Pick up a quick tip to get more out of your Bible study

I've taught for over twenty years and I can help you go deeper when you open up the Word.

STT: The Word Picture Method

The Word Picture Method title graphic featuring an open Bible on a blue background

Throughout Scripture, God uses vivid imagery to help us grasp spiritual truths. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5), using a familiar agricultural image to illustrate our dependence on Him. The Bible is filled with metaphors, similes, and symbols that make abstract concepts tangible.

The Word Picture Method focuses on identifying and exploring these biblical images to deepen our understanding of spiritual truths.

1. Identify Word Pictures

Look for imagery language throughout Scripture:

Metaphors (“The Lord is my shepherd”)
Similes (“like a tree planted by streams of water”)
Symbols (bread, light, water, rock)
Extended analogies (the armor of God)
Parables (the prodigal son, the sower)

These word pictures aren’t just literary devices—they’re divine teaching tools designed to help us grasp spiritual realities.

2. Explore the Image

Examine the picture in its cultural and historical context:

What would this image have meant to the original audience?
What properties or characteristics of the object are being highlighted?
Why did God choose this particular image to convey this truth?

When Jesus calls Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:35), understanding bread’s essential role in ancient diets helps us grasp our daily dependence on Christ.

3. Connect to Spiritual Truth

Move from the concrete to the abstract:

What spiritual reality does this physical image represent?
How does this picture help explain a complex concept?
What aspects of God’s character or our relationship with Him does it illuminate?

The image of God as potter and us as clay (Isaiah 64:8) reveals His sovereignty, our malleability, and the intimate way He shapes our lives.

4. Look for Patterns

Notice how images develop throughout Scripture:

Water progresses from physical thirst (Exodus) to living water (John 4)
Shepherding evolves from David’s psalms to Jesus as Good Shepherd
Light appears from Genesis 1 through Revelation’s eternal city

For your next study session: Explore the image of “rock” throughout Scripture. Start with Deuteronomy 32:4 (God as Rock), continue to Psalm 18:2 (rock as refuge), Matthew 7:24-27 (building on rock), and 1 Corinthians 10:4 (Christ as spiritual rock). Consider how this consistent image reveals different aspects of God’s unchanging, reliable nature.

What biblical word picture might you explore to gain fresh insight into a familiar truth?

STT: The Journaling Method

By Paula Wiseman

Journaling Method title graphic featuring a woman's hand ready to write in a journal

When David wrote many of the Psalms, he wasn’t just recording theological truths—he was documenting his personal journey with God. “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11). Scripture itself contains many examples of spiritual journaling.

The Journaling Method combines Bible study with personal reflection, creating a written record of your spiritual insights, questions, and growth. This approach helps you process Scripture more deeply and track your spiritual journey over time.

1. Choose a Format

Select a journaling approach that works for you:

Verse mapping (write out a verse and surround it with observations)
SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)
H.E.A.R. method (Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond)
Two-column method (Scripture on left, personal reflections on right)
Free-form reflection (less structured, more conversational)

The format matters less than the consistent practice of engaging with Scripture in writing.

2. Record Your Observations

Write down what you notice in the text:

Key words or phrases that stand out to you
Questions that arise as you read
Cross-references to other passages
Historical or cultural insights
Initial thoughts about meaning

For example, when journaling about Matthew 6:25-34, you might note how Jesus uses natural examples (birds, lilies) to illustrate God’s care, or how worry is connected to faith.

3. Document Personal Application

Move from observation to personal response:

How this passage challenges your thinking
Areas where you need to grow or change
Specific actions you feel led to take
Prayers inspired by the text
Emotions or struggles the passage triggers

4. Review and Reflect

Periodically revisit your journal entries:

Notice patterns in what God is teaching you
Track your spiritual growth over time
See how God has answered prayers
Identify recurring struggles or questions
Remember God’s faithfulness in difficult seasons

For your next study session: Choose Psalm 23 or Philippians 4:4-8 (or another passage) for a journaling exercise. Read it slowly, then write your personal reflections on each verse. Note connections to your own life experiences. Record questions that arise. Write a prayer response. Date your entry so you can return to it later and see how your understanding has deepened.

What passage might you explore through journaling this week?

STT: Book Study Method

By Paula Wiseman

Book Study Method title graphic featuring a marked open Bible with a pink pen

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he didn’t just send isolated verses—he sent entire letters meant to be read as complete units (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While verse-by-verse study is valuable, studying entire books using a book study method provides context and reveals the author’s complete message.

The Book Study Method helps you grasp the big picture of Scripture by examining entire biblical books as cohesive units with specific purposes, themes, and structures.

1. Survey the Book

Begin with a broad overview:

Read the entire book in one sitting (for shorter books)
Note the author, recipients, and historical setting
Identify the book’s literary genre (history, poetry, epistle, etc.)
Look for natural divisions or major sections
Spot recurring words, phrases, or themes

For example, reading through Philippians in one sitting (only 4 chapters) reveals joy as a dominant theme, appearing in various forms at least 16 times despite Paul writing from prison.

2. Create a Book Chart

Visualize the book’s structure:

Divide the book into major sections
Give each section a descriptive title
Note key verses for each section
Identify the main theme of each chapter
Draw connections between sections

A simple chart of 1 Peter might show how Peter moves from our identity in Christ (ch. 1-2) to how that identity shapes our relationships (ch. 2-3) to how we handle suffering (ch. 4-5).

3. Analyze the Purpose

Determine why the book was written:

Look for explicit purpose statements (John 20:31, 1 John 5:13)
Consider the historical context and needs of the original audience
Note problems or issues the author addresses
Identify the central message or argument

Galatians clearly addresses the problem of people adding works to faith for salvation, with Paul’s purpose being to defend the gospel of grace alone through faith alone.

4. Study Individual Sections

After understanding the whole, examine the parts:

Study chapters in light of the book’s overall purpose
See how each section contributes to the main message
Connect individual verses to their surrounding context
Notice how themes develop throughout the book

For your next study session: Choose the book of James for a book study. Read it entirely in one sitting (5 chapters). Create a simple chart showing the major sections. Identify recurring themes (wisdom, speech, faith and works, trials). Consider how each chapter contributes to James’ overall message about practical, lived-out faith.

What biblical book might you explore using this comprehensive book study method?

STT: The Topical Method

By Paula Wiseman

The Topical Method title graphic featuring printers letters in a wood holder

When the disciples asked Jesus about the end times, He responded with an extensive teaching that connected multiple Old Testament prophecies into a cohesive picture (Matthew 24-25). This demonstrates the value of studying topics that span across Scripture rather than isolated passages.

The Topical Study Method allows you to trace important themes, doctrines, and concepts throughout the Bible, seeing how they develop and connect across different authors, time periods, and contexts.

1. Select a Focused Topic

Choose a specific topic to explore:

Theological concepts (grace, faith, redemption)
Character traits (patience, wisdom, courage)
Relationships (marriage, friendship, church)
Practical issues (money, work, speech)

The more focused your topic, the more manageable your study will be. For instance, rather than studying “prayer” (too broad), you might focus on “persistence in prayer” or “prayers of thanksgiving.”

2. Gather Relevant Passages

Collect verses related to your topic:

Use a concordance or Bible search tool to find key words
Look for synonyms and related concepts
Include both direct references and illustrative stories
Note passages from different biblical genres and authors

For example, a study on “joy” would include direct teachings (James 1:2-4), commands (Philippians 4:4), narratives (Acts 16:25), and poetic expressions (Psalm 30:5).

3. Organize Your Findings

Arrange passages to reveal patterns and progression:

Chronologically (how the concept developed over time)
By biblical author (how different writers approached it)
By aspect or subtopic (different dimensions of the theme)
From Old Testament to New Testament (covenant progression)

When studying “God’s faithfulness,” you might organize passages showing His faithfulness to individuals (Abraham, David), to Israel as a nation, and ultimately to all believers through Christ.

4. Synthesize Your Insights

Look for the big picture that emerges:

What consistent truths appear across Scripture?
How does the New Testament fulfill or expand Old Testament concepts?
What balanced perspective emerges from considering all passages?
How does this topic connect to the overall biblical narrative?

For your next study session: Choose “the heart” as your topic. Gather verses about the heart from different parts of Scripture (Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 5:8, Romans 10:10). Notice how the Bible consistently portrays the heart as the center of our thoughts, emotions, and will—not just our feelings. Consider how this biblical understanding differs from our modern concept of “following your heart.”

What topic might you explore using this method to gain a more complete biblical understanding?

STT: The Character Method

By Paula Wiseman

Title graphic - the character method featuring a single blue stick figure spotlighted among rows of dark ones.

When Philip encountered the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah, he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31). Sometimes the best way to understand Scripture is by focusing on the people within it.

The Bible is filled with complex, fascinating characters whose lives reveal God’s work in human history. Studying these individuals—their strengths, weaknesses, choices, and growth—provides powerful insights into God’s character and our own spiritual journeys.

1. Select a Character

Choose someone from Scripture to study in depth:

Major characters (Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul)
Minor but significant figures (Ruth, Barnabas, Lydia)
Even unnamed characters (the woman at the well, the rich young ruler)

The depth of available information will vary, but every biblical character has something to teach us.

2. Gather the Facts

Collect everything Scripture tells us about this person:

List every passage where they appear
Note their background, family, occupation
Identify key events in their life
Record their words and actions
Observe how others interact with them

For example, when studying Peter, you’d track his journey from fisherman to disciple to denier to church leader across the Gospels and Acts.

3. Analyze Their Relationship with God

Look for spiritual patterns:

How did God call or use this person?
What challenges or tests did they face?
How did they respond to God’s direction?
What spiritual growth or regression do you observe?

Consider how David moved from shepherd to king, experienced both tremendous spiritual highs and devastating moral failures, yet remained “a man after God’s own heart.”

4. Find Personal Application

Connect their story to your own:

What qualities in this character do you admire or want to avoid?
What situations in their life parallel your own experiences?
What lessons from their relationship with God apply to you?
How does their story fit into God’s larger redemptive plan?

For your next study session: Choose Joseph (Genesis 37-50) for a character study. Track his journey from favored son to slave to prisoner to Egyptian official. Note how his character develops through suffering. Consider how his statement “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) might apply to challenges in your own life.

Which biblical character might you choose to study using this method?

STT: The Background Method

By Paula Wiseman

THe Background MEthod title graphic featuring library aisle

Study Tip: The Background Method

When Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), His Jewish audience would have immediately understood the cultural tensions between Jews and Samaritans. Modern readers might miss this crucial context without some background knowledge.

Understanding the historical, cultural, and geographical background of Scripture enriches our study by helping us see the text through the eyes of its original audience.

1. Explore the Historical Setting

Every biblical text was written in a specific time period:

Who was in power? (Romans, Persians, etc.)
What major events were happening?
What was daily life like for ordinary people?

For example, knowing that Amos prophesied during a time of unprecedented prosperity in Israel (around 760-750 BC) helps us understand why his messages against complacency and social injustice were so pointed and necessary.

2. Understand Cultural Customs

Many biblical practices seem strange to modern readers:

Marriage and family customs
Religious rituals and festivals
Social hierarchies and expectations

When Ruth uncovered Boaz’s feet and lay down (Ruth 3:7), this wasn’t inappropriate behavior but a culturally recognized way of requesting his protection through marriage as a kinsman-redeemer.

3. Recognize Geographic Significance

Biblical locations often carry meaning:

“Going up to Jerusalem” was both literally uphill and spiritually significant
The wilderness represented testing and dependence on God
Crossing the Jordan symbolized transitions and new beginnings

When Jesus chose to travel through Samaria (John 4) rather than around it like most Jews, this geographical choice revealed His intentional breaking of cultural barriers.

4. Use Study Resources

You don’t need to be a scholar to access background information:

Study Bible notes
Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias
Bible atlases and maps
Reputable online resources

For your next study session: Choose the story of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13). Research what a Roman centurion was, the relationship between Romans and Jews at that time, and why Jesus’ praise of the centurion’s faith would have been shocking to the Jewish audience. How does this background information enhance your understanding of the passage?

What biblical story or passage might you explore using this background method?