The Bible is a wonderful book that everyone should read. More than reading it, you need to truly study it to glean sacred insights. It’s essential for your spiritual growth. But how can you study the Bible like a pro? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Listen to the Bible- Bible Like a Pro
Do you ever find yourself having a hard time sitting down to do Bible study? Some days, reading alone for 30 minutes might be an option but other days, it really might not be. For those days where you don’t have time to sit down and study, listen to your scriptures on the Church of Jesus Christ website library section. Simply click the libraries drop down menu, select scriptures, select the book and section you’d like to read. Then click the headphones icon in the bottom right corner. You’ll be able to have the section read right to you from your computer, phone, or tablet. It’s that easy.
This will save you so much time, and you’ll be able to listen as you work, do things around the house, or drive the kids to and from school.
2. Use Conference Talks- Bible Like a Pro
If you’re not sure what to study, consider using General Conference talks as a jumping off point. So, select a talk and read it. Then look up the scriptures associated with the talk to get even more out of your study. Take it a step further by printing out the talk and writing notes in the margins, as you study the talk and scriptures associated with the talk.
3. Use a Study Guide
We use manuals and study guides all of the time for gospel study in everything from seminary to to Relief Society. Using a study guide will help you have a clear structure and study plan. It can also help you to gain insights that you might not have had without it. To go along with this year’s Come Follow Me lessons, try out an Old Testament study guide to supplement your Bible study.
4. Include your Family
When it comes to scripture study, involve your family. You can read together and have discussions. Some families have a designated scripture study time daily. If your family members run on very different schedules, though, consider setting up a reading schedule so you can all do personal study individually. Then you can do a group discussion once a week. Having other people to talk about spiritual insights with can be a game-changer.
5. Learn More About the Bible
Consider taking or auditing a Bible history class at a church sponsored school. By understanding the origins and background of the Bible, you’ll be able to get a better understanding of it as a whole. By understanding the background of the Bible, you’ll be better able to focus on your study, and you might even have an increased understanding as you study.
The culture and history of the time that the Bible was written can provide you with a deeper understanding of the people and culture of the time.
6. Topic Focused Study
Another great way to study the Bible is to do a question or topic focused study. A great example of a question might be “how can I have more faith?” If you’d rather read about a topic, some good examples would be prayer, charity, unity, or family. You can use the topical guide to find scriptures to look at, and you can also use the scriptures within conference talks on the same topics (like we mentioned above.) Since everyone learns and studies differently, this might be a much better way for you to study the Bible than reading it cover to cover.