How to Study the Bible for Beginners – Doing a Word Study
How to Study the Bible for Beginners – Doing A Word Study
Waking up at 2am I wonder why I can’t go back to sleep. Tossing and turning, have you ever struggled to find peace in your heart? The worries and anxieties don’t disappear when I pray. The words I say in my heart or even outlaid ring empty. Fear holds my heart captive. Pacing my room, I imagine the worst case scenarios. People say to read the Bible, but where? What if we know the Bible has the answers, but finding the answers is a different matter altogether.
The Bible is a big book, with lots of stories, poetry, and prophecy. How do we find the help we need? One of the best things I’ve learned to do is figure out how to do word studies in the Bible. I choose a word or phrase and I see what the Bible has to say about it. Today I want to walk you through the five steps it takes to do a word study. Anyone can do it – even beginners! To help you out, download this free word study guide.
Download the Word Study Worksheet Here!
How to Study the Bible for Beginners – Doing a Word Study
Step 1
Pick a word and phrase and write it at the top of your page. One of the things you might want to consider when you are picking your word/phrase is make sure it is something you know there is at least one verse in the Bible that talks about it.
Step 2.
Go to dictionary.com and write down the definition of your word or phrase. Then go to thesaurus.com and write down any synonyms or phrases that would mean the same thing. Depending on your translation of the Bible, different words might be used. Make notes of what you discover.
Step 3.
Go to biblegateway.com or biblestudytools.com or blueletterbible.org – Type in a word or phrase from your list. I’ve found individual words work best. After searching, make a list of the verses. You don’t need to read them, just make a list.
Step 4.
This is the step that takes the longest time. You will want to do this step in a few day’s time. Take each verse and look at the context. Read the chapter or surrounding verses. What is this passage saying? How does your word/phrase relate to this passage? Make notes on everything you read or discover. If you have questions, write those down as well!
Step 5.
Make a summary. Ask yourself some of these questions.
1. What does this word mean?
2. How many times is this word used?
3. What interesting things did you learn?
4. In what context was this word used?
5. What stories contained this word?
Tweet ThisIf we believe this Bible has all of the answers, it is just a matter of how to figure out how to get those answers. If you would like, my Four Ways to Study the Bible is available in my shop right now!
Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer