• Join Lauren Hunter’s Email List
  • Work With Me
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • 1:1 Coaching with Lauren Hunter
  • Freelance Writing
    • Portfolio
  • Music Services
    • Singing Celebrant
    • Funeral Music and Memorial Service Music
    • Worship
  • Work With Me
  • Books
    • Veritable Books
    • Leaving Christian Science
    • Write Your Journey
      • Write Your Journey Resources
    • Press
  • Blog
  • Join Lauren Hunter’s Email List
  • About Lauren Hunter
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

Journey Together with Author and coach Lauren Hunter

Journey Together

Journey Together

  • Books
    • Veritable Books
    • Leaving Christian Science
    • Write Your Journey
      • Write Your Journey Resources
    • Press
  • Freelance Writing
    • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • 1:1 Coaching with Lauren Hunter
    • Veritable Books
  • Music
    • Music Services
    • Funeral Music
    • Singing Celebrant
    • Worship
how to study the Bible

How to Study the Bible

· In: Faith, Leaving Christian Science

When I left Christian Science in my twenties, I didn’t know much about how to study the Bible. Growing up, we relied on the lesson sermon (distributed by the Christian Science Publishing Society) to tell us which Bible verses to read in correlation with passages from Mary Baker Eddy’s book, Science and Health with Key to Scriptures. We drew blue chalk lines marking the lesson citations so we’d know what verses we were supposed to read daily, then hear read aloud in church Sunday. While it wasn’t overtly communicated, most followers did not read outside these blue chalk lines. We were taught that Mrs. Eddy’s interpretation of scripture superseded the Bible itself, and so if there were no corresponding passages from Science and Health to “explain” the Bible verses, I assumed there was no value in reading them. We did not read or study entire chapters of the Bible. 

IMG 1147
Image of Christian Science lesson books ( King James Version Bible and Science & Health, by Mary Baker Eddy)

When I left Christian Science 20 years ago, I felt a great thirst to more fully understand Christianity by reading the Bible alone. With new eyes, Bible text literally jumped off the page to me. I couldn’t read enough as the Holy Spirit gave me a thirst to understand this Jesus I had given my life over to. I began attending a friend’s evangelical church and joined an evening Bible study. The study materials were by Philip Yancey, called What’s So Amazing About Grace?. This Zondervan study included a set of DVD videos and each participant had a study guide and optional full-length book. About ten of us met in the evening at the church. We prayed together, watched the short video, then discussed questions in our study guides. Sometimes we read a chapter of the book in advance to prepare and answered questions before we joined the group so that we had more to discuss. This group reminded me of the things I had always enjoyed about Christian Science Sunday School: meeting with a teacher and a small group of willing participants around a common subject. 

Since that first study group, I’ve rarely had a time in my life when I didn’t either lead or participate in a small group Bible study. What I have learned over the years is that there are many ways to study the Bible. 

12740 bible study and prayer with friends use in text
How to Study the Bible [free ebook by Logos Bible Software]
That said, there are three main types of Bible study that I would like to break down for you. While some people might feel that one type of Bible study is lesser than another, I argue that all are useful depending on how much time you have available and what your personal preferences are: 

Devotional Reading

When you hear Christians reference “daily devotions,” what they typically mean is a short text explaining a particular theme or Bible verse. These quick readings are generally written around a topic, theme, or calendar (like a 365-day devotional book) and can be read and digested within a limited amount of time. They require no physical Bible or preparation. Their main purpose is to give us something daily to connect us with God and to think about during the day.  I call this daily time with God “the best 20 minutes.”

Time commitment: 5-20 minutes per devotion, daily or whenever you have time. 

Resources:

  • YouVersion Bible app with many free devotions: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/
  • The Gospel Coalition, How to Study the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-study-bible/
  • The Basics of Bible Study at Bible Gateway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT9FEo8JQDU

Topical Bible Study

A topical Bible study can be a curriculum or book series around a specific topic. Prayer, grace, fear, and confidence are some popular topics as are female heroes of the Bible, God’s promises, and the wisdom of God.

Bible study curriculum sets (by teachers such as Beth Moore, Max Lucado, and Priscilla Shirer) often have video teaching segments on DVD or streamed with a full-length book and a workbook for each participant to work in. These types of studies help focus participants on a single subject over a longer period to allow opportunities to apply what was taught and experience encouragement from the group to help growth in that area.  

Time Commitment: 15-60 minutes five days a week for personal study time to read and answer questions in a workbook, plus 60-120 minutes to meet as a group and watch a video, discuss the lesson, and pray. 

Resources: 

  1. Desiring God Ministries, How Do I Study a Specific Topic in the Bible?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmdA3Q57dOc
  2. Tithe.ly Blog, How to Study the Bible: https://get.tithe.ly/blog/how-to-study-the-bible
  3. Bible Gateway, “Studying a particular Bible passage”: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2016/01/how-to-study-the-bible-studying-a-particular-bible-passage/

Inductive Bible Study

After participating in topical studies for a few years, our church began to offer year-long Bible studies for women on a single book of the Bible. Instead of focusing on a theme or single topic, we used the inductive bible study method to observe, interpret, and apply truths from scripture. The depth of understanding I gleaned from this process felt more like a seminary-level class. 

Time Commitment: 15-60 minutes five days a week for personal study time, plus 60-120 minutes to meet as a group to discuss the lesson and pray. (Sidenote: this method does allow for less prep time if needed since specific questions won’t be asked as would in a workbook-style topical study. However, people tend to get more out of these studies when they put in the daily research and study on their own.)

Resources: 

  1. Navigator’s Inductive Bible study method: https://www.navigators.org/resource/inductive-bible-study
  2. How to Study Your Bible, by Kay Arthur https://amzn.to/3tQ9ikC
  3. Verse Mapping guided inductive Bible study method: https://kristycambron.com/verse-mapping-101-steps-to-study-the-bible-like-never-before/

17262 bible on arm of couch wide with verse social Insta

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).

Bible study might look different if you’re studying alone, studying in a small group, or studying the Bible with your family of mixed-aged children. The good news is that the Holy Spirit can and will speak to you and through scripture whether you have five minutes or five hours.

Pros and Cons of Bible Study Meeting Styles

  • Alone: Can go off on a tangent and study more in an area of personal interest.
  • Small Group: Different inputs, going at the speed of the group, making friends, and sharing life during study experience.
  • Family: Bonds your family together more as you are reading and studying the Bible together. 

To sum things up, the whole point of investing our time in any type of Bible study is to get into God’s word and hear truth right from the source. I pray that as you take a step closer to understanding the God of the Bible through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you would allow him to speak into your heart to open your eyes.

[As an Amazon Associate, Lauren Hunter earns a small commission from qualifying purchases.]

By: Lauren Hunter · In: Faith, Leaving Christian Science · Tagged: Bible study group, Bible study lesson, guided inductive bible study, how to study the bible, in-depth Bible study, induction Bible study, leaving christian science, small group, small group bible study, study guide, study the bible, topical bible study, verse mapping Bible study

About Lauren Hunter

Lauren Hunter is a freelance writer, author, HSP-trained life and book coach, musician, and celebrant who loves exploring the big picture of the journey we are all on together. She is the author of two books: Leaving Christian Science and Write Your Journey. Lauren lives in Northern California with her husband and their four children.

you’ll also love

My Journey to Becoming a WriterMy Journey to Becoming a Writer
What do Christian Scientists believe about the Blood of Jesus?What Do Christian Scientists Believe About the Blood of Jesus?
Leaving Christian Science celebrates one-year publishing anniversaryLeaving Christian Science Celebrates First Publishing Anniversary
Next Post >

Broken by Trauma, Healed by Hope

Primary Sidebar

Meet Lauren Hunter

Lauren Hunter is a freelance writer, author, HSP-trained life and book coach, musician, and celebrant who loves exploring the big picture of the journey we are all on together. She is the author of two books: Leaving Christian Science and Write Your Journey. Lauren lives in Northern California with her husband and their four children.

Work With Me

Let's Connect

Let’s Journey Together

I'm so glad you're here. So much of what I write about has to do with this crazy journey called "life" that we are all on together. As a thank you for joining my email list, I'd love to give you the first chapter of my latest book, Write Your Journey. Sign up and look for the free download in your inbox!

Recent Posts

  • An Open Letter to Myself
  • 5 Creative Breakthroughs for Sensitive Writers Using The Artist’s Way
  • 12 Bible Verses for Cancer Patients (Plus a Prayer)
  • Book Coaching Packages for Sensitive Nonfiction Writers

Follow on LinkedIn

  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me

Article Categories

  • Book Reviews
  • Faith
  • Growth
  • Leaving Christian Science
  • Motherhood
  • Music
  • Poems
  • Work
  • Write Your Journey
  • Writing

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

I am participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Freelancer's Union
Bible gateway blogger grid member

Footer

Recent Posts

  • An Open Letter to Myself
  • 5 Creative Breakthroughs for Sensitive Writers Using The Artist’s Way
  • 12 Bible Verses for Cancer Patients (Plus a Prayer)
  • Book Coaching Packages for Sensitive Nonfiction Writers
  • What is a Funeral Celebrant and Why Do I Need One?

Categories

  • Book Reviews
  • Faith
  • Growth
  • Leaving Christian Science
  • Motherhood
  • Music
  • Poems
  • Work
  • Write Your Journey
  • Writing

Pages

  • 1:1 Coaching with Lauren Hunter
  • About Lauren Hunter
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Leaving Christian Science
    • Write Your Journey
      • Write Your Journey Resources
  • Freelance Writing
    • Portfolio
  • Home
  • Join Lauren Hunter’s Email List
  • Music Services
    • Funeral Music and Memorial Service Music
    • Singing Celebrant
    • Worship
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Veritable Books
  • Work With Me
    • About
    • Contact Lauren Hunter

Copyright © 2025 · Theme by 17th Avenue

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT