Effective Bible Study Tips

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NLT) But how can a light be effective unless it is put to use? In the same way, God’s Word can be our light in the dark world around us. Without it, we will easily stumble and fall, but if we walk in it’s ways, we will easily stay on the path. This light is easily accessible, but only if you take the time to make it a part of your life. This takes effort and a conscious decision to make God your highest priority.

If you are like me, you know what it is like to sit down to do your devotions and your mind suddenly leaps in a hundred different directions. But there are ways to focus your brain and concentrate on the precious words of God. If you have a difficult time studying the word on a consistent and deep level, here are just a few tips to get you started.

Supplies:
1. Your bible
2. A notebook
3. Colored pencils or highlighters* (*beware of highlighters bleeding through the thin Bible pages – consider Bible highlighters if preferred over pencils)
4. Pen
5. 15-30 minutes

1. Limit Distractions. First and foremost, make God top priority. Plan your schedule around your devotion time. Choose a consistent time for devotions in a place where nothing will bother you. Leave your phone in the other room. Go outdoors. Find a place that fits your personality and is as distraction free as possible. Your devotion time should be treated as if you are going on a date, a time set aside just to spend time with the person who loves you more than you could ever imagine.
2. Pray. Psalm 145:18 (NLT) says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” Begin your study by focusing your heart in prayer. If your mind wanders easily, write your prayers in your notebook with a pen – so it will be preserved for future reference. Begin your prayer with thanksgiving, acknowledging God for who He is and what he has done. Try to think of something new that you often take for granted to be thankful for each day. Write this down in your notebook. Then ask God to open your heart as you open the pages of His word.
3. Read. Whatever book of the Bible or particular Bible study or devotional you choose to go through, be acutely aware for truths that apply to your life. For example: even when there is an entire chapter of genealogy, you can still learn how God was faithful to keep His people through the generations. As you come to verses that stick out to you, underline them with the highlighter or colored pencil.
4. Write. Your journal is your chance to get out everything that you just learned in a cohesive and orderly fashion. Whether you write bullet points or full paragraphs is up to you, but be sure to include the verses that were most important to you as well as lessons that you learned through your meditation of God’s Word.
5. Pray. End your time in prayer, talking to God on a personal level about what He has just shown you. Ask him to remind you to apply these lessons to your life. This is also a great time to mention prayer requests to Him. Keep a list of your requests in your journal and document when they are answered. Prayer is a powerful tool and a one-on-one conversation with the King. Don’t be afraid to be silent and listen to what God is saying in your heart. Keep your mind focused and your heart open.

The trick to a good devotion is simply remembering that there isn’t a trick. It is just a conscious decision and effort to make it top priority. Log your thoughts in your journal and go back and read them from time to time. With this daily meditation you will see your relationship with God grow with leaps and bounds.