How to Study the Bible Book by Book

Most of us spend time reading our Bibles as part of our regular quiet time with God. It is easy to pick up a study guide for any given book of the Bible as well. But, studying a book of the Bible on our own may give us opportunities to discover on our own. Usually, personal discoveries are better remembered and more easily recalled in times of need.

Why Study a Whole Book of the Bible?

Studying a whole book of the Bible will offer a look whole message, its overall content and purpose. Many other studies break books down into pieces, but that may mean that forest is lost for the trees. This offers a look at the word in context, even well-known verses may come to new light when read in context.

Study of a whole book also allows for a look at the style of the book, or the type of literature it is, letter, poetry, history, etc. It also offers a glance at the threads that run throughout the Bible rather than in just individual passages. Studying the book may help us understand how it fits into the grand arch of the Bible story.

6 Steps for a Whole Book Study Method

This method of study requires a bit of time. It may take a month or longer to complete this type of study. Allow yourself the time and know that it will be a blessing.

1.     Read

Read through the book several times. Consider using different versions. Since some books are quite long, on your first go I’d suggest starting small, like with one of Paul’s letters, say Philippians. Remember that the book was not originally divided into chapters, subchapters, and verses, so let it just flow over you.

2.     Outline

Now that you are familiar with the book, make a general outline of the book. Try not to be influenced by the published dividers, your outline may have several traditional chapters in one section. Also try not to be too detailed here, start with the main ideas and one or two subpoints. It may also be helpful to summarize each section of your outline.

3.     Keywords

Look for keywords or often repeated words in the book. These are likely related to the overarching ideas of the book and are important to notice. You may consider doing a word study on these.

4.     Theme and key verses

Note the main theme, ideas, and key verses. Consider how the theme is developed, described or how the readers are expected to react to the theme. Key verses may offer a summary of the sections you’ve identified in the outline, or some authors even tell you the reason they have written.

5.     Book background

Discover the book background. Look into who wrote the book, who the original audience was as well as the setting and time period of the book. Some of this information for the New Testament can be found in the book of Acts. Study Bibles often include a short introduction of the book that will include important facts as to who, where, when and even why the book was written. Try finding the information in the Bible first, then turn to commentaries or Bible dictionaries.

6.     Guidance, instruction, application

Consider the main guidance or instructions to the readers. Begin by considering what the original readers may have received or how they responded to the book. Historical books may instead have lessons in the narrative. After considering the original message, consider then what the universal truth was. Some books of the Bible have very specific commands for the original readers, whereas considering the overall command may be more relevant to all readers.

The universal truth (or several) may become clearer by taking a step back: for example, what truths about God are presented, how is his character reflected in the passage? From these truths, then determine what the lesson may be for your own application. When considering application, try formulating it as a ‘do’ rather than a ‘don’t’, for example: honor God above all others, rather than don’t worship idols.

Studying a whole book of the Bible encourages us to find connections and flow within the context of the book. Rather than breaking the book into small sections and studying them in isolation, book study offers an overall understanding and link to ideas God presents in his inspired word.

Next time you’d like to study a book of the bible, don’t head to the book store. Just find some paper or use our handy free printable guide: read it, outline it, find keywords, identify themes, look up book background, and finally follow God’s lesson(s).

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