4 Steps for Intentional Bible Study

Janee Hughes • Mar 21, 2022

Studying the Bible is a challenging commitment. Our human nature does not make it easy to read God’s Word; It is much easier to make excuses to put off reading the Bible for another task. It becomes something that we only read for a quick minute, on Sunday morning, or a social media post. 


We know that the Bible should be something that we read daily, but it’s so hard to have the motivation and commitment. If you are anything like me, then you can relate to this struggle. The struggle is real! Keep reading to discover 4 steps for intentional Bible study. This just might be the motivation that you need to start an intentional Bible study—and keep it.


Why Study the Bible?

Yes, you know that the Bible is God’s Word—breathed on and inspired by God. That’s why you want to be more intentional with your Bible study. Instead of thinking of the Bible as a task, think of it as the privilege that it is. Pray for the desire and motivation to read God’s Word.


Our sinful nature wants nothing to do with God and His Truth because it is God’s Word that sets us free from our sin. It is never a waste of time to read the Bible. God’s Word leads to a transformed life. The more you read about who God is, the more you will desire to shine the image of Christ in your life.


As God’s children, He gave us the Bible to come to know Him more and have a genuine relationship with Him. The Word of God changes our hearts, gives us discernment, and leads us in a relationship with God. It brings freedom, joy, and peace to our life. Studying the Bible is a powerful Christian discipline!


“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12, ESV


4 Steps for Intentional Bible Study:


1. Prayer

Before you even pick up your Bible, begin with a prayer. It can be a simple prayer asking God to speak to you through the Scriptures. Ask for insight and understanding while you read His Word. Beginning in prayer helps to put your focus on God and eliminate potential distractions.


Slowing down to read God’s Word can be difficult, especially if you have some life situations that are making you worried or stressed. Talk to God about those anxieties before you read the Bible and ask that He would help you concentrate while you study. 


Philippians 4:6 (ESV) says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”


Remember, this step doesn’t have to take a long time; it can be short and sweet or as long as you need. You can pray throughout your Bible study and end your study with prayer too. God likes to speak to His Children, so He may even speak to your spirit during your study. 



2. Study 

When it’s time to start reading, there are a few additional things you can do while you read. If you love to journal, you can write Scriptures and your thoughts in your journal as you read. Also, highlighting in your Bible is a great way to help you find or reference a particular verse. 


Take time to meditate on God’s Word while you read. If there is particular Scripture that relates to your current situation or circumstance, maybe you could write it on an index card to post somewhere you will see often. This helps you take the verse to heart and apply it to your life. It’s a good tip for Bible memorization too.


To assist in Bible interpretation, here are some questions ask while you read through a passage:

  • What is the main subject of the passage? 
  • Who was the passage written to and why?
  • When was the passage written?
  • How does the passage point to Jesus?
  • What are the main themes, keywords, or transition words in the passage?


If you are interested in learning how to dig deeper into God’s Word, check out our article about the Inductive Bible Study Method.



3. Praise 

After you have observed and interpreted what you have read, go through the passage again to identify what the passage has revealed about who God is. Is there any character or attribute of God that you noticed in the passage? The Bible is FULL of God’s character and attributes! 


Ask yourself these questions about the passage:

  • Does the passage reveal a specific character of God? 
  • What does God’s action in the passage reveal about His character?
  • Has God personally shown any of these attributes in your life?


Take time to praise God for His character. Let the attributes of God fill you with admiration and reverence for Him. Adore God for the attributes that the passage revealed. You can write a list of the attributes that you recognize. Write a prayer of praise in your journal or pray and worship God to glorify His Name. 


We read God’s Word to learn more about Him, and when we pause to recognize God’s character then we can take those Truths to heart. God, we praise You for Your AWEsome attributes!


“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Romans 1:20, ESV



4. Apply

The Bible reveals God’s character, but it also “is profitable for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” to equip us for every good work. (Quote found in 2 Timothy 3:16.) God’s Word guides us. That is why when we study the Bible, it should be followed by applying what we have learned. Like James says in James 1:22 (ESV), “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”


The Word of God is meant to transform us. The transformation can be distinguishing evil from good, God’s character changing our life, training in righteousness, walking in freedom, etc. So, the last step for intentional Bible study is applying the Scripture to your life.


To help you apply Scripture to your life, consider these questions about the passage you are studying:

  • How does what you learned about God change your heart about your circumstances?
  • Is there an attitude or outlook that you need to apply to your life?
  • Does the passage have a command?
  • Does the passage bring light to a sin that you need to confess and turn from?
  • Is there a truth about God that you need to take to heart?
  • Is God putting something on your heart?
  • What has God spoken to you through His Word?


For intentional Bible study, it is valuable to include these 4 steps: Prayer, Study, Praise, and Apply. Of course, this is not a routine way that Bible study must be, rather, it is to help you be intentional. You can choose to accomplish your Bible study with whatever approach you prefer. 


Bible Study

A good way to apply these steps is to start a Bible Study that requires you read a daily passage of Scripture. You could choose a Bible Study on a book of the Bible or a specific topic. The Daily Grace Co. has an incerdible selection of studies to choose from. Their Book of the Bible Studies are great to guide you along while you read through a book. You can browse though their Bible Studies here.*


If you are interesting in reading chronologically through the Bible in a year, they have an amazing 4-volume study coming soon that you follow along with to help you accomplish your goal. Wow, what an accomplishment it would be to read through the whole Bible! This 365-day study gives you better understanding and insight to the storyline of the Bible. You can find it here.*


May these 4 steps help you have an intentional Bible study! Enjoy your time in God’s Word and have fun observing, interpreting, and applying the Bible to your life! 


*As an affiliate, we earn a small percentage of each purchase you make through these links, in order to continue supplying you with godly resources.

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Waiting on the Lord - Godly patience

Leaning on the Spirit for Godly Patience

By Keshia Cunningham • 23 Apr, 2024
God does expect us to be patient. He expects us to not act or react in a hasty manner especially in certain situations. When we react without exhibiting patience, this often has negative repercussions. God included “patience” as a fruit of the Spirit which is meant to allow us to grow and walk in the Spirit of the Lord. “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ” Galatians 5:22, NIV I’m sure we all can think about a time when we were kids and were impatient. We wanted something right away but we had to be patient. From wanting to be first in line, the first one to see something, or simply wanting our parents to leave the grocery. Of course, our parents told us to be patient. Now we all either have kids or have interacted with kids at some point. We’ve seen them become impatient and we try to calm them down. We tell them to be patient and to sit still. This is how God wants us to be as well. God doesn’t want us to rush. He wants us to slow down while learning patience. Many of us want to rush the process. The “instant gratification” has become so popular. We can get food delivered, cars delivered, and charge our phones almost anywhere nowadays. We have gotten so used to getting what we want instantly that we often forget that sometimes patience is needed on this journey. The goal isn’t always being first. It’s about being patient and obedient to the will of God. If God is calling us to wait and to have patience, then that’s what we should do. To be completely honest, I sometimes get a little hasty myself. I want to do things my way. I don’t want to wait on God and see what He says. I recently realized that God will slow you down when you aren’t listening to Him and refusing to be patient. A quick story: I was at a certain place where it takes quite a while to get checked in. This was my first time going there, so I was a little anxious. By the time I had made it to the back of this establishment, I was tired and I wanted to simply rush the process. I went to have a seat and I thought to myself, that the exchange that this person and I had was a little short and quickened. That’s not the impression I want to leave at any place. In that moment, I asked God to calm me down. I asked Him to help me change my attitude and focus on what’s important. He told me to, “be patient”. I immediately sensed a calmness come over me. I knew that God saw, felt, and heard everything I had just experienced and that I didn’t like it. A complete shift in my attitude changed the trajectory of my day. I’ve been back to that certain place and I am mindful of the people who are there. I am mindful of my interactions because we’re all in need of something and me being patient can help them get me through the process a lot faster. “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ” Romans 12:12, NIV God wants us all to be loving, kind, and patient individuals who lead others into positivity. There are going to be times when we don’t feel like being with others and even ourselves. That is why it’s important to become acquainted with Bible verses, so that when anxiety comes in, we can push it out with the word of God. We can always take our anxious thoughts to God in prayer. God is with us. He knows what we are feeling and what we are thinking. That alone shows us that we can be patient and trust in Him. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God .” Philippians 4:6, NIV
Sunflower in the sunshine (Finding Peace through Christ)

Finding Peace through Christ

By Keshia Cunningham • 20 Mar, 2024
True peace can only be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To be fully at peace in the Christian walk starts with having a relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus gives us some crucial tools to have peace in this life. Incorporating hope in Jesus, hearing what He has to say, and also allowing Him to heal our brokenness can bring us peace. As we explore these three topics and how they relate to peace, may you rest in Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives to bring about true peace. Hope in Jesus Can Bring Us Peace First, let’s take a moment to understand the definition of Hope . It is “ a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen .” This definition gives us assurance that if we are seeking something, we should be expecting it to happen. We lean on hope that better days are coming for us. We also may lean on hope for a miracle or a great change in our lives. That hope is placed in Jesus. Giving Jesus complete control and having hope in Him to do what’s best for us also calms our racing thoughts to usher peace into minds. “ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe ." 1 Timothy 4:10, NIV Hearing Jesus Speak to Us Can Bring Peace Secondly, peace can be found by simply hearing what Jesus is telling us. One of the ways we can hear what Jesus is saying to us is through prayer. He doesn’t use harshness when reacting to our prayers. Jesus hears us and shows us that He is truth and life. Not only do we have the opportunity to have an open conversation, but we have the honor of hearing what we need to have peace. The beauty of Jesus and walking Him, is that He doesn't leave us hanging. He gives the answers we need which will always lead us to peace of mind. “ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built .” Luke 6:47-48, NIV True Healing Can Bring Us Peace And lastly, in order to have peace in our lives, we must work on healing. Jesus gives the tools we need to heal. We must allow Him to help us work through our concerns. Healing allows us to have clear space in our minds, in order to think of all of the good things that Jesus has done for us. To be free from the trauma of the past, overthinking, and clutter, can bring us peace. Letting go of all the negative experiences brings us great, profound peace and hope. It all begins with taking the first step of letting Jesus have control over our lives to move toward peace. True healing is found in Jesus! “ You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you .” Isaiah 26:3, NIV In conclusion, these are a few ways that we can find peace in Jesus Christ. When it seems like all hope is lost, it can be found in Him. Peace isn’t something that any of us can borrow or buy. It can only be obtained through faith and also hope through Jesus. Surrendering to Jesus’ plans for our lives will always bring us peace. The peace that truly surpasses all understanding. May you open your heart and let Him fill it with an immense amount of peace.
JOY | Remaining Joyful in Uncertain Times

Remaining Joyful in Uncertain Times

By Keshia Cunningham • 20 Feb, 2024
There is a distinct difference between happy and being joyful. Being happy usually involves something that is acquired from outside of you. Being joyful is usually associated with feeling excitement on the inside. The feeling of joy isn’t necessarily dependent on what’s going on around you, but rather what’s going on inside of you. Joy will always bring you peace because being happy is often short-lived. Being joyful, especially as a Christian living in this world, can at times be challenging. These days it’s important to not become weary but to be joyful. We shouldn’t focus our attention on the negative aspects of life. We can’t sit in the things that are going on around us. We must focus on the good things in life that bring us great joy. It’s some of the simple things that can bring us joy. Waking up to another day that the Lord has made, thanking the Lord for that cup of coffee, and spending time with our loved ones that the Lord has blessed us with can bring us joy. Joy is Found in the Lord Joy is found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The One who shed his blood for our soul brings me great joy. Whenever I find myself feeling unhappy and in need of joy, I turn to the Word of God. I’m reminded of a timely Bible verse in the book of Psalms that often soothes my worries and anxieties. It’s an encouraging message from David to be glad, rejoice in the Lord and praise God. This is such an encouraging Bible verse because no matter what things may appear to be, we can always give glory to God in all circumstances. “ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! ” Psalm 32:11, NIV Joy is Found in Serving Others If we ever lack the feeling of being joyful, we can take the emphasis off of ourselves to serve others. This not only brings comfort to the person you’re helping but this will also bring joy into your heart. You’re doing the work of God just by helping bring light into their life. The love and light you gave them will spread onto someone else. Being a cheerful giver pleases God and brings hope to the world. “ The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed .” Proverbs 11:25, NIV Joy is Found in Every Season Every moment in our life may not be happy moments, however, that doesn’t mean that we can’t find the simple joys in everyday living. During our times of despair, it may seem difficult to seek out joy. When we’re sad or brokenhearted, we can still find comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us always. We weren’t created to be hopeless but to be hopeful and joyful. In Romans, there is a very familiar Bible verse that echoes great encouragement to set our eyes on hope, to rejoice, and pray. This leads us to being joyful. I can’t stress enough how imperative it is to seek The One who gives us all that we need and more. If you ever lack joy in your life, seek Jesus. “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer ." Romans 12:12, NIV
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