In 2009 my family participated in a summer Bible study. We enjoyed it so much we’ve participated in summer Bible studies every year since. Through these Bible studies we’ve learned how to do inductive Bible study, and it has been a huge blessing in my life.

One of the best ways to grow your relationship with God is to study His Word. The Bible is packed full of wisdom and instruction, showing us how to live our lives in a way that pleases God. Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word and its blessings (I encourage you to read the whole chapter!):

– Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”
– Psalm 119:24 “Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.”
– Psalm 119:38 “Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.”
– Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
– Psalm 119:174 “I long for Your salvation, O Lord, And Your law is my delight.”

When we have been in the Word, studying it and learning to apply it to our lives, amazing things happen. And the more time I’ve spent studying God’s Word, the more I love it! In the Bible we find answers, instructions, warnings, and blessings. We learn more of who God is and His great love for us every time we read. God’s Word is truly wonderful.

Psalm 1:1-3 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”

So, how do we study God’s Word? Over nine summers of inductive Bible studies, I’ve learned some helpful tips. Below are 7 tips for getting deeper into the Word:

1: Always pray before you begin. Prayer sets the mood for your Bible study. It helps relieve stress from the day and gets you focused on God before you get started.

2: Write out the passage you are studying. Writing out Bible verses forces you to read them slowly and deliberately, which helps you think about what’s being said.

3: Look for key words in the passage. What words do you see repeated throughout the passage that are important to the message? For example, 1 John 4 is about love, so that is a key word. I usually pick about 3 key words from the passage I’m studying. After that, look up what they mean in a Bible dictionary, or, if you want to go deeper, look up their original Hebrew or Greek meaning. Looking up the meaning of a word helps us understand what we’re learning more fully.

4: Look for cross-references. Where else in the Bible is the same topic being spoken about? Or, if someone in the New Testament is quoting from the Old Testament, what are they quoting? Online Bible programs – like blueletterbible.org or biblegateway.com – are good resources for searching for cross-references.

5: Memorize key verses from the passage. Memorizing God’s Word is so important! Memorization helps you think over the message of the verse more, and it’s very powerful to know God’s Word in your heart. God will bring those verses back to mind when you need encouragement, or when He’s asking you to encourage someone else.

6: Write down the attributes of God that you find in the passage. As you look for and write down the attributes of God you see in the passage, you’ll find yourself loving God even more for who He is!

7: Ask yourself: How can I apply what I’ve learned to my life? Studying God’s Word doesn’t do us any good if we don’t act upon what He’s taught us. Prayerfully consider what you’ve learned through your study, and ask God how He wants you to apply it in your daily life. Ask God what areas you need to grow in, and He will show you.

The more time spent with God, the more we’ll grow in Him! Time spent studying God’s Word is never wasted.

With love,

Kelsey