How to Study the Bible: Beginner Level - Impact Workshops

Key Takeaways

• Assess Beginner Level & Materials: You are considered a beginner if you lack experience reading the Bible independently or are unsure where to start. For materials, use a hard copy of an NIV or NLT translation, preferably one with margins for notes, along with a pencil, and choose a quiet, distraction-free environment, avoiding electronic versions initially. 1:27 1:59 2:31
• Time Commitment & Reading Quantity: Dedicate 5-15 minutes per reading session, starting with a goal of 5 minutes of undivided attention to build endurance. Aim to read 1-2 chapters per sitting, prioritizing understanding and retention over speed; you can vary chapters by reading from different sections if you read more than one. 2:52 7:56
• Bible Structure & Starting Plan: Familiarize yourself with the Bible's organization into categories like the Law, Historical books, Poetry/Wisdom, Prophets (Major and Minor), Gospels, Acts, Paul's Letters, General Letters, and Prophecy. Begin by choosing one of the Gospels, then proceed to read all of Paul's letters and the General letters, cycling back to read other Gospels until you've completed the entire New Testament, marking off books as you finish them. 4:03 6:49
• Observation Step ("What do I see?"): When reading, practice the observation step by consciously looking for two main things: the setting, using the "5 W's" (Who, What, Where, When, Why), and specific words, using the "TACT" acronym (Terms, Adjectives/Adverbs, Connectives, Tenses of verbs). 9:39 9:58 10:15
• Application Step ("How do I apply this?"): After observing, engage in the application step by asking how the passage can be applied to your life, using the "SPECTRUM" acronym: Is there a Sin to avoid, a Promise to hold on to, an Example to follow, a Command to obey, a Truth to know, Room for repentance, an Upside to embrace, or a Moment of Thanksgiving? 14:30 15:21
• Session Completion & Daily Habits: You know a reading session is complete when you've read at least one chapter, reread it, understood parts of it (not necessarily everything), and can recall from memory one verse and its application. Aim to read the Bible every day, pray before, during, and after your reading, and don't hesitate to ask for help from a pastor or experienced Christian if you struggle to understand a passage. 19:07 22:18 22:35 22:46 23:06
• Goals for Intermediate Level: Before advancing to the intermediate level, aim to have mastered the beginner steps by fully reading one of the Gospels, all the New Testament letters (Romans to Jude), and the first two books of the Law (Genesis and Exodus), applying the observation and application techniques throughout. 23:56