Learn To Study The Bible


Christian - Devotion/Study
248 Pages
Reviewed on 10/26/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The Bible is a beautiful book. It contains poetry, history, romance, and instruction. Yet many people rarely open their bibles. They think they will be confused or they fear it will take too much time and effort. Andy Deane takes the mystery out of bible study in hopes of encouraging more people to study this magnificent book which is the Word of God.
Deane divides his book into 7 basic sections. I will briefly touch on each section.

The Foundations of Bible Study
Deane presents the benefits of Bible study. They include: assures us of salvation, guides our decisions, and cleanses us from sin, it brings us peace, joy, strength; it helps us in prayer and leads to success. He points out the big questions of life and assures us that the answers to those questions are in scripture. Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What should I do with my life? What’s my relationship to God? These are questions we all ask at one time or another.

Who should study the Bible? Everyone! Deane presents the reasons why.
Too often when we try to teach someone how to study the Bible we make it too difficult. There are many ways to study the Bible. There is no one perfect way to study. Deane shares not one but forty methods of Bible study.

I like that Deane points out that reading the Bible is not the same as studying the Bible. I lead an adult Sunday School Class of approximately 25 adults. We study the Bible. I have tried several forms of lessons and none of them worked for my class. They are both male and female and the majority is over 55. They are seasoned Christians. They do not want a “milk” study they want “meat”. Unfortunately, that usually means they want me to have dug deep and they just read. I’m attempting to encourage them to dig deeper before class.

I love the chapter on Daily Devotions. This is a must read chapter.

Basic Bible Study Methods
I’m going to briefly mention the 5 steps of the Daily Bread Bible Study Method. Read the book for the more in-depth description. I like this method but it is only one of 40 discussed in this book. Choose the method that best fits your learning style.
1. Choose a passage.
2. Pray—Ask God to meet with you.
3. Think about the passage you are studying.
4. Plan one application.
5. Carry your favorite verse with you.

Major Bible Study Methods
This chapter discusses the time-tested methods of Bible study. The methods include Verse-by-Verse Charting, Chapter Overview, Book Overview, Biblical Topics and one of my favorites Character Overview.

Creative Bible Study Methods
Currently I have been using what I consider a creative method to Bible Study. It includes several of the methods mentioned in this chapter.

Studying Specific Passages
I always find studying Proverbs fascinating. Meeting Jesus is another great method. I had never seen the Twenty Jesus Questions Method and I like it. I will give it a try. One interesting method is studying the Prayers. This involves the prayers of different characters from Old Testament heroes to New Testament. You will look at the prayers of Jesus, the Disciples, Paul, Abraham, Moses, etc.

Some of the methods that I have used that is mentioned here are Study the Miracles and then the Parables. These two methods were favorites of my class. Currently we are studying the Psalms.

Study Methods for Younger Students
This section was developed to assist teens in their study. I wish I had learned good
Biblical Study habits at a younger age.

Wrapping It All UP
Deane suggests building a reference library. He has an excellent list of tools that assist in Bible Study.

As you can tell I love this book. I could go on and on but you need to purchase your own copy. My copy will go in my reference library, so that I can draw on it when needed. My own comments: Bible study must become a habit. God speaks to us through His word as well as other ways. We neglect Him when we do not study His word.

I’d like to thank Andy Deane for providing readers with an excellent study tool. It will enhance and encourage Bible Study. This book is well written. It is obvious that Deane put in time and effort researching study methods. This book is written in a simple easy to read and to understand style. I cannot say enough about this book. Well done Andy Deane.

Bob Coy

Certain things in the Christian life are non-negotiable, and studying the Bible is one of them. Every believer, regardless of the spiritual season they’re in, must have a regular routine that gets them engaged in God’s Word. But while the “must” to study is universal, the “method” isn’t. What works well for some doesn’t work at all for others. We’ve been wired differently and learn in different ways, which is why this is such a relevant and important book. With 40 different methods of studying the Bible, there’s something here for everyone. No matter who you are or how you’re wired to learn, you’re going to find a key in these pages that will unlock the riches of God’s Word in your life.

Dr. Michael Catt

Learn to Study Your Bible is an affordable and practical book for those who want to dig deeper and get more out of their personal Bible study.

Pastor Brian Broderson

Anything that will help Christian people get more into the word and more out of the word is bound to be a great blessing. This book will do just that. Andy has done a fantastic job of laying out numerous options for Bible Study. I'm sure there's a method here that will be helpful for most everyone who is serious about growing in the Lord through his word.

Bible Study Magazine (Nov

Even for the most avid Bible reader, studying the Book can become dry and repetitive. That’s why Pastor Andy Deane wrote Learn to Study the Bible—a guide that offers 40 Bible study methods—more than any book of its kind.

Deane presents an image of the Bible as a treasure trove for the reader’s keeping. The book has seven sections, beginning with a segment discussing the importance of observation, interpretation, and application—a method developed by Robert A. Traina and furthered by Precept Ministries—for effective study of Scripture. The chapters in each section provide Bible study methods appropriate to particular groups (e.g., teenagers, new Christians, longtime Christians). A handwritten example of each method accompanies its description.

One of the concluding chapters suggests building a reference library, including a concordance and Bible dictionary. It also offers guidance about how to use them for more meaningful Bible study. Deane advises that people use more than one method when studying the Bible—to maintain joy and satisfaction. Deane’s work is ideal for anyone interested in deepening his or her daily devotions.

Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Wow has Andy shattered the cold stone ceiling of Bible study! No longer should the Bible remain mysterious and reserved for the theologians. Many Bible study methods morph into boring laborious monotony, but not this one. Learn to Study the Bible makes knowing the Bible adventurous, deeply personal, thought provoking and just plain fun. No matter where you open this book you will discover great new methods of digging into the treasure of God’s Word. Whether the chapter on Daily Devotions, the Rethink & Restate Method or Verse by Verse Charting, the next journey is more fun than the last one. Anyone wishing to cultivate the same passion for God’s Word that has transformed the author will love this book.

Pastor Bob Caldwell

Andy has put together an amazing resource. We will definitely be using this for not only our School of Ministry students, but in our training for all of our leaders, for our one-on-one discipleship and small group Bible studies.