Exploring Scripture: 5 Ways to Study the Bible

God’s Word is living, active, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It reveals His character, convicts our hearts, and strengthens our faith. But too often, we open the Bible without knowing how to truly engage with it. Studying Scripture isn’t just for pastors or scholars—it’s for every believer seeking to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Here are five practical and spiritually rich ways to study the Bible that can help you explore God’s Word more deeply, with confidence and joy.

1. Verse-by-Verse (Expository) Study

This method involves working through a passage one verse at a time, considering its meaning in its immediate and broader context. It’s especially useful for understanding books of the Bible in their entirety and is common in Reformed teaching.

How to do it:

• Choose a book (start with a Gospel or epistle).
• Read a few verses slowly.
• Ask: What is the author saying? Who is being addressed? What’s the context?
• Use cross-references and a solid commentary to help unpack meaning.

Why it matters:
Expository study keeps you anchored in context and guards against twisting Scripture. It helps you see how every verse fits into the bigger redemptive story.

2. Thematic or Topical Study

Want to understand a subject like grace, prayer, or God’s sovereignty? Topical studies help you trace a theme throughout Scripture by collecting related verses and examining how they reveal God’s truth.

How to do it:

• Choose a topic (e.g., forgiveness).
• Use a concordance or Bible app to find relevant passages.
• Read each in context.
• Take notes and compare how different books address the topic.

Why it matters:
This method reveals the unity of the Bible and deepens your understanding of God’s character and how He works across time and covenant.

3. Inductive Bible Study

The inductive method asks three key questions:
Observation – What does the passage say?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Application – What does it require of me?

How to do it:

• Pick a short passage (e.g., Philippians 2:1–11).
• Observe repeated words, commands, contrasts.
• Interpret in light of context and genre.
• Apply the truth to your life with prayerful reflection.

Why it matters:
This is a great method for letting Scripture speak for itself and avoiding the temptation to read your own ideas into the text.

4. Bible Character Study

By studying the lives of biblical figures—both faithful and flawed—you gain insights into God’s providence, human nature, and the power of grace.

How to do it:

• Choose a character (e.g., Ruth, David, Peter).
• Read all the passages related to their life.
• Ask: How did they respond to God? What lessons does their story teach?
• Look for how Christ is foreshadowed or revealed through their story.

Why it matters:
This type of study personalizes Scripture and reveals how God works through real people, not perfect heroes.

5. Paraphrasing for Understanding

Once you’ve studied a passage using any method, paraphrasing it in your own words can help confirm that you truly understand its meaning.

How to do it:

• Read the passage carefully and slowly.
• Write a summary or reword it in plain language.
• Compare your version with other translations to check for accuracy.
• Be sure not to change the meaning—just clarify it.

Why it matters:
Paraphrasing reinforces comprehension and helps you internalize Scripture. It’s especially helpful for teaching or sharing God’s Word with others.

Personal Tips

Studying the Bible isn’t about checking off boxes—it’s about meeting with the living God. Whichever method you use, come to Scripture with a humble heart, a teachable spirit, and an eagerness to grow. Remember, the Holy Spirit is your guide and teacher (John 14:26), and God delights to reveal Himself through His Word.

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

My favorite resources for Bible studies:

• https://thedailygraceco.com/
• https://www.ligonier.org/
• https://www.openbible.info/topics/
• The Reformation Study Bible
• The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
• The Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines
• The Ultimate Bible Dictionary

Whether you’re just starting or have studied for years, God’s Word always has more to reveal. So open your Bible, dig deep, and delight in the treasures God has stored there for you.