Top 5 Tips for a Meaningful Bible Study

You sit down with your coffee, Bible, and journal in hand. The glow of the sun is just starting to spread its golden hue across the dark sky, waking up the dawn. It’s a new day, filled with fresh mercy and unlimited possibilities. You want to give these precious first moments of the morning to the Lord, so you take a deep breath, open your Bible…and sigh in discouragement.

Randomly flipping open to Ezekiel isn’t always the most encouraging or uplifting way to start the day.

Does this sound like your Bible time? Do you often feel dry and discouraged, without direction? You know you should spend time in Scripture—and you try to!—but do you wish you had more of a meaningful connection?

You’re not alone, friend. Today, I’m sharing my top 5 tips for having a meaningful personal Bible study. I hope this encourages and inspires you to persevere by being intentional with how you read Scripture!

1. Use a Commentary, Concordance, and Dictionary

Is there a specific word in a particular verse that is stumping you, or that stands out? Look up the definition, and see where else it is used in Scripture. Find a commentary and read others’ and insights on that passage. Look into the history and context surrounding the verse to give you perspective on what else is going on or being addressed. Become a Bible detective, never giving up until you crack the code!

2. Highlight and Write in the Margins

This can be controversial—some people don’t believe you should write in a Bible. However, this is what connects me the most to my Bible study. If you don’t want to permanently mark your Bible, use erasable colored pencils (like I do!). I highlight/underline a verse in colored pencil, and then write in the margin next to it why this particular verse is important to me. Sometimes I’ll even type up commentary that really spoke to me and tape it next to a passage with washi tape. By doing this, I can look back in my Bible and connect to what God was speaking to me in particular seasons.

3. Study with a Friend

Accountability changes everything. If you’re struggling with spending consistent time in Scripture, ask a friend to be your accountability partner. Study a specific book of the Bible together, going chapter by chapter, and share what you find.

4. Pray and Seek God’s Heart Throughout the Pages

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal new things as you read the Bible. Instead of just reading to cross it off your spiritual to-do list, look for ways God is revealing His heart on the pages—what He cares about, and who He cares about.

5. Write Down What Applies to Your Situation

Keep a journal and write down verses that apply to whatever situation you are facing in this season. I once kept a journal where, as I read my Bible, I wrote down every promise God spoke (you will be astonished at His faithfulness!), every prayer someone prayed (which will greatly inspire your own prayer life!), and every passage that talked about how I should live as a daughter of God (which will challenge how you live every day!).