There are so many different ways to study and learn from the Bible. Are you just now starting to spend time in the Word? Or are you looking for a different way to spend some time reading and studying Scripture? Here are 10 ideas! Perhaps one of them might catch your interest.

1. Read a passage of Scripture, and have a blank journal page or piece of paper nearby. Whenever a thought, question, encouragement or conviction comes to mind, just jot it down on your page.
2. Choose a word, and use your Bible concordance or the search bar on your Bible app (or just on Google) to find different Bible verses that include that word. Word suggestions: light, grace, follow, strong, forgive, etc….
3. Do a character study. Pick one person from the Bible, and read about her (or him) wherever she appears in Scripture. Take notes or think about things like this: What are her strengths? What are her weaknesses? What were her victories? What were her challenges? What might be her life verse? What lessons can I learn from her life? What can I learn about God from this person? How does she point me to Christ?
4. Read one book of the Bible straight through. Don’t do it all in one sitting, unless it’s a short one! Read the next portion each time you sit down for quiet time with the Lord. 
5. Check out some different Bible translations. Read one chapter or verse in several different translations. Compare them, and consider which one speaks to you and why. Your Bible app probably has a really easy way for you to compare verses in different translations! Not sure which translations to look at? Maybe start with these: NIV, The Message, Amplified, NLT and KJV. 
6. Try the three question method. Read a passage, and then ask/journal/think about these three questions: What is happening in this passage? What can I learn about God from this passage? What can I learn about people (and myself) from this passage?
7. Compare and contrast the same story recorded in different places. Many stories from the life of Jesus are written down in more than one gospel. Choose one event, and read about it wherever it is recorded in Scripture. There are also some events recorded in both Kings and Chronicles you could look into.
8. Go on a cross reference rabbit trail. Find a Bible with cross references included, and go wherever they take you! Start with one of your favorite verses. Then, look up one of the cross references for that verse. Then, look up one of the cross references for that verse, and so on. You could even make a diagram or keep a list as you go. See where you end up!
9. Turn to one of the most popular/well known Bible verses, and zoom out! Read it in context. That might mean reading the entire chapter that the verse is found in, or it might mean reading a few chapters or maybe even an entire book. Here’s a link to some of the most familiar verses in Scripture that can get you started. 
10. Read through the book of Psalms (all of it or just some of it), and make a list of God’s attributes that you find as you read. What character traits of His are mentioned? If any of those attributes strikes a particular chord with you, take off running with it! Use your Bible concordance or an internet search engine to find other verses that talk about that same attribute. 

Of course, there are way more ways to study the Bible than just these 10. But if you find yourself in a rut, or if you find yourself at the very beginning and not knowing where to start, hopefully these help. The Bible is living and active! Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the words of Scripture can meet you right where you are if you give them a chance. You might read the same story on different days and get something completely different out of it. So don’t count any method or any book/chapter/verse out. You never know what God might be ready and waiting to teach you from any one of His precious, holy and perfect words. 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! -Psalm 119:103