Bible study ideas just flow out of me. That hasn't always been the case. Like many of you, I once stared at this big book called the Bible with a complete feeling of overwhelm, wondering, "Where in the world do I start?" Knowing that many of you feel slightly paralyzed by this and other questions that are holding you back, I developed a 5-day email course called "Busting Your Top 5 Bible Study Roadblocks." Today, I'm giving you a little sneak peek here on the blog.

Bible study is worth every effort we once gave school work. It's certainly more worthwhile than reading Shakespeare. Yet many of us don't approach the Bible as we did Shakespeare. So the questions remains: Should we study the Bible like a textbook? Here is my answer.

The Bible is full of God’s promises to His people. We love to read them. We love to apply them to our lives. We use them to remember that we serve a good and giving God. But are all those promises for us? Do we have the liberty to apply them to any life situation? After all, we serve a God who does not change and His promises are true.

If you are bilingual, have taken a foreign language class, or have a close friend whose first language is different from yours, you are familiar with one truth about languages: Nuances and meanings don’t always fully translate. When your bilingual friend wants to explain one of his culture’s popular phrases, he may first give you a very literal translation, then compare his phrase with a popular American one that uses different words to communicate a similar concept, then combine the two for a happy medium. Can we replicate this for the Bible to take in God’s words more fully? 

What's the point of a regular quiet time anyway? Is it to check something off a list, to earn God's favor, or is it to connect with Him? I hope you spend time in God's Word to learn about your Creator and connect with the King of your life! In fact, I hope not a day goes by without a time of worshipping your Savior whole-heartedly and allowing God to fill your cup.

I'd venture to say that most of us are currently seeking God's input and direction for our lives in one way or another. We want to make good decisions, ones based on truth and His will. What better way to look than His Word?!

Above all, we have to invite the Holy Spirit into our Bible study. Let's acknowledge Him as the greatest Bible Teacher we will ever experience. It is the Holy Spirit who blesses us understanding, conviction, and peace. So invite Him in!

Did you know that the epistles (Romans-Jude) are letters written by an apostle or religious leader sent to an early church community? Can you imagine how they read this letter when they first received it? I bet they didn’t pick their favorite verse and forget about the rest. Instead…

With thousands of Bible study guides in the market place, how do you pick one? Which guide will teach you more about your Christian faith, about God, and His will? Rather than reading a “Christian Living” book or devotional, choose a Bible study guide that lets you dive into God’s Word. Consider these 9 things as you choose…

Have you ever wondered how to make Bible study a habit? I mean, start strong and keep reading Scripture daily? Reading the Bible every day is such a valuable Christian discipline. Let me help you get started and loving it!But how can you get started? Whether you have tried before (and possibly failed) or are brand-new to developing a Bible-study habit, here are some tips to start this new habit.

You are reading your Bible and come across a little [a]. You check your Bible’s footnote to find a notation that early manuscripts show a different rendition of this verse or possibly omitted it altogether. Questions start piling up in your head: What are these early manuscripts? Which version of the verse is trustworthy? Which is inspired by God? Do we have a trustworthy copy of the Bible?

You've heard the warning: Do not read the Bible out of context!! Yes, indeed, we want to make sure we always consider the context of any verse or passage we stumble upon. Failing to look at the context is probably the number 1 reason for misinterpreting Scripture!

Does the idea of studying Scripture independently make you nervous? Have you ever thought, "I wish I could approach the Bible with confidence, but I am truly confused when I pick up this precious Book"?

The Word of God is alive and active, my friend (Hebrews 14:12). Dwelling on its truth refreshes our soul and renews our minds.

I've been asking God to teach me about patience this year. In response, He has convicted me of my need to take more times of resting in Him. Truly, it has been something that I've had to intentionally practice because it does not come easily to me.

You’ve seen portions of the Bible - maybe you’ve even done a read-through - but there are so many different texts you are still wondering: What is the Bible about? Now you hear me saying there is actually one storyline in the Bible, and your skeptic radar is going off. How is that possible when every page you turn seems to talk about a different topic?