Study the Bible with Purpose, Perspective, and Patience

• Choose a book that’s short and application driven.
• Get a copy of the text that you can mark up (either print it off or get a notebook).
• Read through the entire book from start to finish (at least once).
• Answer these five basic questions: Who wrote this? To whom was it written?When was it written? In what style was it written? and What is the main theme of the book? Note: You can use a commentator’s notes (or the ESV Study Bible book introduction information) to help shape what the book is saying and take notes that you’ll refer back to.
• Stop and look up words in the dictionary as needed.
• Be patient. Read and reread the text, looking for new things.