Bible Study Archives - Uncovered Joy

Ruth – A Brief Introduction to a love story

Filed Under: Bible Study, Ruth // September 16, 2025

This post is all about an introduction to the book of Ruth – giving you background information and context so you can read it with confidence.

Introduction to Ruth

The story of Ruth is often seen as the most romantic love story in the Bible. And although it portrays a great romantic tale, it is so much more.

In this story, we see a father who leads his family away from God’s promise, a foreigner who displays great godliness, and a common man who listens to and obeys God’s word.

Here, we see the unfolding of God’s great story of redemption throughout the entire Bible. Taking place when the judges ruled Israel, and setting the scene for a king to reign who will be an ancestor of the Savior. Ruth shows how God works everything together according to His great plan as events unfold.

Important themes in Ruth

Loving-Kindness

In this book, we see God’s great loving-kindness in action. This loving-kindness comes from the Hebrew Word, ḥeseḏ (חֶסֶד). It is used throughout the Old Testament to describe God’s great mercy, goodness, loving-kindness, and favor for His people. Here we see it in God’s provision for Ruth and Naomi, in the laws that allow foreigners to glean, and in the concept of the kinsman redeemer. God’s loving-kindness is seen in His tender care for each character in this story.

This ḥeseḏ is found in Ruth 1:8, 2:20, and 3:10.

Faithfulness

Ruth shows the quality of faithfulness as she returns with her mother-in-law to a land she does not know after the death of her husband. By all accounts, there was no reason for her to remain faithful to Naomi. It would be a hopeless situation with no prospects other than poverty. Yet, that did not deter her from doing what was right. She also demonstrates her faithfulness by following the crazy plan that Naomi concocted to meet Boaz in the middle of the night.

Redemption

Boaz is the kinsman redeemer of this story. He is a close relative who had the right and responsibility to protect and provide for family members in need. By redeeming Ruth, Boaz not only secures her future and honors Naomi’s family line but also foreshadows the greater redemption found in Christ. Just as Boaz willingly paid the price to redeem Ruth, Jesus is our ultimate Redeemer. He purchased our freedom and secured our place in God’s family.

The virtuous woman

Ruth portrays the virtues of the woman in Proverbs 31. She is hardworking in the fields, faithful in her relationships, wise in her decisions, and virtuous in her character. Her reputation for integrity and diligence is recognized by the whole community (Ruth 3:11), just as the Proverbs 31 woman is praised at the city gates. Here, we see a living example of a woman who fears the Lord and is honored for her godly character.

The W’s of Ruth

Who wrote Ruth

The authorship of Ruth is unknown, although some think Solomon or Samuel may have written it.

What it’s about

The book of Ruth connects the dots for how Israel went from having judges to kings. It also serves as an important benchmark in their history.

When it was written

Although there is no exact date for when the book was written, it was written after David became king in 1010 B.C. – most likely around 1040 B.C. – because of the genealogy that is included in the end.

When the story takes place

The story takes place during the period when the Judges ruled. Although there is no specific date mentioned, some speculate that it may have taken place during the judgeship of Jair during 1126–1105 B.C.

Where the story takes place

The book of Ruth begins in Moab – who were the descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:30-38) – and transitions into Bethlehem.

Why Ruth is important to study today

Ruth portrays the loving kindness that God has for His people. It also demonstrates the love that we are supposed to extend to others, as well as the faithfulness God desires.

How God demonstrates His character in Ruth

God’s Hesed loving-kindness is seen in this story as He provides for His people and extends grace to a foreigner.

Key Verse in Ruth

Ruth 1:16 shows the faithfulness of Ruth to Naomi: “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'”

In Ruth you will find (reading plan)

Ruth 1-4: The story of Ruth

Additional Resources

Here are some helpful resources for studying the book of Ruth if you would like to dive even deeper!

First, I love my NIV Journal the Word Bible for reading the entire book before digging into any resources. I also read the Bible book again after I have read commentaries. This helps ensure that I am focusing on scripture and God’s Word above mans’ thoughts on it.

My go-to resources for studying any book of the Bible include: How to read the Bible for all it’s Worth . this book breaks down why there are different translations and how to read different genres of the Bible. The Israel Bible is a Bible that places special emphasis on Jewish culture and Hebrew wording. The Old Testament Survey gives great Bible book introductions. Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines is a fun resource that gives an overview of various Bible topics and themes.

Some free online resources that I used for studying Joshua include: Blue Letter Bible’s Bible book introductions include different commentators notes on the books. Biblehub also offers many resources, including Willmington’s Bible at a glance, and the Ultimate Bible summary collection.

There are also a couple helpful youtube videos, including: the Book of Ruth Summary, a quick animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 feet, a sermon by Calvary Chapel.

If you are looking for a fun and entertaining way to learn more about the book, Storylicious offers The story, and Superbook also has a kids animated version of Ruth.

Final thoughts

This post was all about an introduction to the book of Ruth. It is more than a love story—it’s a picture of God’s redemption, loving-kindness, and faithfulness woven into everyday lives. As you read, you’ll see how God provides for His people, how faithfulness and virtue shine in unexpected places, and how this short book points forward to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

May this background give you confidence as you read through the book of Ruth and see God’s hand at work in every detail.

Judges – A Brief Introduction

Filed Under: Bible Study, Judges // August 26, 2025

This post is all about an introduction to the book of Judges – giving you background information and context so you can read it with confidence.

Introduction to Judges

The book of Judges is characterized by compromise, corruption, and confusion. After the death of Joshua, there was no single leader over the tribes of Israel. Instead, they were to obey the commands of God, with the Levites scattered throughout the nation to offer guidance.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Israel begins their time in the promised land with compromise. They compromise on the command to utterly destroy the surrounding Canaanite nations. Instead, they allow them to live. They compromise by intermarrying with them and serving their gods.

This compromise leads to corruption as they wrestle with the desires of their flesh. Deciding to turn away from God and His commands, they worship idols. As promised, God turns them over to their sinful ways and they fall into confusion. When they can stand their hardships no longer, they call out to God to rescue them and He sends a judge to deliver them from their enemies.

Important themes in Judges

The book of Judges flows in a cyclical pattern, starting with the Israelites’ unfaithfulness in conquering the land as God commanded them. Over and over again, we see the Israelites be unfaithful to the covenant they made with God, yet God shows continued faithfulness to the Israelites.

Unfaithfulness in conquering the land

The Israelites did not conquer the land completely, as God told them to do. instead, they left some of the Canaanite people and moved in around them. Because of this, they were quick to adopt the practices and traditions of the Canaanites, abandoning the One true God.

Unfaithfulness to the covenant

Israel was quick to abandon their covenant with God, both individually and as a collective nation. We see that individually, they chose to intermarry, worship idols, and follow Canaanite customs. As a nation, they rebelled against the public readings of God’s law. They rejected the commands of God that would have strengthened them and chose to do what was right in their own eyes.

Everyone did right in their own eyes

The overarching theme that “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” is repeated throughout the book of Judges. Not only does this explain the hardships the Israelites continued to face, but it also sets the scene to have kings come into Israel’s history in following books.

God’s continual faithfulness

After being handed over to their sinful desires and facing the consequences for them, the Israelites would cry out to God to save them. God continued to be faithful to the Israelites and send them judges to fight their battles and grant them peace in the land.

The W’s of Judges

The W’s of Judges (who, what, when, where, and why) help give you context to understand the book and cultural elements.

Judges background — A little bit of context for the book of Judges

Who wrote Judges

Although there is no clear author attributed to writing the book of Judges, the most widely accepted candidate is Samuel.

What it’s about

The book of Judges shows how quickly the Israelites were to turn away from God and follow the gods of the Canaanites. It follows a cycle of the Israelites sinning, God turning them over to the desires of the flesh, crying out to God, God sending a Judge to lead them and defeat their enemies, and then sinning even worse than before.

Through this continual cycle we see the downward spiral of Israel, with each judge becoming more wicked than the last. This sets the stage for the need of a godly king.

When it was written

Judges was most likely written between 1050 and 1000 B.C.

When the story takes place

The story begins immediately following Joshua’s death in 1375 B.C. and spans a period of about 350 years, ending in 1050 with the rise of Samuel. Some notable times in the book of Judges include the reign of Deborah in 1209 B.C., Gideon defeating the Midianites in 1162 B.C., and the Birth of Samson in 1100 B.C.

Where the story takes place

The Israelites are living in the Promised land.

Why Judges is important to study today

The book of judges shows how easy it is for an entire generation to turn away from God, even after seeing the miracles He performs. It serves as a warning for us and shows the consequences for our unfaithfulness.

How God demonstrates His character in Judges

Although the Israelites continuously turned away from God, rebelling against Him and rejecting His laws, God remained faithful to them.

Key verses in Judges

The overarching theme of Judges is found in the final verse: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25).

Because Israel forsook God, they fell into a pattern of disobedience, calling, and deliverance.

Judges 2:10-12 shows how they quickly fell into disobedience: “After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.”

Judges 10:15-16 Shows the Israelites calling out to God and turning back to Him: “But the Israelites said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.”

Judges 3:9 shows God delivering them when they called: “But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.”

In Judges, you will find (Reading plan)

Judges 1-5: The downward spiral
Judges 6-9: Gideon and Abimelek
Judges 10-12: Unremarkable Judges
Judges 13-16: The life of Samson
Judges 17-21: The downfall of a nation

Additional Resources

Here are some of my favorite resources I used when researching the book of Judges.

My go-to resources for studying any book of the Bible include: How to read the Bible for all it’s Worth – this book breaks down why there are different translations and how to read different genres of the Bible. The Israel Bible is a Bible that places special emphasis on Jewish culture and Hebrew wording. The Old Testament Survey gives great Bible book introductions. Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines is a fun resource that gives an overview of various Bible topics and themes.

There are also a couple helpful youtube videos, including: the Book of Judges Summary, a quick animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 feet, a sermon by Calvary Chapel.

Final thoughts

The book of Judges demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people in two distinct ways. First, God is faithful to deliver His people when they cry out to Him. 1 John 1:9 tells us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This cleansing from unrighteousness brings us to the second part of God’s faithfulness. God is faithful and certain to punish sin. In judges, we see that each time the Israelites rejected God and chose a life of sin, he delivered them into that sin and its consequences.

This post was all about an introduction to the book of Judges. It aims to help you understand the overarching theme as you read through the Judges Bible study.

Joshua – A Brief Introduction

Filed Under: Bible Study, Joshua // July 15, 2025

This post is all about an introduction to the book of Joshua, giving you background information and context so that you can read it with confidence.

Joshua is an exciting book fo promises fulfilled. Up to this point, we have heard of God’s promise to Abraham to deliver His people to the Promised Land. We saw the faithfulness of God in Exodus when He brought the Israelites out of slavery. Now we get to watch as God fulfills that promise and delivers them into the land of blessing by parting the Jordan River to bring them into Canaan.

Related post: Deuteronomy – A Brief Introduction

Introduction to Joshua

The book of Joshua begins with the call of Joshua. Three times in the first chapter, God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua then, in turn, relays that same message to the Israelites as he tells them that in just three days, they will cross over to the Promised Land.

This is an exciting and perhaps even frightening time for the Israelites. They knew nothing other than wandering in the desert, since all those who left Egypt had died. Because of the upcoming trials, temptations, and abundance of blessing in Canaan, God reminded the Israelites to carefully obey all of His law. If they did this, they would be prosperous and successful.

Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua sent two spies to survey the land. There, they encounter Rahab, a prostitute who hides them and proclaims faith in the God of Israel. Rahab later becomes part of Jesus’ genealogy, showing how God’s grace extends to all people.

The Israelites cross the Jordan as God parts the waters at flood stage – a miracle which echoes the Red Sea crossing. Once over the Jordan, the Israelites were instructed by God to march around the city of Jericho for 7 days. One of these seven days would have been the Sabbath, demonstrating the important concept that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

After Jericho

After Jericho fell, the Israelites set out to conquer Ai. However, they were unsuccessful because one man (Achan) kept some of the devoted things. Because of his sin, Achan and his family were put to death. Then the Israelites were able to defeat Ai. They also waged war with the surrounding nations, following God’s direction, before diving up the land according to the promise of God.

The book of Joshua ends with his death. But before he died, he gathered the Israelites together for a public reading of the law of God, instructing them to remain faithful to God.

Important themes in Joshua

Throughout this book, we see the promised of God fulfilled with the exhortation to live according to His law. There is a special emphasis placed on the fact that when the Israelites live in obedience to God’s law, they will have the presence of God with them, granting them victory. However, if they reject God or simply do not seek Him first, their endeavors will fail because God is not with them.

The reason for this is simple and demonstrated throughout the book. God’ does not grant the Israelites victory because of who they are, but rather to bring God glory. God loves to bless them’s glory will be demonstrated to all nations through Israel, regardless of their actions. If they chose to obey God, His glory will be seen through the abundance of blessings given to the Israelites. However, if the Israelites turn away from God, then He will get the glory as all nations will see that only the true God could keep the nation alive through all of the calamities they would bring upon themselves.

introduction to Joshua — The W’s of Joshua.

The W’s of Joshua

Who wrote Joshua

The book of Joshua is the first of the 12 historical books in the protestant cannon. And it continues the story where Deuteronomy left off. The authorship is most often attributed to Joshua, with possible later additions by Eleazar the High Priest or his son, Phinehas.

Joshua was commissioned by God through Moses as the next leader of Israel. His name means “Jehovah saves” or “the Lord is Salvation” and is the Hebrew correspondent of the New Testament name “Jesus.” Throughout the book, we see many parallels of Jesus in the life of Joshua.

What it’s about

The book of Joshua shows God’s faithfulness as He fulfills His promise to Abraham by leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and giving them rest. The journey of Joshua and the Israelites parallels the rest that Jesus gives us under the new Testament covenant.

When it was written

It is likely that Joshua wrote most of the book before his death in 1385. Some phrases such as “to this day” suggest that certain portions may have been added later to provide context for future generations

When the story takes place

The story begins in 1405 B.C. when Joshua took over leadership after Moses’ death. The book of Joshua spans about 20 years and ends with the death of Joshua in 1385 B.C. at 110 years old.

Where does it take place

The story takes place East of the Jordan River with the Israelites camped at Acacia. They cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land – the Land of Canaan, where they set up camp at Gilgal. Jericho is the first city in their list of conquests, followed by the towns south and then to the north.

Why Joshua is important to study

Joshua is essential for understanding God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It also helps us see the seriousness of obedience and the beuty of rest found in God’s presence. Additionally, the book reminds us that God is not for or against a nation. Rather, the nation (and individuals) should be for God and His glory.

How God demonstrates His character in Joshua

This book is all about the promises of God fulfilled. Not only do we see God’s faithfulness to the Israelites in bringing them to the Promised Land and giving them rest, but we also see the foreshadowing of Jesus through the life of Joshua. We see a glimpse of how God fulfills His promise to us through Jesus and how Jesus gives ultimate rest for those who believe.

Key verses in Josua

There are many powerful verses in Joshua that speak to the faithfulness of God and our need to serve Him in everything.

Joshua 1:7-9 commands us to be strong and courageous, knowing that the presence of God goes with us when we keep His commandments.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 21:45 (and 23:14) speaks of the faithfulness of God and His ability to always keep His promises.

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

Joshua 24:15 exhorts us to choose if we want to follow God or follow other Gods. If we choose to follow God, we need to do so wholeheartedly.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

In Joshua, you will find (Reading Plan)

Joshua 1-4: Joshua leads Israel to the Promised Land
Joshua 5-8: The covenant restored and the fall of Jericho and Ai
Joshua 9-12: Interactions with neighboring Kings
Joshua 13-15: Survey and division of the land
Joshua 16-20: More allotments and cities of refuge
Joshua 21-24: Towns for the Levites and Joshua’s last message

Additional resources

Here are some of my favorite resources I used when researching the book of Joshua.

There are also a couple helpful youtube videos, including: the Book of Joshua Summary, a quick animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 feet, a sermon by Calvary Chapel.

Final thoughts

The book of Joshua is not just a history telling of battles and land division. It testifies to God’s faithfulness. It gives a call to obedience. And it shows a beautiful picture of the rest that can only come through Jesus. As you read, ask God to show you what it means to live courageously in obedience, trusting that He will go with you wherever you go.

This post was all about an introduction to the book of Joshua. It aims to help you understand the overarching theme as you read through the Joshua Bible study.

Moses is a servant of the Lord

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // June 10, 2025

This Bible study is all about how we can be a servant of the Lord, just as Moses was.

What would it look like if you lived a life so fully surrendered to God that your greatest title wasn’t leader, parent, or influencer—but servant? In Deuteronomy 31–34, we see the final moments of Moses’ life. He had led Israel through wilderness and rebellion, victory and heartbreak, and yet, at the end of it all, Scripture remembers him simply as the servant of the Lord. This Bible study explores what it means to live with that same heart posture. Moses’ journey reminds us that faithfulness often looks like quiet obedience, daily trust, and surrender to God’s greater plan—even when the outcome isn’t what we expected. Let’s look to his example and consider: are we willing to follow wherever God leads?

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Read all about how to be a servant of the Lord, following in Moses’ footsteps, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 31-34

Fear results when we take our eyes off Jesus

Again and again, Moses reminded the Israelites that God Himself would go before them. He would fight on their behalf, remain with them, and never leave or forsake them. Though Moses wouldn’t be the one to lead them into the Promised Land, God would still be with them every step of the way. The Israelites needed to remember that their true leader, deliverer, and protector was not Moses—but God. If they placed their confidence in a person instead of the Lord, fear would keep them from stepping into the land God had promised.

Who are you looking to for your security today? Are your eyes fixed on God as your faithful leader and provider, or are you trusting in someone or something else (Jeremiah 17:5-8)?

God wants All people to come to repentance

Part of the job of the Levites was to read the law of God to the people at the end of every seven years. The Levites were scattered all throughout Israel so that everyone would hear the words of the Lord. This reading would instruct everyone in how to continue their relationship with God, but it was also so that those who had not heard the law would hear it and turn to God. It was important for everyone to have the same opportunity for salvation.

God wants all people to come to repentance. How can you help be His minister and share his words with others (Romans 10:17)?

Deuteronomy 23 — I love using alphabet stickers in my Bible journal.

Testified against

The Israelites knew the Word of God. They wore it on their garments, had it written on their doorposts, read it every sabbath, and listened to it in its entirety every seven years. The Word of God was close to their hearts and it should have brought great comfort in times of sorrow and joy in times of prosperity. Instead, God knew that the Israelites would turn to other gods and forsake Him. When this happened, they would have the song taught to them by Moses to remind them that it was because of their unfaithfulness that they lacked peace.

The Israelites had a routine of hearing and reciting God’s word, but their hearts did not always reflect their words. This led to them wandering away from God. Is God’s Word something you carry in routine only, or do you let it shape your heart and actions (Joshua 1:8)?

The song of Moses

The Song of Moses is both a confrontation and a comfort. It calls out Israel’s failure, but more importantly, it reveals the unshakable faithfulness of God. Resembling a dance between Israel and their Creator, the song begins with Moses proclaiming the greatness of God – stirring praise. Then comes the rhythm: though Israel forgets that God is their Father, He never forsakes them.

The song recounts God’s faithful care in the past—His provision, protection, and presence. Yet Israel responds by turning away. God, in perfect justice, could reject them. But instead, He loves them. He warns them of the consequences of rebellion, yet holds out the hope of restoration. The song ends with a glimpse of future grace—not just for Israel, but for all nations, fulfilled in Jesus.

Do you let God’s conviction lead you to condemnation – or to the faithful arms of a loving God who calls you back (2 Timothy 2:13)?

The words of law are life

After hearing the song of Moses, the Israelites might be tempted to treat it like an entertaining performance which can quickly be forgotten. Moses warns them that God’s law does not consist of idle words which are futile for the Israelites. Instead, the words of God’s law is life for all who hear it. God’s Word gives freedom, peace, and wisdom to all who take it seriously. It is daily bread, a light for our path, and strength for the weary.

Do you read God’s Word with anticipation of the life it brings, or do you treat it as something optional – even unimportant (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?

God’s glory is His love

All throughout the Bible we see the glory of God displayed in His awesome and miraculous works – everything from parting the Red sea, to keeping Daniel alive in the lion’s den. But that is not the only evidence of His glory. It is also seen in His love and care for His people. The Hebrew Word for love (חָבַב) that is used in Deuteronomy 33:3 is in a form that is continuous – it encompasses the past, present and future. God’s love for his people is perpetual.

Do you see God’s glory revealed in His deep, ongoing love for you (1 John 4:9-10)?

servant of the Lord — How is your life characterized?

There is no one like our God

The end of Deuteronomy 33 turns back to reflection on God. Moses reflects on the incomparable nature of God, seen in His majesty and His mercy alike. God rides through the heavens not to impress, but to intervene for His people. He is not distant or detached, but loving and caring. He is personal, active, and compassionate. Here, Moses gives a final reminder that the same God who parted seas and thundered from Sinai still watches over them, giving them refuge under His wings. He was still – and forevermore – their help. Just like He still is ours. In times that we feel weak or overwhelmed, we can look to the God who fills the skies with majesty and still stoops to carry His people.

Do you trust in God’s power to help you personally—or do you view Him as distant, majestic but removed from your everyday struggles (Psalm 68:33-35)?

Moses is the servant of the Lord

Moses’ life ends uneventfully. There is no long list of accomplishments or accolades. Instead, he is given a simple title: “the servant of the Lord”. He wasn’t called a hero or a leader, even though he was one. He was called a servant. This is a title that demonstrates his humility and his willingness to listen to God with his whole heart and let God lead. He followed, he obeyed, and he trusted – even when it was hard or it meant giving up control or recognition. Moses saw the Promised Land from a distance, but never stepped into it. Still, he was content to be God’s servant. He trusted God’s plan was good, even if it didn’t align with his own.

Today’s world tells us to build our own name, control our outcomes, and chase more. Are you satisfied being known simply as God’s servant? Do you quietly trust God to lead, or do you struggle to surrender control and let God write your story (Luke 1:38)?

Reflect on the life of Moses

Moses stood on the precipice of the Promised Land, knowing he would never enter. Yet he got to enter something greater as his role of servant came to an end. Moses was able to enter into God’s presence with the quiet knowledge that he had been faithful in service. His walk with God may not have always been perfect, but God doesn’t call for perfect servants. He simply calls for us to trust Him and follow His commands while living in the grace that Jesus gives.

How can you embrace servanthood today?

Choose life | The Law, Sacrifice, and atonement

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // April 22, 2025

This Bible study is all about how God gave the Israelites the ability to choose life through the law, sacrifice, and atonement. He also gave us the same choice of life or death through acceptance of His son, Jesus.

The Israelites were called to joyfully obey God’s law and his sacrificial system. They delighted in God’s word because it brought freedom from sin, joy in the mundane, and right standing before God. They knew that the law brought life and they were called to rejoice in obeying it.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

In these chapters, we see the call to obedience and the blessings that would follow. We also hear of the curses that Israel would bring on themselves when they chose to reject God and His law.

Although we are under the New covenant found in the atonement Jesus offered us on the cross, we still have the choice to delight in God’s law.

Read all about the choice of life made possible through the Law, sacrifice, and atonement, before reflecting on it below.

Read Deuteronomy 27-30

God’s Word should be visible

When the Israelites entered the Promised land, they were to set up an altar on Mount Ebal – the same mountain where they would pronounce courses on anyone who did not uphold God’s law. This altar was unique in that no iron tools would be used to chisel it and make it beautiful. God did not want its splendor to come from the works of man. The altar was to be covered in plaster so that the Words of the Lord could be clearly seen on it. This altar was to be a place of sacrifice and fellowship with God, in the joyful presence of His law.

The Israelites were to ensure that God’s word was visible to anyone who wanted to read it. Is God’s Word visible in your own life (Galatians 5:22-23)?

All are guilty of the curses found in the law

The are many curses for sins listed in Deuteronomy 27, and most of them are ones that would not be easily found out by other people. But even when sins are not discovered by man, they are still seen by God. Additionally, the very last curse speaks to anyone who does not uphold the words of the law by following them. No one can escape the curses of God because we are all guilty of sinning and breaking His law. Yet there is hope to be found. For the Israelites, they had the altar set on Mount Ebal – the same mount where these curses would be spoken. For us, we have Jesus, who took on our curse so that we could have a relationship with God.

How does reading about these curses help you better understand the price that Jesus paid (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Deuteronomy 28 Bible journaling — I love using alphabet stickers in my Bible journal to give it some added interest.

Blessings for following God

Although would be curses and consequences for a disobedient people, there were blessing for the obedient. If the Israelites obeyed God and His law, they would experience blessing in every part of their lives. Everything they put their hand to would be blessed. But the most important blessing for them is that God would call them His holy people. As a nation, when they served God, they would experience His presence with them.

Do you experience God’s presence (James 4:8)?

The choice is ours

Although we can see these blessings and curses played out in Israel’s history, we can also see the effects in our own life. Daily, we can choose to follow God and His law or to reject His ways. To purposefully reject God results in many of the curses Described in Deuteronomy 28. But on a deeper level, when we choose not to serve God with joy and gladness we forget to see His blessings for what they are. Instead, we start to see them as curses.

How often do we complain about the very thing we prayed for? We pray for the blessing of children, only to see them as a burden once they are here. We pray for a home to call our own, only to complain about having to clean and steward it. And we pray for our storehouses to be full, but grow weary when we have to do the work required to fill them.

If we are not careful to choose gratitude every day, we forget that we have been blessed by God and we turn those very blessings we once longed for into unfortunate curses that we can’t escape.

Are there blessings in your life that you’ve begun to view as curses (James 1:17)?

The terms of the covenant Law

God preformed many miracles when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Although the generation standing before Him now was not the same generation that first heard the Law at mount Sinai 40 years earlier, they had heard of the miracles and experienced the presence and glory of God in the wilderness. Now God was reminding them of His faithfulness and renewing the covenant with them. This covenant was for everyone – the leaders and elders, all the men, as well as women, children, and foreigners. All of those standing in the presence of God as well as the future generations to come would be under the covenant. And the terms were simple. If the Israelites obeyed God joyfully, they would live and be prosperous.

Although we are not under the law because we are covered by the grace of Jesus, we still have the choice to obey God and live in his blessing. Do you joyfully obey God and His Word (1 John 5:2-4)?

The things revealed through the law

The last verse in Deuteronomy 29 explains how God speaks to His people – both in Israel and now. First, there are secret things that He does not reveal to us. Isaiah 55 tells us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. But even so, He has revealed some things to us – both through His Word and Creation – so we must pay attention and seek Him. The things He has revealed belong to us – His message is not hidden for only biblical scholars to decipher, but anyone can understand His Word.

His revelation spans the generations – it was available for the Israelites, but it is also available for us and our children. It is also eternal. Not only does His revelation last forever, but it will forever be relevant. And finally, we are to follow the Words of His law. What he speaks to us should matter. It should change the way we live and impact every area of our life.

How does God speak to you? Do you listen when He speaks? Do you allow His voice to transform your life (Luke 11:28)?

Using scrapbook paper is a great way to make more room for notes.

The Plea to Choose life through the law, sacrifice, and atonement

We often think of the law as being impossible to follow. But God said that it was not beyond the reach of the Israelites. God did not expect the impossible of Israel when He told them to keep the covenant. However, just because it was possible to keep the law, no one could be made righteous through it. It was only one aspect of the Old Covenant. God offered right standing through sacrifice and choice as well. Atonement could be made for the sinner through the sacrifice of an innocent victim, allowing the sinner to draw near to God once again. This required trust on the part of the sinner that God would make them clean and righteous. And all of this was given through choice. Israel had the choice to obey or break the law. They had the choice to offer a sacrifice or ignore their sin.

The Law was just a foreshadow of what was to come through Jesus. Although the Israelites had to continually sacrifice to be righteous, we have already been covered by the blood of Jesus. Do you trust in the sacrificial atonement of Jesus for your righteous standing before God (Hebrews 10:1-18)?

Reflect on the place of the law, sacrifice, and atonement in your life

God has always given His people a choice – life or death, blessing or curse, obedience or rebellion. The Israelites were called to delight in God’s law, knowing it brought them closer to Him. In the same way, we are called to trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfilled the law on our behalf.

The question remains: Will you choose life? Will you joyfully obey God’s Word, trust in His atonement, and walk in the blessings of His presence?

Take a moment to reflect on the areas in your life where God is calling you to greater obedience and gratitude. How can you make His Word more visible in your life? How can you choose life each day?

Embrace the Journey: Bible Journaling through Deuteronomy

Filed Under: Bible Journaling, Deuteronomy // April 2, 2025

This post is all about Bible journaling through Deuteronomy. In it, I share my honest review of supplies used as well as lessons learned along the way.

Bible journaling is a useful tool for taking your Bible study to the next level. Although your relationship with Christ is not based on what pens you break out during quiet time, or how much washi tape you can fit in your Bible, Using your quiet time as a creative outlet can allow you to experience the Word of God in new ways.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

One of the reasons I love Bible journaling is that it forces me to slow down and really consider what I am reading. I have read through the Bible a few times now, but but systematically going verse by verse, using commentaries, Biblical dictionaries, and other tools, my knowledge of scripture has exploded. Even more so, my relationship with God had grown as I’ve experienced His love and fullness of character through His word.

Here is a peak of my Bible journal through the entire book of Deuteronomy. Under each picture, I’ll share any relevant supplies used, as well as gift a brief overview of techniques to help you in your own journey. I will also give a small commentary of lessons I’ve learned as I went through Deuteronomy. If you would like a guided Bible study to help you go through this amazing book, consider starting with A Brief Introduction to Deuteronomy.

Bible journaling through Deuteronomy: the second law

When I began Bible journaling through Deuteronomy, I knew I wanted to coordinate colors to help the book feel cohesive when flipping through my Bible. I used some scrapbook paper for inspiration and chose Crayola colored pencils that matched. These are some of my favorite Bible journaling supplies because of their value and versatility.

I also love using micron fine-tip pens to write tiny notes in the margins. They have a small enough point that I can write two lines of text for each line given in my journaling Bible. I also enjoy circling the word of phrase of Biblical text that corresponds with a particular note, and using the color pencils for easy reference.

Although I have yet to try them, Mr. Pen also offers a fine-tip pen with great reviews for half the price.

Bible journaling with scrapbook paper in Deuteronomy

As you will see throughout this post, I used a fun hot-air ballon scrapbook paper (here is a similar option) for Deuteronomy. Anytime I needed to add extra notes to the page, I would cut out and insert this scrapbook paper to increase space. There are many different methods for adding paper, and here I simple used scotch tape along the edge of the paper and folded it over my Bible page.

I strongly recommend using single sided scrapbook paper instead of double sided because it gives you one blank side without adding extra bulk to your Bible (the more notes you add, the bulkier your journal Bible will become).

Recommended post: 31 Of The Best Scrapbook Paper For Bible Journaling

Once again, I used a small piece of scrapbook paper held in with scotch tape to extend my note taking abilities. I love the added pattern of using scrapbook paper throughout my Bible. I also like boxing in my notes to help differentiate them and make them look a little cleaner and less chaotic, especially when the note spills outside of the margin.

Using hand-lettering in Deuteronomy

Sometime, if a verse or small quote of commentary sticks out to me, I like to write it in contrasting print to draw attention to it. To do this, I use various sizes or colors of the micron pens. I’ve been using micron pens since I started Bible journaling around 10 years ago, and they are by far my favorite option. They last a long time without drying out and do not smear when I’m using them.

For this bit of scrapbook paper, I used glue pens to trace a small amount of glue along the edge of the paper and then inserted it in the spine of my Bible. I then closed my Bible for about a minute to give the glue time to dry.

Because I have notes going in both directions, I used tiny arrows to connect the note with its corresponding word or phrase. This helps me follow the notes the next time I am reading through these chapters, allowing me to easily remember why it is important.

I also included a Mr. Pen transparent sticky note with the quote “read it as if it’s your first time” to remind myself that even if some of the laws or text seem repetitive, unnecessary, or boring, there is a reason it is included in the Holy scriptures. Instead of allowing the Bible to become monotonous when I read it, I should read with new eyes looking to experience God and His word, remembering that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).

Highlighting large sections of Text

Sometimes there is a whole section of text that I want to draw attention to. Although it is possible to do this with the colored pencils, I find that it is easier to use Mr. Pen highlighters to give it a clean look.

This particular passage in Deuteronomy 11 talks about the importance of the Word of God in each and every life. God’s word is not meant to be left closed until Sunday morning when you dust it off for a convenient 30 minute refresh during the sermon. Rather, it is to be such a part of daily life that you can talk about it with others when walking down a hallway or on lunch break. All of the Words of God are important treasures to be passed down and taught to our children.

Using embellishments in Bible journaling

Using stickers is a fun way to add contrast to Bible pages, especially if you are not the most artistic (I’m definitely not). There are so many places to find stickers to use. I got many of mine from hobby lobby, but amazon also has a large range of Bible journaling stickers that have verses, quotes, or pictures, that could be used in so many ways.

Adding sketches when you aren’t artistic

Sometimes a picture will come to mind when reading through my Bible. Because I am not artistic, I will google an example of whatever it is I want to include and place my phone underneath the Bible page so that I can trace it out. For this drawing, I searched for “baby’s hand in mom’s hand sketch” and found one that matched what I was thinking of. I simply traced it with a pencil and then used the micron pens to outline it.

Another fun way to add scrapbook paper to your Bible journal is by using Washi tape. This easily removable tape can be a fun option for adding more color/patterns to your page or for adding in notes that you want to move around.

Not every Bible journaling page will be a work of art

Not every page in your Bible journal needs to have fun embellishments or intricate details. There are many times when Bible journaling through Deuteronomy that I have a simple layout and only use my micron pens and crayola colored pencils. Not only does this keep Bible journaling inexpensive, but it allows me to take it anywhere.

Sometimes, there are a couple of notes and thoughts that go together for the same verse, but they are also separate. When this happens, I like to use a thin line between the boxes, but fill them in with the same color (bottom right corner, blue note).

I will use brackets to break up the text in order to make reading it easier the next time. In this case of various laws, I used brackets to identify the individual laws since they tend to get jumbled when reading.

Anytime the Biblical text repeats itself, it’s important to take notice. I like to group the same words together by using the same color to highlight them. In this case, I used Mr. Pen highlighters because there were so many “amens” and I thought it would give it the cleanest look.

Using stickers for Bible Journaling through Deuteronomy

I love using stickers while Bible journaling through Deuteronomy! sometimes, I’m able to find stickers with words that match what I’m reading, and other times I just use fun alphabet stickers (Here’s something similar).

I also like to make my own bubble lettering if I am writing a longer phrase and I’m not sure the stickers would fit. I simply use a pencil first and then follow up with a pen one I know it will look okay.

Over the next few pages, you can see another example of bracketing the text to help identify what is going on. In this song of Moses, I used Enduring Word Bible Commentary and followed his outline of the tex to help bring context to it.

Not every season of Bible journaling will look the same

Not every page of Deuteronomy is filled with detailed Bible journaling. And that’s okay. During the time that I was finishing up this book, I was very pregnant and struggling with some health issues. Although this prevented me from taking my usual notes, I realized God gives grace for every season and I would rather spend some amount of time consistently(ish) in His Word instead of waiting until I could get it “perfect.”

In this chapter of blessing for the tribes, I circled each tribe name to help distinguish them. But since I did not have the energy to take detailed notes, I left it at that. In the future I can go back in and add more to this page, wither using the same color system I used for the tribes in Leviticus, or by thinking up something new entirely.

Although not every page will be a work of art, Bible journaling allows you to get deeper in God’s word by reflecting on what it says and writing down various thoughts. It also creates a keepsake of your spiritual journey and a guide to help you read the passage again in the future.

My journey of Bible journaling through Deuteronomy is not perfect, but I value the time I spent in God’s Word, getting to know Him and His heart better.

I hope you enjoyed this look inside my Bible! If you would like more inspiration, check out my Deuteronomy Bible study, or one of the other Bible journaling posts!

A Holy life: How God’s Presence Shapes Our Lives Today

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // March 4, 2025

This Bible study explores what it means to live a holy life according to Deuteronomy 23-26.

The call to holiness is seen throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 23-26, we see this call as God outlines what it means to be set apart for Him. These chapters reveal the importance of purity in leadership, respect within the community, mercy in justice, and gratitude for God’s faithfulness. Together, they paint a picture of what it looks like to live a holy life as a people fully devoted to the Lord.

From the exclusion of certain individuals in the assembly to the careful commands for respecting others, we see God’s desire for His people to reflect His holiness in every aspect of life. These laws may seem foreign or even perplexing at first glance. But they underscore timeless truths about the character of God and the way He calls His people to live.

Read all about what it means to live. holy life, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 23-26

Living a holy life in the Assembly

There were some who were not allowed in the assembly of the Lord. Although this term could refer to those gathered to worship God, it most likely refers to the leaders or rulers of Israel. The reason for their separation was simple. God wanted those who led His people to be fully committed to living a holy life. Those excluded from the assembly had questionable heritage that could indicate a divided heart. Although they were not excluded from the general covenant community of Israel, they were unable to lead others spiritually.

How do you see the effects of spiritually divided households on those within? Are you fully committed to serving God only (Deuteronomy 10:12)?

A holy camp

In an odd statement, God commands that His people maintain a certain level of cleanliness about their camp. Or else He would turn away from them. The Israelites understood that God was not contained in the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, or the Holy of Holies. He is everywhere. Moving in our midsts. Because of this, the Israelites understood that God would walk among them, weaving through the roads of their tents. If there was anything unclean, it would offend their Holy God. The same is true of our lives today. God is everywhere, walking among the isles of our lives.

Do you have anything impure you are trying to disguise before God (Psalm 139:23-24)?

how to live a holy life — Do you live a transformed life because God walks in your midst?

A holy life Considers others

Many of the Laws presented here seem odd or even harsh to us because we are not aware of the cultural norms during this time. However, each of the laws presented had an underlying theme of living a holy life. This was done in-part by respecting others, considering their dignity, and treating others as more important than yourself.

A man was not allowed to divorce his wife, let her be married to another, and then re-marry her if the option arose. That would lead to women being passed around as commodities. Instead he was to love and cherish her, just as he loved and cared for his own body (Ephesians 5:28). In the same way, someone who gave a loan to a neighbor was not allowed to enter his home to receive the pledge. Instead they were to show dignity to the man who received the loan. Even if it meant returning the pledge every night.

As followers of Christ, we are to consider others more important than ourselves. How do you practice this principle on a daily basis (Philippians 2:3-4)?

Mercy amidst due punishment

Moses instructed the leaders and judges that when someone had committed a crime worthy of punishment, they could inflict up to forty lashes. This was a way to limit the punishment to not only make sure tht it fit the crime, but also to show God’s mercy to sinners. The reason given for the restraint was that if they guilty received more than forty lashes, they may be degraded in the sight of Israel. Here, a punishment was not meant humiliate the guilty or make others view them as inferior. Rather, punishment was limited as a tool for correction so that the crime would not be readily repeated.

Do you rejoice when others are shown mercy for their sin? Or do you relish when their humiliation comes to light (James 3:17)?

Mercy for those who serve

There is an odd command sandwiched in Deuteronomy 25, which instructs to not “muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Here, we see God’s mercy displayed in two ways. The first is that we are to show compassion for animals. When ox tread grain, they are attached to a mill as the pull a stone to grind the grain into flour. While they are walking around the mill, they are free to eat the grain. If they are muzzled, they are prevented from grazing as they work.

The second way this command alludes to showing mercy is for those who serve others. Paul interprets this verse to show that whoever plows and threshes does so in the hope of sharing in the harvest (1 Corinthians 9:10). Humanity is to be shown to those who dedicate their lives in service to God.

Do you show mercy to those who serve, such as by giving tithes and offerings to your local church (1 Timothy 5:17-22)?

Remembering God’s faithfulness and acting on it

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were to offer their firstfruits to God. This was to be a time of public acknowledgement for all God had done for them. It was also a time to remember that they had been slaves in Egypt, and it was only through God’s mercy that they made it to the prosperity of the Promised Land. They acknowledged that the firstfruit offering they brought to God had been given to them by God.

Do you publicly acknowledge God’s blessing in your own life (Hebrews 13:15)?

Deuteronomy 26 Bible journaling — I love using micron pens and crayola colored pencils for taking Bible notes.

Make a declaration

Israel was commanded to declare their allegiance and dedication to God by their obedience to Him. They were to remember His authority as Lord over their lives and respect Him as such. Their obedience was to be in the form of listening to His voice, and following all of His commands in their lives. It wasn’t meant to be merely ceremonial, but a daily way of living. And God would declare Israel as His people – with all of the privilege it brings.

Do you live in obedience to God’s voice, following His commands (Exodus 19:5-6)?

Reflect on what it means to live a holy life

This passage brings a challenge to examine our hearts and lives. Are you living in a way that honors God’s presence? Are you quick to extend mercy, uphold justice, and treat others with dignity? Do you publicly acknowledge God’s faithfulness and declare you allegiance to Him through obedience?

Take a moment to reflect on how these ancient words apply to your life today. Let this study remind you that holiness is not just about personal piety. It’s about allowing God’s presence to transform every area of your life for His glory.

God’s Character is always good | Do not sin by omission

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // January 28, 2025

This Bible study is all about God’s good character, and how we should live differently because of who He is.

Not all sin is blatantly doing what we know we should not. Often, sin takes a more sinister approach as we try to ignore the good we should do. In these chapters, Moses adresses both types of sin. He places an emphasis on doing good, even when no one is around to see. Here, we see that we should be faithful to God because He has been faithful to us. We should also strive to protect and comfort the innocent because that is how God treats us. The reason God commands us to not sin by omission (not doing what we know to be good) is because it goes against His very character. He is always good. And He always does what is good for His children.

Read all about how God’s Character is good, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 20-22

God’s good character and faithfulness leads us to take courage

Moses assured the Israelites that they would face armies larger and bigger than them. But they were not to be afraid when this happened. The reason that Moses gave to them was because of God’s past faithfulness. Yes, the would face horses and chariots (a sign of a large and powerful nation). But they have faced similar horses and chariots before, when they fled Egypt. At that time, they didn’t even have an army. Instead they fled on foot with their women, children, and whatever possessions they could carry. Now, they were an assembled people and if they fought according to God’s direction, He promised them victory.

Do you become fearful or overwhelmed when facing a problem you think is bigger than you? Or do you take courage because God is bigger than anything you face (Matthew 19:26)?

Numbers aren’t everything when it comes to God’s good Character

When the Israelites went to war, they were given the general command to let anyone go home who had unfinished business or who was afraid. This encouraged the Israelites to work hard and build a life for themselves because they knew they would reap the benefits of creating and being productive at home. But it also served as a way to ensure that those who served in the army were truly devoted to God. God did not care about how large His army was, but how committed they were to following Him. God can do more with a few truly committed people than He can with hundreds of people who compromise on their devotion.

Are you fully devoted to following God wherever He leads? Or do you compromise on who (or what) you serve (Matthew 6:24)?

Atonement for an unsolved murder

Anytime there was an unsolved or unavenged murder in Israel, the land would be polluted from bloodshed. Because of this, a sacrifice would need to be made if someone was found slain. Because of this, a heifer would be used as the substitute for the unknown murderer. This would symbolically cleanse Israel, releasing them from the guilt of bloodshed.

This passage builds off of the concepts and knowledge of an earlier passage, in Numbers 35:33-34. How often do you find connections in scripture? Is studying the Word of God on a deeper lever important for Christians (Hosea 4:6, Hebrews 4:12)?

God's character — Are you committed to God?

God’s good character provides Protection for the captive woman

A common practice in ancient cultures was to take a woman captive during war. God put limits on the Israelites regarding how they were to treat such women. First and foremost, the woman had to be willing to be taken. This was shown in her readiness to shave her head and replace her clothing. These were outward signs that she was putting away her old self – removing herself from her past nation and family – to become a citizen of Israel. God also states that the woman must live with her husband-to-be for a full month without any intimate relations. This was a time for them to get to know each other as the man decided if the attraction went beyond the physical. If, at the end of the time, he did not want to marry her, she was to be released as a free woman, able to go as she pleased.

This passage once again shows the mercy of God to those who would be considered “worthless”. How have you shown this characteristic of God to others (Luke 6:32-36)?

Rebellion leads to death

If there was a son who was of an age of accountability (not a minor) who continued to be stubborn and rebellious toward his parents, they were to bring him to the elders. The elders would then investigate to see if the parents had raised him in obedience to the Lord. And if he was truly rebellious. If it was determined that he was, all of the men of the town were to stone him to death. Although this punishment sounds extreme, it put a limit on parental authority. Ancient Greek and Roman culture allowed a father complete control over death and life of their son. But the Israelites knew that only God had that authority.

Even though there is no record of this law being carried out, its inclusion in the Mosaic Law would help prevent unruly and rebellious behavior. Has there been a time in your life where God has shown you the consequences of your sin to help guide you toward righteousness (Isaiah 59:2)?

Don’t ignore doing good

In the section of various laws, Moses makes a point that if the Israelites see someone’s Ox or sheep straying, they had an obligation to return it to its owner. If they did not know the owner, they were to take care of the animal until they could identify an owner. Likewise, if they saw an animal who had fallen, they were to stop what they were doing to help its owner. This was a simple law. It would have only taken a few minutes for Moses to relate it to the people. Yet, this law would have an impact in the lives of those who came upon a neighbor in need of help with their animal. They were to stop whatever it was they were doing and take however long it would take to help someone they might not even know or like.

Are you the type of person who will lay down anything to help someone else when you see an opportunity (Luke 10:25-37)?

Deuteronomy 21 Bible journaling — One of my favorite things about Bible journaling is that it doesn’t have to be perfect – and this white-out pen helps me keep it real!

The value of purity

God also gave laws to Israel and her judges regarding case law. These laws can be hard to read and understand from our current cultural perspective. Yet, through them, God’s love and protection is shown to women. If a man and women were caught sleeping together in town, both of them would receive the death penalty from the judges based on evidence. This was because the woman had the opportunity to scream for help but did not – implying her willingness. If, however, the man was outside of town and came upon a woman, only he was guilty because there would be no one to hear the woman pleading for help.

All of these laws are based on the principle that God values purity. Deuteronomy 22:26 says that this case is the same as someone who has murdered a neighbor. Do you place the same emphasis on purity that God does (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)?

Reflect on how you live differently because of God’s good character

In each of these laws, we see God’s character on display – He is good and He calls us to emulate His goodness to others. How do you live differently in light of His goodness to you?

9 Proven Methods for Better Bible Study Notes | Deeper faith

Filed Under: Bible Study // January 14, 2025

This post is all about the 9 proven methods for better Bible study notes to help you grow deeper in your faith.

Taking Bible study notes is an important tool for spiritual growth, but can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.

Here, I’ll walk you through the 9 proven methods for taking the best Bible study notes to help you grow in your walk with God today.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Why taking Bible Study notes is essential for spiritual growth

If you are on Instagram for any amount of time, you will probably come across beautifully aesthetic Bible study notes and wonder how to replicate them. Although I will show you the ins and outs of taking these notes, the main goal is not to look pretty on the outside but to be transformed on the inside. That is the key to great Bible notes.

Deeper Understanding

Taking intentional notes helps uncover deeper meaning in scripture, providing more understanding of your reading. This is because taking notes requires you to slow down and think about what you are reading rather than skimming across the text. It also helps you look at small details that you would otherwise miss or gloss over.

Deeper retention

It is no secret that note-taking aids in memory retention and application. This is because you are using more parts of your brain through active engagement of the material, resulting in more long-term memory. Taking notes is also a great way to have previously learned material always available, especially if you have an organized way to sift through your notes. Being able to reference past notes will help build neural connections, assisting in retention and application of the material.

Deeper spiritual growth

Taking notes is a great tool for spiritual growth because it forces you to interact with the text. Instead of merely reading over scripture for a few minutes before jumping to the next thing on your to-do list, note-taking helps you think about what you’ve read and apply it to your life. Taking notes also gives you something to look back to in future Bible studies or during times you may be struggling in your faith. It is a great way to encourage your present and future self, as you see the faithfulness of God in your life. No matter what method you choose for taking notes, and how much time you dedicate to it each day, you will see a great impact on your spiritual life.

The 9 proven methods of Bible study notes

Pray and prepare
Choose the right tools
Find a study method
Highlight key points
Summarize main themes
Write personal reflections and applications
Include cross-references
Ask and answer questions
Review and revisit notes

The best Bible study notes guide around

If you are looking for an amazing guide for different note-taking methods and Bible-reading tracking, look no further! I’ve designed a great resource to help you grow in your faith and enjoy Bible study more.

Keep scrolling to the end of this post to access the free guide.

Bible study guide — Keep scrolling to gin access to the free Bible Study Notes guide.

Pray and prepare for your bible study notes

Pray and prepare your heart to hear from God before you begin your Bible study time. This will look different for everyone, but should contain a few key elements.

If you are new to praying before you begin a Bible study, it is a good idea to consider why it is important. Praying can sometimes feel awkward when you aren’t used to it, but it helps to get your mind focued on Christ. Setting down for a few minutes to replace your stress with God’s peace will give you a more productive Bible study. If you aren’t sure where to begin, I’d recommend reading and praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Another good place to start with prayer is by asking God to reveal Himself and His character to you during your Bible study. After all, the Bible is the best place to learn about who God is and His faithfulness to all throughout the generations. It is also good to ask God to reveal anything in you that is not from Him (Psalm 139:24).

If you notice that you are unable to concentrate during this time of prayer and preparation, consider keeping a prayer notebook where you can write down your prayers and thoughts to God. I find that this is the best way to help myself focus as my mind tends to wander during prayer.

Choose the right tools to encourage and motivate you

While you don’t need anything special to get started taking Bible study notes, having some tools handy can make it all the more fun. I personally love using free online resources like blue letter bible and biblehub to research and understand the verses I am studying better. These websites allow you to access different commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and Lexicons to enhance your understanding of scripture. If you would like to learn more about how to use these resources, I have a short post explaining some of their features here.

Taking notes is also so much more fun when you have supplies you are excited to use. Mr pen is a popular brand for Bible study because of their amazing quality and unbeatable prices. I love their matching highlighter and gel-pen sets, as well as their transparent sticky notes.

Find a study method that works for your current season of life

There are so many different Bible Study Methods out there, and they all work well for different seasons of life. Although none of them is objectively better than another, one of them might fit your spiritual and schedule-related needs better than another. There are a few things to consider when choosing a bible study method that will work for you.

Consider if you have any time-restrictions, and choose one that you know will not be more than you can handle. While it is okay to push yourself and encourage yourself to spend more time in the Word, if you only have 15 minutes a day but choose an hour-long study, you will quickly give up. You want to be realistic in scheduling your Bible study so that you can stay consistent.
Reflect on past Biblical knowledge and what has worked for you. Each person starts off their Bible study with a different level of knowledge. Because of this, no one Bible study will work for everyone. Choose a Bible study method that considers your past experience and knowledge.
Think about how and where you would like to grow spiritually. For some, you may want to do a complete Bible overview, while others may want to dig into the nitty gritty of a verse. Both of these are a wonderful way to connect with God, but they result in choosing a very different study method. Take some time to see what kind of study would be most beneficial for your current season of life.

Highlight key points in your Bible study notes

Highlighting key points in you Bible study is a great way to guide your quiet time and stay focused on the main point of the passage. Key points can include words that are repeated throughout the passage, main characters, themes, attributes of God, or any commands that stand out to you. Highlighting these key points will not only make for beautiful notes, but will also help give you a visual reference when accessing your notes later on.

One way to highlight key points in your Bible is by using a color coding system for quick reference. Simply choose a color for different categories (such as: attributes of God, commands to follow, God’s promises, personal application) and follow it throughout your Bible. This is a great way to easily be able to recognize what your notes are about as they all follow the same format.

You can also use different symbols in your notes to achieve the same goal. For example, consider using quotation marks for memorable quotes about the passage. You can also use an asterisk or star for an important verse or an exclamation point for a strong command or challenge.

If you don’t want to follow the same guide throughout your entire Bible, that is okay too! I like to choose around 5-7 colors for a book of the Bible that coordinates with stickers or paper and use those to highlight and make note in my Bible. I find this keeps journaling feeling fresh, as well as helping me distinguish between books when flipping through my Bible.

Bible study template — How can you be transformed by His word today?

Summarize main themes in your Bible study

Summarizing the main theme of a passage allows you to see the bigger picture of what God is communicating through the scripture. It also ensures that you have a good understanding of what you’ve read, as opposed to just skimming the passage and moving on with your checklist.

To summarize a passage in your notes, ask yourself these questions: “How does this passage fit into the overarching story of the book?” “What Characteristics of God do you see?” “Are there any aspects of human nature to take notice of?” And “What is the overall meaning of the passage?”

You can either write your passage summary in a separate journal or directly into you Bible. Do whatever makes the most sense to you! To write the summary, you can go for an easy to remember descriptive sentence of the passage, quick bullet points, a fun diagram, or even a lengthy paragraph.

No matter the method you choose for summarizing the main theme, ensure you are keeping your focus on God’s truth and have fun studying the scripture.

Write personal reflections and applications in your Bible study notes

In order to have truly effective Bible study notes, you need to connect what you have learned through study to your own life. This is when your quiet time will lead to effecting and transformative change in your life. Although personal application will look different for everyone, you can begin by asking yourself some simple questions, such as: “What does this passage teach em about God?” “How does this passage challenge my own thoughts or actions, convicting me to change?” “Are there specific ways I can change my thoughts or actions to align with scripture?”

By asking yourself these questions and writing down your key takeaways and thoughts, you are allowing the Word of God to be alive and active in your life.

Include cross-references in your Bible study notes

One of the most powerful aspects of the Bible (at least in my opinion) is that there is not a single passage that contradicts another, and every passage builds on others and has similarities to others. Because of this, I love to include cross-references in my Bible study notes.

When adding cross reference notes to your Bible, include a corresponding scripture with how it applies to the passage you are studying. For example, there are many ideas presented int eh New Testament that require knowledge of the Old Testament. Whenever you come across one of these instances, include the Old Testament reference along with how it connects and why it is important to pay attention to.

Bible study notes printable — Get your free guide below.

Ask and answer questions in your Bible study notes

Often, we assume that Bible study notes have to be perfect. That they should be wise observations from Biblical scholars or commentators with degrees in Hebrew or Greek. Don’t be afraid to ask and answer your own questions in your notes. Engage with the text by thinking through it, making observations, and asking questions before you turn to other resources. Some common questions your may ask include: “How does this passage point to Jesus?” “What can I learn about _____ from this passage?” And “Are there any commands I need to follow?”

Asking yourself questions and researching the answer is a great way to interact with the passage, making yourself an active participant in the story and knowledge of God.

Review and Revisit your Bible study Notes

You Bible study notes will be the most effective and useful for you if you revisit them often. This is especially true with personal application notes. Make a plan to review them daily, weekly, or monthly. This will help reinforce what you’ve learned and transform your life.

Organize you notes in a way that is easy to reference. You can use a binder or notebook for different types of notes (summaries vs. application) or chronologically record what you are learning. Alternatively, you can include all of your notes directly in your Bible so that they are easily accessible anytime you read that passage.

Bible study notes free Guide

To help you get started taking the best Bible study note possible, I’ve created a free guide for you packed with tools and templates. This guide includes different Bible study methods and trackers to help you make the most out of your quiet time.

Where will you begin today on your Bible study notes?

The truth behind The Lord is your inheritance

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // January 7, 2025

This Bible study is all about how the Lord is your inheritance, spoken of in Deuteronomy 16-19.

During these chapters in Deuteronomy, Moses speaks of some of our benefits under God. He also talks of the responsibility that comes when the Lord is our inheritance. Here, we see the immense joy that can be found as God’s children, with the celebration of feasts. But we also see the responsibility to give back from the abundance we have been blessed with. We are to serve God only and to read His word daily, as well as provide refuge for the innocent. But with these responsibilities also comes blessing when the Lord is our inheritance. We can be content no matter the situation we find ourselves in because of Christ.

Lord inheritance — Do you know that the Lord is your inheritance?

Read all about how the Lord is your inheritance, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 16-19

Walking in purity because of His sacrifice

The Israelites were called to observe the Passover. The Passover celebration remembered how God spared His people when they sacrificed a spotless lamb and painted their doorframes with its blood. This tenth and final plague of God on the Egyptians allowed the Israelites to be free. Because of this, God commanded His people to celebrate that they are a redeemed people. God also commanded that the Feast of Unleavened bread be celebrated at the same time, signifying that there be no sin (yeast) found among them.

God wants His people to walk in purity, but this can only happen after the blood sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. Do you walk a life of purity, remembering the price Jesus paid you (Galatians 2:20)?

The Lord calls us to joy, rest, and peace as part of our inheritance

The three feasts that God called the Israelites to Observe in Deuteronomy 16 all point to celebration in God. The Israelites were to rejoice when bringing God their gifts, acknowledging the blessings of God in their lives. They were to be joyful as they celebrated in fellowship with each other. No one in Israel was to be excluded from celebrating the blessings of God. Male and female servants, Levites, foreigners, and widows were all to share in the celebration and rest offered within these feasts.

Do you joyfully partake in the rest God offers, taking intentional time out of your busy schedule to find peace and contentment in God (Hebrews 4:9-11)?

Deuteronomy 16 Bible Journaling — I love using Micron Fine-tip pens and Crayola colored pencils to give a cohesive look while Bible journaling.

True sacrifices must be costly

Deuteronomy 17 gives instructions for the judges and Levitical priests to administer justice to the Israelites if anyone is found serving other gods. The Israelites were not allowed to worship any other gods, and they were not allowed to offer any sacrifice to God that had any kind of defect. God did not want anything but their whole-hearted devotion. He demanded their best.

Although we are not required to offer animal sacrifices under the New Covenant, we should still remember to only offer god our best. If what we are offering to God doesn’t cost us something – it isn’t a true sacrifice. This is true of our time, money, possessions, and relationships. It costs something to give up time each day to spend with God. We may feel a pinch in our wallets when we give back through tithes and offerings. Sometimes God calls us to use our favorite possessions for His glory. And sometime we spend more or less time on relationships than we would like to do His will.

In what areas do you feel the cost of sacrifice in your relationship with God (Luke 9:23)?

Write the Law of God

God knew that, eventually, the Israelites would want to appoint a king for themselves. When this happened, God did not want it to be because they desired to be like other nations but because they desired a ruler to help them keep God’s laws. So, God gave them regulations for the king. He was to begin his reign by writing down a copy of the word of God, and then read it daily so that he did not turn from it. By doing this, the king would always serve Israel from a place of humility, revering God as the ultimate authority.

The greater the responsibility God has bestowed on you, the greater you will need to read and meditate on the truths found in God’s word. Does your reliance on scripture match the responsibility He has given you (Matthew 4:4)?

The Lord is your inheritance

The Levitical priests were called to rely on God’s provision no matter where they lived or in what capacity they chose to serve. If one of them decided to serve in the temple instead of the town they lived in, they could be sure that God would provide. In the same way, we need to remember to not place value on material wealth and security. Instead, we should rest in the knowledge that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, our inheritance is the lord. He will provide.

Are you in a season of plenty or of need? Do you find your contentment in the provision of God as your inheritance (Philippians 4:11-13)?

God's provision is part of His inheritance — God’s provision is part of His inheritance.

Do not learn the detestable ways

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they had plenty of opportunities to learn the customs of the Canaanites and surrounding nations. These practices included different means of predicting the future, influencing events, and consulting the dead – and each was equally detestable to God. He does not want his people seeking after the darkness of the occult. Rather, He calls us to trust in Him. We do not need to see the future because God calls us to only think about today (Matthew 6:34). We should not try to influence events (through witchcraft and casting spells) because God does not change (Malachi 3:6-7). And we should inquire of God instead of trying to consult with the dead (Isaiah 8:19).

God calls us to be blameless and to avoid any involvement with occult practices. Do you have any involvement with the occult – whether through tarot card reading, Wicca, horoscopes, or any other means (Galatians 5:19-21)?

There will be a new prophet

Moses mentions that there will be a new prophet to arise after him who is like Him. It is no coincidence that this declaration comes after the sections that give requirements for Israel’s kings, priests, and prophets. This is because the prophet Moses references is Jesus. He is the perfect king, priest, and prophet. And although He is like Moses (John 1:45), He is also greater than Moses.

Why does this prophecy about Jesus matter (Hebrews 3:1-6)?

The Lord’s protection and Punishment under his inheritance

God instructed the building of cities of refuge for his people so that the innocent would be protected while the guilty would be punished. These cities of refuge were designed to protect those who had innocently and accidentally killed someone. However, there would be no refuge for the person who intentionally murdered someone out of the hatred he had in his heart. God also gave the regulation that there must be at least two witnesses to convict someone. This was so that no one could falsely accuse another – whether intentionally or through a misinformed testimony. These systems set up by God ensured justice for the innocent while only punishing the guilty.

Do you hold any hatred in your heart that could convict you of murder (Matthew 5:21-26, 1 John 3:15) ?

Deuteronomy 17 Bible journaling — Using washi tape is a great way to attach scrapbook paper to your Bible for extra notes.

Reflect on how the Lord is your inheritance today

Have you thought of your inheritance in the Lord and the blessings and responsibilities that go along with it? How does this knowledge change the way you live for Christ?

This Bible study was all about what it means to have your inheritance found in the Lord, according to Deuteronomy 16-19.