Once a month, you’re going to hear from some of our authors or from our team on how we study the Bible, what resources we use, and what questions we ask. Submit your questions related to these topics by filling out the form here!
This month, we’re going to answer some of the questions you’ve submitted.
“I am wondering, when I read Scripture in the Bible, what kinds of questions do I need to ask myself in order to journal what I read? Does this make sense? How am I supposed to absorb the Scripture and make sense of it? Is there a set of basic questions I can have on hand to ask myself to make better sense of what is written?”
Gail, Sargent, NE
Jen Wilkin has a great set of questions to ask – you can find these in her book Women of the Word or in her Bible studies 1 Peter and Sermon on the Mount. Here you go!
- What does this passage teach me about God?
- How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of self?
- What should I do in response?
Another great method is Priscilla Shirer’s 5 Ps of Bible Study. This video will walk you through all 5!
“What are the best websites to use for digging deeper into God’s Word?”
Marty, Chattanooga, TN
Here are a few of our favorite online resources:
- Blue Letter Bible – Our editors often use this site to look up the original language and meaning of words in the Bible. You can type in a verse reference at the top and then click on any word in the verse to see the original word, definitions, and other places the word is found in the Bible. Blue Letter Bible also features several commentaries and dictionaries.
- Bible Gateway – Bible Gateway has many translations of the Bible right at your fingertips. It’s an easy way to see different translations quickly or to just read your Bible from your computer. There’s also a key word search if you’re looking for verses about certain topics or featuring specific words.
- Bible Hub – Bible Hub isn’t fancy, but if you look up one verse in its search tool, it lists several major translations side-by-side. Our editors often use this to find the translation that has the specific wording an author may have used in a study. It’s the quickest way we’ve found to view so many translations at once!
- WORDsearch Bible – With free tools just for signing up, WORDsearch is a great place to find Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and more. Plus, you can add to your library to have those resources with you at any time. We all use this when preparing to teach, writing, or editing here at Lifeway Women.
“I’m just starting my walk with God. I’ve always believed in Him but I’m wanting to have a more personal relationship with Him. I’m wanting to study the Bible so I can have a better understanding of His Word. How do I begin to study the Bible?”
Sheila, Houma, LA
Sheila, this is such a great question! Here’s a download of some Bible studies we would recommend to get you started. When you’re reading the Bible, the questions above as well as the online resources are a great place to start. If you’re not already plugged into a local church, that would be such a huge help as you’re beginning to dig in and learn more about the Bible. Connect with other women who are also wanting to study and grow in their faith as well. We always find that it’s helpful to learn alongside friends!
“We have a small group where I work and it’s for both men and women. Can you suggest studies that are for both male & female? Most studies that I review tend to be more for women and the audiences in the videos are also filled with ladies. Thank you!”
Deborah, Houston, TX
At Lifeway, we publish a lot of studies for groups that include both men and women. You can find all of them here. Here are a few of our current favorites:
- The Apostles’ Creed by Matt Chandler
- Disciples Path – these are great resources for new Christians
- Religious Liberty by Phillip Bethancourt and Andrew T. Walker with Russell Moore
- The Gospel Project
- Explore the Bible
- Bible Studies for Life
Another resource you may love is our Bible Study Insider Box. It’s like a subscription box for Bible studies! Each box contains men’s studies, women’s studies, and studies for mixed groups.
Those were all great questions. If you have other methods of studying the Bible, other online resources you use, or a great study for men and women, let us know in the comments! We always love learning!