Doubt & Devotion

If you’re wondering how to study the Bible, it’s either that you’re a new believer or someone who desires to know God. Regardless, you have a noble desire that God will surely honor. After all, God is the author of the Bible, so desiring to study His work is the same as wanting to know what’s on His mind.​

The Bible is God’s revealed Word. It is the best place for us to hear God’s voice. It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and has the power to shape how people think, and consequently, transform lives. However, many believers feel unsure about how to start or are overwhelmed by the entire idea. 

The good news is that you don’t need to be a theologian, scholar, or pastor to hand the Word of God faithfully. All you need is a heart that longs to know God, a sound method, and a commitment and willingness to allow Scripture to say what God intended.​

May this guide not only help you begin your journey in studying God’s Word but also help you establish a study habit rooted in truth and centered on Christ, especially as you learn how to study the Bible with accuracy, humility, and faithfulness.​

Starting With The Right Foundations

There are two ways to study the Bible: the right way and the wrong way. The wrong way of studying is forcing the Bible to say what it didn’t intend. The right way is to discover the original meaning of a passage before finding out how it applies to you. This is where exegesis comes in. The term “exegesis” is not just a fancy term theologians use for studying the Bible. It means “drawing out,” and it’s one of the best methods for interpreting a Biblical text to find its original meaning.​

Just as there are more means of correctly interpreting a Biblical text, there are many ways to incorrectly interpret it. However, the most common is something called “narcigesis.” This is an informal term that combines “narcissism” and “eisegesis,” and is described as a self-centered approach to interpreting the Bible.​

You may ask, “But what is eisegesis?” It is safe to say that eisegesis is the opposite of exegesis. While exegesis “draws out” the meaning of the text, eisegesis “injects” one’s ideas into a text. It literally means “to lead into,” and more often than not, leads to misinterpretation.

To show you how these three methods work, let’s take a look at Romans 8:28. It says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

If we’re using exegesis, which is the proper way for drawing out the meaning of the text, we would know that Paul wrote this to Christians in Rome who were under the constant threat of persecution and death. “All things” refers to all circumstances a believer goes through, including pain and suffering. “Work together for good” means God uses all circumstances to accomplish spiritual good: conformity to Christ, perseverance, and ultimate salvation.​

Now, if we use eisegesis, we can say something like, “This verse means everything in my life will eventually go smoothly.” The verse becomes a general promise of earthly positivity or success, ignoring Paul’s context of suffering, sanctification, and future glory.​

What about narcigesis? With narcigesis, one would make the verse primarily about them and say something like, “God works all things together for good because I am chosen for greatness,” or “My dreams, plans, and personal goals will all come together because I am special.”​

Here, we can see that both eisegesis and narcigesis are not accurate ways of interpreting Scripture. This is why learning how to study the Bible correctly is essential for every believer who wants to handle the Word faithfully.​

Use a Sound Method: Observe, Interpret, Apply

Now that you know which method of Biblical interpretation to use, the next thing you need to do is decide on a sequence. There are several approaches you can use, but the simplest one involves three steps: Observing, Interpreting, and Applying. As simple as this approach may seem, it can protect you from confusion and guard you from reading your own ideas into passages you’re studying.​

Observation

The first step is Observation. This will help you avoid rushing when reading a passage. It requires that you read the text multiple times, paying attention to what the author is actually trying to convey. Look for repeated words, promises, names, places, and behavior. For Romans 8:28, you might write:​

• “we know” – sounds confident, not unsure.
• “for those who love God” – this promise is for a specific group, not everyone.
• “all things” – not “some things.” Broad, inclusive phrase.
• “work together” – things are not random; they’re being worked or woven.
• “for good” – there is a goal: “good.”
• “for those who are called” – again, a particular group.
• “according to his purpose” – God has a purpose behind this “working together.”

At this stage, you’re not explaining what “good” or “called” means yet. You’re just gathering what’s plainly there in the text.​

Interpretation

The next step is Interpretation. This is the part where you ask questions like: Who is the author? Who was the audience? What exactly was happening here historically? This aspect seeks to understand what the text meant to the original audience in its original setting. This is also the part where you will need the help of commentaries. For Romans 8:28, you might write:

Who wrote this? The apostle Paul.

Who was it written to? Believers in Rome, both Jewish and Gentiles.

What was happening in the surrounding passage? Paul is talking about suffering. He mentions the Holy Spirit helping believers in their weakness. He also mentions God’s plan to conform believers to the likeness of His Son.​

Based on this initial information, Romans 8:28 sits in the context of suffering, hope, and God’s sovereignty.​

At this point, you’d want to use commentaries to go deeper into the meaning of certain words and phrases. For a quick study of Romans 8:28, visit All Things Work Together for Good — But Not the Way Most People Think.​

Application

Application should always flow from the original meaning and not the other way around. It should not be a result of eisegesis or narcigesis. A good application always asks how the text reveals who God is and what He intends the reader to understand. A bad application will ask, “How can I make this text say what I want it to say or what I need right now?” A good application starts with the meaning. There may be several applications, but there is only one original and correct interpretation.

For Romans 8:28, you can ask:

What does the text reveal about God’s character? God is sovereign. He is good and desires the best for his people. He has a purpose for his children.​

What does it say about the Christian life? Suffering is inevitable. While Christians shouldn’t pray for suffering, they must not shy away from it either. It is not a sign that God has abandoned his children. In fact, God uses hardship to make us more like Jesus.​

Afterwards, you can move to more concrete examples. Let’s say you’ve just lost your job and feel like everything is falling apart. Romans 8:28 should remind you that God is not absent in all this hardship you’re going through. Even in this loss, God is doing something to conform you into the likeness of Christ.​

You might pray: “Father, I don’t see how losing a job is good right now. But your Word says You are making sure all things work for my good as Your child. Help me trust and respond in faith. Amen.”​

Use Reliable Tools That Support Good Study

The right tools will help reveal context and meaning. In terms of which bible translations to use, opt for translations known for their accuracy, such as ESV, CSB, NASB, and NIV (this one is for easy readability).​

Once you’ve chosen a translation, your next step is to select commentaries. You can stick to one commentary, but for the best results, it’s good to use two to three versions. You don’t have to be in a theological seminary or bible school to own such books. It’s good to invest in commentaries if you have the resources if you’re serious about growing in your Christian faith.​

You can always read devotionals or other Christian books as they can also provide Biblical insights. However, if you wish to dive deeper into the Word of God, it is highly recommended that you invest in quality theological books, including commentaries. These books have been peer reviewed and offer you the most accurate information in relation to the Bible.

Good commentaries provide deeper theological explanations.​

For beginners:​

• Tyndale Old/New Testament Commentaries
• NIV Application Commentary

For deeper study:​

• Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC)
• New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (NICOT/NICNT)

Bible Dictionaries & Atlases

These help with cultural and historical context:​

• Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
• Crossway Bible Atlas

Digital Tools

• Blue Letter Bible (free lexicon, concordance, cross-references)
• Logos Bible Software (paid, but excellent library and tools)
• BibleProject (videos and theme summaries)

If you currently don’t have the resources to buy these books, you can visit Archive.org This digital library has a large collection of works that are now in the public domain, which means they can be read and downloaded free of charge. It offers a lot of classical biblical commentaries, even those from authors hundreds of years old. They can be very helpful in studying the Bible, understanding historical context, and providing different theological views. I personally use it when studying the Bible and writing for Doubt & Devotion.​

And speaking of digital tools, if you find that bulky hardcovers and cramped font sizes are hindering your consistency, a Kindle reader is a game-changer for both your Bible study and leisure reading. It serves as a lightweight, portable library that fits thousands of volumes—including massive study Bibles—into a single device that’s easier on the eyes than a smartphone.

Build Healthy Study Rhythms

Even the best tools won’t help if the habit isn’t consistent. Bible study is spiritual formation, not academic homework.​

Try the following:​

• Choose a Bible Translation that you find easiest to read.
• Create a regular time and space — morning, evening, lunch break.
• Read full books, not isolated verses.
• Pray before and after you read—the Spirit illuminates truth.
• Write observations in a journal.
• Use a reading plan if structure helps.
• Study with others for accountability and sharpening.

Don’t chase emotional highs or deep revelations every day. Faithfulness builds familiarity, and familiarity builds wisdom.

Study to Know God, Not to Impress Others

God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It provides clarity to every step that we take and at the same time, offers a clear view of what’s ahead. It gives us guidance and direction, so it only makes sense that we invest time and energy in studying Scripture. More importantly, it reveals who God is, what is on His mind, and what His desire and plans are for us, His children.​

Learning how to study the Bible is not about mastering information but about knowing God more deeply and walking in obedience to His truth. Study the Bible to know God our Father and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Read the Word to know God’s will and be transformed into the likeness of His Son. Not to collect facts, win arguments, or feel spiritually superior.

Start simply. Be consistent. Use the right tools. Read entire books. Let Scripture speak for itself. And trust that as you study with humility and faith, the Holy Spirit will illuminate the Word and transform your heart. 

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