Does your mind wander when you read the Bible? Do you get stuck on lengthy legal explanations in Leviticus, or unfamiliar names in the genealogies of Numbers or 1 and 2 Chronicles? Four Bible study tips that have helped me may help you get more spiritual nourishment from your Bible, and make your daily devotional time with God more meaningful.

1. SPIRITUAL SUPERFOOD

2. And these words which I command you today shall
be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to
your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in
your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie
down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

3. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

4. READ
& If reading the Bible is new to you, take small bites and work up to
larger servings. Read for quality rather than quantity.
& Reading a printed book is better for retention and understanding,
than is reading from a computer, phone or tablet.
& Read from different translations, including one that uses language
that’s familiar to you.
& Read for understanding, focusing on a few verses or a chapter at a
time. Compare verses that address the same topic (Isaiah 28:9-10).
& Helpful Tools:
▪ Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance on the Web
▪ E-Sword and MacSword for your PC or Mac
▪ Strong’s KJV for iPhone and iPad (affiliate link)
▪ MySword for Android
Some links may be affiliate links.

5. LISTEN
& Listen during your commute.
& Listen to relax before going to sleep, or when you can’t sleep.
& Listen when you exercise.
& Listen while you do yard or housework.
& Helpful resources:
§ Faithcomesbyhearing.com offers free Bible recordings in over
840 languages.
§ The iOS and Android Bible.is apps offered by Faith Comes By
Hearing® allow you to listen to the Bible in over 840 languages.
§ The AppleTV® Radio channel (not iTunes® Radio) includes the
audio Bible in several languages.
Some links may be affiliate links.

6. WATCH
& Choose a word-for-word dramatization of the Bible that takes its
narrative and dialog directly from the Bible.
& Watch with your family or a Bible study group and discuss what new
insights came from seeing God’s word dramatized.
& Watch on a smartphone or tablet to pass the time while riding as a
passenger, traveling on public transportation or by air.
& Helpful word-for-word, Bible video resources:*
§ The Gospel of John
§ The Visual Bible – Matthew
§ The Visual Bible – Acts
§ The Jesus Film is based on the Gospel of Luke, but borrows from
other gospels.
*Some will take issue with the faithfulness of these productions to the true meaning of the Bible texts on
which they are based, and may want to avoid watching these for that reason.
Some links may be affiliate links.

7. MEMORIZE
& Memorization allows God to write His Word on your “heart.”
& Memorization opens the opportunity for new insights resulting from
meditative repetition.
& Add memorization activities to your daily devotional time.
& Practice memorization to relax, relieve stress, or when you can’t
sleep.
& Practice memorization while waiting.
& Helpful resources:
§ Fast.st offers an easy to use flash-card system Bible
memorization system
§ RememberMe available for iOS, Android and the web. It syncs
across devices.
§ Scripture Typer available for iOS, Android and the web. It syncs
across devices.
Some links may be affiliate links.

8. FINALLY
§ Always remember to pray when opening your Bible.
§ Ask God to open your mind to a full understanding of His word.
§ Ask God to help you keep His word in your heart and apply it
to your life.