Bible Study How much Bible study/ reading do you do?

[Taafe]

I’ve never read the Bible fully before (I’m a new Christian), but I’m curious about how people dedicate their time to God's Word. Currently, I read for about 30 minutes each night in bed.

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

I want to deepen my understanding of the Word, but I often find that much of it doesn’t make sense to me. This might be due to my lack of familiarity since I haven’t read the Bible before and don't really know much about it.

I do enjoy watching YouTube videos like Bible Project for overall book explanation.

We currently don't have any Bible study groups at our church and would love to find a friend who has a passion for God’s Word, so we can spend time together studying and discussing it.

 

[WIP]

Currently, I have made it my challenge to read and audibly listen to the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation by reading five chapters every day. For the audible part I am using the NIV Dramatized audio Bible found at BibleGateway.com. I also have a NIV version on my phone so I follow along reading the text.

For the past eight years or so, I have made it a point to either read or listen to the entire Bible starting on January 1. This year I got a one month jump start because for some reason I thought December 1 was January 1. Getting older is confusing sometimes.

For the past 20 or 25 years I have been attending a weekly Tuesday morning prayer breakfast sponsored by a member of a neighboring church. We spend about an hour reading a chapter or two from Scripture and discussing what we've read. We include breakfast and spend time in prayer where we pray for anything that we feel a need.

For the past two years I have been a member of The Gideons International and in addition to Bible distributions at local schools, local vacation Bible schools, replacing missing/damaged Bibles in hotels, resorts, hospitals, nursing homes, veterans care facilities, county fairs, and so forth, we also get together weekly for a prayer breakfast.

Our church also sponsors a monthly men's Bible study meeting at someone's home. Prior to the pandemic, we had quite a large group with about 20 men attending regularly from many denominations including our own Lutheran, Babtist, Catholic, Menonite, and Amish. It was very interesting. Since the pandemic our group is quite a bit smaller, which is a little disappointing but we keep moving forward.

Those are some of my current regular activities but over the years I have also attended Bible study groups at other churches, participated in gospel choirs, and since 2010 have been a member here at CFnet.

One last comment I'll leave here is that the more I read, listen to, and study the Bible the more I find new things I never thought of before.

 

[Arial]

I’ve never read the Bible fully before (I’m a new Christian), but I’m curious about how people dedicate their time to God's Word. Currently, I read for about 30 minutes each night in bed.

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

I want to deepen my understanding of the Word, but I often find that much of it doesn’t make sense to me. This might be due to my lack of familiarity since I haven’t read the Bible before and don't really know much about it.

I do enjoy watching YouTube videos like Bible Project for overall book explanation.

We currently don't have any Bible study groups at our church and would love to find a friend who has a passion for God’s Word, so we can spend time together studying and discussing it.

When I first became a Christian the one thing I knew was that every word in the Bible was true, so I began reading it to see what those words were. I started in Gen 1 and Matt 1, reading simultaneously. That was in 1983. SInce then I have read it cover to cover several times. You never stop seeing things you had missed, or remembering things you had forgotten. And you never stop learning new things.

A good study Bible is very helpful. I suggest the Reformed Study Bible for the wealth of information it contains, and its integrity and reliability. It is important to read the book prefaces. And remember that even though it contains many things, the Bible is God revealing himself; it is the historical account of redemption from beginning to end; it is integrated in all its parts and consistent with itself in all its parts. It is God entering into our history for the sake of a personal covenant relationship and redeeming a people for himself, rescuing them from one kingdom---the kingdom of darkness ---and bringing them into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

 

[for_his_glory]

I use to read a whole chapter at a time, but only getting a jest of what I read. Now with the help of first praying and asking the Holy Spirit teach me, I read through a chapter at a time and will not move on to the next chapter until I understand all that the Holy Spirit wants to teach me. Sometimes I will be on the same chapter for a while until I understand what I am reading and also making a lot of notes to reflect on.

To those who are yet very young in the word I tell them to read the book of John first as this teaches us about who Jesus is and what our relationship with Him is all about. Then read the book of Acts as this will teach you about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For my personal use I use the Opened Bible KJV as it contains so much more to use to study each book of the Bible.

God bless you on your journey with the Lord

 

[Hidden In Him]

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

My answer would be similar to FHG's in the previous post. The scriptures were written by the Holy Spirit, so praying beforehand for the Holy Spirit to teach you what it means ensures that the One who wrote it will be the One teaching it to you. Jesus told the disciples this as well, telling them "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-14).

I would advise praying to Him to reveal something that will teach you, and then open the word. Maybe you will be led to a certain book or Chapter in particular, or maybe you could follow a plan like a Chapter a day through a book of the New Testament. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.

As to the question of study versus reading/ listening, I prefer study, but I know of some saints of God who strongly favor just listening to it, and go through the Bible multiple times a year. They say this puts it into your spirit, so that the Spirit can then bring it back to your remembrance. But I also firmly believe in study, because unless you truly understand it you won't know how to apply it properly to your life.

Lastly, if you feel led, there are also Bible studies written by others that can help you. But as a new Christian I would advise you let the Holy Spirit be your Teacher first, and men second. If you grow accustomed to hearing His voice, you will know how to hear Him when He advises you that some Bible studies and some Bible teachings will be better and more accurate than others.

Blessings in Christ, and good thread.
Hidden

 

[Taafe]

Currently, I have made it my challenge to read and audibly listen to the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation by reading five chapters every day. For the audible part I am using the NIV Dramatized audio Bible found at BibleGateway.com. I also have a NIV version on my phone so I follow along reading the text.

For the past eight years or so, I have made it a point to either read or listen to the entire Bible starting on January 1. This year I got a one month jump start because for some reason I thought December 1 was January 1. Getting older is confusing sometimes.

For the past 20 or 25 years I have been attending a weekly Tuesday morning prayer breakfast sponsored by a member of a neighboring church. We spend about an hour reading a chapter or two from Scripture and discussing what we've read. We include breakfast and spend time in prayer where we pray for anything that we feel a need.

For the past two years I have been a member of The Gideons International and in addition to Bible distributions at local schools, local vacation Bible schools, replacing missing/damaged Bibles in hotels, resorts, hospitals, nursing homes, veterans care facilities, county fairs, and so forth, we also get together weekly for a prayer breakfast.

Our church also sponsors a monthly men's Bible study meeting at someone's home. Prior to the pandemic, we had quite a large group with about 20 men attending regularly from many denominations including our own Lutheran, Babtist, Catholic, Menonite, and Amish. It was very interesting. Since the pandemic our group is quite a bit smaller, which is a little disappointing but we keep moving forward.

Those are some of my current regular activities but over the years I have also attended Bible study groups at other churches, participated in gospel choirs, and since 2010 have been a member here at CFnet.

One last comment I'll leave here is that the more I read, listen to, and study the Bible the more I find new things I never thought of before.

Yes, I tend to listen to the Bible in the evenings only 1 or 2 chapters before bed after reading it. It helps me with the learning the names and places because I usually butcher them
You seem very involved! I would love to host a local Bible study group at my home. I might ask my new pastor once he settles in.

I love how even after 25 years of reading the Bible you still find new things.

P.S Keep up the great work in your community!

 

[Taafe]

When I first became a Christian the one thing I knew was that every word in the Bible was true, so I began reading it to see what those words were. I started in Gen 1 and Matt 1, reading simultaneously. That was in 1983. SInce then I have read it cover to cover several times. You never stop seeing things you had missed, or remembering things you had forgotten. And you never stop learning new things.

A good study Bible is very helpful. I suggest the Reformed Study Bible for the wealth of information it contains, and its integrity and reliability. It is important to read the book prefaces. And remember that even though it contains many things, the Bible is God revealing himself; it is the historical account of redemption from beginning to end; it is integrated in all its parts and consistent with itself in all its parts. It is God entering into our history for the sake of a personal covenant relationship and redeeming a people for himself, rescuing them from one kingdom---the kingdom of darkness ---and bringing them into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

I have several study Bibles, (ESV, Halley’s and NIV) but I've never heard of the Reformed Study Bible. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out. I tend to dip in and out of each study Bible just to get a wide variety of opinions.

2025 will be the first year I read the entire Bible cover to cover, and I already know it will become a lifelong habit. I'm currently reading Leviticus and, although I’ve always heard that people often abandon their reading plans at this point, I did so much background study on Jewish laws (I’m becoming a Bible geek ) beforehand that I’m actually really enjoying it. Honestly, without that background study, it would have been a difficult read so will always make sure I read the preface especially for the OT.

 

[Arial]

I have several study Bibles, (ESV, Halley’s and NIV) but I've never heard of the Reformed Study Bible. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out. I tend to dip in and out of each study Bible just to get a wide variety of opinions.

I have the Reformed Study Bible in both ESV and NKJ. I had the ESV first and then they came out with the NKJ that had a way lot more info, more detailed text notes, historical documents, methods of translation, a few of the Creeds, so I got it. I have heard that since they have put all that in the ESV too and I generally prefer that translation over the NKJ. It is the one I am reading through now. Just started 1 Kings. The chapter prefaces are really informative. Author, date and occasions of writing, theology of the book, Christ in the book, difficult passages etc. I also have an NIV though I don't use it much now and the first Bible I read through was the NASB.

2025 will be the first year I read the entire Bible cover to cover, and I already know it will become a lifelong habit. I'm currently reading Leviticus and, although I’ve always heard that people often abandon their reading plans at this point, I did so much background study on Jewish laws (I’m becoming a Bible geek ) beforehand that I’m actually really enjoying it. Honestly, without that background study, it would have been a difficult read so will always make sure I read the preface especially for the OT.

That background will really be a plus for you. A lot of it is a difficult read because entering into it cold, it is hard to see the purpose behind some of it. The book of Hebrews was a big help for me because it tied the Levitical law to Christ. It made the connection for me. And a lot of the OT is a hard swallow. And I have to say the slaughter of animals affected me more that the killing of people. But so deep seated within me that this was God, I would say things (to myself) like, "I don't like it, but it is God and so I submit to it and it is not the end of the story." Truthfully we would be nuts if we liked those things, and we are not supposed to like them. But we do have to recognize the immutable and perfect God for who he is---love is not love if it is indifferent to evil---in his self revelation. And not make an Easter bunny or Santa Claus, out of him.

 

[Taafe]

My answer would be similar to FHG's in the previous post. The scriptures were written by the Holy Spirit, so praying beforehand for the Holy Spirit to teach you what it means ensures that the One who wrote it will be the One teaching it to you. Jesus told the disciples this as well, telling them "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-14).

I would advise praying to Him to reveal something that will teach you, and then open the word. Maybe you will be led to a certain book or Chapter in particular, or maybe you could follow a plan like a Chapter a day through a book of the New Testament. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.

As to the question of study versus reading/ listening, I prefer study, but I know of some saints of God who strongly favor just listening to it, and go through the Bible multiple times a year. They say this puts it into your spirit, so that the Spirit can then bring it back to your remembrance. But I also firmly believe in study, because unless you truly understand it you won't know how to apply it properly to your life.

Lastly, if you feel led, there are also Bible studies written by others that can help you. But as a new Christian I would advise you let the Holy Spirit be your Teacher first, and men second. If you grow accustomed to hearing His voice, you will know how to hear Him when He advises you that some Bible studies and some Bible teachings will be better and more accurate than others.

Blessings in Christ, and good thread.
Hidden

I would prefer to study the Bible, but I don't have much time at the moment. I've been considering waking up one hour earlier to dedicate that time to studying, but since I'm more of a night owl, I think that might be challenging. I might give it a try for a few weeks in the summer time when its light and warm in the mornings.

I understand what you mean about asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, it’s something I’m practising. However, I'm still unsure how to distinguish my own thoughts from God’s When people say that sometimes scripture will jump out at you, or you’ll read a passage that speaks to you, I haven’t experienced that yet but I’m thinking that comes with time - but that's another topic for another day.

Do you stick to the same Bible translation, or do you switch it up from time to time? I prefer the NIV or NLT for the simplicity, but as I become more familiar, I’ll probably try the ESV or NASB.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I would prefer to study the Bible, but I don't have much time at the moment. I've been considering waking up one hour earlier to dedicate that time to studying, but since I'm more of a night owl, I think that might be challenging. I might give it a try for a few weeks in the summer time when its light and warm in the mornings.

If you're a night owl, dedicate some time before you go to bed : )

Do you stick to the same Bible translation, or do you switch it up from time to time? I prefer the NIV or NLT for the simplicity, but as I become more familiar, I’ll probably try the ESV or NASB.

Actually, I use helps and study the original texts. But when I first became a Christian I read from the KJV, and later the NIV. I still use KJVs for cross-referencing, but in any kind of intensive study I study from the original language, and I tend to favor certain texts over others.

That all comes with time if you decide to get into it, so just keep doing what you feel comfortable with most. The Lord will lead you if you pray, and that's the most important thing.

 

[hishandmaiden]

I used to do a lot of bible study, but not anymore. These days, I hardly read the bible.

 

[Who Me]

I’ve never read the Bible fully before (I’m a new Christian), but I’m curious about how people dedicate their time to God's Word. Currently, I read for about 30 minutes each night in bed.

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

I want to deepen my understanding of the Word, but I often find that much of it doesn’t make sense to me. This might be due to my lack of familiarity since I haven’t read the Bible before and don't really know much about it.

I do enjoy watching YouTube videos like Bible Project for overall book explanation.

We currently don't have any Bible study groups at our church and would love to find a friend who has a passion for God’s Word, so we can spend time together studying and discussing it.

A couple of suggestions.
Get a set of bible reading notes, they give you a passage to read, comment on it and give suggestions for prayer.
Try reading either a book or through the bible, but record in a notebook what you read, what struck you and why in that passage, what you prayed about and any queries you have for investigation.
Lastly as a new Christian ask your minister if there is anyone who will study the bib.e with you.

 

[WIP]

A couple of suggestions.
Get a set of bible reading notes, they give you a passage to read, comment on it and give suggestions for prayer.
Try reading either a book or through the bible, but record in a notebook what you read, what struck you and why in that passage, what you prayed about and any queries you have for investigation.
Lastly as a new Christian ask your minister if there is anyone who will study the bib.e with you.

One other suggestion I'd like to add. Find a good Bible study group. One that really studies and discusses what is being read. Having person to person interaction can be very helpful compared to reading a Bible study, especially if you're like me and reading comprehension is poor.

 

[Who Me]

One other suggestion I'd like to add. Find a good Bible study group. One that really studies and discusses what is being read. Having person to person interaction can be very helpful compared to reading a Bible study, especially if you're like me and reading comprehension is poor.

You didn't read the post. His church doesn't have a bible study group, so how does a new Christian find a bible study?

 

[WIP]

You didn't read the post. His church doesn't have a bible study group, so how does a new Christian find a bible study?

They should be around. Just because one church doesn't have one doesn't mean there isn't one in the area. If there truly isn't, then start one. It's a participation thing. We don't participate to sit and be lectured to. We participate as seekers, knocker, and askers.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV

 

[Tenchi]

I’ve never read the Bible fully before (I’m a new Christian), but I’m curious about how people dedicate their time to God's Word. Currently, I read for about 30 minutes each night in bed.

2 Corinthians 10:12
12...But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

My grandfather was in the habit for most of his adult life of rising at 4 am and studying God's word and praying 'til noon. Many days, he'd study the Bible for the entire day, taking only necessary breaks (meals, bathroom breaks, etc.). During his life, my grandfather studied (not merely read) his way through the Bible several hundreds of times and could recite from memory a truly freakish amount of Scripture. Anyway, having aspirations to the pastorate, my younger brother set out to emulate our grandfather, maintaining the same schedule of study and prayer as he did. My brother, though, had a young family, and a job and quickly found himself utterly exhausted by the effort. Frustrated and concerned, my brother shared his failure with our grandfather. To my brother's surprise, my grandfather laughed and said, "You aren't me. You've got to have your own time with God that you establish with Him within the constraints of your own life. I would never recommend anyone do just as I do in their time with God." My brother was very relieved to hear this and abandoned his 4 am Bible study for a more suitable study schedule.

My point in this story is that we all have our own life with God, our own unique journey with Him, and while there are common features shared among every one of those journeys, they are by no means all identical and shouldn't be.

My life is such at the moment that, from 7 am until noon, or 1pm, I am studying, reading and writing about my faith, memorizing Scripture and talking with God about various things I read, or that He brings to mind to pray about. I haven't always been able to do this, of course, but in the last decade or so, this has been my common practice. Compared to my grandfather, however, my efforts are pretty lame, but this is the danger in such comparisons: We often either fare too well by them (by comparison to the worst person we can think of), or too poorly (by comparison to those we idolize/admire), in either case, not really getting to the truth of things about ourselves.

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

The Bible exists, not just to inform us about the doctrines and practices of the Christian faith, but to reveal to us a Person so that we might enjoy direct, personal, life-changing fellowship with Him. See: 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 1:3b, Revelation 3:20; Philippians 3:7-14. Too often, though, these days, Christians make the mistake of confusing spiritual maturity, which is inextricably entwined with fellowship with God, with accumulation of data about the Christian faith. In other words, the more a person knows about the faith, the more spiritually mature they are assumed to be. It's because this thinking is so prevalent that many pulpits have been occupied by highly-credentialed men whose lives are filled with secret sin. Just consider Ravi Zacharias, or Steve Lawson, or Tony Evans, or Bill Hybels, or James MacDonald, and on, and on.

So, then, by all means study God's word, and do so often and assiduously, but don't take up the idea that gathering data about the faith is the same as actually knowing and enjoying God, in so doing walking well with Him. While every person who would truly know and enjoy God must know His Truth well, it is by no means certain that every one who does know His word well, knows and enjoys Him, as they should.

We currently don't have any Bible study groups at our church and would love to find a friend who has a passion for God’s Word, so we can spend time together studying and discussing it.

Though face-to-face discipleship is best, failing that, I would recommend the following:

www.ttb.org
www.gty.org
www.reasonablefaith.org (search: Defenders course)
www.thenarrowpath.com

 

[myangelsb4u]

I am listening to the audible bible from Genesis to Revelations constantly, with a break of about a week each time I finish.

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

I’ve never read the Bible fully before (I’m a new Christian), but I’m curious about how people dedicate their time to God's Word. Currently, I read for about 30 minutes each night in bed.

Ideally, I would love to study the Bible more deeply because I feel I’m missing out on a lot of its deeper meanings. Is Bible study something separate from Bible reading? Would it be beneficial for me to read a study Bible from cover to cover so that I can gain a better understanding of both?

I want to deepen my understanding of the Word, but I often find that much of it doesn’t make sense to me. This might be due to my lack of familiarity since I haven’t read the Bible before and don't really know much about it.

I do enjoy watching YouTube videos like Bible Project for overall book explanation.

We currently don't have any Bible study groups at our church and would love to find a friend who has a passion for God’s Word, so we can spend time together studying and discussing it.

Taafe,
Bible reading and Bible study are an amazing journey. You gain from doing both, and I highly recommend them. Read Luke 24:45, which says:

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."

This verse speaks of the Lord Jesus opening His disciples’ understanding of the Scriptures. This event took place right after His resurrection. The disciples had been with Him for about three and a half years, yet here in Luke 24:45, we see that the Lord still needed to open their understanding of the Scriptures.

So, don’t be discouraged. Instead, I encourage you to make this verse your prayer before you read or study the precious Word of the Lord. I have been in church for more than 50 years, and I still pray this prayer often, Lord open my understanding that I might understand the Scriptures. He will I can assure you. This Christian Lifestyle is an amazing Journey, there is so much to learn. Lord bless you and your precious family.

 

[WIP]

Read Luke 24:45, which says:

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."

This verse speaks of the Lord Jesus opening His disciples’ understanding of the Scriptures. This event took place right after His resurrection. The disciples had been with Him for about three and a half years, yet here in Luke 24:45, we see that the Lord still needed to open their understanding of the Scriptures.

Good suggestion. I used to pray that the Lord would open my heart and my mind to the teaching of His word prior to reading/studying the Bible. I need to get back to doing that as I have gone away from it for some reason. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

Good suggestion. I used to pray that the Lord would open my heart and my mind to the teaching of His word prior to reading/studying the Bible. I need to get back to doing that as I have gone away from it for some reason. Thanks for the suggestion!

Yes my friend, it is easy to get into the hustle and bustle of life, then after a period of time we tend to lose sight of things that really matter. Even the small things in life, like a smile, a soft word, listening to the birds singing or just a simple I Love you today. I know some people wants to be all macho and say "listen to that wimpy guy". I'm 70 years old I have walked with my Lord Jesus Christ a long time now, and I still ask the Lord often, My Father help me be a blessing to someone today. So, if that's wimpy style so be it