Sometimes the Bible is difficult. It’s not always stories about kings slaying giants, being thrown in a lion’s den, dying on the cross, or Solomon’s songs. Although that is a large chunk of the Bible, that isn’t all that there is. Sometimes it isn’t easy to read books like Leviticus and Job or chapters like all of the linage chapters.

Because of these uninteresting parts of the Bible, it is easy for us to hit a plateau when reading it. How do we get past these chapters’ boringness to see why God placed them in the Bible? We have to learn how to study the Bible so that we understand and can internalize it.

Can’t I just skip the boring parts?

 I think that would make it a lot easier. Wouldn’t it? But God has placed every book in the Bible for a reason. If it is in the Bible, there must be some importance for us today. We don’t just read the Bible to be entertained but rather to hear from God. The Bible is God, according to John 1:1. The Bible had existed before the world was in motion. That means that God chose every word in it before their writers were even here on this earth.

The Bible is God’s words. The Bible is the best way to hear God’s voice. This is why it is so important to read our word. When we read our word, it allows us to be in a relationship with God. How can we expect to connect with God if we don’t listen to him? That’s like expecting to be best friends with someone you’ve never spoken to or even had a glimpse of their personality.

Okay, so how do I study it?

Well, I thought you’d never ask. I want to give you three methods of reading the Bible and break down each one to decide on what is best for you.

Method 1: SOAP

The first method is the SOAP method. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayerful response. You begin by writing whatever scripture in its entirety.  After reading the scripture and writing it down, you write what the scripture means in your own words. Once you have broken it down into a way that you can best understand, you write how you can apply it to your life. Once you see how you can apply it to your life, you would then write down a pray reconnecting back to that scripture.

This is a popular method. One of the best examples of this method is You version’s Bible app uses this method in many devotionals. It is one of the best ways to breakdown the scripture into a way that you can remember and use in the future.

This method is my favorite way to study the Bible. I need to breakdown EVERYTHING I read, from emails to textbooks to the Bible. I have to put into words that I can understand. Not only do I have to break everything down to understand it better, for it to mean anything to me, but I also have to find the best way to apply it to my life and my circumstance. Because this method requires you to break everything down and apply it to your life, it is the best way for me to study because that is how I go through life anyway.

Method 2: GROW

The next method is the GROW method. GROW is an acronym meaning greet, read, observe, and write. This method is similar to SOAP, where you still write the verse, your observations, and a prayer. When you greet, you open up your bible study session with prayer and invite God into your space. Your observations are a little different where you write things that stick out to you versus just rewriting the scripture in your own words.

 This method is excellent for someone who is very observant, reads deeper into most things they study, and notices the little things that can make a big difference.

 

Method 3: REST

The REST method is for someone who enjoys meditation, reflection, and quiet moments to hear from God. REST stands for reading, engage, savor, and take charge.

Engage means to write it down. (You may be noticing a pattern.) When we write things down, we now own them. That is why so many bible study methods want us to write down what we are reading. Writing down the word is the difference between hearing and knowing the word.

To savor the scripture means to meditate on it. Meditation is a great way to disconnect from the outside world and all the things that so easily distract us. It is the crucial difference between the REST method and the others. Meditating on the word is going into a deep reflection of what God is trying to say through the author. When we meditate, it allows us to be aware of God’s presence and why he has brought us to whatever scripture we are reading. It goes beyond just reading the word. Meditating is a divine moment with God, where he begins to reveal part of himself through what you are reading.

The final part of this method is to take charge. To take control sounds a lot more aggressive than it is. It is another way of applying God’s word to your own life. How will you respond to what God is saying in these scriptures?

 

There are so many different ways to study the Bible. I went through and picked three methods that should be easy to follow and allow you to get the most out of your bible studies. I hope these methods that I found can help you create a deeper connection with God by studying his word.

Now that you know how to study the Bible, it still may be hard finding a place to start. If you head over to our store, we have an excellent bible reading plan that helps you get through reading the Bible in one year.