7 Simple Bible Study Tips to Grow Closer to God

Would you like your daily Bible study time to truly come alive, no matter how long you’ve been walking with the Lord? These 7 practical Bible study tips—drawn from my personal journey and shared with countless believers—have helped people at every stage of faith deepen their understanding of Scripture, gain confidence in hearing God’s voice, strengthen their relationship with Him, and discover greater purpose and meaning in life.

Whether you’re seeking fresh insights after years of study or simply wanting to renew your quiet time, these simple habits invite you into a more intimate, Spirit-led encounter with God’s Word. They’re easy, accessible, and powerful for anyone ready to grow closer to God through consistent, heartfelt engagement.

As D.L. Moody wisely said, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” Let’s explore these Bible study tips together—starting with the best time and approach to make your moments in Scripture truly transformative.

When to Study

One of the most liberating Bible study tips I’ve discovered is this: Only God knows the perfect time for you to open His Word each day. He understands your schedule, your responsibilities, and even the surprises the day may bring—long before you do.

Many believers experience an intimate connection during the stillness of early morning or in the quiet moments just before sleep. For me, starting the day with a daily Bible study has been transformative. The world is hushed, there’s no hurry, and inviting God into the first part of my day sets a tone of peace, direction, and purpose. It feels like stepping into His will from the moment I wake.

But the key is flexibility and surrender. God custom-fits the “when” to each person’s life—no one-size-fits-all schedule required. Whether your best time shifts from season to season or stays steady, the invitation is the same: let Him lead.

Scripture: “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” (Psalm 139:16, CSB)

Do this today: Take a quiet moment right now and simply ask, “Lord, what is the best time for me to meet You in Your Word today?” Listen gently—He will guide you to the perfect window.

Once you’ve invited God to set the perfect time for your daily Bible study, the next beautiful step is letting Him guide you to the exact Scriptures He wants to speak to you today…

What Scriptures to Study

In my early days of Bible college, one class required reading the entire Bible in eight months—three Old Testament chapters and one New Testament chapter every single day. When life got busy, and students fell behind, guilt and pressure often followed. Sound familiar? Many of us have felt that weight from rigid yearly Bible study plans.

While those plans have their place, I’ve found greater freedom and fruitfulness in a different approach: letting God choose the Scriptures for each day. We don’t need to rush through the Bible like any other book. True transformation comes from studying God’s Word intentionally, not just skimming it. And only He knows what passage will speak most powerfully to your heart today—because He has already planned your days.

Scripture: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24, CSB)

When we surrender the choice to Him, He often leads us to exactly what we need—or even to a passage He’ll use later that day in a conversation or divine appointment. Your Word truly becomes “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, CSB) when He directs it.

Do this today: Open your Bible study time with a simple prayer: “Lord, show me the Scriptures You want me to study today.” Then open your Bible, trusting His gentle guidance—no pressure, just expectation.

Once God has guided you to the right Scriptures, the next step is to invite Him to speak something fresh and alive through them…

Seek Fresh Revelations

Once God has guided you to the right Scriptures for the day, the next beautiful step in effective Bible study tips is to open your heart wide and ask Him for fresh revelations. This simple act shifts your time from routine reading to an expectant encounter—inviting the Holy Spirit to illuminate truths in ways that feel alive, timely, and deeply personal.

No matter how many times you’ve read a passage before, God always has more to reveal. Fresh insights renew your mind, bring new understanding, and often prepare you to encourage someone else later in the day.

Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, CSB)

Asking for new revelations daily has been life-changing for me and for the many believers I’ve coached. It turns familiar verses into living words that speak directly to today’s challenges, joys, or questions.

Do this today: Before you dive into the passage, pray this simple invitation: “Lord, give me—and those I love—fresh revelations from Your Word today.” Then read with anticipation, ready to receive what He wants to show you.

Once you’ve received fresh revelations and let God speak new life through the passage, one of the most rewarding Bible study tips is to slow down and explore the precise meanings of the words He chose—unlocking understanding that brings even greater clarity and wonder…

Know the definitions of Words

With fresh revelations stirring in your heart, another powerful Bible study tip is to pause and explore the true meaning of the words God inspired. Too often we skim over familiar terms, assuming we already know them—but digging into definitions can unveil layers of richness we never expected.

I learned this vividly one day while studying John 21. The Lord led me to look up “love” after reading Jesus’ conversation with Peter. In the Greek, Jesus asks, “Do you agape Me?” (the highest, sacrificial love), but Peter replies, “You know I phileo You” (brotherly affection). The same English word “love” carried two profoundly different shades of meaning—and that discovery opened my eyes to knowing the true meaning of words.

Tools like Strong’s Concordance, Vine’s Dictionary, or even a simple Merriam-Webster can become trusted companions.

Scripture: “They read from the book of the law of God clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8, CSB)

Quote from R.C. Sproul: “We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand… but because it is work.”

Do this today: As you read your passage, let one word stand out. Look up its definition (even in a regular dictionary or Bible app) and ask, “Lord, what new light does this shed on Your truth for me today?”

After uncovering the deeper meanings of the words, one of the most intimate Bible study tips is to bring those truths even closer by whispering the Scriptures aloud—drawing near to hear God’s still, small voice in a whole new way…

Whisper Scriptures

You can only truly hear a whisper when you’re close to someone. God is that close—right beside you, speaking gently to your heart. Whispering His Word creates an atmosphere of nearness, helping the verses settle deep within and allowing you to recognize His guidance more clearly.

I rarely study the Bible just silently in my head anymore. Instead, I whisper the verses slowly, repeating them, letting them roll off my tongue like a quiet conversation. This habit has become the #1 reason I hear God’s voice so distinctly—for myself and often for others. When God spoke, someone heard and wrote it down; now, through whispering His written Word, we hear Him again and again.

Scripture: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

(Note: “Meditate” here includes whispering, muttering, pondering, and imagining—exactly what this practice embodies.)

Faith comes by hearing—and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Speaking it aloud (even in a whisper) releases power and builds faith through repetition.

Do this today: Choose one verse from your current passage. Whisper it slowly throughout the day, pausing to listen. Feel how close God is to you as you speak His words back to Him.

With the Scriptures whispered close to your heart, another transformative Bible study tip is to turn that closeness into a genuine conversation—by asking God questions about what you’re studying, inviting Him to reveal answers directly as a loving Father…

Ask God Questions

Why ask questions? A good Father delights in His children’s curiosity! God is waiting for you to come to Him with honest inquiries—He wants to simplify, clarify, and guide you personally. Asking keeps assumptions in check and opens the door to a deeper understanding of the context, meaning, and application of His Word.

In 1992, when a friend at church gave me my first Bible, I was completely new to it. I started reading aloud and asking the Lord questions about everything that confused or intrigued me. The more I asked, the more He answered—in simple, understandable ways, like a patient Dad teaching His child. Those questions changed my beliefs, perspectives, expectations, actions, motives, behaviors, and even what I spoke. Asking God questions has been one of the biggest keys to deepening my relationship with Him.

Scripture: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8, CSB)

Do this today: During your Bible study time, pause at a verse that raises a question in your mind. Speak it aloud to God: “Lord, what does this really mean for me today?” Keep asking—He loves to respond.

For even more inspiration, check out these 10 powerful questions to ask God during your Bible study time to help spark deeper dialogue and fresh insights: 10 Questions to ask God

After asking God questions and letting His answers unfold, one of the most vivid and life-changing Bible study tips is to step inside the passage itself—placing yourself in the story so the Scriptures truly come alive and speak directly to your heart…

Put Yourself in the Story

After asking God questions and letting His answers unfold, one of the most vivid and life-changing Bible study tips is to step inside the passage itself—placing yourself in the story so the Scriptures truly come alive and speak directly to your heart.

The Bible isn’t just ancient history; it’s living truth meant to meet you personally. By imagining yourself in the scene, you can feel the emotions, hear the sounds, see the faces, and even ask Jesus questions as if you were there. This practice turns words on a page into a personal encounter that changes how you respond to life today.

I love how this brings passages to life in fresh ways. Whether it’s standing with David facing Goliath, sitting at Jesus’ feet with the disciples, or walking through the storm with the frightened fishermen, placing myself in the story helps me grasp God’s heart more deeply and apply His truth to my own situations.

Scripture: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands.” (Psalm 143:5, CSB))

Do this today: Choose a short Gospel story (like the Prodigal Son or Jesus calming the storm). Close your eyes, picture yourself there—what do you see, feel, hear? Ask Jesus, “What do You want to say to me in this moment?” Let the story speak personally to your heart.

This one simple shift can make even familiar passages feel brand new and deeply applicable.

Final Thoughts

Friend, these 7 Bible study tips are more than just habits—they’re invitations to a closer, more vibrant relationship with the One who wrote the story of your life. Whether you’ve been walking with Him for decades like me or are rediscovering the wonder of His Word, the Lord delights in meeting you right where you are. He doesn’t require perfection; He simply asks for your presence, your curiosity, and your willingness to listen.

From letting Him choose the time and the passage, to seeking fresh revelations, defining key words, whispering Scripture, asking honest questions, and stepping into the story itself—each step draws you nearer to His heart. As you practice these, you’ll likely find what I’ve experienced: God’s voice becomes clearer, your faith grows stronger, and His truth begins transforming you from the inside out.

D.L. Moody captured it perfectly: “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.”

God is already waiting for you in His Word. He’s excited to speak, to reveal, to transform you. Your daily Bible study can become the most life-giving part of your day.

Which tip will you try first? I’d love to hear in the comments—let’s encourage one another as we grow closer to Him together.

Thank you for walking through these Bible study tips with me. May your time in Scripture be rich, personal, and full of His presence.

You’re not alone on this journey—He’s right beside you. 🙏

Categorised in: Bible Study

This post was written by admin