6 Ways to Make Your Personal Bible Study More Exciting
Bible Study is a vital part of every Christian’s spiritual growth. This is a fact many of us know and perhaps even sang about in Sunday school. Remember the song, “Read your bible, pray every day… if you want to grow…” ?
But beyond the knowing, Bible study is a struggle for many and not because the Bible is boring or difficult to understand, but perhaps because many study through tedious routes.
To help you overcome your struggle of studying the Bible as diligently as you should, here are some tips that might just make your personal Bible study a little bit more interesting:
Themed Bible
It might shock you to know how much work authors and Bible scholars have put into making Bible Study easy to grasp and more relatable for contemporary Christians. Today, there is a Bible for everyone in every group; Men’s Bible, Women’s Bible, Bible for Teens, Bible for Wives, for Leaders, for Young People, for Marriage, for Families, for Children, for creative professionals and the list goes on and on.
What a time indeed to be alive! Visit a local Christian Bookshop and search for which theme suits you. Themed Bibles come with interesting commentary and footnotes that unveil deeper meanings to each chapter or verse as it relates to the core theme.
Contemporary Translations
The word of God remains the same yesterday, today and forever, but as humans we change, communication styles change, languages change and this is why many authors, Bible organizations and scholars have worked to translate the text of the Bible into more contemporary and modern language.
Most people hold on to older translations like the King James Version, even when they can hardly grasp the language. It’s a fact that the King James Version has an incredible legacy; its translators worked hard to stay close to the original manuscripts in producing it, which is why the KJV is heralded by many as a “pure translation” but the truth is, the language and style of the KJV is outdated today.
If you’re finding it difficult to grasp the language, why short-change yourself? If the King James Version of the Bible does not work for you, there is a buffet of easily digestible translations available today, from Amplified Bible to the New Living Translation to the Message to the New International Version. There is more than enough variety to cater to everyone’s needs.
Start with the Book of John
The book of John has an easy narration, one that makes the life and times of Jesus Christ here on earth easy to grasp.
If you are on a journey to study the books of the Bible, the book of John, along with the other three Gospels might just be a good place to start.
Generally, for many, it’s easier to journey from the New Testament back. However whatever works for you and makes you achieve your Bible study goals, stick to it, or better still, find ways to improve your study journey.
Subject Specific Study
Rather than having an aimless, generic study, why not try studying specific subjects based on your interest?
For example, you can decide to study male Bible characters, female Bible heroes, specific subjects (e.g. Fruit of spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, Faith, Love etc.), situations, personalities, etc.
Journeying from your subject(s) of interest will help unlock your interest into other subjects or people or characters in the Bible.
Audio Bible
If reading is a problem for you but you really want to know the truth of God’s word, well thank God, you’re in the right era! Audio Bibles might be just what you need.
Audio Bibles are easily available for all, on mobile, on PC, integrated into mobile Bible apps, etc, and it’s practically free everywhere. Audio Bibles are fun and exciting, you can study on the go; while on the bus, on the road, jogging, walking, waiting for your food to get ready at the restaurant, in the shower, anywhere and anytime.
Some Audio Bibles are experience driven, with various voice features and interesting options of male, female, boy or girl characters (for example, The Bible Experience), this brings each passage to life and helps you imagine what it was like to be in the moment when the recorded events happened.
Video Bible
The Bible Project is popular for producing short-form, fully animated videos that bring biblical stories to life. This makes the Bible accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Most of these resources are available online and also in many local Christian book shops around you.
You can combine two or three of these tips as it suits you but whichever you may wish to do, never stop improving your Bible study life.
With these tips, you can join us for our 90 Days Bible Study Challenge tagged Odyssey. Click HERE to find our Daily Study Schedule.
Writtten by Makuochi Okafor.
Makuochi Okafor is a Jolly fellow. He loves God, loves to travel and will go where ever good food goes. He is a writer and a Content Strategist.
