A Powerful 5 Step Bible Study Method to Understand Scripture

Do you struggle to prioritize Bible study? Do you need tools to understand scripture more deeply? Do you long to have confidence in applying scripture to your life?

The Step-by-Step Bible study method is a simple, five-step inductive tool that helps you understand scripture and equips you to apply it to your circumstances today.

The Step By Step Bible Study Method

How does the Step By Step Bible study method work?

Let’s explore this bible study method with a well-loved scripture verse, Psalm 46:10.

“‘He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (NIV)

Step 1 Choose a Word to Understand Scripture

With Step By Step, understanding scripture starts with focusing on a single word that stands out.

Let’s study the word “still.” After deciding on the word, we do a little digging to ensure we have a solid understanding of the word in English.

Tip: You can use wordhippo.com to complete this step.

The definition of “still” is to calm down or to quiet.

Next, let’s examine a few synonyms for “still.” I found words like settle, soothe, calm, lull, subdue, quiet, and decreased volume.

Does one of those synonyms stand out as significant when considering how you relate to God? Have you already heard an invitation to grow?

The last part of Step #1 is to examine a few antonyms. Studying the opposite of our word helps us better understand the word we chose to study.

I found words like agitate, unsettle, disconnect, disturb, irritate, and provoke listed as antonyms of “still.”

Take a moment and plug a couple of those antonyms into our scripture verse. Does anything stir inside you as a warning?

He says, be agitated and know that I am God.

He says, be irritated and know that I am God.

He says, be disconnected and know that I am God.

Yikes, right? There’s almost no way we can hear from God when we are agitated, irritated, or disconnected, yet how often do we experience that emotional chaos and wonder why we can’t understand and apply God’s voice in our lives?

Step 2 Investigate the Scripture

This step deepens our study by exploring the scripture’s context and original language—essential parts of effective Bible study methods.

Part 1 – Compare Word in Bible Translations

Examining how different translations convey the same message is helpful to understand scripture fully.

Most of the Old Testament’s original language was Hebrew, and the original language of the New Testament was Greek.

Bible translators refer to the original language and convey the author’s message to English speakers to the best of their ability.

However, translators often have different opinions about how best to translate, and we get an even broader understanding of scripture when we take the time to compare their work.

Tip: You can plug your verse into biblegateway.com and select the link that says “in all English translations” to quickly review many Bible translations.

Here’s a look at how a few other Bibles translate “still”:

• Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – stop fighting
• Common English Bible (CEB) – That’s enough!
• GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) – let go of your concerns
• Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) –  cease striving
• Living Bible (TLB) – stand silent

Again, to expand your understanding of scripture, plug in a few comparisons and hear God’s loving voice speak over your circumstance today. I’m paraphrasing the verse for emphasis.

Daughter, stop fighting and know that I am God.

Daughter, That’s enough! Know that I am God.

Daughter, cease striving and know that I am God.

Which one of these stands out to you? My heart goes immediately to the one that tells me to cease striving.

So often, I’m running from this thing to the next, and at the end of the day, I wonder, “What am I chasing?”

Whatever it is, I can hear God call me to let go of it, stand silent, and remember that He alone is the God of the universe and the author of my story.

Part 2 – Research the Original Word

I am a word girl, and this might be my favorite part of studying: researching the original language.

Tip: Use a Strong’s Concordance app for this part.

The Hebrew word for “still” is raphah. It is a root word that means “to slacken.” Isn’t that beautiful?

I imagine the Father pulling back my fingers one at a time to loosen my grip on whatever I’m holding onto tightly and inviting me to exhale, relax my shoulders, and free my mind from tormenting thoughts.

Part 3 – Read Commentary

There are so many great resources available from educated and intelligent Bible scholars for understanding scripture that the offerings can be overwhelming.

Tip: The Enduring Word commentary is a great place to start.

This verse says, “The idea is something like this: ‘As you know the glory and greatness of God, stop your mouth from arguing with Him or opposing Him. Simply surrender.’”

Wow! Is your heart suddenly aware of places you might be arguing or opposing God? Where might you be striving to have your way or trying to tell God He is leading you in the wrong direction?

These are places where we do not acknowledge God’s greatness and often experience feelings of overwhelm and defeat instead of the rest and peace He promises us.

Part 4 – Rewrite the Bible Verse in Your Own Words

This is the part of our study where we move from understanding to applying scripture.

With everything you’ve learned, how would you write Psalm 46:10?

Here’s my rewrite, “‘God says to me, “Angie, put down what you hold onto. Stop listening to other voices. Quiet your environment, and that, in turn, will quiet your heart. I am God. You are not God. I will work this out. You do not need to argue with me about my plans or timing. You only need to praise Me because I am faithful and trustworthy. Renew yourself in Me.’”

Step #3 – Find the Character of God

Understanding scripture also involves reflecting on God’s attributes revealed in the passage.

We use prompts from the Bible to remind ourselves of God’s character as we study.

Here are some characteristics that relate to my understanding of Psalm 46:10.

• God is Gentle – He calls us to recognize our need for stillness, peace, quiet, and rest.
• God is My Defense – He invites me to use Him as my reason to rest.

What characteristics of God would you add?

You can look at the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, God-honoring thoughts in Philippians 4:8, a list of spiritual wisdom characteristics in James 3:17, and the Psalms for words that describe the heart of your Heavenly Father.

Step #4 – Identify the Lie of the Enemy

This step is crucial to understanding scripture. The enemy is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

What is he whispering in your ear? What is making it challenging to believe or obey God? Let’s call it out together and speak the truth over it.

Two lies the enemy tempts me to believe in relationship to rest are:

• If you rest, you’ll lose value in the eyes of others.
• You can rest when you get it done.

Can you relate? It’s so easy to let those half-truths take root, and then we find ourselves living out the antonyms to “still.”

We are irritated, easily provoked, and unsettled.

That’s where the enemy wants to hang out, but God wants us to experience His peace in all circumstances.

Step #5 What is the Takeaway?

Here’s where we summarize our study and note a key takeaway. Mine is: “God calls me to rest in Him.

He instructs me to break for the sabbath. It is an act of submission and trust for me to obey Him.”

As you’ve used these Bible study methods today, I hope you’ve heard a reminder of God’s invitation to rest and surrender in His presence.

I hope you’ve spoken the truth to a lie, encouraging you to believe you are not enough and must keep striving to have or be more.

I also hope you can place these steps in your Bible study toolbox and continue to learn from them.

If you want to study with me and learn more about the Step-by-step Bible study method, I invite you to join the Understand Your Bible podcast weekly.

In this podcast, we use scripture and share five essential steps for applying Bible verses to your life today.

Peace.

Author

Angie Baughman

Angie Baughman is a licensed pastor trained in inductive Bible study and holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University. She is the author of multiple Bible studies, host of the weekly Understand Your Bible podcast, creator of the Step By Step Bible study method, and leader of the online Bible study community Steady On University. She is also a contributor to the devotional Life Changing Stories. Connect with Angie at LiveSteadyOn.com.