Diving In is the preparation and prayer phase of the DEEP Bible Study Method. Opening your Bible is
one of the best things you’ll ever do. But before you open it, check your heart. How you approach
this precious time in the Word will determine what you get from it. At Making Him Known, we
encourage you to take the following steps to ensure you get the most out of your Bible study
time.
Have a Set Time and Place
As with any habit, Bible study must be consistent. Choose a time that you can commit to every day and study then. Find a set place you designate as “your Bible study place” and study there. Same time, same place, every day.
Have a Bible
We recommend you have at least one Bible, but reading from multiple translations can take your Bible study to a deeper level. You can use traditional paper Bibles, but online Bible sites like biblehub.com and biblegateway.com are great options, too. Start with a literal translation like the ESV, followed by a thought-for-thought translation like the NIV, and finish with a paraphrase like the NLT.
Have Pens, Pencils, & Highlighters
Have tools such as pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, rulers, etc., to mark and highlight text in your Bible. Check out our Resources Guide for our recommendations.
Know Your Why
Sometimes, we can get so bogged down in the details of the Bible stories, the theology, and even the different methods of study that we forget why we are studying the Bible in the first place. Remember that Bible study is about developing a relationship with God, understanding His will for our lives, and intimately knowing Him and His Son. So, if you find your desire for the Word is lacking, ask yourself this question: “Why do I read the Bible?”
Respect the Text
Before we begin studying the Bible, we should first understand what it really is: the very Word of God, and then approach it with the reverence it deserves. When we read it with an open heart, it transforms us from the inside out. It’s a supernatural, living, and active book that contains absolute truth.
Pray
Align your heart with God’s heart through prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and revelation so that you may know God better (Eph. 1:17). Pray for God to open your eyes to see the wonderful truths in His instructions (Ps. 119:18). Next, ask God to guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Finally, pray for Him not to let false teachings deceive you (2 Pet. 3:17). Ask Him to show you when your opinions and views are clouding your vision of His Truth. Pray that He will help you accurately represent His truth to others.
