is then we can regurgitate them in our mind.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

6. Read the Bible out loud

Another powerful way to study the scriptures is to read them out loud. This is how I study my Bible. This is how God taught the Israelites to meditate on his word. The word “meditate” in the Bible also means “to mutter.” To mutter is to say something in a low voice. Therefore, you don’t have to be loud, but audible to yourself. Hearing the word as you read it from your own mouth, as well as reading, doubles the impact.

“The ancient art of reading aloud has a number of benefits for adults, from helping improve our memories and understand complex texts… Colin MacLeod, a psychologist at the University of Waterloo in Canada, has extensively researched the impact of reading aloud on memory. He and his collaborators have shown that people consistently remember words and texts better if they read them aloud than if they read them silently.” Sophie Hardach, BBC

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3

“But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

7. Take the Bible literally and with childlike faith

When studying the Bible, take it literally. This means taking the passage to mean exactly what it says without looking for hidden meanings. The Bible is not a cryptic text; it was written for all people, including children, and so God has made it plain and easy to understand. It is not a book for scholars but for God’s children. Therefore, do not approach it with the idea that it is difficult to understand, but with the expectation that God will speak to you through it, through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is for those who are like little children and for the poor in spirit. He desires to speak to you through his word, and he will if you give him the time.

“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” Luke 11:28

8. Understand the context of the passages

It is also important when studying the Bible to understand the context of the passage and what is being talked about. This is why it is important to study the Bible book by book, so that you do not take verses out of context and come up with erroneous doctrines. False doctrines are often formed by taking scriptures out of context to make them mean what they do not mean. Studying chapter by chapter and book by book will ensure that you become a wise Bible student who understands what God is conveying.

Likewise, scriptures interpret scripture. God never contradicts himself. Therefore, if a particular passage does not make sense, as you continue to study more passages, they will shed light on what was difficult to understand. That is an important thing to know in studying the word of God: there are no contradictions, and the word clarifies itself. Since God inspired His Word, it is error-free.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

9. Stick to the Bible

During your Bible study time, stick to reading only the Bible. Devotionals by your favorite preacher or commentaries are not the Bible. Study the actual Bible as a priority over any devotional, since this is the pure word of God. Devotionals are excellent, but do any additional readings after you have finished your daily Bible study readings.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16

10. Using Bible study tools

If you come across words or phrases you don’t understand, always look them up in a Bible dictionary and concordance, considering the original Greek and Hebrew meanings and other alternative Bible translations for the same word or passage. BibleHub is a good site for this; it also has good cross-references.

Avoid commentaries if you haven’t been studying the Bible for a long time. Aim to study the Bible for a while by yourself before you read commentaries. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the scriptures rather than rushing to read other people’s interpretations. For this reason, I’d not recommend using a Bible with a commentary if you’re still new to studying the Word.

Once you have been studying the Bible for a while, commentaries can help supplement your Bible reading, but be careful which commentaries you read. Albert Barnes’s and the Reverend Matthew Henry’s commentaries are highly recommended and respected by great ministers of the gospel and Christians over the centuries for their wisdom, fidelity to scripture, and insights.

11. Keep Christ as the focus of your Bible study

The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ. Keep Christ as your focus and the main character of the Bible, and not yourself.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

The scriptures point to Jesus and reveal him. They are not motivational or man-centered words, but they are Jesus himself. All the scriptures point to him and reveal him. When we make the scriptures about us, they lose the power to transform. Seek to see Jesus in the scriptures, and the word will become flesh and life in you. As you focus on Jesus, your own life will be transformed because it is he who transforms us. The Bible is not an ordinary book.

“27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in ALL THE SCRIPTURES the things concerning himself… 32 And they said one to another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” … 44 And he said unto them, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, CONCERNING ME.” 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:27, 44-45

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

12. Study the Bible to obey

Study the word of God to obey. God has given us his word for us to obey, and this obedience involves action. If we read but do not obey, it profits us nothing. Jesus said that those who obey his word are wise. By studying the word and obeying it, we strengthen our foundation, and we become stronger Christians who bear fruit and can weather the storms of life. If we do not obey, we deceive ourselves. Therefore, as you study, purpose that you will obey what you read and ask for strength and wisdom to obey when it seems difficult.

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!” Matthew 7:24-27

“If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:17

Grow and teach others

I pray that these 12 tips will inspire you to study the word of God every day of your life. Remember, growth is deliberate. If we make Bible study a regular habit, we will reap the rewards. We will become mature disciples of Jesus Christ who can disciple and teach others. This is what Jesus desires and requires of us: not to remain babies, but to grow and then help others grow!

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15

“And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.” 2 Timothy 2:2

Also, check out the related articles below:

20 Powerful Benefits of Studying the Word of God

Bible Illiteracy Is Not Acceptable for Christians

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible by J.C. Ryle

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