I used to get so anxious thinking about doing a bible study. I had these ideas of having several books, concordances, bible translations, and commentaries. I thought you had to get up super early before everyone else woke up. I had such high expectations and lofty ideas. I never could live up to them and, therefore, failed every time I tried to do a bible study and devotion time.
In the past year, I have found ways to simplify them so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. The first thing I did was to not go on any blogs that had several things to print out or a workbook to go through. I adore blogs but they were making me feel completely unequipped. God gave us everything we need to do a good bible study and devotion time when He gave us the bible. That is all you need for your time with God to be successful (and even just praying and talking to God is enough).
The only tools you will need is a bible, notebook, and pencil. You don’t need anything fancy or expensive. If you don’t own a bible, there are free apps with many translations available. A spiral notebook and regular pencil will do as well. This will not be any kind of artistic bible journaling. Remember, this is simple. I am not artistic at all and felt like a complete failure when I tried my hand at it. It is not for me.
Before you get started, decide on a book of the bible you want to study. Don’t stress over this. If you feel overwhelmed by whatever book you choose, pause on that one and pick another. It’s okay to do that. I am currently doing a study and devotion on James. Since I chose a New Testament book this time, next time I will choose an Old Testament book. I like to go back and forth so I can study both parts of the bible.
I begin by praying before reading the passages. I ask the Lord to reveal new things to me from His word and to help me understand it better. As I am reading the passages, I use my notebook and pencil to write down any thoughts as I go along. I also like to rewrite certain verses or entire passages in my own words. For this, you may want a dictionary but it’s not necessary. If I truly don’t know what a word means, I do look it up. I want to fully understand what I’m reading.
I usually read one chapter a day and write about it in my notebook. Sometimes I have one or two sentences written and sometimes I have several pages written. It depends on what the Holy Spirit impresses upon my heart that day. My bible study and devotion time usually lasts about a half an hour. If you don’t have that much time, God knows. Read one verse. Pray about it and write down a line or two about what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you.
God is more than enough for us. Just being able to pray to Him is enough but He wants us in His word so we know it. We need to know it because Satan knows it. He will use it as a weapon to destroy. Christians need to know God’s word in their hearts in order to defend the faith, combat Satan, and teach it to others. However you do your bible study and devotion time, remember to pray and thank God for His word and ask Him to reveal new truths from it each day. His word is life-changing.
