Top 5 Bible Study Books to Read
I remember being a new mom and having naptime to myself. I sat on the couch as my newborn slept in his crib. The floor was covered with toys and blankets. The other side of the couch had a pile of clean laundry that needed to be folded.
As I sat there, I tried to muster up enough strength to clean up. I just couldn’t. Instead, I opened my Bible. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I needed God’s Word to help me make it through the rest of the day.
My firstborn cried a lot, especially in the evening. I remember when the afternoon hit, I would get anxious and panic, knowing that the two hours of crying (from 5-7pm) would drain every last ounce of life out of me.
Those ordinary days were hard and filled with lots of tears (mine included). I’ll never forget calling my own mother for help, and after offering some practical advice, she also said: “This time you are home can be a time of growth. Develop a relationship with God and study His word during this season of your life.”
I had always wanted to go to Bible college, but ended up staying local. Then I met and married my husband. After the first wave of motherhood fog dissipated, I began to explore online Bible classes. Although I had read my Bible since high school, it was the first time I was exposed to the idea that I could do my own Bible study. I didn’t have to rely on a teacher to explain things to me.
Over the course of the last fifteen years, I’ve discovered that there are several books out there aimed at helping us study the Bible on our own! Here is a list of the top five books I will always recommend for those of you who are just beginning or would like to go deeper in your own study of the Bible.
Top 5 Bible Study Books to Read
How to Study the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
This was one of the first books I read during that early time of learning how to study the Bible. I read this book for a general college Bible course, and it transformed the idea of Bible study for me. I didn’t need to get someone to tell me what the Bible meant – I had the ability to figure it out on my own. Highly recommend for those who are new to Bible study or would like to stop doing “pre-made” Bible studies and learn how to study on their own.
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin
This book is another great book to start with to get a basic understanding of what the Biblical text is talking about as a whole. She also has so many practical steps you can implement today to get more out of your Bible Reading. Whether you want to do a deep Bible study or just know more about the Bible you are reading, this is a great book!
How to Study Your Bible: Discover the Life-Changing Approach to God’s Word by Kay Arthur
Kay Arthur has been around for a long time, teaching and mentoring women in Bible study. You can get her classes and learn the various books of the Bible in depth, but this book is a great one to start with. She teaches you the basics of Bible study, but also how to do a chapter study and more. I love her approach and appreciate that she writes with women in mind!
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge: Read the Whole Bible, Change Your Whole Life by Mary DeMuth
In this book, it is less about in-depth Bible study and more about reading the Bible as a whole. Although the Bible was written over thousands of years by numerous authors, it is one story. I love that she provides a doable reading plan and also provides insight into the various sections of the Bible. This is a great book to encourage you to read through the entire Bible. (Learn more about how to stay consistent reading the Bible here!) I’ve done it once and plan on doing it again this summer!
Everyday Theology: What You Believe Matters by Mary Wiley
Mary is a great author, and this book is amazing. It focuses on what we believe and why it matters. I would encourage anyone who is reading their Bible on a regular basis to get this book. Make sure you are reading and studying the Bible from the correct perspective.
