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Getting Started - Bible Study
This is a free online, mobile-friendly version of our Grace Bible Church's Bible study packets. Below will give you an understanding of how to use this resource as well as give you a foundation for studying the Bible.
There will also be links to the free downloadable PDF of the packets and to purchase a printed booklet if you would like a hard copy of the Bible Study.
The Foundation of Bible study
The Bible is written in multiple languages throughout hundreds of years. The Spirit of God inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) its human authors to record His authoritative (Hebrews 4:12) and life-giving Word (Matthew 4:4). It is often thought of as one book. However, the Bible is a library of writings that tell the unified story of who God is and our relationship with him. This story ultimately leads us to Jesus.
Jesus’ life and teaching was saturated in Hebrew Scripture. Once, when asked which was the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus responded by quoting Israel’s central prayer, the Shema.
“Jesus answered, The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:29-31 NET).
Jesus affirmed the foundational priority for God’s people - to listen to the voice of God and to respond by loving Him entirely and by loving people sacrificially.
By reading, meditating on, and studying the Bible, followers of Jesus learn to listen and respond to the Spirit as He reshapes our imaginations, affections, and behaviors through His Word. Our goal as we study the Bible is not to master its content or to simply acquire information about God. Rather, it is to be formed into Christlike people of love (Galatians 4:19).
How to use this Study
Each study guides you to
- CONNECT in an authentic community as you and your group share the joys and struggles of life as you follow Jesus together. (Acts 2:42-45)
- Grow in knowledge of the truth by studying Scripture and actively applying its truth to your life. (2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22-25)
- ENGAGE in helping people find and follow Jesus through methods of disciple-making. (Matthew 4:19)
3 Sections
Each study will be divided into three main sections.
- Survey: Providing an overview and background information for the study.
- Lessons: Small sections of the book of the Bible being studied, where you practice the three methods of Bible study, explained below.
- Synthesis: Put everything back together, from the entire study.
3 Steps of Bible Study
In each lesson, you will practice a three-step Bible study method:
- Observation: What do I see?
- Interpretation: What does it mean?
- Application: What will I do now?
You can learn more about how to practice each of these skills, and you will be guided through using these different skills in each lesson.
Journaling
We recommend using a journal to record your observations, thoughts, prayers, and what the Lord is teaching you throughout the study.
Marking UP the Text
Whether you use your own personal Bible or the provided markup PDF with the lesson, we recommend making notes throughout the text to help you visualize your observations.
Suggested Study Schedule:
Choose a consistent time daily to spend 5-15 minutes studying God's Word.
Day 1 - Seek the Holy Spirit
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the passage.
- Meditate | Choose something that stood out to you in the passage and pray and meditate on it throughout the day.
Day 2 - Make Observations
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the passage.
- Observe | Make observations on the passage. Use the observation questions in the Bible study to help guide your observations.
- Meditate | Reflect on the observations you made throughout the day and consider how these insights might influence your daily life.
Day 3 - Make Interpretations
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the passage.
- Interpret | Make interpretations on the passage. Use the interpretation question in the Bible study to help guide your interpretations.
- Meditate | Reflect on the interpretations you made throughout the day and consider how these insights might influence your daily life.
Day 4 - Draw Application
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the passage.
- Application | Write down the personal application you have made throughout the week from the passage, and what you will do in response to what the Holy Spirit has challenged you to do. Use the application questions in the Bible study to help you process what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do.
- Meditate | Reflect on the changes you will make and how the scripture applies to you daily life.
Day 5 - Reflect
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the verse(s) that meant the most to you this week.
- Meditate | Reflect on these verse(s) throughout your day.
Day 6 & 7 - Memorize
- Pray | Ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
- Read | Read the verse(s) that meant the most to you this week, and practice hiding God's word in your heart (Psalm 119:11) by memorizing the verse(s).
- Meditate | Reflect on these verse(s) throughout your day.
The Bible study is enhanced by studying with a group where everyone benefits from each other’s personal study, experiences, questions, wisdom, and prayers. We would encourage you to meet with a group once a week to discuss the study together.
Discuss It
At the end of every lesson, there is a section called "Discuss it" that provides an outline for your group’s time together. Use this guide to help connect relationally as a group and to discuss the text together, helping you synthesize the truths God’s Spirit taught you this week.
Prayer
Establish the practice of praying together and depending on the Spirit to lead, teach, challenge, and guide your group. This is where you truly grow in an authentic community, sharing the joys and struggles of life while following Jesus together.