How to Develop an Effective Bible Study Plan

Whether you're new to reading the Bible or have been reading it for many years, the question we must always ask ourselves is, "What is the most effective way for me to study the Bible?" There are so many ways it can be done, but how do you find the way that you should use. As a minister, I am asked this question often. While there is no "one" correct answer, you can develop a plan of study that addresses your needs for your current walk.

There are many ways of reading the Bible. There are topical studies, chronological studies, reading through the Bible, and the list goes on. There are probably as many ways to read and study the Bible as there are people reading the Bible. The important thing to keep in mind is that no one way is right or wrong, and what worked for you once may be more or less than what you need now.

Choosing A Translation

Before we can start any daily Bible study, we must choose a translation to study. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. If we choose a translation that is difficult for us to understand, we will not be excited or interested in reading each day. If we choose one that oversimplifies, we will feel too smart for it. Sometimes, it becomes beneficial to read several translations at the same time. Each one will bring a different set of ideas to the table. Research some of them and ask what others read. From there, you'll find the right one for this particular study, since that may change from time to time.

Assessing Your Needs

After settling on a translation, or two, you should assess your needs. Why are you hoping to get from your study? Do you simply want to read through it for the first time? Are you at a point in your life where you need specific direction? Are you new to the Bible or have you been through it a few times? Answering these questions will be the largest determining factor for developing a study plan.

A simple read through the Bible may seem the most logical, it's how we would approach any other book, but it may fall short in meeting your needs. While I believe every person should read through the Bible at least once in their life, that is not what I would suggest to every person, every time. Reading through the Bible will give you an idea of the themes and stories; it will not be a good method to receive consistent direction. For that, there are other methods.

A good, topical study is generally the most effective at receiving direction in our lives. For that, we must decide what area in our lives we need direction. Do we need more patience, more faith, less temptation? Once we decide this, we can then begin looking for stories or writers who dealt with these areas.

Setting Aside Time

More people fail in their Bible study because they fail to set aside time. A plan that simply relies on time being available will always end in frustration. Just as you set aside time for other important things, you must set aside a consistent time. Whether that time is morning, afternoon, or evening, making sure it is the same time every day will assure that the time is always there.

This could lead to the question of how much time should be set aside. That is a difficult question. Again, frustration can set in if after the set amount of time nothing seems to happen. If this occurs day after day, you will eventually stop. The most effective plan I have heard stated that you should read until it speaks to you. Some days this may be 5 minutes, while others it may be 30 minutes.

While it is not practical to leave an undetermined amount of time available, usually 30-45 minutes will be sufficient. This will not be enough every day, but it should be sufficient most days. Again, there may even be some days where you feel that after 5 or 10 minutes you have gathered quite a bit of information.

Begin With Prayer

As Christians, we believe that God wrote the Bible. If you were to study any book, having the help of the author would make studying that book the most efficient. We should think this with the Bible. Prayer will invite the Author of the Book to speak to you as you read. He will gladly bring things out which you might otherwise have missed.

Study Helps

It never hurts to have study helps. These can be other translations, dictionaries, commentaries, and lexicons, among others. There will be those places where you feel the need to research what was written. You'll want to look up the meaning of words in the original languages or see what others have gotten out of a passage. Having helps will make getting more out of the Bible easier. There is so much information in the Bible, no one person can claim to gather every bit of that information. Having books or people to give you another point of view will only enhance your study and understanding. There are even quite a few online Bible study sites which may offer a different perspective.

One important thing to keep in mind with regards to these helps is that none are fail proof. You should never rely solely on any one. This will keep you from hearing what God is saying specifically to you. Let Him be your guide. He may occasionally use these helps, but He won't rely on them.

Prayer And Meditation

Finally, as you finish each session of study, you'll want to spend a few moments in prayer and meditation. Meditating on what you have just read will help you put it into perspective in your life. As you contemplate how the story or passage can impact your life, you'll find ways to make that application, and application is what we are ultimately after. We must treat the Bible as more than just a book. As Christians, we are called to use it to guide our lives. We cannot do that without reading and studying it. This book has been read by more people in history than any other book. It has also impacted more lives than any other book. With a good plan, you can have an effective study of the Bible, not just once, but over and over again.