< ENCOUNTER JESUS

STUDY: February 2023

CONSIDER THOROUGHLY

  • Romans 12:2
  • Philippians 4:8
  • John 8:31-32
  • Psalm 119:9-11
  • 2 Timothy 3:14-17

READ

Bible Study Simplified

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How to Read and Study the Bible For Yourself

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Practice

Summary: 

Study is far more than just reading- it is an intentional and close look at the truth to better understand, internalize, and apply it. There is immense spiritual advantage in studying many things, but as a church we will focus this month on studying the Bible. As you engage the Bible, approach it as a student trying to mine it for all it has for you. Don’t jump right to application- instead try to understand what is being said, and why, before answering the question, “what is it saying to me?

Week 1- Read the Gospel of Mark 

Have you ever read straight through a book of the Bible? This week, start on page one of the gospel of Mark and simply start reading. Pick up where you left off the next day. The book is 16 chapters long so if you read about 3 chapters a day, you’ll get through it with a couple days to spare. As you read, notice the flow of the book, the themes that keep coming up, and what is going on. Don’t simply read it to get through it, but really read it to study it- like you would a book in school. What is the author trying to communicate? 

Week 2- Read Colossians every day

This week, try reading through a shorter book like the book of Colossians one time each day. Repetition is an important part of study. Notice what jumps out to you? What is the author saying? What is the flow of the argument? What sticks out to you? And what do you notice later in the week that you didn’t notice the first couple times reading it through?

Week 3- Focus on a particular passage

Set aside 15 minutes each day this week to focus on a particular passage. Read it over and over again. What is it saying? How is it constructed? What is the flow of the argument like? Focus on any passage you want, but consider some of the following:

  • Romans 8:1-17
  • James 1:2-18
  • Romans 11:33-36
  • Matthew 6:25-34
  • John 3:1-21

Week 4- Repeat on of the previous weeks

Pick one of the habits from the previous three weeks and repeat it. You could read through a book of the Bible (try John, or 1 Corinthians). You could read through a shorter book every day (try Galatians or Ephesians). Or you can focus on particular passages (try Galatians 2:19-21; Psalm 1; 1 Peter 1:3-12; Matthew 27:32-56)