5 Ways To Study God's Word

Studying the Bible is essential to spiritual growth and maturity. The following five methods are foundational for rightly handling God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), ensuring both understanding and application.

1. Read the Word – Repeatedly and Broadly

• “Jesus answered them, "Haven’t you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry"– Luke 6:3

• “And as for the dead being raised—haven’t you read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God said to him: I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?"– Luke 6:3

Reading is the most fundamental part of Bible study. It all begins with simply reading the text slowly, carefully, and multiple times. As the Scriptures point out above, when Jesus was teaching or speaking to others about the Scriptures, he often asked a question, "Have you not read?" If you don't read the text, you can't understand the text; if you can't understand the text, you can't rightly apply it.

Don't isolate a single verse. Instead:

• Read the surrounding verses for clarity.

• Read full chapters and books to grasp the flow of thought.

• Read through the Bible repeatedly, because it helps to form a memory of Scripture

  
  

Each reading builds upon the last, sharpening your understanding and opening your eyes to proper interpretation and context.

2. Read in Context

   • Author and Theologian Craig Keener states, "If we ignore context, we will almost always misunderstand what we read in the Bible" ("The Bible In Its Context" pg. 10).

     
     

In Acts 8:30, Phillip asked the Ethiopian, "Do you understand what you are reading?" and this is why context is so important because it helps us to understand what we are reading. When we don't understand God's word in context, we risk improperly using God's word.

Context determines meaning. Every Bible passage had:

• An original author,

• An original audience, and

• A specific historical and cultural setting.

The Reader doesn't get to determine the context but seeks to understand the context. Which means we must be careful when studying Scripture, not to allow our presuppositions to bleed into Scripture.

We cannot make a verse mean something it never meant to the first hearers. Before we jump to the application, we must grasp the original intent.

So We Ask:

• Who wrote this?

• Who were they writing to?

• What was happening at that time?

• What do the surrounding Scriptures tell me about the context of the passages?

  
  

The importance of reading in context is that it guards us from misinterpretation and false doctrine.

3. Word Studies

• “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” – Psalm 119:130

  
  

Don’t just read the words—study what they mean:

• The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

• Words may not mean today what they meant in Bible times.

Use tools like:

• Bible dictionaries (we have examples of these on our resource page)

• Concordances 

• Word study apps/websites (e.g., Blue Letter Bible, Bible Hub)

  
  

Understanding key terms (like God, love, salvation, justification, and repentance) in their original language helps unlock deeper insights.

4. Use Good Commentaries & Bible Dictionaries

Commentaries are studying resources that interpret or explain the text of Scripture verse by verse. It should be noted that commentaries are not meant to take the place of your reading and interpretation of Scripture. They are a supportive resource for your study, and you should approach each commentary with the understanding that every commentator's explanation of Scripture may not fit with our own.

Most Commentaries are written by scholars who:

• Explain difficult passages,

• Provide background context,

• Offer theological insight.

  
  

Bible dictionaries give definitions of key terms, people, places, and themes throughout Scripture.

These tools don’t replace Scripture—they support our understanding of it.

5. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

• “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” – Psalm 119:18

  
  

Before, during, and after you study, pray. The Bible is spiritual truth, and we need the Holy Spirit to:

• Illuminate the meaning (John 16:13),

• Convict us of truth,

• Guide our hearts toward proper application.

Ask God:

• “Help me understand Your Word.”

• “Show me how to live this truth.”

• “Make my heart tender and obedient.”

Studying God’s Word is more than an academic exercise—it is about knowing God, loving Him, and living for Him. Use these five methods together to grow in depth, discernment, and devotion. As you commit to studying Scripture faithfully, expect your life to be changed by its living and active power (Hebrews 4:12).