I’ve Got My Bible, Now What?
As a new Christian, I hungered for the knowledge of my new faith. Like many Christians, I knew the foundation of my faith was found in God’s Word, in the Bible. That’s why we as Christians should spend as much time in the Word as possible. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who helped guide me at the beginning of my journey. And I knew Bible studies could help me learn more about my chosen faith. But whether you’re a new Christian or grew up in the faith it can sometimes be hard to know which Bible study is right for you.
The first thing I did when I converted was to get a Bible I loved. There are many opinions on which Bibles are the best. And that is not a discussion I wish to have here as people are very passionate about what translation is the best. I grew up with the King James Version and I really don’t have that much problem understanding the meaning of the words, so that is the version I chose. I did make sure to get a journaling Bible, so there was extra room in the margins for any notes. On occasion, I also use an online version of the English Standard Version. So once you have your Bible, how do you choose the right way to study it? It really comes down to personal preferences honestly. But the biggest thing to consider is whether it is grounded in Biblical principles.
Foundations of a Great Study
The golden rule when it comes to Bible studies is that they need to be firmly planted in biblical principles. And what I mean by this, it should not omit, reword, or suggest something that is not in the Bible. A good Bible study should not have topics adjusted to fit the culture of the day. They should not avoid discussing the hard stuff that every Christian needs to know to live a life fully grounded in the Word of God. Here are some tips on how to find the best Bible studies.
Tips to Start
- If getting the study from a website, check the bottom of the site for their statement of faith, this is a great example of what you should look for. Their statement will give you a good indication of what they believe and most likely what will drive the inspiration for their studies.
- Who is the study written by? Do they have any videos online for you to get an idea of what they are like? I like to do this because I really don’t want a Bible study by somebody who puts me to sleep. Plus, it’s important that they are somebody worthy of leading you through God’s Word.
- Look at reviews or comments left by others that will give you an indication of what they learned and what the strengths or weaknesses of the study might be.
- If you are doing a study at your church ask others who have either done it themselves or who have done other studies at the church to find out if it is a good fit for you.
- Everyone learns differently. So what works for someone else may not work for you. Thank goodness there are so many wonderful studies to choose from.
So How Do I Choose the Right One for Me?
Now you have an idea of what you should be looking for when it comes to the foundation of a good study. But how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Well, there are a lot of factors that you should look at. These are the things you need to keep in mind.
How to Choose?
- How do you learn best? Independently or in a group? Are you disciplined enough to do an unguided study or would you rather have a structure with deadlines?
- Do you like the idea of doing a study at your church as a way to grow closer to your church family? I recommend this to new Christians. You chose your church for a reason, it’s safe to say that doing your first Bible study there will give you a strong start to learning that you can trust. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know the people in your church.
- What book of the Bible are you interested in learning more about? Maybe that is a good way to start your journey in the Word.
- Is there an area of your life you feel could use some Biblical grounding? I know I have chosen some great studies this way!
- Are you doing your study by yourself, with a friend, your child, or your spouse? This can really narrow down which topic you choose.
- How long do you want your study to be? I know I have been a Bible study drop-out when I feel like I’ve been doing a study for months! Be honest with yourself here. Do you really have the endurance for a 10-week study? If you do, awesome! You are a stronger person than me! I’ll get there one day.
These tips should give you a good idea of what you are looking for in a Bible study. I also suggest only doing one study at a time. I made this mistake, I thought, “Oh they’re little studies, I can handle it”. Yeah, no.
Recommended Studies
Below you will find some Bible studies or websites I recommend. I have found them to be Biblically based and great all-around resources. Some of them may be affiliate links. What this means is that if you purchase from them we may receive a small commission but you will not be charged anything extra. We only recommend sites or products we use ourselves and love or have gotten great recommendations for.
These are just a few of the great resources I’ve found. You could also talk to someone at your church about what Bible studies and websites they recommend. There are tons of great studies out there!
Word Before World
Since becoming Christian I have done about six Bible studies, I have found them to be so valuable in my journey. For me, it is different because I am coming to the Bible with a fresh slate, almost childlike. It’s so exciting to me every time I read the Bible and discover the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me through God’s Word. I myself am starting a new study at my church next week, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me. I hope you find as much joy in studying the Bible as I do, and you find a study that brings you closer to our Savior! God Bless!
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