Have you ever wondered… What is the best way to learn the Bible?
There is no one best way to learn the Bible. We each absorb information in a number of different ways, so it depends on how you are “wired.”
For most people, one particular way of learning may be more efficient than the rest. These are known as learning styles.
The main categories of learning styles are
- Auditory
- Read/Write (words)
- Visual
- Kinesthetic
Auditory learners learn by using their ears.
- They like lectures, podcasts and audiobooks.
- They like to read to self out loud.
- They enjoy music.
- They can’t keep quiet for long periods of time.
Read/Write learners prefer information displayed as words.
- They like manuals, reports, essays and assignments.
- They are often addicted to PowerPoint, the Internet, dictionaries, thesaurus, quotations, etc.
- They love to make lists and take notes.
- They always read the instructions before beginning a project.
Visual learners learn by using their eyes.
- They prefer pictures over words.
- They like maps, diagrams, and charts.
- They are drawn to color and fashion.
- They need quiet time to study
Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing or doing things.
- They are often good at sports.
- They like demonstrations, simulations and practical applications.
- They like to study with loud music on.
- They usually cannot sit still for long.
Some people have one dominant learning style, however, most people, myself included, have a multimodal learning preference— which means we learn through more than one learning style.
You may already know which learning style is your dominant one, just by reading the above characteristics. If you are not sure, here are links to some learning style quizes/assessments you can take:
- The VARK Questionaire – I scored highest in Read/Write, then Kinesthetic
- Learning Style Assessment – I scored highest in Visual, then Kinesthetic
- Learning Style Quiz – This quiz revealed in am a Visual learner.
- I scored lowest in Audio in all the quizzes.
It can be helpful to know your learning style, because then you can adjust how you study your Bible to how you learn best.
Devotional Methods are Tools, not Rules.
It is vital that we understand that devotional methods, such as memorization, journaling and in-depth studies, are not rules to be followed. Instead, they are tools that we can choose to use—if they suit our unique wiring—that can help us connect to God and His Word.
*The recommended resources below are my favorites! Some I just like, some are my own products, and some I may be an affiliate for, which means I might receive a small commission if you purchased after clickiing on a link.
If you are an Audio learner…
you may learn best by
- listening to an audio Bible
- listening to podcasts of sermons and testimonies
- You may want to try reading the Bible to yourself out loud.
If you are an Audio learner, please quit beating yourself up for falling asleep whenever you try to read your Bible. 😉
Recommended Resources for Audio Learners:
- YouVersion Bible App
- This is my favorite Bible app. I use it every day!
- Many Bible translations are available to listen to as audios.
- Joseph Prince App & Podcast
- Get powerful, life-changing messages and inspiring content on God’s grace from Joseph Prince on-the-go!
- His messages on grace have helped to transform my own life.
- Brilliant Perspectives Podcast
- Brilliant Thoughts For A Better Life With God by Graham Cooke
If your preference is Reading/Writing…
besides just reading your Bible, you may love Scripture writing, word studies, or journaling using the SOAP method.
Recommended Resources for Read/Write Learners:
- YouVersion Bible App
- This is my favorite Bible app. I use it every day!
- First 5 App
- Allows you to set your alarm on your phone so that it opens to the current day’s Scripture and devotional, so that you are sure to read the Bible before you read or do anything else each morning.
- Part of Proverbs 31 Ministries
- SOAP Bible Study Method
- Bible Study Methods – 7 Ways in 7 Days – How to Study the Bible for Yourself
- Someone else’s study may feed you for a day but when you know how to study the Bible yourself, you can feed yourself anytime, day or night, anywhere, for the rest of your life! You are always ready to refresh someone else with a word, in season and out, because you’ve allowed His word to dwell in you first… and not the dip and skip sort of way but in a rich manner.
- Write the Word Journals by Cultivate What Matters
- These journals are perfect for Scripture writing! They have one Bible verse on each page, with room for you to write it and/or journal about it. And they are so beautiful! I use sparkly glitter gel pens in mine to make Scripture writing more fun.
If you are a Visual learner…
try to use your imagination when reading Bible stories to create an internal movie of the scene.
You may also like to use color-coding to highlight certain words, or draw diagrams or pictures to help illustrate what you are learning.
Bible journaling, coloring and other forms of artistic expression might also help you remember what you learn.
Recommended Resources for Visual Learners
- My Free Printables Library
- Download and print Scripture coloring pages, journal pages and more!
- Delight in the Word of God Devotional Coloring Book for Adults
- Creative Coloring Techniques Course by JoDitt
- Bible Journaling
- Explore God’s Word Collection
- The Ultimate Collection of Unique and Creative Ways to Study the Bible
- Get the spiritual mentorship you always wanted from mighty women of faith through 12 Watch On Demand Workshops!
- My workshop, 7 Simple Ways to Liven Up Your Bible Study with Color, is included in this collection.
If are a Kinesthetic learner…
teachings with real-life case-studies and stories will be helpful to you.
You may also like coloring, Bible journaling and other forms of artistic expression.
Recommended Resources for Kinesthetic Learners & Multimodal learners:
- My Free Printables Library
- Download and print Scripture coloring pages, journal pages and more!
- XPTV Podcasts
- Interviews with amazing men and women of God plus powerful teachings
- Explore God’s Word Collection
- The Ultimate Collection of Unique and Creative Ways to Study the Bible
- Get the spiritual mentorship you always wanted from mighty women of faith through 12 Watch On Demand Workshops!
- My workshop, 7 Simple Ways to Liven Up Your Bible Study with Color, is included in this collection.
- Delight in the Word of God Devotional Coloring Book for Adults
- Creative Coloring Techniques Course by JoDitt
- Bible Journaling
HERE IS YOUR CHALLENGE (ACTION STEPS):
- If you don’t already know what your learning style is, take one or more of the quizzes I linked to above.
- Now make a plan for your “dedicated” or “focused” time with Jesus & His Word. I don’t like to call it “quiet time” because it really doesn’t have to be quiet, depending on what learning style you have.
OPTIONAL:
- If you haven’t already I invite you to join my Facebook group called “Delight in The Word with JoDitt” and share with us what your dominant learning style is.