5 Ways to Change Your Bible Study Habits
Keeping God at the front of our minds can be difficult. We have work, school, friends, and much more fighting for our attention, and time with God is quickly forgotten.
I caught myself slipping into a routine that left time for Him - time to study His Word off my radar. I needed to make a change and consider my Bible study habits.
Eventually, I found some great ways to change my studying habits for the better.
I’ll be covering:
How to limit distractions
How to clear your mind through prayer
How to clear your mind through journaling
Using a journaling Bible
Using a Bible study guide
#1 HOW TO LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
Change your environment.
If being at home doesn’t work for you because you’re too focused on your never ending to do list, getting out of the house can be helpful. BUT remember to avoid loud environments.
I love sitting in coffee shops, but the noises can be overwhelming. If you decide a coffee shop is the best place for you, listening to an instrumental playlist can help limit distractions.
Try sitting outside or a quiet place in your house free from distracting household chores. I tend to focus the best in my office with some soft music in the background. Clearing my mind from all distractions allows me to focus on what I’m reading and most importantly retain the information.
It can be extremely helpful to have a plan to guide you through studying scripture as well. Click here for a great Bible study book by Lisa Harper!
#2 HOW TO CLEAR YOUR MIND THROUGH PRAYER
Always start with prayer.
With anything you do it’s important to consider God first. Ask Him to clear your mind. Ask Him for focus and understanding while studying His word.
I have found that writing down my prayers can get them out of my head so that I am more focused to study God’s word. While I’m praying, I jot them down as a way of giving them over to God. It’s also a great way to remember those prayers.
Keeping a prayer journal is super helpful for this. I often grabbed the first notebook I found to write down my prayers, but keeping them organized is a much better idea. It’s nice to have a designated journal specifically for prayers.
#3 HOW TO CLEAR YOUR MIND THROUGH JOURNALING
Often when we have a lot going on in our heads, it can be extremely difficult to stay focused. Try writing everything down before starting your Bible study time.
I am a huge list maker. It can be helpful to make lists in order to get everything flooding your mind onto paper. I often make lists of:
To dos for the day
Grocery lists
Chores
Reminders
Prayer requests
…and much more. I really just write anything and everything in my mind, so I can switch gears and focus on studying God’s word.
It can be difficult to remember what we study when hundreds of thoughts are racing through our heads, so do not forget this step! It can also be a great way to take some time to organize the rest of your day.
#4 USING A JOURNALING BIBLE
A great way to keep your notes and thoughts organized is to get a journaling Bible. I used to have tons of notebooks filled with notes, but I have found it is much easier to keep the notes right next to the related scripture. It makes it much easier to be able to go back and review the notes later as well.
I like to keep highlighters, some pens, and sticky notes nearby while reading through scripture, so I can jot down any notes or thoughts that pop up as I go.
Sticky notes are a great tool if you don’t want your notes to be permanent, or if you are using a Bible without note margins.
#5 USING A BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
The absolute best way to stay focused, retain the information, and keep your notes organized is to follow a Bible study guide.
Books are my favorite place to start when I have no idea what to study or how to study it. It can be extremely helpful to have some extra insight while studying God’s word, and following a book can give you that!
Click here for a Bible study guide book by one of my favorite authors, Lisa Harper! In this book, HOW MUCH MORE, Lisa dives into God’s extravagant love for us and gets into the misunderstood passages in Scripture.
If you already have a book or specific scriptures in mind, there are some great bible study guides available to download on etsy. A great way to keep these printables organized is by keeping them in labeled binders!
I hope this information has been helpful in learning some new ways to study God’s word. I have found limiting distractions, clearing my mind, organizing my thoughts, and especially using a Bible study guide have been great ways to keep me focused on growing closer to God.
If you are in search of a great Bible study guide click here to get Lisa Harpers book, HOW MUCH MORE. She is an inspiring person, and her study guides have allowed me to further understand God’s word and the love He has for us.
If you need a little help organizing your thoughts & prayers, I have created something just for you. Use the form below to get instant access to a FREE prayer journal printable!
BIBLE STUDY MUST HAVES:
(Click each item to see my favorites!)
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