By far the best decision I ever made in my teenage years was to spend time in the Word of God. I grew up in a Christian home, by the grace of God, and my mother always made Bible time a first priority in our household. Being homeschooled, Bible lessons were the first task of every day. However, I believe that it is necessary and extremely vital to every young person's life to learn how to develop good Bible study habits on their own. It's important to create a quiet time between just you and God to actually study His Word and learn more about Him. You can never expect to grow in a relationship, unless you invest in that relationship. If you don't invest in your relationship with God, you will not grow to be more like Him. With that being said, the question remains: How do you study the Bible on your own? What does true Bible study mean? And where can you get tools to study on your own? To help answer these questions, I've put together a small list of tools to help you. 1. Blue Letter Bible. If you get nothing else out of this post, at least notice this. Check out Blue Letter Bible. Like seriously, just do it. I discovered Blue Letter Bible my last year participating in the National Bible Bee (more about that later), and it is incredible. Although I used it for my study during the competition, I have continued to use BLB since in my own study, especially since I downloaded their app on my iPhone. BLB has access to so many different resources, Greek/Hebrew words and definitions, commentaries, etc. Check them out. 2. Bible Study Tools. This website resource is a great help because it has devotionals, blogs, reading plans, study tools. You name it and you can probably find it on Bible Study Tools! I use this resource a lot when studying topics for my books/articles. 3. Sermon Audio. Sermons are a great way to enhance your Bible study and help with your comprehension of what you're learning. I use Sermon Audio a lot, because you can search on the website whatever topic you're studying and it will bring up every sermon they have on that topic. Super easy to use and super fun too! 4. Commentaries. Very similar to sermons, but commentaries are more for those who prefer to read instead of listen. I love commentaries and my favorites are from Warren Wiersbe and John MacArthur. You can check out your local Christian bookstore or search online to find their commentaries. 5. YouVersion Bible app. I love this app! If you have a smart phone or other electronic device and want a great Bible app, download YouVersion. You can read the Bible in your version preference and even highlight your favorite parts. They have a "verse of the day," and you can make picture art with the verses too. My favorite part about the app however are their reading plans from some of the most popular Christian authors today. 6. Get connected. This may not necessarily be an exact resource, but it is a tool that you need in your spiritual walk and as you grow in your Bible study. In order to succeed in your resolve to develop daily spiritual disciplines, you are going to need to be connected with others seeking the same goals. Join a Bible study from your church, get your friends together for ice cream and Bible discussion, join an online Bible study community. Do whatever works best for you, but make sure you get connected with others so you have that accountability to keep pressing on. 7. The National Bible Bee. Of course, you knew it was coming. Could you really get through a post on Bible study from Isabella Morganthal and not hear about this? ;) Participating in the Bible Bee was not only influential, but also monumental in my walk with God during my teenage years. If you are between the ages of 7-18, get involved with the Bible Bee next summer and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
8 Comments
Grace F
8/31/2017 09:40:40 am
Great ideas! I've used Blue Letter Bible only once or twice but I really want to look back into it. And yay for the YouVersion Bible App! I've been enjoying seeing your lovely verse image ;)
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Bella Morganthal
8/31/2017 05:52:19 pm
Ooh yes, do! BLB is great :) Haha thanks ;)
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Olivia Bell (aka Livy)
8/31/2017 02:10:44 pm
What a great post, Bella! I have been growing in my Bible study lately, and when I saw this I was like, wow, how timely! Thanks so much, bestie! =)
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Bella Morganthal
8/31/2017 06:00:33 pm
Thank you, Livy! <3 I'm so glad to hear that! :)
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Grace
8/31/2017 07:20:30 pm
Thanks for these tips and resources! :)
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Bella Morganthal
9/2/2017 03:50:27 pm
My pleasure! :)
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Sue
9/1/2017 01:35:34 am
Great ideas Bella ! :)
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Bella Morganthal
9/2/2017 03:50:43 pm
Thanks, mom :)
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