# Bible Study Basics: What I Would Do  ## Bible Reading Plan - A [[Bible]] reading plan is recommended to systematically read through the whole Bible at least once a year, which can be achieved by reading about three chapters a day, to get a diverse diet of God's counsel and avoid focusing on certain topics only [(00:00:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=35s). - Having a Bible reading plan helps to study the Bible systematically and in some kind of order, with room for flexibility and freedom to try different plans, such as chronological or customized plans [(00:01:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=78s). - There are many good Bible reading plans available, and it's essential to find one that fits best and stick to it, with the option to change plans every year or try a different one [(00:01:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=119s). ## Bible Study Methods - Bible study pertains to specific topics or passages, and a useful tool for studying a topic is a concordance, such as [[Cruden's Concordance | Cruden's Complete Concordance]] or Strong's, which can help find relevant verses and information [(00:03:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=197s). - When studying a passage, it's essential to consider the context and aim for a specific understanding, such as what the [[Bible]] says about a particular topic or what a specific passage means [(00:03:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=180s). - Studying a specific topic or passage requires a focused approach, and using tools like concordances can aid in finding relevant information and understanding the Bible's teachings [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=193s). - When studying the Bible, one can start by using a concordance to find all the verses related to a specific subject, such as "evil," and it is essential to use a concordance that matches the version of the Bible being used [(00:03:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=224s). - Bible apps and websites, such as Bible Hub or [[BibleGateway | Bible Gateway]], are more convenient and allow users to choose their preferred Bible version and conduct word studies [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=237s). - Another option is to use a topical Bible, such as Nave's Topical Bible, which organizes verses by subject, making it easier to study specific topics [(00:04:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=282s). - Study Bibles often provide notes and cross-references at the bottom of the page, which can be helpful for studying, but a regular Bible can also be used with cross-references to explore related passages [(00:05:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=312s). - Cross-references can be used to find related passages, such as looking up the source of a quote, and can lead to a deeper understanding of the text [(00:05:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=338s). - Commentaries, such as Haley's [[Bible]] Handbook, can provide additional insights and explanations of the text, and can be a useful tool for studying the Bible [(00:07:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=449s). - Some study Bibles, like the [[Thompson Chain-Reference Bible | Thompson Chain Reference Bible]], focus solely on cross-references and chain references, allowing readers to follow a chain of thought throughout the Bible [(00:07:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=427s). - A study Bible can be a valuable resource for Bible study, but it may have limitations such as dated photographs and commentary [(00:07:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=474s). - For a more in-depth study, a two-volume commentary set can be beneficial, such as the Bible Knowledge Commentary by [[John Walvoord | Walvoord]] and [[Roy B. Zuck | Zuck]], which was written by the faculty of [[Dallas Theological Seminary]] from a premillennial dispensational background [(00:08:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=537s). - This commentary set provides a wealth of information and is written in a scholarly manner, making it a valuable resource for those looking to dig deeper into their Bible study [(00:09:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=560s). - The commentary set can be used to study specific passages, such as [[Matthew 5]], and provides a more detailed explanation of the text than a study Bible [(00:09:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=588s). - The commentary set explains that Jesus' teachings extended beyond the literal meaning of the commandments, and that internal attitudes and actions can also be sinful [(00:10:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=611s). - It is cautioned that those who do not know the original languages of [[Hebrew language | Hebrew]] and [[Greek language | Greek]] should not attempt to do word studies, as this can lead to incorrect interpretations and bad theology [(00:11:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=660s). - Instead, it is recommended to rely on commentaries written by scholars who are knowledgeable in the original languages, as they can provide a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the text [(00:11:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=692s). - To do a deep [[Bible]] study on a topic, it's recommended to use a concordance on a computer or in a book to look up the topic and go through all the relevant books and verses [(00:11:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=716s). - The goal is to keep Bible studies simple, yet not simplistic, by presenting information in an easy-to-understand way without being derogatory or lacking value [(00:12:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=752s). - The best advice for Bible study is to make the Bible your hobby, which involves more than just devotional reading, but also picking a book to study in-depth and trying to master it [(00:12:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=767s). - The Bible contains 66 books, providing a lifetime worth of study, and making it a hobby can bring great rewards for one's spiritual walk [(00:13:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=799s). - Applying the advice to make the Bible a hobby can have a significant impact on one's life, as it has for the person who shared this advice, and it is recommended to really dig in deep and study the Bible [(00:13:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=808s). - The approach to Bible study presented is considered a simple and introductory way to do studies, and it is encouraged to start with this method and see the rewards that come from it [(00:12:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoVXR8j9BI&t=733s).