


Before you get started think through the following:

  • When will you read? Do you have a consistent time?
  • Where will you read? Do you have a consistent place?
  • What will you read? Do you have a plan?
  • What do you need?
  • Do you have a Bible, journal, pen and highlighter?


You should always approach the Scriptures in a posture of prayerful humility and longing.

  • Ask God to:
  • Incline you entirely to His Word.
  • Open your eyes to see the beautiful wonders of Christ and the glories of the Gospel.
  • Align your heart to hear His name, acknowledging that your desires are often divided.
  • Satisfy you with His steadfast and unfailing love.


The first step of study is to simply read the passage a few times to get an idea of the content, context, and flow. Highlight particular sections that stand out so that you can come back to them later.


What do you see? Observation lays the groundwork for all subsequent study. Cutting corners in this can cause the entire process to unravel. What are you observing? Your goal is not to determine what is and is not significant. Everything is significant. Observation is kind of like panning for gold. Your goal is to dig up as much as possible and allow the later processes to sift the gold.

  1. Mark up the passage. Don’t be afraid to write in your Bible. Circle, underline and highlight. Write in the margins. Get creative.
  2. List two or three overarching themes you see in the passage.
  3. List a few observations per verse.
  4. Write down questions to think through in the step of interpretation.


Your observations will most likely lead to interesting and challenging questions about the text. The step of interpretation allows you to sift through the various observations in order to provide answers.

1. Consider the context.

Who is:

  • The author?
  • The audience?
  • Being discussed?
  • Accomplishing the action?

Where is:

  • The author?
  • The audience?
  • The action taking place?

What is the:

  • Meaning of this word?
  • Purpose of this phrase?
  • Value of this command?
  • Connection in these ideas?
  • Author not saying?

2. Compare multiple translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT).

3. Look up key words.

4. Check cross-references to see how this passage relates to other Scripture. Does the verse point back to Old Testament prophecy? Does it point forward to the Messianic work of Jesus? Does it point to Jesus’ impending return? What else could it point to?

5. When stumped, list all the various options and weigh each of them. After due consideration, use supplemental resources such as the ESV Study Bible or commentaries for helpful insights and background information.

6. Don’t stop until you have considered how this passage fits into God’s overarching redemptive plan – the Gospel. How does this passage relate to the person and work of Christ?

7. Make sure to discuss insights and questions with your spouse, a mentor, or your community group.


What do I do with it? Bible study is incomplete until you have thought through how to apply the particular passage to your life. Some passages will be more readily applicable than others, but all Scripture is useful and helpful (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

1. List a number of potential applications. To get started, here are a few questions to consider:

  • Is there an example for you to follow?
  • Is there a sin to repent of and/or avoid?
  • Is there a promise to trust?
  • Is there a prayer to repeat?
  • Is there a command to obey?
  • Is there a condition to meet?
  • Is there a verse to memorize?
  • Is an erroneous view exposed?
  • What else is the Lord pressing upon you?

2. Choose one or two particular applications and prayerfully consider how you might pursue greater faithfulness in them. Be specific about that you will do (or not do) and whom you will ask (in addition to the Lord) to help you.


Personal Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren
The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro
How To Study the Bible for Yourself by Tim LaHaye