Personal Bible study is an essential practice for every Christian for intimate knowledge of God. The Bible is the compendium of the word, acts, personality and character of God. For more than 10 years now I have engaged in personal Bible study, and it has completely changed my life. The Word of God is a radical transformation power, and God has healed and restored many through the power of His Word. Today I’m still amazed by all the benefits we can access through God’s Word.
How Will Personal Studying of the Bible Help You?
The Bible is an extraordinary book written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The words within its pages are like healing balm to your soul. It has the power to change your life because there is power and life in the Word (read Hebrews 4:12.) The Word of God is spirit and life.
The benefit of consistent study and application of the Word of God is the release of the power to grow into maturity in Christ Jesus and glorify God on the earth (John 8:31-32).
So, no matter the level you are in your walk with God, start spending time in His Word today and be consistently determined to stick with it. Every time you study the Bible and pay attention to what you’re reading, you’re learning something and the application of it will change your life.
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”- Proverbs 4 vs 20-22 “Attend” here means to pay attention to, reserve some time to something. To attend to the Word of God is a lot more than just reading the Word; it demands meditating on it.
You need to get into agreement with what God wants you to do because, these words are life. Whatsoever you need is available and accessible by the Word of God. When you need encouragement, or you’re in a hostile and difficult circumstance, it’s good to know that you can find life, healing, health and solutions in God’s Word.
Where do I Start From?
There’s really no wrong place to start your personal Bible study. You can study something that bothers you or anything that’s going to help you. For instance, if you’re struggling with anger or fear, use a Bible concordance and locate the scriptures that talk about them.
When I first started personal studying the Word of God, I didn’t have good success and I struggled financially. I lived on borrowing, debt and prosperity was completely out of my reach.
As I studied the subject of success and prosperity, I learned that it’s more than prayer and mere desire; it’s a decision you make every day to practice kingdom financial and prosperity principles.
By studying what the Bible says about prosperity and success in life, I learned how to prosper in all realms. That’s when my financial life really began to change.
Your ability to apply what you study to your life, like I did on the subject of prosperity, is just one aspect of what studying the Bible will do for you.
Here are four steps you can take to begin your personal Bible study:
Set Aside a Particular Time
Intentionally and purposefully set aside a time to meet with God. Threat it as the most important appointment in life because that is what it is. My appointment with God is in the mornings, but if that doesn’t work well for you, find a time that works. Whatever you can do to have personal Bible study, do it. Just start somewhere and it’ll amaze you the fruit that this time will bring to your life.
Prepare a Place for Your Bible study
A place for your Bible study can’t be overemphasize. A quiet and comfortable place is perfect. Moreover, let it be a place you enjoy being—maybe a room in your house where you can be alone, or somewhere in the neighborhood you are comfortable and like to be.
Make the Needed Materials Available
You’ll need your Bible of course alongside a pen and jotter. But also get a good Bible concordance and dictionary. You can download an all-in-one Bible mobile app that has all these. That way, you won’t have to postpone some aspect of your study.
Prepare Your Heart to Receive
Enter your Bible study time peacefully with thanksgiving and without anything that may hidden you from receiving revelation during your study. Confess to God about any thing you may need to and ask Him for insight into His Word.
Make it the topmost priority in your life to study God’s Word because there is life and power in it. Power to change your life and help you become the person God wants you to be. And that’s the best possible life you can ever have in this life. Remember the Word of God has the power to transform any life and situation for the better.
