Is there a right or wrong way to study the Bible? There’s no easy answer to this, because it is a personal question! However there are some Bible study tools that might make it easier for you.

When you think about a Bible study, you think about sitting down, Bible in one hand and maybe a pen and notebook in the other. You might picture yourself opening to a book in the Bible and wondering if God will speak to you through His word.

On the surface there is nothing wrong with this, by all accounts and purposes it is a great way to start. The problem is that if you just randomly open to whatever book of the Bible you choose, without a plan or intended purpose, your resolve may fizzle out.

Can we read the Bible just to read it? Sure. But when we approach is with more intention, that is when we get the most out of it.

Using the right Bible study tools will help you not only understand what God is saying but also apply it to your life.

Bible Study Tools

I’m not talking about my favourite pens or highlighters, let’s be honest, having the right pen isn’t going to make or break your time with Jesus. There are a few things that will impact it, so let’s dive into those!

Bibles (Yes, Plural)

Obviously you will need a Bible in order to study the Bible, but you likely will want more than one.

You will have a primary Bible, one where you take your notes or use the most often. You also will want different translations of the Bible to refer to.

For example, I have an NLT Bible which I use in my kitchen. This is currently my most used Bible because it is designed to journal in the Bible so I can easily make notes. I don’t love the NLT translation, but for now that’s what sits there.

My Bible next to my bed is NIV and has been following me around since I was a teenager. It is the most worn out. I still enjoy the NIV, probably because I grew up on it and am the most familiar with that translation.

I also have a NKJV which I don’t use as often and then the Bible app on my phone is ESV. I quite like the ESV, although it sometimes can take some reading and rereading.

It’s good to have multiple translations because some verses hold different meanings or have better context to them with different versions. You don’t have to go out and buy a new Bible though, you can search specific translations online if you want to see a few verses in a different version.

It’s good to be aware of these different options and use them when you are studying the Bible. This broadens your understanding of scripture and helps you to see what the author was trying to convey.

Bible Mapping or Verse Mapping

It is so helpful when you take a verse and map it out so you understand it. And I don’t mean a geographical map (although this can be helpful too). I mean verse mapping in the sense of digging into a specific scripture or passage and understanding every word within it.

This means you are looking up the meaning of words, you are searching for related verses in the Bible, you write down what this verse made you think of…all the things. This is one of the best ways to understand what God is saying.

As you get better at Bible mapping you probably will be able to do it in your head as you are reading, or say it out loud. I do this (in a simplistic way) with my boys as we read the Bible. We unpack the verse, very similar to the free download above, but in a much simpler way.

Following a Guide

Sometimes we just need help when we are going through the Bible. Having something to follow, or read to give context or point out things we missed can make a huge difference. One of the best Bible study tools is a guide!

Better still is a daily guide to keep you on track. Especially in the busy seasons of life (like motherhood!) a guide can make a huge difference. Whether it is a specific resource, devotional or course, when you have something to follow it takes out the question of “what should I be reading?”

I love taking scripture and using it in prayer, which is why I created a guide written specifically for busy moms. If you want to dive into scripture and prayer, you can check it out – Pray Over Your Home.

Make it a Daily Practice

The best Bible study tool is daily practice. The more you read the Bible, the more you walk with God, talk with Him and seek the Holy Spirit, the more the Bible will speak to you. God communicates through His word, and there is a reason it is called “Daily Bread.” It’s not meant to be read only on Sundays or special occasions.

Don’t let “Bible study” scare you, all it means is diving deeper into the love letter God wrote. It may seem intimidating some days but when you remember the reason for the book, it makes the effort worth it.

Start with these Bible study tools; different versions of the Bible, a Bible mapping outline and a guide to follow!

Want a guide you can follow to use scripture every day to pray over your home? Check out my 30 day “Pray Over Your Home” guide!

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