Studying the Bible for yourself might feel overwhelming at first, but you can take it one step at a time. These seven practical tips from ETS Online will help you approach your next Bible study with confidence and enjoy discovering more of God’s Word.

1. Start your Bible study with Prayer

Before you begin reading, take a moment to pray. Put away distractions, like your phone, and ask God for attentiveness, wisdom, and an open heart willing to respond. You can begin simply: “Lord, help me understand this passage. Open my heart to your truth and guide me as I study.”

2. Read a Short Bible Passage Carefully

Choose a paragraph or a complete scene rather than an isolated verse. Read it slowly, then read it again. Your first task when studying the Bible is to become familiar with what the passage actually says before deciding what it means for you.

Notice who is speaking, who is listening, and what happens. If a sentence feels confusing, write down the question and keep reading. You may discover that the next few lines help answer it. Reading scripture aloud can also help you hear details you would otherwise skim past.

3. Observe Key Words and Details

Observation means paying attention before drawing conclusions. Look for repeated words, contrasts, commands, questions, and connections such as “because” or “therefore.” These details help you follow the writer’s thought rather than focusing only on a phrase that catches your attention.

Ask: What is emphasized? Does the passage describe an event, give instructions, or express a prayer? If you like, take a notebook and write two or three observations in your own words. Keep them close to the text. “The writer repeats this idea” is an observation; “this must mean I should change jobs” is already a conclusion.

4. Explore the Context

When you study the Bible always keep in mind that a passage belongs to a larger conversation. Read the paragraphs before and after it and consider where it sits within the book. A short book introduction can help you identify the writer, the original audience, and the situation being addressed.

Also notice the kind of writing. Poetry uses images; a letter develops an argument; a narrative tells a story. Ask: What would the original readers have understood? You do not need to research every historical detail, but a little bit of context helps you see why these words appear here and how they connect.

5. Understand the Main Message

Now bring your observations and context together. What is the writer communicating to the original audience? Try summarizing the passage in one or two sentences. This method of studying the Bible gives you a clear starting point before asking how it speaks to your life.

This is where interpretation enters Bible study. Hermeneutics refers to the principles that guide how we interpret Scripture, including attention to context and literary form. ETS Online’s guide to biblical hermeneutics explains this further. For now your short summary, keeping the content and context of the Bible passage in mind, is sufficient for your Bible study session. 

6. Check Your Understanding

Now it's time to double-check. Look back at your summary. Which words in the passage support it? If you cannot point to them, you may have brought an assumption into your reading. Adjust your summary – or leave the question open for further study. You can then consult a study Bible, a commentary, a trusted Christian or church leader. Remember: You can study the Bible for yourself while remaining open to correction and learning from others.

7. Apply What You Learn and Pray

Once you understand the passage, ask: “What would taking this seriously look like in my life?” Be specific. If it calls you to forgive, consider whom you struggle to forgive. If it reveals God’s faithfulness, bring a worry to him in prayer. Let your response follow what the passage teaches you.

But keep in mind, not every passage demands a dramatic life decision. Some call for action; whereas others offer a truth to trust or a reason to worship. Finish by praying about what you learned and asking God to help you respond.

For example, in Philippians 4:10–14, Paul describes learning contentment in hardship and plenty. His confidence in Christ’s strength (v. 13) concerns these changing circumstances, not a guarantee that every ambition will succeed. You might identify where contentment is difficult and ask Christ for strength to remain faithful. This does not mean pretending the situation is easy or refusing to seek change.

The steps above explain how to study Scripture carefully. Different Bible study methods give you ways to organize that process and help you pay attention and keep going.

Bear in mind that the best Bible study method is the one that you can use thoughtfully and consistently. If you feel overwhelmed by the options, begin with a short book study and use the seven steps of ETS Online as your guide. You can find a free PDF at the very end of this article.

So far you know the theoretical steps and the methods of how to study the Bible. Now, let's look at practical difficulties. What is the best way to study the Bible when your time is limited? Start with ten or fifteen minutes: pray, read a short passage, and write down what you notice. You can continue with the same passage tomorrow. Give yourself time to understand the Bible passage rather than rushing to finish.

Additionally, learning how to study the Bible for yourself does not mean figuring everything out alone. Begin with your Bible and your questions. Then ask a trusted Christian for help when something remains unclear.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. You do not need an hour each day or a perfect routine. If you miss a day, simply begin again. The aim is to keep making room for God through prayer and thoughtful study.

• At ETS Online, we encourage Christians to always start their study time with their Bible. Nonetheless, these optional Bible study tools may help when a specific question comes up:

  • A study Bible: A brief introduction to a book's setting and message.
  • A Bible dictionary: Explanations of unfamiliar words, places, or customs.
  • A second translation: Another way to examine a difficult sentence.
  • A commentary: Help checking your understanding after you have studied the passage yourself.
  • Bible study software: Tools like Logos help you search Scripture, compare translations, and consult study resources in one place.

  Add resources as you need them. The aim is to understand Scripture, not to build a complicated biblical studies system at home.

  Would you like to understand why a passage means what it means and feel more confident explaining it? ETS Online's  Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics course  helps you build the skills to interpret Scripture in context and move a step further in your personal Bible study.

We want to help you put what you have learned into practice. That’s why we at ETS Online have put together a free Bible study PDF with all seven steps in one place. Download it, print it, keep it beside your Bible, or use it in a cell group – our goal is to help you be focused and confident in your Bible study time without having to remember every step.

Get your free guide from ETS Online and bring it to your next Bible study. Download the PDF here: ETS Online-Bible Study Guide.pdf