July 23, 2024 • 26 mins
Strengthen your spiritual journey with essential Bible study insights. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to the Scriptures, this episode promises a fresh perspective on integrating study into your daily life. Learn how a newcomer in our weekly faith group sparked thought-provoking discussions, reminding us of the foundational practices that can rejuvenate our study habits. Discover personalized approaches to Bible study, from daily devotionals to more flexible reading schedules, and see how these methods can be tailored to fit your lifestyle.
Prepare to transform your study environment and gather the right tools for a focused and meaningful Bible exploration. We share practical strategies for creating a distraction-free space that encourages reflection, even involving family members by setting an example. From using multiple Bible versions to incorporating highlighters and trusted commentaries, you'll find guidance on how to conduct an effective and enriching study. A structured approach, starting with prayer and moving through reading, studying, memorizing, and applying scripture, is emphasized to open hearts to God's message.
Embrace the power of intentional study and listening over speaking in your spiritual growth. Inspired by the wisdom of Dwight L. Moody, we delve into the significance of letting God do most of the talking during your Bible study. We explore various methods and resources, suggesting starting points like the Gospels or exploring themes and characters that resonate personally. Overcome challenges like time constraints by prioritizing your study efforts, and find encouragement from respected authors and platforms like Lifeway and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Let this episode equip you for a life full of purpose and meaning through dedicated Bible study.
Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi, friend, welcome to Holly's Highlights, a podcast
designed to encourage, inspireand equip you to intentionally
live your life full of purpose.
I'm your host, holly Kirby,motivational speaker, leadership
cultivator, marketingstrategist and personal
cheerleader.
Let's check out today'shighlights.
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(01:25):
Hi friends, I'm going to bereal with you.
Today's episode is going to bepretty basic, yet very crucial
and hopefully helpful to you.
So stay with us.
See, I'm in a weekly group withother women where we get
together to grow in our faith,and recently a new girl has
(01:45):
started coming, and I just lovehow refreshing it is to have
this newbie in the class.
I guess it's kind of likegrandparents when they are
around their grandkids perhapsyou know lots of energy, that
kind of excites them, a fuelingof opportunities to teach them
new things, but then utterlydrained after the kid goes home.
Well, I love the thirst thatthis young gal has for learning
(02:05):
and growing in her faith, buther questions also are good.
For me, to get back to thebasics, it's kind of like
playing that block game you know, jenga where you're missing
important pieces and the wholething is going to crumble,
whereas if you have those piecesin place, it can be quite the
solid foundation.
Well, knowing of andunderstanding how to do certain
things or the importance of themcan do just that in our faith
(02:28):
too.
They can help us grow solid andstrong in our walk with the
Lord.
So today we're going to tackleone of the recent questions
asked of me, and that is how doI study the Bible?
Well, first thing, first weneed to take a look at such
questions and ask what is thequestion behind the question?
In this case I think it's moreof what is Bible study, and to
(02:50):
that I'd reply.
When people use the word Biblestudy.
It can look a little differentto different people.
For some it fits more of what Icall a devotional or quiet time
with the Lord.
This is time typically spentevery day, whether it be to
start your day or to end yourday, and a devotional is more of
a way to encourage yourspiritual growth and daily walk
with the Lord, to listen for howhe would speak to you and then
(03:13):
how to connect with what you'rereading into your day, how to
apply that as you strive to seeJesus at work throughout your
day.
Often a devotional book is used,whether it be something like
something I've used before SarahYoung's Jesus Calling book I
really enjoy that devotional oreven a magazine like what I
write for with Lifeway ChristianResources.
(03:33):
They have a women's magazineout called Journey.
Both of those would bedevotional resources or
devotionals.
For others it's a book on atopic of faith such as my book
Facelift.
My book Facelift is about hopeand it has resources inside of
it such as Bible verses to usefor memorization, many scripture
references that you can study,a group discussion if you wanted
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to use this as material in agroup, and even resources to
help you write your testimonyand your life mission statement,
but what I would actually referto as what is Bible study is
when you're doing an in-depthstudy of and in the Bible.
You know, actually using theBible Now it's more time
(04:17):
consuming and it's more focusedon attention in the word of God.
This is where some may feelvery overwhelmed, though, if
they think that there's anexpectation that we should be
doing a Bible study or study theBible, being in the Bible every
day, and that can feeloverwhelming.
This is where I would encourageyou that, just as people refer
(04:39):
to Bible study as beingdifferent things, you know that
devotional reading a faith bookor being in God's Word, the
Bible it's also going to lookdifferently in application too.
So let's start with thedevotion.
In a devotional, you'll read thecorresponding scripture, you'll
look at the self-application,such as anything that you need
to ask forgiveness for anyaction to take as a result of
(05:01):
what you've read, and thenbasically pray and intentionally
seek throughout the day howwhat you've read applies or has
applied within your day.
Now, this is typically doneevery day, as I already
mentioned, and can be doneanywhere.
For me, I do my devotionalevery day in my living room
before I head out for the dayand if I'm running behind, it's
something I can quickly takewith me and do in the car as I
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arrive to my meeting, before Ihead in.
However, books on faith topicsyou tend to read over time.
However long it takes you toread a book and with whatever
frequency that looks like foryou to read a book.
Now, we all have differentplaces we enjoy reading also.
For me, it's a glider that Ihave in my family room where
I've rocked both of my childrengrowing up.
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So it's a glider that I have inmy family room where I've
rocked both of my childrengrowing up, so it's a special
spot for me.
It's also very cozy, with aside table and a lamp next to it
, with the fireplace rightbehind me, so it just sets that
scene for peaceful, relaxingambiance.
It also has a view of theoverall looking inside of my
home, which helps me to be ableto see what's going on with my
kids, yet doesn't reallydistract me, as I can quickly
(06:05):
look up or answer a question andget right back into my reading.
I can also be in the same roomwith my kids as they do homework
or even watch TV, and thatactually encourages me to read
longer, as we're all together inone room.
Then, although I do track when Istart a book and finish a book,
it varies as to my overall timeor success of completing a book
.
Sometimes I may read a chaptera day, or sometimes a chapter a
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week, or even often I'll have acommentary near me or Bible near
me so that if something comesup that kind of piques my
interest to look into thosefurther, I can do that, and that
can even lengthen the time thenthat I take on reading that
book or even open up anopportunity for me to study the
Bible.
As I go into research that moreand see biblically what the
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Bible has to say about the topicthat I'm reading in that faith
topic book, then there isactually Bible study, which, as
I shared sometimes, is thatfaith topic book can lead you
into studying the Bible.
For those who are stay-at-homeparents or single retired or
their schedule just allows forthis, on a regular basis, it
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might be daily.
For me, I tend to truly get inand study the Bible a couple
times a week.
Now, please note the differenceshere, though, of Bible study
meaning a group you're a part of, at church or in someone's home
, versus studying the Biblewhere you're a part of a church
or in someone's home, versusstudying the Bible where you're
in the Bible, studying what ithas to say, typically on your
own.
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That's where our focus is goingto be today not on devotionals
or books of faith to read orBible study class or group, but
on actually when you have timeto sit down and study the Bible.
What does that look like?
How do you do it?
Where do you start?
First things first.
I recommend studying the Biblewhere it's quiet, where it's
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without distractions.
So turn off your notificationsor your phone or whatever might
stray you from focusing.
Be someplace you won't getinterrupted.
So I do mine in the living roomso my children can see me as I
want to set the example for them.
But I've also stressed to mychildren during such time that
this is my time with the Lord,so they're respectful of that,
(08:15):
whether helping each other outif they need something or only
coming to me during that time ifit's an emergency.
But we've already had thatconversation.
And then, fourthly, with thatis I make sure that you have
space for what resources you'reusing.
Or, in this case, I have acoffee table that sits in front
of my living room couch and thisway I'm able to lay out my
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Bibles and my commentary and mynotebooks, which just makes it
easier to go back and forth as Ilook things up.
So look at where you'restudying the Bible, setting
yourself up for success there.
Now that brings me to the secondthing, which is supplies I
would suggest for having on handto study the Bible.
Sounds kind of odd, but thereare some supplies that are
helpful.
(08:56):
First of all, of course, yourBible.
I actually use two, sometimesthree.
I have mine, which is what Imainly use, and I make notes in
it.
So I love to see what mythoughts were when I read that
scripture before, or times in mylife that that scripture has
spoken to me.
I swear my whole life isliterally in my Bible.
(09:16):
Then I also have my mom's Bible, which is.
I have that out so I cansometimes look through it just
to see what she has to say onsomething or what she would have
said about something, somethingthat maybe stood out to her, or
if she made a note of ascripture that relates to what
I'm studying.
Then I can go and look furtherinto what I'm looking at.
(09:37):
And then the third Bible thatsometimes I'll pull out is my
grandmother's Bible and that hasboth my grandmother's notes as
well, as my dad took time toactually go through it and add
all of his notes from hispreaching Bible and I just I
really treasure that Bible andthese can be a great support and
challenge and accountabilityand resource to me as I study my
(09:59):
Bible.
So have fun, your Bible a Bible, then I'd also suggest a
highlighter and a pen.
Now if you go on Amazon or evenLifewaycom, there are actually
Bible highlighters and pens youcan order, as regular
highlighters and pens can soakthrough the pages of the Bible
and that can be a littlechallenging and messy.
So a Bible highlighter and aBible pen is very helpful.
(10:23):
Now, some may be horrified tohear that I write in my Bible
and they prefer using a notebookto write in.
That's fine.
We all do things differently,that's okay.
I don't use a notebooknecessarily to write in when I
study the Bible, but I do use anotebook to take notes of
speakers I hear, such aspreachers and conferences I
attend.
So then I'll actually take thatnotebook to have it handy to
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reflect back to if it correlateswith what I'm studying the
Bible.
So you do you on that one?
Some also prefer having athesaurus and or a dictionary
nearby to look things up.
I usually have my phone nearby,and so I can just go ahead and
use that.
It tends to do the trick.
However, caution here lookingat your phone, for this could
distract you, you know, seeingtext messages or responding to
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emails.
So, again, use or do whateverwill not distract you from that
time with the Lord.
And then, lastly, I recommendhaving a good commentary nearby,
just in case you need tounderstand something more
clearly.
A solid commentary I wouldrecommend is Warren Wiersbe's
Old Testament and his NewTestament commentary.
My dad actually gave these to uskids for Christmas years ago,
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and I love them.
When I first got them, I waslike what do I do with these?
I use them every single week.
They are so helpful in breakingthings down by people who are
Bible scholars and who havespent their life fully
researching the languages andthe history of the Bible.
Keep in mind, though, these arenot Bibles.
They are commentaries, sosomeone else's explanation or
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someone else's opinion, but itcan be very, very helpful.
Third thing I'm sure on yourmind right now is okay, this is
great, but where do I actuallystart.
I know my resources that I needto use and I have my place or
how I'm going to set this up forsuccess.
But where do I actually start?
Well, according to the Good NewsBible Study, there's a method
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to study the Bible.
It's read, study, memorize,meditate and then apply, and I
suggest starting all of thisthrough prayer.
I would add to the very firstthing of that method is starting
in prayer, as that helpsprepare our hearts as we study
the Bible.
I personally take something outof scripture from Samuel,
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specifically 1 Samuel, 3, 9through 10, as I always pray
speak, lord, your servant islistening.
I want to hear from God.
I want my eyes and my ears andmy heart and my mind to be open
to what he would have to say tome during the time that I'm
going to be in his word, andthere's no right or wrong way to
pray.
Just talk to God as he's yourfriend.
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You can always look at themodel prayer which is found in
Matthew 6, 5 through 15, as wellas, if you need more help with
prayer, you can check out seasonthree, episode five here on
Holly's Highlights.
Next, as the first methodsuggests, read the scripture
passages once through, but thenI recommend reading them again
yet, highlighting or makingnotes of things that stick out.
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This could include questionsyou have or things you don't
understand, what seemed to hithome or resonate with you that
you want to study further.
This takes you to the secondpart of the method, which is the
study portion, where you canlook up scriptures in your
commentary for deeperunderstanding of what you just
read.
You can study the place and thetime and the history and who
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the scripture is speaking to, aswell as who wrote it, for a
better understanding.
All of this can lead you down arabbit trail to study more and
longer, or even provide yousomething to study for your next
Bible study time.
That third step is to thenmemorize.
Now, let's face it as we getolder, memorization gets harder
and harder for most of us.
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That's why I highly recommendgetting children into Bible
programs when they're young.
As scripture just tells us inProverbs 7, 2-3, keep my
commands and you will live.
Guard my teachings as the appleof your eye, bind them on your
fingers, write them on thetablets of your heart.
And then Psalms 119, 11 tellsus I have stored up your word in
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my heart that I might not sinagainst you In Joshua 1, 8,.
This book of the law shall notdepart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day andnight so that you may be careful
to do according to all that iswritten in it, for then you will
make your way prosperous andthen you will have good success.
Second, timothy 3, 15 tells usand how, from childhood you have
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been acquainted with the sacredwritings which are able to make
you wise for salvation throughfaith in Christ Jesus and
Matthew 4, 4,.
But he answered it is writtenand shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word thatcomes from the mouth of God.
I could go on and on, but I amso thankful.
I was raised in Bible drill,which really helped me get to
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know the Bible and feelcomfortable in it.
And then my children I had in achildren's program called
Awanas, which helped them learnand memorize scripture.
Anyhow, my point is memorizingscripture is so important, yet
we can do this in different waysbased on our learning abilities
.
We all learn differently.
There's also an episode onHolly's based on our learning
abilities.
We all learn differently.
There's also an episode onHolly's Highlights about
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learning styles, but I've donedifferent things, like flashcard
methods, where I write down theverse I want to memorize and
then put it in an index box thatis categorized by topic.
Or I've written verses on notecards and hung them on the
bathroom mirror to work on eachday.
I've even put a reference on akey tag and put on my keys to.
Every time I see that key tagthen I say the memory verse to
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it, so it becomes ingrained inme as I get older.
I tend to write them down onscripture decor pieces, like I
have in our home, so I can workon it throughout the week as I
see it or see something in ourbathroom and it just goes
through my mind and it helpsthat that scripture just sink in
even more.
Or even put it on a card andthen, with a magnet, stick it to
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our fridge for me and my kidsto work on.
We've gone around and said themat dinner.
We've had incentives such aswhomever memorizes this first
gets to pick where we eat whenwe go out next.
Whatever works for you, butwhatever you have just read in
scripture that sticks out to youas you're doing your Bible
study, write it down and work onmemorizing it, however long it
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takes you.
There's no right, no wrong,just what works for you.
Fourthly, we look at meditateNow.
According to Oxford LanguageDictionary, this simply means to
think deeply or focus one'smind for a period of time, for
religious or spiritual purposesor as a method of relaxation.
Now I tend to sit back and justkind of stare out the window
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watching the world go by as Ithink about what I just read.
And then I take time tomeditate in prayer.
I pray to God about what I justread, asking him to help me
apply it where I need to.
I ask for forgiveness ofwhatever has been brought to
surface through my study time,whatever I'm feeling convicted
for or convicted of.
I thank him for the blessingsof my life that may apply to
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that scripture and for speakingto my heart.
I just basically wrap up mytime in prayer.
And then, lastly, that fifthstep I apply whatever I learned
or read or studied into my dayand my week ahead.
I make changes I may need tomake in my life, right wrongs I
feel I need to deal withwhatever it is, but apply your
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study into your life.
After all, that is one of themain purposes of the Bible.
Study is not just to check offa box or say that you did it,
but to press more into thelikeness of Jesus.
We're not doing this just to bea good person.
We want to get out of ourcomfort zones and allow God to
grow us in his likeness.
Now we've talked through oursetting of studying the Bible,
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what supplies we need and themethod to it, but what about the
content?
What are we actually studying?
There's a false perception attimes that we are to pray, open
our Bible and just kind of pointsomewhere and God will speak to
us.
I wish it were that easy.
Well, there is a little morerhyme and reason to it, but
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still, the choice is yours as tohow you do it, what you do.
For one.
You can start with the NewTestament, the first four books,
specifically so Matthew, mark,luke and John.
They're known as the Gospels.
These are great starting pointswith stories that are sure to
help grab your attention andalso help you build a habit of
being in God's Word.
Because, let's face it, if youstart with Genesis, which is the
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first book of the Bible, thenby the time you get to the third
book, which is Leviticus,you're apt to just put the Bible
down and never open it again.
The second thing I'd recommendis you can also do a book by
book study.
My favorite book of the Bibleis James, so you can just look
at whatever book of the Bibleyou want to do and study just
that book.
Again, you don't have to go inorder from Genesis through
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Revelation, but choose a bookthat you want to study that is
interesting to you throughRevelation, but choose a book
that you want to study that isinteresting to you.
Third way, you can study bycharacter, such as the life of
Paul or the women of the Bible.
Just be cautious of when youget to Jezebel.
Fourth way you can do it is tostudy by story.
So my favorite story in theBible is Esther Love, love, love
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this story.
This is more popular way ofstudying by story in God's Word,
especially around Christmastime, as many study the Advent,
so Jesus's birth.
Fifth way, you can study bytopic, and there's often a topic
index in the back of physicalBibles or in those apps.
You can do a search for a topic.
Topics I might suggest arethings you struggle with or what
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you want to work on or maybe asituation you might be dealing
with and how to handle it, maybeeven looking up doctrinal
issues regarding what churchbelieves, or a church that
you're looking at, and kind oflooking up their beliefs, or
what the Bible might have to sayon issues in the world or
political topics.
That will help you gather moreinfo before voting or things
like that.
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And then, of course, the sixthone is you can use a Bible study
publishing.
These are Bible study books, sonot to be confused with a book
about faith or a faith topic,but more of a curriculum of
sorts.
This can be great if you arejust new to studying the Bible,
as this is also a goodaccountability to stay on task
and focused and do the Biblestudy.
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But just be cautious of whowrote the Bible study curriculum
or the book.
You want to make sure thattheir beliefs and their opinions
and insights and research andeducation all of that that are
pouring into that is alignedwith what you believe.
That's very important.
I've really enjoyed some solidBible teachings from Priscilla
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Shire and Beth Moore Both ofthem.
They've done like Esther andLiving Beyond Yourself and the
Armor of God.
They're great curriculum thatreally gets you in the Word of
God and has you doing some pageturning.
Yet they are Bible scholars,with the training and they've
done the research to providesome of the guidance and history
and application.
And has you doing some pageturning?
Yet they are Bible scholars,with the training and they've
done the research to providesome of the guidance and history
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and application that justreally help us understand the
Bible, and I feel like they'revery solid in their faith and
aligned with what I believe.
So I highly recommend things byboth of those women.
Now, additional resources thatcan help you study the Word of
God that I would highlyrecommend include getting
plugged into a women's Biblestudy.
That could be a Sunday schoolclass at church on Sundays, or a
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Bible study in someone's homeduring the week, or even an
online Bible study, such as I'vementioned with Lifeway.
You can go to womenlifewaycomor even Proverbs 31 Ministries,
which is, I think,proverbs31.org, and these have
virtual groups that you can join.
You can also use apps such asYouVersion and Bible Gateway.
Both of these have Biblestudies you can join and then,
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each time you go to study theBible, it literally leads you
through what to read, how toapply it to your life, questions
that might help you ponder whatyou've read, even additional
scripture if you want to godeeper on your own.
I will caution you, though.
There are challenges to actuallyfollowing through with studying
the Bible.
There's the challenge of time.
We use the same reason for whywe don't work out or tackle a
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home improvement project, but weall have 24 hours in a day and
we all choose to use them incertain ways.
If this is a priority to you tostudy the Bible then you can
find and make time.
Keep in mind, for where yourtreasure is there, your heart
will be also.
Matthew 6, 19 through 21.
There's also the challenge ofbeing intimidated by the Bible,
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or not sure where to start, orfeeling overwhelmed, or just
that you don't understand it.
My friend, don't feel judged orembarrassed.
As I tell my kids, anythingworth doing can be hard.
Just as we press in to learn anew skill or passion in life,
you'll get out of your comfortzone on this one.
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That's good, that's part of thegrowth, but press into it.
Anything worth doing can behard, and there are many
resources, including people whoare willing to help you.
Also, keep in mind, as Isaiah 55, eight through nine would say,
for my thoughts are not yourthoughts, nor your ways, my ways
, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways
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higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts.
See, we're not going tounderstand it all, and that's
okay.
My dad has always said if Icould explain God to you, he
wouldn't be worth worshiping.
But also, god is not the authorof confusion but of clarity.
He'll help you, take what youneed to take to apply to your
life, and sometimes it's babysteps, but it's those baby steps
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that help us stay in the centerof God's will today so we can
be in the center of God's willtomorrow.
And another challenge for someis just not seeing the need.
Oh, friend, the Bible haspurpose.
2 Timothy 3, 16 through 17tells us that all scripture is
God-breathed and is useful forteaching, rebuking, correcting
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and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may
be thoroughly equipped for everygood work.
Hebrews 4.12 tells us the wordof God.
The Bible is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edgedsword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, jointsand marrow.
It judges the thoughts andattitudes of the heart.
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As Focus on the Family puts it.
Get to know the nature of God,the attributes of God, god's
plan and history, hissovereignty, his providence, his
love.
All of that is a part ofstudying the Bible.
It's like any closerelationship that we have you
get close by spending timetogether, getting to know each
other.
That's just one of the purposesof reading the Bible not just
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to know the Bible, but to knowGod.
I assure you, as the markingsin my Bible can attest, you can
read the Word of God every yearof your life and still get
something new from it each timeyou open it up.
We all need the Word of God.
We can all make time to studythe Word of God, and the Word of
God is for all of us.
Regarding of capability,upbringing or other insecurity
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or concern, I encourage you withProverbs 2, 1-6.
As you study God's Word, holdon to instruction.
Do not let it go.
Guard it well, for it is yourlife.
My dad has always given wiseadvice that we have two ears and
one mouth for a reason Listenmore than you speak.
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Might we apply that as we studythe Bible.
For Dwight L Moody, founder ofMoody Bible Institute, said in
our prayers, we talk to God Inour Bible study.
Said in our prayers, we talk toGod In our Bible study.
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God talks to us and we hadbetter let God do most of the
talking, equipping so you can goout and live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
hollykirbycom.
That's H-O-L-L-Y-C-U-R-B-Ycom.
(26:19):
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
Hi, friend, welcome to Holly's Highlights, a podcast
designed to encourage, inspireand equip you to intentionally
live your life full of purpose.
I'm your host, holly Kirby,motivational speaker, leadership
cultivator, marketingstrategist and personal
cheerleader.
Let's check out today'shighlights.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
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(01:25):
Hi friends, I'm going to bereal with you.
Today's episode is going to bepretty basic, yet very crucial
and hopefully helpful to you.
So stay with us.
See, I'm in a weekly group withother women where we get
together to grow in our faith,and recently a new girl has
(01:45):
started coming, and I just lovehow refreshing it is to have
this newbie in the class.
I guess it's kind of likegrandparents when they are
around their grandkids perhapsyou know lots of energy, that
kind of excites them, a fuelingof opportunities to teach them
new things, but then utterlydrained after the kid goes home.
Well, I love the thirst thatthis young gal has for learning
(02:05):
and growing in her faith, buther questions also are good.
For me, to get back to thebasics, it's kind of like
playing that block game you know, jenga where you're missing
important pieces and the wholething is going to crumble,
whereas if you have those piecesin place, it can be quite the
solid foundation.
Well, knowing of andunderstanding how to do certain
things or the importance of themcan do just that in our faith
(02:28):
too.
They can help us grow solid andstrong in our walk with the
Lord.
So today we're going to tackleone of the recent questions
asked of me, and that is how doI study the Bible?
Well, first thing, first weneed to take a look at such
questions and ask what is thequestion behind the question?
In this case I think it's moreof what is Bible study, and to
(02:50):
that I'd reply.
When people use the word Biblestudy.
It can look a little differentto different people.
For some it fits more of what Icall a devotional or quiet time
with the Lord.
This is time typically spentevery day, whether it be to
start your day or to end yourday, and a devotional is more of
a way to encourage yourspiritual growth and daily walk
with the Lord, to listen for howhe would speak to you and then
(03:13):
how to connect with what you'rereading into your day, how to
apply that as you strive to seeJesus at work throughout your
day.
Often a devotional book is used,whether it be something like
something I've used before SarahYoung's Jesus Calling book I
really enjoy that devotional oreven a magazine like what I
write for with Lifeway ChristianResources.
(03:33):
They have a women's magazineout called Journey.
Both of those would bedevotional resources or
devotionals.
For others it's a book on atopic of faith such as my book
Facelift.
My book Facelift is about hopeand it has resources inside of
it such as Bible verses to usefor memorization, many scripture
references that you can study,a group discussion if you wanted
(03:56):
to use this as material in agroup, and even resources to
help you write your testimonyand your life mission statement,
but what I would actually referto as what is Bible study is
when you're doing an in-depthstudy of and in the Bible.
You know, actually using theBible Now it's more time
(04:17):
consuming and it's more focusedon attention in the word of God.
This is where some may feelvery overwhelmed, though, if
they think that there's anexpectation that we should be
doing a Bible study or study theBible, being in the Bible every
day, and that can feeloverwhelming.
This is where I would encourageyou that, just as people refer
(04:39):
to Bible study as beingdifferent things, you know that
devotional reading a faith bookor being in God's Word, the
Bible it's also going to lookdifferently in application too.
So let's start with thedevotion.
In a devotional, you'll read thecorresponding scripture, you'll
look at the self-application,such as anything that you need
to ask forgiveness for anyaction to take as a result of
(05:01):
what you've read, and thenbasically pray and intentionally
seek throughout the day howwhat you've read applies or has
applied within your day.
Now, this is typically doneevery day, as I already
mentioned, and can be doneanywhere.
For me, I do my devotionalevery day in my living room
before I head out for the dayand if I'm running behind, it's
something I can quickly takewith me and do in the car as I
(05:24):
arrive to my meeting, before Ihead in.
However, books on faith topicsyou tend to read over time.
However long it takes you toread a book and with whatever
frequency that looks like foryou to read a book.
Now, we all have differentplaces we enjoy reading also.
For me, it's a glider that Ihave in my family room where
I've rocked both of my childrengrowing up.
(05:45):
So it's a glider that I have inmy family room where I've
rocked both of my childrengrowing up, so it's a special
spot for me.
It's also very cozy, with aside table and a lamp next to it
, with the fireplace rightbehind me, so it just sets that
scene for peaceful, relaxingambiance.
It also has a view of theoverall looking inside of my
home, which helps me to be ableto see what's going on with my
kids, yet doesn't reallydistract me, as I can quickly
(06:05):
look up or answer a question andget right back into my reading.
I can also be in the same roomwith my kids as they do homework
or even watch TV, and thatactually encourages me to read
longer, as we're all together inone room.
Then, although I do track when Istart a book and finish a book,
it varies as to my overall timeor success of completing a book
.
Sometimes I may read a chaptera day, or sometimes a chapter a
(06:28):
week, or even often I'll have acommentary near me or Bible near
me so that if something comesup that kind of piques my
interest to look into thosefurther, I can do that, and that
can even lengthen the time thenthat I take on reading that
book or even open up anopportunity for me to study the
Bible.
As I go into research that moreand see biblically what the
(06:50):
Bible has to say about the topicthat I'm reading in that faith
topic book, then there isactually Bible study, which, as
I shared sometimes, is thatfaith topic book can lead you
into studying the Bible.
For those who are stay-at-homeparents or single retired or
their schedule just allows forthis, on a regular basis, it
(07:11):
might be daily.
For me, I tend to truly get inand study the Bible a couple
times a week.
Now, please note the differenceshere, though, of Bible study
meaning a group you're a part of, at church or in someone's home
, versus studying the Biblewhere you're a part of a church
or in someone's home, versusstudying the Bible where you're
in the Bible, studying what ithas to say, typically on your
own.
(07:31):
That's where our focus is goingto be today not on devotionals
or books of faith to read orBible study class or group, but
on actually when you have timeto sit down and study the Bible.
What does that look like?
How do you do it?
Where do you start?
First things first.
I recommend studying the Biblewhere it's quiet, where it's
(07:53):
without distractions.
So turn off your notificationsor your phone or whatever might
stray you from focusing.
Be someplace you won't getinterrupted.
So I do mine in the living roomso my children can see me as I
want to set the example for them.
But I've also stressed to mychildren during such time that
this is my time with the Lord,so they're respectful of that,
(08:15):
whether helping each other outif they need something or only
coming to me during that time ifit's an emergency.
But we've already had thatconversation.
And then, fourthly, with thatis I make sure that you have
space for what resources you'reusing.
Or, in this case, I have acoffee table that sits in front
of my living room couch and thisway I'm able to lay out my
(08:36):
Bibles and my commentary and mynotebooks, which just makes it
easier to go back and forth as Ilook things up.
So look at where you'restudying the Bible, setting
yourself up for success there.
Now that brings me to the secondthing, which is supplies I
would suggest for having on handto study the Bible.
Sounds kind of odd, but thereare some supplies that are
helpful.
(08:56):
First of all, of course, yourBible.
I actually use two, sometimesthree.
I have mine, which is what Imainly use, and I make notes in
it.
So I love to see what mythoughts were when I read that
scripture before, or times in mylife that that scripture has
spoken to me.
I swear my whole life isliterally in my Bible.
(09:16):
Then I also have my mom's Bible, which is.
I have that out so I cansometimes look through it just
to see what she has to say onsomething or what she would have
said about something, somethingthat maybe stood out to her, or
if she made a note of ascripture that relates to what
I'm studying.
Then I can go and look furtherinto what I'm looking at.
(09:37):
And then the third Bible thatsometimes I'll pull out is my
grandmother's Bible and that hasboth my grandmother's notes as
well, as my dad took time toactually go through it and add
all of his notes from hispreaching Bible and I just I
really treasure that Bible andthese can be a great support and
challenge and accountabilityand resource to me as I study my
(09:59):
Bible.
So have fun, your Bible a Bible, then I'd also suggest a
highlighter and a pen.
Now if you go on Amazon or evenLifewaycom, there are actually
Bible highlighters and pens youcan order, as regular
highlighters and pens can soakthrough the pages of the Bible
and that can be a littlechallenging and messy.
So a Bible highlighter and aBible pen is very helpful.
(10:23):
Now, some may be horrified tohear that I write in my Bible
and they prefer using a notebookto write in.
That's fine.
We all do things differently,that's okay.
I don't use a notebooknecessarily to write in when I
study the Bible, but I do use anotebook to take notes of
speakers I hear, such aspreachers and conferences I
attend.
So then I'll actually take thatnotebook to have it handy to
(10:44):
reflect back to if it correlateswith what I'm studying the
Bible.
So you do you on that one?
Some also prefer having athesaurus and or a dictionary
nearby to look things up.
I usually have my phone nearby,and so I can just go ahead and
use that.
It tends to do the trick.
However, caution here lookingat your phone, for this could
distract you, you know, seeingtext messages or responding to
(11:06):
emails.
So, again, use or do whateverwill not distract you from that
time with the Lord.
And then, lastly, I recommendhaving a good commentary nearby,
just in case you need tounderstand something more
clearly.
A solid commentary I wouldrecommend is Warren Wiersbe's
Old Testament and his NewTestament commentary.
My dad actually gave these to uskids for Christmas years ago,
(11:30):
and I love them.
When I first got them, I waslike what do I do with these?
I use them every single week.
They are so helpful in breakingthings down by people who are
Bible scholars and who havespent their life fully
researching the languages andthe history of the Bible.
Keep in mind, though, these arenot Bibles.
They are commentaries, sosomeone else's explanation or
(11:52):
someone else's opinion, but itcan be very, very helpful.
Third thing I'm sure on yourmind right now is okay, this is
great, but where do I actuallystart.
I know my resources that I needto use and I have my place or
how I'm going to set this up forsuccess.
But where do I actually start?
Well, according to the Good NewsBible Study, there's a method
(12:15):
to study the Bible.
It's read, study, memorize,meditate and then apply, and I
suggest starting all of thisthrough prayer.
I would add to the very firstthing of that method is starting
in prayer, as that helpsprepare our hearts as we study
the Bible.
I personally take something outof scripture from Samuel,
(12:36):
specifically 1 Samuel, 3, 9through 10, as I always pray
speak, lord, your servant islistening.
I want to hear from God.
I want my eyes and my ears andmy heart and my mind to be open
to what he would have to say tome during the time that I'm
going to be in his word, andthere's no right or wrong way to
pray.
Just talk to God as he's yourfriend.
(12:56):
You can always look at themodel prayer which is found in
Matthew 6, 5 through 15, as wellas, if you need more help with
prayer, you can check out seasonthree, episode five here on
Holly's Highlights.
Next, as the first methodsuggests, read the scripture
passages once through, but thenI recommend reading them again
yet, highlighting or makingnotes of things that stick out.
(13:18):
This could include questionsyou have or things you don't
understand, what seemed to hithome or resonate with you that
you want to study further.
This takes you to the secondpart of the method, which is the
study portion, where you canlook up scriptures in your
commentary for deeperunderstanding of what you just
read.
You can study the place and thetime and the history and who
(13:40):
the scripture is speaking to, aswell as who wrote it, for a
better understanding.
All of this can lead you down arabbit trail to study more and
longer, or even provide yousomething to study for your next
Bible study time.
That third step is to thenmemorize.
Now, let's face it as we getolder, memorization gets harder
and harder for most of us.
(14:01):
That's why I highly recommendgetting children into Bible
programs when they're young.
As scripture just tells us inProverbs 7, 2-3, keep my
commands and you will live.
Guard my teachings as the appleof your eye, bind them on your
fingers, write them on thetablets of your heart.
And then Psalms 119, 11 tellsus I have stored up your word in
(14:22):
my heart that I might not sinagainst you In Joshua 1, 8,.
This book of the law shall notdepart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day andnight so that you may be careful
to do according to all that iswritten in it, for then you will
make your way prosperous andthen you will have good success.
Second, timothy 3, 15 tells usand how, from childhood you have
(14:44):
been acquainted with the sacredwritings which are able to make
you wise for salvation throughfaith in Christ Jesus and
Matthew 4, 4,.
But he answered it is writtenand shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word thatcomes from the mouth of God.
I could go on and on, but I amso thankful.
I was raised in Bible drill,which really helped me get to
(15:06):
know the Bible and feelcomfortable in it.
And then my children I had in achildren's program called
Awanas, which helped them learnand memorize scripture.
Anyhow, my point is memorizingscripture is so important, yet
we can do this in different waysbased on our learning abilities
.
We all learn differently.
There's also an episode onHolly's based on our learning
abilities.
We all learn differently.
There's also an episode onHolly's Highlights about
(15:28):
learning styles, but I've donedifferent things, like flashcard
methods, where I write down theverse I want to memorize and
then put it in an index box thatis categorized by topic.
Or I've written verses on notecards and hung them on the
bathroom mirror to work on eachday.
I've even put a reference on akey tag and put on my keys to.
Every time I see that key tagthen I say the memory verse to
(15:49):
it, so it becomes ingrained inme as I get older.
I tend to write them down onscripture decor pieces, like I
have in our home, so I can workon it throughout the week as I
see it or see something in ourbathroom and it just goes
through my mind and it helpsthat that scripture just sink in
even more.
Or even put it on a card andthen, with a magnet, stick it to
(16:11):
our fridge for me and my kidsto work on.
We've gone around and said themat dinner.
We've had incentives such aswhomever memorizes this first
gets to pick where we eat whenwe go out next.
Whatever works for you, butwhatever you have just read in
scripture that sticks out to youas you're doing your Bible
study, write it down and work onmemorizing it, however long it
(16:32):
takes you.
There's no right, no wrong,just what works for you.
Fourthly, we look at meditateNow.
According to Oxford LanguageDictionary, this simply means to
think deeply or focus one'smind for a period of time, for
religious or spiritual purposesor as a method of relaxation.
Now I tend to sit back and justkind of stare out the window
(16:53):
watching the world go by as Ithink about what I just read.
And then I take time tomeditate in prayer.
I pray to God about what I justread, asking him to help me
apply it where I need to.
I ask for forgiveness ofwhatever has been brought to
surface through my study time,whatever I'm feeling convicted
for or convicted of.
I thank him for the blessingsof my life that may apply to
(17:15):
that scripture and for speakingto my heart.
I just basically wrap up mytime in prayer.
And then, lastly, that fifthstep I apply whatever I learned
or read or studied into my dayand my week ahead.
I make changes I may need tomake in my life, right wrongs I
feel I need to deal withwhatever it is, but apply your
(17:35):
study into your life.
After all, that is one of themain purposes of the Bible.
Study is not just to check offa box or say that you did it,
but to press more into thelikeness of Jesus.
We're not doing this just to bea good person.
We want to get out of ourcomfort zones and allow God to
grow us in his likeness.
Now we've talked through oursetting of studying the Bible,
(17:58):
what supplies we need and themethod to it, but what about the
content?
What are we actually studying?
There's a false perception attimes that we are to pray, open
our Bible and just kind of pointsomewhere and God will speak to
us.
I wish it were that easy.
Well, there is a little morerhyme and reason to it, but
(18:19):
still, the choice is yours as tohow you do it, what you do.
For one.
You can start with the NewTestament, the first four books,
specifically so Matthew, mark,luke and John.
They're known as the Gospels.
These are great starting pointswith stories that are sure to
help grab your attention andalso help you build a habit of
being in God's Word.
Because, let's face it, if youstart with Genesis, which is the
(18:39):
first book of the Bible, thenby the time you get to the third
book, which is Leviticus,you're apt to just put the Bible
down and never open it again.
The second thing I'd recommendis you can also do a book by
book study.
My favorite book of the Bibleis James, so you can just look
at whatever book of the Bibleyou want to do and study just
that book.
Again, you don't have to go inorder from Genesis through
(19:01):
Revelation, but choose a bookthat you want to study that is
interesting to you throughRevelation, but choose a book
that you want to study that isinteresting to you.
Third way, you can study bycharacter, such as the life of
Paul or the women of the Bible.
Just be cautious of when youget to Jezebel.
Fourth way you can do it is tostudy by story.
So my favorite story in theBible is Esther Love, love, love
(19:22):
this story.
This is more popular way ofstudying by story in God's Word,
especially around Christmastime, as many study the Advent,
so Jesus's birth.
Fifth way, you can study bytopic, and there's often a topic
index in the back of physicalBibles or in those apps.
You can do a search for a topic.
Topics I might suggest arethings you struggle with or what
(19:45):
you want to work on or maybe asituation you might be dealing
with and how to handle it, maybeeven looking up doctrinal
issues regarding what churchbelieves, or a church that
you're looking at, and kind oflooking up their beliefs, or
what the Bible might have to sayon issues in the world or
political topics.
That will help you gather moreinfo before voting or things
like that.
(20:05):
And then, of course, the sixthone is you can use a Bible study
publishing.
These are Bible study books, sonot to be confused with a book
about faith or a faith topic,but more of a curriculum of
sorts.
This can be great if you arejust new to studying the Bible,
as this is also a goodaccountability to stay on task
and focused and do the Biblestudy.
(20:27):
But just be cautious of whowrote the Bible study curriculum
or the book.
You want to make sure thattheir beliefs and their opinions
and insights and research andeducation all of that that are
pouring into that is alignedwith what you believe.
That's very important.
I've really enjoyed some solidBible teachings from Priscilla
(20:49):
Shire and Beth Moore Both ofthem.
They've done like Esther andLiving Beyond Yourself and the
Armor of God.
They're great curriculum thatreally gets you in the Word of
God and has you doing some pageturning.
Yet they are Bible scholars,with the training and they've
done the research to providesome of the guidance and history
and application.
And has you doing some pageturning?
Yet they are Bible scholars,with the training and they've
done the research to providesome of the guidance and history
(21:09):
and application that justreally help us understand the
Bible, and I feel like they'revery solid in their faith and
aligned with what I believe.
So I highly recommend things byboth of those women.
Now, additional resources thatcan help you study the Word of
God that I would highlyrecommend include getting
plugged into a women's Biblestudy.
That could be a Sunday schoolclass at church on Sundays, or a
(21:32):
Bible study in someone's homeduring the week, or even an
online Bible study, such as I'vementioned with Lifeway.
You can go to womenlifewaycomor even Proverbs 31 Ministries,
which is, I think,proverbs31.org, and these have
virtual groups that you can join.
You can also use apps such asYouVersion and Bible Gateway.
Both of these have Biblestudies you can join and then,
(21:55):
each time you go to study theBible, it literally leads you
through what to read, how toapply it to your life, questions
that might help you ponder whatyou've read, even additional
scripture if you want to godeeper on your own.
I will caution you, though.
There are challenges to actuallyfollowing through with studying
the Bible.
There's the challenge of time.
We use the same reason for whywe don't work out or tackle a
(22:18):
home improvement project, but weall have 24 hours in a day and
we all choose to use them incertain ways.
If this is a priority to you tostudy the Bible then you can
find and make time.
Keep in mind, for where yourtreasure is there, your heart
will be also.
Matthew 6, 19 through 21.
There's also the challenge ofbeing intimidated by the Bible,
(22:41):
or not sure where to start, orfeeling overwhelmed, or just
that you don't understand it.
My friend, don't feel judged orembarrassed.
As I tell my kids, anythingworth doing can be hard.
Just as we press in to learn anew skill or passion in life,
you'll get out of your comfortzone on this one.
(23:01):
That's good, that's part of thegrowth, but press into it.
Anything worth doing can behard, and there are many
resources, including people whoare willing to help you.
Also, keep in mind, as Isaiah 55, eight through nine would say,
for my thoughts are not yourthoughts, nor your ways, my ways
, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways
(23:23):
higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts.
See, we're not going tounderstand it all, and that's
okay.
My dad has always said if Icould explain God to you, he
wouldn't be worth worshiping.
But also, god is not the authorof confusion but of clarity.
He'll help you, take what youneed to take to apply to your
life, and sometimes it's babysteps, but it's those baby steps
(23:45):
that help us stay in the centerof God's will today so we can
be in the center of God's willtomorrow.
And another challenge for someis just not seeing the need.
Oh, friend, the Bible haspurpose.
2 Timothy 3, 16 through 17tells us that all scripture is
God-breathed and is useful forteaching, rebuking, correcting
(24:07):
and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may
be thoroughly equipped for everygood work.
Hebrews 4.12 tells us the wordof God.
The Bible is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edgedsword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, jointsand marrow.
It judges the thoughts andattitudes of the heart.
(24:28):
As Focus on the Family puts it.
Get to know the nature of God,the attributes of God, god's
plan and history, hissovereignty, his providence, his
love.
All of that is a part ofstudying the Bible.
It's like any closerelationship that we have you
get close by spending timetogether, getting to know each
other.
That's just one of the purposesof reading the Bible not just
(24:53):
to know the Bible, but to knowGod.
I assure you, as the markingsin my Bible can attest, you can
read the Word of God every yearof your life and still get
something new from it each timeyou open it up.
We all need the Word of God.
We can all make time to studythe Word of God, and the Word of
God is for all of us.
Regarding of capability,upbringing or other insecurity
(25:15):
or concern, I encourage you withProverbs 2, 1-6.
As you study God's Word, holdon to instruction.
Do not let it go.
Guard it well, for it is yourlife.
My dad has always given wiseadvice that we have two ears and
one mouth for a reason Listenmore than you speak.
(25:35):
Might we apply that as we studythe Bible.
For Dwight L Moody, founder ofMoody Bible Institute, said in
our prayers, we talk to God Inour Bible study.
Said in our prayers, we talk toGod In our Bible study.
(25:57):
God talks to us and we hadbetter let God do most of the
talking, equipping so you can goout and live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
hollykirbycom.
That's H-O-L-L-Y-C-U-R-B-Ycom.
(26:19):
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
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Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.