FAQs about Studying the Bible

For first time readers of the Bible we recommend starting with the New Testament, especially beginning with reading through the book of Mark. Then, read the books of Matthew, Luke and John. Christianity is Christ. It’s about a relationship with Him. Therefore, get to know Jesus well through reading His life and teachings. Continue reading through the New Testament from Acts through Revelation. After reading the New Testament, then you can start reading the Old Testament.

For anyone who wants to study the Bible for the first time, start with the book of Mark. It is the shortest of the books about Jesus’s life on earth. Get to know Jesus well through studying His life and teachings. “Heartbreak to Hope” Bible study covers the book of Mark. After that, study the book of John to get more understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings. Christianity is Christ. It is about a relationship with Him. Therefore, get to know Him well. We recommend you start with

The best way to study the Bible uses the inductive process. First, carefully observe the text. What does it actually say? Then, interpret the text. What was the author’s intended meaning for the audience that would read or hear it, including us today? And finally, apply what you learn. How do you live this out in your life? This is the best way to study the Bible. Look at what is there. Learn what it means and teaches you. Then, live it out in your life. All “Joyful Walk Bible Studies” use the inductive process.

Start with the book of Colossians. It includes a lot of wonderful information about Jesus Christ that you need to know. It also shows you what God does for you whenever you choose to put your faith in His Son. Colossians shows you how to approach many practical areas of life living God’s way rather than the world’s way. And, it helps you build godly relationships with those around you. Our “Healthy Living Bible Study” covers Colossians. If you want an overview of all of Paul’s letters to get a good perspective of what they teach, work through the short and easy study “Grace Overflowing” before studying Colossians. Ask the Lord to show you where to start.

If you can’t be part of an established group, you certainly can study the Bible on your own at home. Ask the Lord to help you choose a Bible Study guide that focuses on a book of the Bible. We recommend you start with any of the “Graceful Beginning Series” of Bible study books on our website that are short and easy to do. Once you have the book, set aside some time to work through the lesson. Most of our studies have related podcasts to enhance your own study so listen to those.

Ask the Lord to lead you to the book of the Bible you should study. We recommend starting in the New Testament. After you choose the book of the Bible you want to study, research the ABC’s of that book: the Author, the Background setting for the story (i.e., past, present, future), and where the book fits into a series (that’s the Context). Get a journal to record your notes. Ask the Lord Jesus to teach you through His word. As you begin reading the first chapter of the book, observe what the text says including what is happening, truths declared, and anything else that grabs your attention. Look up words you don’t understand in a dictionary. Then, consider how you can apply what you learned. Respond to God in prayer and trust. Check out our Mark study to see what this process looks like. Download our “Start and Lead a Bible Study” booklet which has a section on doing a Bible study without a study guide.

Bible women were everyday women like women today are. They cooked meals, did laundry, and raised children. They had responsibilities inside and outside of their homes, including home businesses. They experienced hormone fluctuations and menopause. Bible women laughed with their friends, differed with their mates, and cried when a loved one died. They wrote songs and played musical instruments. Their hair needed to be combed and fixed, and it turned grey as they aged. They faced fear from invading enemies, sick family members, and empty pantries. They faced creditors and surprise houseguests. They even had “bad” days when things didn’t go right, sometimes due to their own choices. Their stories are preserved for us to get to know them, and to know their God who is also our God—an ever-faithful God whose character never changes. We get to see how much our God loves us as women today. To study OId Testament women, check out “Everyday Women, Ever-Faithful God” (11 lessons) and the shorter version, “The Walk from Fear to Faith” (6 lessons). To study New Testament women, we recommend “Live Out His Love” (11 lessons) and the shorter version “Satisfied by His Love” (6 lessons).

All the “Joyful Walk Bible Studies” are free to download for personal use. Go to the “Free Bible Studies” page listing all we have to offer. Scroll down to the bottom of that page to other websites offering free Bible studies as well.