Bible Study Archives - Uncovered Joy

1 Kings – A Brief Introduction

Filed Under: 1 Kings, Bible Study // March 3, 2026

This post is all about the book of 1 Kings, giving you context and background information so that you can read and study it with confidence!

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

Introduction to 1 Kings

The book of 1 Kings continues the story where 2 Samuel leaves off—at the end of King David’s life. What begins with promise, peace, and unmatched wisdom under Solomon slowly turns into compromise, division, and spiritual decline.

Yet even as kings rise and fall, one truth remains constant: God is faithful to His covenant.

1 Kings shows us what happens when leaders (and people) drift from wholehearted obedience—and how God continues to pursue His people through prophets, warnings, and promises.

Important Themes in 1 Kings

God judges disobedience to His law

From Solomon’s divided heart to Jeroboam’s idolatry and Ahab’s wickedness, the pattern is clear: when kings abandon God’s law, judgment follows. Obedience brings blessing; rebellion brings consequence.

True prophet’s words come to pass

Throughout the book, the words spoken by God’s prophets are fulfilled exactly as declared, but false prophets are revealed when their words do not come to pass. Whether through Ahijah, Elijah, or unnamed prophets, God proves that His Word is trustworthy. In the same way, God’s power is demonstrated when the false prophets fail.

God remembers His promises

Even when the kingdom splits and spirals into idolatry, God preserves the line of David. His covenant promises remain intact despite human failure.

The 5 W’s of 1 Kings

biblical kings — God is always sovereign.

Who wrote 1 Kings

The author is unknown. However, it has been speculated that the author may have been an unnamed prophet since there is a heavy emphasis on prophets in the books of 1 and 2 Kings.

What it’s about

1 Kings follows the reign of Solomon, showing how one man’s decision not to serve God wholeheartedly led to a nation’s division. Yet through it all, the faithfulness of God is demonstrated by the numerous prophets that He sent to the Israelites, and His tender care for individuals.

when it was written

Kings was likely written sometime between 561-538 B.C. Both 1 and 2 Kings were most likely written by the same author, before the end of the Babylonian captivity, since no release from the exile is mentioned.

When the story takes place

1 Kings begins with the death of David around 970 B.C. (starting where 2 Samuel leaves off), and ends with the Divided kingdom against Syria in 853 B.C. The story covers about 118 years.

Where the story takes place

The story covers the entire land of Israel – first as a united kingdom under Solomon, and later as two separate nations: Israel (north) and Judah (south).

why 1 Kings is important to study

The book of 1 Kings answers an important question: What happens when God’s people compromise?

Solomon had wisdom beyond measure, wealth beyond compare, and peace on every side. Yet his heart slowly drifted. His story reminds us that spiritual decline rarely happens suddenly—it happens gradually, through small compromises.

The divided kingdom that follows shows how leadership affects generations. Kings who feared the Lord influenced national blessing; kings who pursued idols led entire nations into ruin.

Studying 1 Kings helps us: recognize the seriousness of idolatry, see the importance of wholehearted devotion, trust that God keeps His covenant promises, and understand the role of prophets in calling God’s people back.

How God demonstrates His character in 1 Kings

Throughout the book, God reveals Himself as faithful, just, patient, sovereign, and deeply personal.

He faithfully keeps His covenant with David, preserving the royal line even when kings fail and the kingdom divides.

At the same time, He proves Himself just by judging idolatry and disobedience—reminding His people that His law is not optional and that sin carries real consequences. Yet His justice is never impulsive.

Again and again, He shows remarkable patience by sending prophets to warn, correct, and call the people back before judgment falls.

We also see His sovereignty on display as He raises up and removes kings according to His purposes, demonstrating that no throne stands apart from His authority.

And in the midst of national turmoil, God’s personal care shines through—providing for Elijah in the wilderness, sustaining a widow in Zarephath, and preserving a faithful remnant. Even when a nation drifts, God remains constant in character and compassionate toward those who seek Him.

Key verses in 1 Kings

1 Kings 2:3 gives instruction for how Solomon should live: “Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go”.

1 Kings 3:9 records Solomon’s request for wisdom: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 8:23 gives praise to God. “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way”.

1 Kings 10:23 speaks of the reign of Solomon: “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth”.

1 Kings 11:4 tells of the fall of Solomon: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been”.

In 1 Kings you will find {Reading plan}

The Rise of Solomon’s power and wisdom {Chapters 1-4}
Building the temple {Chapters 5-8}
Additional projects {Chapters 9-11}
The kingdom divides: Rehoboam and Jeroboam {Chapters 12-15}
The prophet Elijah {Chapters 16-19}
The call of Elisha {Chapters 20-22}

Additional resources

If you have ever read through the Bible and noticed some commonalities between the books of 1 + 2 Kings and 1 + 2 Chronicles, it is because Kings provides a history of Judah’s and Israel’s monarchy, while Chronicles only focuses on Judah.

This and other fun facts about Bible books can be found in Blue Letter Bible’s Bible book introductions, one of my favorite resources when studying a new book.

I also love using Old Testament Survey for a textbook look at the culture and context of the Old Testament. The Israel Bible is an Old Testament Bible that places emphasis on Jewish culture, history, and background, helping the modern reader view scripture. How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth is another great book for understanding the different genras in Scripture.

Final thoughts

1 Kings is both inspiring and sobering.

It shows us the height of wisdom and worship under Solomon—and the tragedy of a divided heart. It reminds us that spiritual compromise has real consequences, not just personally but generationally.

Yet woven through every chapter is hope. God keeps His promises. He sends His Word. And He remains faithful—even when His people are not.

As you study 1 Kings, ask yourself: Is my heart fully devoted to the Lord?

How to Highlight Your Bible For Meaningful Study

Filed Under: Bible Study, Christian living // January 20, 2026

This post is all about how to highlight your Bible for meaningful study. In this post, you will learn what it means to highlight your Bible, how to do it, different methods and tools used, and where to start.

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

Have you ever been sitting in a pew at church and in the middle of the sermon, glance over at the open Bible 3 rows in front of you? You notice so many beautiful highlights and a few notes sprinkled in and think to yourself “man, I sure wish I was spiritual enough to highlight like that.” Perhaps you’ve tried highlighting your Bible before, but with no real system set in place, your highlights become a jumbled mess.

Although the goal of Bible highlighting is not to have the most aesthetic Bible in church, there are many spiritual blessings to highlighting your Bible. Here is everything you need to know to get started.

What does it mean to Highlight your Bible?

Bible highlighting is a method of Bible study that can be used independently or alongside another method. The basis is simple: using color to draw attention to different elements in the scripture. What you highlight will be determined by the method you decide, making your Bible study uniquely yours.

Although you have probably seen many aesthetic Bible highlighted pages, the main point of this type of study is not to be prideful of how your Bible looks, but to slow down when reading scripture so that it transforms your life.

Benefits of highlighting your Bible

There are so many benefits when it comes to highlighting your Bible, especially when used alongside another Bible study method. My personal favorite benefits are that highlighting forces you to slow down and increases retention of what you read.

Highlighting your Bible forces you to slow down

Highlighting you Bible helps you to slow down when reading because you read more critically when you look through the text for what you want to highlight. What you want to highlight will be dependent on the system that you choose. For example, if you choose a color-coded system, you may look for attributes of God, man’s sinfulness, prophesies, and ect. If you choose to do a hierarchical highlighting system, you would slow down as you search each passage for the natural flow of points within.

Highlighting your Bible helps you remember what you read

Highlighting your Bible also helps you to remember what you have studied by giving you a visual representation to think on. If you have read the same Bible for many years (or re-read the same book many times) you are probably able to close your eyes and visualize where on a page a favorite passage falls. Or you know roughly where in the Bible you would find a chapter you keep going back to. Highlighting passages helps solidify that retention and call back by adding visual aids to your page.

Best supplies to use to Highlight your Bible

There are three main categories of supplies you will want to consider when it comes to highlighting your Bible. First, you will need a Bible to highlight. Second, you will need a good set of highlighters. And third, coordinating pens will make your Bible study even more effective.

Best Bibles for Highlighting

The absolute best Bible for highlighting would be one that you already use and have some notes in or know the general location of favorite passages. However, if you are looking for a new Bible, here are a few great recommendations.

I love journaling Bibles because they give the ability to add notes directly next to the text. This ESV Single Column Journaling Bible makes note-taking and highlighting a breeze. The ESV Journaling Study Bible combines a journaling Bible with a study Bible, and is a great option for anyone wanting an all-in-one.

Another great option for note-taking is a spiral Bible. The ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible is a five volume set of the whole Bible, allowing for maximum note-taking. The NLT DaySpring Inspire Illustrating Bible combines beautiful coloring pages in the Bible and has an app for extra study.

Lastly, any Bible is great for highlighting, and this NIV Woman’s Study Bible would be perfect for any woman who want’s commentary and context built into her Bible.

Best Highlighters for your Bible

There are so many different types of highlighters to consider for your Bible, as well as other “non-traditional” pens that can be used for highlighting. Here are some of the most popular.

The Mr. Pen- Gel Highlighter Set is a great option for a highlighter that does not bleed through the page. The only down-side to this type of highlighter is that it leaves a bit of a residue on the page. Most people seem not to mind, but it can be buggy is you are sensitive to textures. Mr. Pen also offers many traditional highlighters, including the Mr. Pen- Bible Highlighters. These are what I personally use, but they do bleed through the pages a little bit. The Zebra Pen Mildliner Dual-Tip Highlighter is perhaps the most recommended set for Bible pages, and I love that there is a fine tip side.

Less traditionally, there is also the Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set, which does not bleed or leave a residue, but may not be as vibrant of color. The CrayolaTwistables Crayons are also a popular and affordable option. As well as the Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers.

Best Pens for your Bible

Along with Highlighters, many people choose to use pens for making small (or detailed) notes in their Bible. Here are a few of the most popular pens for Bible journaling and highlighting.

The Sakura Pigma Micron 005 are my personal favorite for their very fine tip which doesn’t bleed. Mr pen also has a version of fineline pens, as well as a fine tip gel pen set. Sharpie art pens also come in fine tip with many bold colors.

Bonus: keeping everything together

If you have a variety of Bible highlighters, markers, and pens, having a pouch can be a convenient way to keep them all in one place. Mr. pen has a variety of cute pencil cases, with one large compartment for all of your supplies. There is also this high capacity pencil case with multiple pockets. Lastly, this Bible bag fits your Bible and highlighters so they are always together.

Ways to Highlight your Bible for best Study

There are many different methods out there when it comes to highlighting your Bible. The one you choose should reflect your personality as well as what style helps you get the best study. If you are not sure which one to choose, consider printing out a chapter of the Bible and trying out a couple different methods so you can decide.

Hierarchical Bible highlighting

Hierarchical Bible highlighting is a method that shows the structure of a paragraph of scripture. The aim of this type of highlighting is to try to understand the singular unit of thought within the paragraph, by figuring out how the key point and sub points all fit together in the paragraph. This is accomplished by doing a block diagram of the text using different color highlights, and creates a living outline for every paragraph you study.

You can learn more about hierarchical Bible highlighting here.

Single Color Bible Highlighting

A one color highlighting system is perfect for the minimalist who doesn’t want to carry a bunch of supplies with them. In this method, you will choose one color to use for a single Bible read through, to quickly make note of things. The biggest benefit of this method is that it allows to to read through your Bible without spending time on a more complex highlighting system. SO it is perfect for anyone doing a Bible-in-a-year reading plan.

You can learn more about the single color highlighting system here.

Color Coded Bible Highlighting

Color coded Bible highlighting assigns a specific color to different themes found in the Bible, to easily identify them while reading or flipping through. Some common themes include: names of God, commands, wisdom, God’s character, and man’s sinfulness. There are so many different themes that you could choose to focus on, really tailoring this highlighting method for your life.

Important verse Bible Highlighting

There are so many wonderful verses in scripture. If you are looking for a system that will allow you to quickly flip through your Bible to find important theological themes, then verse highlighting is for you. In this method, you will color code verses or passages of scripture based on their topic. For example, any verse that clarifies salvation, God’s character, how you should live, etc. would be highlighted by a pre-determined color. Although this method is similar to the color coded system above, it focuses on bigger chunks of scripture rather than individual words.

Prayer Bible highlighting

Prayer Bible highlighting pays special attentions to the prayers offered to God throughout the Bible, allowing the individual to learn and grow from others’ faith. By studying the prayers of others (Especially the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-12), you can give yourself a blueprint of how to pray. This method focuses on the relationship between humans and God, helping you grow in your own relationship with the Creator.

Tips to start highlighting your Bible

No matter what type of highlighting method you choose to use, you will want to start by reading and studying the passage. This is obvious for methods such as Hierarchical or single-color, but when it comes to color coded or important verse highlighting, there are many guides online that give you verses to highlight. Although those verses are a good jumping off point for anyone new to highlighting, if you do not study the verse for yourself, it will just become pretty colors on a page.

In order for the Bible to transform your life, you need to put in time studying and sitting with the many wonderful truths found within.

How to study the passage

Using Bible commentaries and dictionaries is a great way to study words or verses that you want to highlight. This ensures that you are highlighting something that makes sense for the method you choose. It also helps get the Word of God into your brain so that the Holy Spirit can bring it up over and over again when you need it.

There are many wonderful commentaries and dictionaries to choose from. Three of my favorite online ones include BibleHub, BlueLetterBible, and Enduring Word. All are completely free to use.

Write in the margins

When it comes to time to highlight your Bible, you may wonder how you will remember why you highlighted a particular word or phrase. The best way to help you future self out is by writing in the margins of your Bible. You can easily jot down a quick note or reference usign the same color pen that you used to highlight the text. This will help you quickly recall what you have learned the next time you read through the passage.

Where to start highlighting your Bible

Where you begin highlighting your Bible will depend on your individual goals and reading plan. If you are at the beginning of the year and are starting a new Bible read through, simply start highlighting at the beginning. But most likely, you are in the middle of a plan or want to study a specific book. Don’t be afraid to start highlighting where you are. And don’t be afraid to try a method only to discover that it wasn’t quite the right fit for your needs.

What not to Highlight

Although highlighting is an amazing tool, you do not need to highlight every verse in your Bible. You also do not need to feel pressured to highlight something every time you open you Bible. Highlighting should simply be a tool that you can use to help you study and remember God’s Word as you grow in relationship with him.

You do not need to have an aesthetic Bible to be a Christian.

No matter where you choose to start highlighting, or what method you use, I pray that it will be a tool that helps you grow in your relationship with God. I hope that it help the text come alive before your eyes as it is embedded in your soul.

This post was all about how to highlight your Bible for meaningful Bible study. Please leave a comment letting me know what method you will try today!

2 Samuel – A Brief Introduction

Filed Under: 2 Samuel, Bible Study // January 13, 2026

This post takes a look at the book of 2 Samuel and gives you all of the pertinent information so you can read and study it with confidence.

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

Introduction to 2 Samuel

The book of 2 Samuel follows the life of David as he progresses from triumphs to transgressions to trials. In the beginning of the book, David is walking with God and experiencing many triumphs, both in his career as a soldier and also in his personal life. However, after reaching the pinnacle of fame and success, David takes his sight from God and doing what was right to satisfying his own desires. In perhaps one of the most well known Biblical stories, David sees Bathsheba on the roof and takes her as his own. Then, in an attempt to cover his mistakes, he has her husband murdered.

These transgressions proceed the fall of David, where he has many struggles within his own family, including one of his sons taking advantage of his daughter, resulting in another son committing murder. Throughout all of the sins of his family, David remains silent. Although he was a great leader of a nation, he was unwilling and unable to lead his own family.

In spite David’s pitfalls, God kept His promise that the messiah would come from the line of David. We can see proof of this in the account given in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. God remained faithful to David, and David remained “a man after God’s heart” by confessing and repenting of his sins.

Important themes in 2 Samuel

The themes of 2 Samuel mirror those of 1 Samuel, and especially highlight the Davidic covenant.

Related Post: 1 Samuel – A Brief Introduction

The Davidic covenant is the second of three covenants in the Bible (Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant), and is found in 2 Samuel 7:4-16. It is through David’s line that God promises a king will emerge who will save the Israelites. It is this covenant that sets the messianic hope woven throughout the Old Testament, and the anticipation for a king who will free the Israelites from their oppression.

The 5 W’s of 2 Samuel

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally just one book in the early Hebrew manuscripts, but were divided into two books in later Hebrew texts. They are known by the title “Samuel” because of Samuel’s importance in establishing kingship in Israel.

Who wrote 2 Samuel

Just like 1 Samuel, the authorship of 2 Samuel is unknown, although many agree that Nathan or Gad wrote it as both were prophets and ministered to David during his lifetime.

What it’s about

The book follows the kingship of David, showing how his life was a foreshadow of the kingship of Jesus. It shows how the seed of David would bring the messiah to Israel and the world.

When it was written

Just as the authorship is unclear, so is the date it was written. Some believe it was written shortly after the recorded events occurred, placing the date around 970 B.C. However, it was likely written after the kingdom divided in 931 B.C., since there are many references to Israel and Judah as separate entities.

When the story takes place

The book covers David’s kingship, which was from about 1010-970 B.C.

Where the Story takes place

The story starts in Hebron, which was David’s capital when he rulled over Judah for the first seven and a half years of his reign. He then moved to Jerusalem, known as the ultimate “city of David” during the last 33 years of David’s reign.

A few other places mentioned in 2 Samuel include: Kiriath Jearim (where the Ark was), Lo-debar (home of Mephibosheth) and Kidron Brook (crossed by David as he fled during Absalom’s revolt).

Why 2 Samuel is important to study today

The book of second Samuel is important for two reasons. First, it demonstrates the blessings that come from walking with God and the consequences that follow when we rely on our own wisdom, refusing to confess and repent our sin. Through David’s life, we see God’s faithfulness alongside human weakness, reminding us of our continual need for grace. Additionally, 2 Samuel lays an essential foundation for understanding the rest of Scripture, as many events in David’s life point forward to Jesus and help us better grasp God’s redemptive plan.

How God demonstrates His character in 2 Samuel

God’s ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God’s character is revealed in His covenant to David, reinstating that He will be with Israel and finish what He promised. Although Israel desired a king to be like the world, God gave them a king from who’s line the eternal king would come. God made a way for salvation to come to His people despite their sin and rebellion.

Key verses in 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 5:12 tells of Davids call to kingship. “Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”

2 Samuel 7:16 reveals God’s covenant to David. “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

2 Samuel 18:33 shows David’s deep paternal love and suffering at the death of his son. “The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!'”

2 Samuel 22:2-4 declares David’s praise to God. “He said: ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.'”

2 Samuel 24:24 tells of David’s rebuke against a cheap religion. “But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.”

In 2 Samuel you will find {reading plan}

Kingdom transfer from Saul to David {Chapters 1-4}
David becoming a man after God’s heart {Chapters 5-7}
David’s victories and kindnesses {Chapters 8-10}
David’s two great sins and repentance {Chapters 11-12}
The results of David’s sin {Chapters 13-17}
Return to the kingdom {Chapters 18-20}
Summary of David’s reign {Chapters 21-24}

Additional resources

Some of my favorite resources for researching Bible book introductions include: The Israel Bible, which gives Hebrew context to Old Testament Scripture, Old Testament Survey, which provides scholarly insight into the Old Testament books, and How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth, which gives insight to reading different genres in the Bible.

My two favorite video series are: Bible Project’s animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 Feet.

I also love utilizing BlueLetterBible’s Bible book introductions.

Final thoughts

The Bible talks more about David than any other man except Jesus. Although David sinned greatly, he was still known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). This was because as soon as he recognized his sin, he repented. Psalm 51 records Davids repentance after his sin, and 2 Samuel 22 records the praise that David offered to God when their relationship was restored.

Is there sin in your life that you need to repent of to be made right with God? If so, take some time to acknowledge and repent of it before God and ask for forgiveness. If there is no sin that you know of, ask God to reveal anything in you that is not from Him. In either case, sing songs of praise to God for His faithfulness in every season.

26 Bible study ideas for the new year

Filed Under: Bible Study // December 14, 2025

Digging into God’s word is often at the top of the list of New Year’s resolutions for Christians, but many don’t know where to start. Here are 26 Bible Study ideas to help you make your goals a reality this year.

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

List of Bible study ideas included in this post

Bible Study ideas for reading the entire Bible
- Year-long Bible Read Through
- Video Walk-Through Bible Study
- Quick Bible Read Through
- Called and Sent Bible Read Through
Bible study Ideas for following the themes of the Bible
- Systematic theology Bible study
- Narrative Bible Study
- Bible Timeline study
- Gospel Foundations Bible Study
Bible study ideas for studying one book
- Slowly read through one book
- Repetitive Book Read Through
- Book Summary Bible Study
- Chapter Summary Bible Study
Bible study ideas for a deep dive
- Verse mapping Bible study
- Word Study
- SOAP Methods for Bible Study
Bible Study ideas that place the focus on God
- Attributes of God Bible study
- Names of God Bible study
- Red Letter Bible Study
- Jesus’ Parables and teachings
Themed Bible Study Ideas
- Topic Bible Study
- Character Bible Study
- Praise Bible Study
- Prayer-Focused Bible Study
Bible study ideas
- Application Bible Study
- Verse memorization Bible study
- Scripture writing Challenge

Bible Study Ideas for reading the entire Bible

Reading through the entire Bible is a great option for new and old Christians alike. For beginners, it brings you through the story of God and His people. For those who have been Christians for awhile, it brings new insight to common stories.

Year-long Bible Read Through

This is likely the most popular Bible study for new years. And with good reason! Reading through the entire Bible in one year is an achievable goal which only takes about 15 minutes a day. At about 3 chapters per day, it is a small enough chunk where you could dive deeper into something you read that day, or just enjoy the simplicity of following the narrative of the Bible.

There are two main ways you can do a year-long Bible read through. The first is canonical, which is the traditional book order of the Bible, grouped by genre. The second way is chronological, which follows the historical timeline of events.

To do a year-long Bible read through, either follow a simple reading guide for canonical or chronological, or grab a guided study for Canonical or Chronological.

Video Walk-Through Bible Study

Another great way to read through the Bible in a year (or shorter if you’re up to it) is to utilize video and podcast resources. This is a great option for anyone with a daily commute that can spend 20-50 minutes listening to the Bible reading and short commentary.

One of the most popular podcasts is the Bible in a year with Father Mike Schmitz. These episodes tend to be around 30 minutes each and start with Bible reading followed by commentary.

Another great resource (especially if you enjoy Bible journaling) is the Heart Dive podcast. These episodes tend to last 45-60 minutes and commentary is interspersed throughout the Bible reading.

Quick Bible Read Through

If you are able to dedicate an hour to reading through your Bible each day, an accelerated Bible read through is a great option. This is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the narrative of the Bible, seing the flow of the story from beginning to end.

You can either read through your Bible simply by setting an hour timer each day, or by following a reading plan such as the Bible in 90 days. For more information on this type of Bible read through, read Rapid Bible Read Thru.

Called and Sent Bible Read Through

The called and sent Bible read through method is a month-long commitment for about 30 minutes a day. The basis of this method is reading each of the Gospels, followed by the book of acts. So you would read Matthew, then Acts. Next Mark, followed by Acts, and so on. This way, you are reading the complete life of Jesus and how He calls His disciples, followed by Jesus sending His disciples out.

Bible study Ideas for following the themes of the Bible

Perhaps you have already done a complete Bible read through and are looking for some ideas to spice up your Bible time. These Bible study ideas for following themes takes you through the big picture of the Bible, while keeping it interesting.

Systematic theology Bible study

If you are looking to find out more about why you believe what you believe, a systematic theology Bible study is a good place to start. You can either choose to read through the Bible using a Systematic Theology Study Bible, or use a theology book alongside your Bible. A short, daily devotional style book for an introduction to systematic theology is Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology, while a much more in-depth resource is Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.

Narrative Bible Study

A narrative Bible study focuses on the complete story of the Bible, rather than isolated events. It looks at what happened in the Bible, but not always what you should do. A good book to learn more about this approach is How Bible Stories Work: A Guided Study of Biblical Narrative (Reading the Bible as Literature).

Bible Timeline Study

if you are a history lover, or just curious how the events of the Bible line up with other historical events, then a Bible timeline study may be right for you. You can use the Bible Timeline Chart for a quick reference, or other resources such as BibleHub for a more in-depth study.

To do a Timeline study, you can either read through the Bible, paying attention to when important events occurred, or you can use the 12 key events to structure your study. These events include: creation, the flood, patriarchs, the exodus, entering the promised land, the judges, the united kingdom, the divided kingdom, temple rebuilding, Jesus’ ministry, early church, and Paul’s ministry.

Gospel Foundations Bible Study

If you are curious to know what the Gospel of Jesus is all about, then reading through the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) will give you a great overview and foundation. You can also study key passages that explain the gospel. Some of these passages are: Romans 1-8, Ephesians 2, Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and Colossians 1:19-20. There are also many more passages if you choose to do a gospel study.

Bible study ideas for studying one book

Is there a book of the Bible that you are naturally drawn to? Or one that you have been wanting to dig into deeper than you can during a Bible read through? Here are four Bible study ideas to help you grasp books of the Bible.

Slowly read through one book

This Bible study method is perhaps the most well known for reading through one book. It can take as little or as much time per day as you want, and can even vary to match your changing schedule. Simply read through the book one verse at a time, using a commentary and writing down notes as you go. Some great commentaries include: Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, MacArthur Bible Commentary, and BibleHub.

Repetitive Book Read Through

A repetitive book read through is best done with a short book of the Bible (Ephesians, Philippians etc.), although you can sue any book. In order to do this type of study, simple read through the entire book in one setting, writing down just a couple of things that stand out to you or questions that arise. The goal of this type of study is not to go super in-depth, but rather to get a broad overview of the book and its application for you life.

Book Summary Bible Study

If you are looking to get a general overview of each book of the Bible, consider a Book Summary Bible study. Using a guide and resources, answer the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions of each book. A great video resource for this is BibleProject’s summaries.

I have a beautiful book summary included as part of my Best Bible Study Companion – a guide of over 100 pages filled with Bible study methods, resources and more.

Chapter Summary Bible Study

Another great way to study through any book of the Bible is to do a chapter summary. Similar to the Book summary, answer preset questions about each chapter in the book you are studying. This method is a great middle ground in terms of time and depth for a Bible study.

Bible study ideas for a deep dive

These three methods are great for taking a deep dive into one word, verse, or passage of the scripture. They explore the context and application so that you get the full meaning of what you are studying.

Verse mapping Bible study

To do a verse mapping Bible study, simply write down the verse on one corner of the paper. Highlight, underline, and circle key words within the verse and define them. Then look at the context preceding and following the verse to gain a full picture of the meaning. You can learn more about verse mapping here.

Word Study

A word study is a great way to look into the original Hebrew or Greek meaning of a word, and use that knowledge to understand many different verses. You can learn more about a Word Bible Study here.

SOAP Methods for Bible Study

The SOAP method can be used for any passage of scripture, and stands for: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It begins with Scripture, where you read a passage multiple times and write it out to help slow down and gain deeper understanding. Observation follows as you notice key ideas, themes, and questions within the text. Application comes next, as you consider the original context and reflect on how the passage speaks into your own life. Finally, Prayer is a response of gratitude and dependence, thanking God for His Word and for what He has revealed through it.

Bible Study ideas that place the focus on God

Although Bible study should always focus on God, these next four ideas pay special attention to the attributes, names, and words, and teachings of God.

Attributes of God Bible study

An Attribute Bible study is a great way to focus on the qualities of God, growing in your understanding of who He is and how great He is. His attributes are generally categorized into communicable and incommunicable attributes – those that can be shared with His creation and those that cannot. The Gospel Coalition has a great mini-course on 10 attributes of God.

Names of God Bible study

Although names and attributes both describe God, there is a small difference that is important to define when deciding which one to study at the moment. God’s attributes are inherent qualities that describe who God is and how He acts, while names are specific titles that revel His character in action. The names of God tend to be more relational while attributes tend to be more descriptive. The Daily Grace co has a beautiful Bible study that takes you through 50 names of God.

Red Letter Bible Study

In order to do a red letter study, you will need a red letter Bible where you can read the words Jesus spoke highlighted in red text. (You could also highlight the words yourself in your regular Bible if you do not have a red letter Bible.) The idea behind this Bible study is that you should be putting the words of Jesus into practice as you read through them.

Jesus’ Parables and teachings

Similar to the red letter study, this Bible study focuses on the word’s of God, with a special emphasis on His parables and teaching moments. For this study you choose one parable or teaching to focus on for the week, summarizing the main lesson at the end.

Themed Bible Study Ideas

If you are curious about learning more about one particular topic or theme of the Bible, whether for scholarship or application, these Bible study ideas can help.

Topic Bible Study

A topical Bible study focuses on exploring what Scripture teaches about a specific subject or theme. Instead of reading one passage in context, you gather multiple verses related to a single topic—such as prayer, faith, or salvation—and study them together. As you compare these passages, you can observe repeated truths, key ideas, and how Scripture interprets itself. Topical studies are especially helpful when you have a question or want a clearer understanding of what the Bible says as a whole about a particular subject.

Character Bible Study

A character study focuses on one person in the Bible and traces their story across Scripture. As you follow their life, choices, and interactions with God, you gain insight into faith, obedience, and growth over time. This type of study helps you see how God works through imperfect people and remains faithful even when they struggle. Common character studies include figures like Moses, Hannah, Peter, or Esther, as well as studies that explore the lives of the prophets or the disciples of Jesus.

Praise Bible Study

A Praise Bible study looks at passages of scripture that give praise to God, helping shape your own thoughts and attitude toward praise and thanksgiving. As you follow through the narrative of scripture, you will see many examples of when and why people give praise to God, This helps you see how God is worthy of praise in your own life and how you can offer it readily in every situation. A few examples of praise in scripture include: crossing the Red sea (Exodus 15:1-18), Hannah’s praise (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary’s praise (Luke 1:46-55).

Prayer-Focused Bible Study

A prayer-focused Bible study centers on learning how Scripture shapes and strengthens our prayer life. In this type of study, you examine prayers found throughout the Bible and observe how God’s people approached Him—with praise, confession, thanksgiving, and dependence. As you study these prayers, you can begin to model your own prayers after biblical examples and grow in confidence and intentionality when coming before God. A few examples of prayer in scripture include: Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-18), Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 3:3-9), and Jesus’ prayer (John 17:1-5).

Bible study ideas for engaging scripture beyond reading

If you are looking to take your Bible study to a new level, here are some ideas that are more than just reading the scripture. These methods are designed to take God’s living word with you as you go about your day.

Application Bible Study

An application Bible study is perfect for anyone seeking to live out the scriptures in their everyday life. For this type of study, you read any book of the Bible with the specific goal of letting it transform you in every area (which should be the point of ANY Bible study, but is emphasized here). Because of the nature of an application Bible study, you could pair it with any other type of study you are doing. One great resource for finding application of any Biblical passage is the NIV Application Commentary on the Bible: One-Volume Edition.

Verse memorization Bible study

A verse memorization Bible study is a traditional Bible study where you choose one or two verses from what you learning and memorize them, paying special attention to internalizing and meditating on the message and how it applies to your life. A couple great books to learn more about biblical memorization include: Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth, and Memorizing Scripture: The Basics, Blessings, and Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word.

If you are new to scripture memorization, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart would be a great starting point for a verse memorization study. You can use the verse you would like to memorize as a place to begin your Bible study, digging into the context and meaning of it.

Scripture writing Challenge

Another great way to take scripture with you throughout the day is by doing a scripture writing challenge. Once again, this can (and should) be paired with another Bible study where you are learning the context of the passage. In this challenge, you simply write the scripture word-for-word as a way to slow down and think about what you are reading.

There are many beautiful scripture writing journals, including the ESV Scripture journals with Biblical text on one side and a space to write on the other. There is also 100 Days of Writing God’s Word, which include’s 100 pre-selected verses for those who would like guidance.

Which of these Bible study ideas is right for you?

With Bible study ideas that range from 5-50 minutes a day, and from an overview to digging deep, there is a method for everyone. No matter which of these 26 ideas you choose to implement in your life, remember that God’s word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and He will draw close to you when you draw close to Him (James 4:8).

1 Samuel – A Brief Introduction

Filed Under: Bible Study // December 2, 2025

This post is all about an introduction to 1 Samuel. It explores background and context and points you to more resources to help you study God’s word with confidence.

Introduction to 1 Samuel

The book of 1 Samuel is part two of the story started in Judges. After the Israelites had entered the Promised Land, God appointed Judges to guide them in His ways. From the time God set up His Theocracy (where God ruled over His people directly through leaders He chose), the Israelites rebelled. They refused to follow the laws set forth by God and were idolatrous. Their leaders were no better than the common Israelite, with corrupt priests and dishonest judges. Israel was truly at a low point spiritually.

This set the scene for the four main players in this book.

Eli, was a High priest who served God faithfully, but he failed to raise his sons to do the same. He got a second chance at shepherding the next generation when Hannah dedicated her son, Samuel, to serving the Lord.

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eil” (3:1). Samuel became Israel’s last great judge, as well as a prophet and priest. Before his death, he appointed Saul as Israel’s first king.

Saul had a quick rise to fame. But because of His pride, he would just as quickly meet destruction. He allowed his sinful nature to rule his actions instead of submitting to the authority of God. Because of his continued disobedience to God, Samuel informed Saul that God had rejected him as the rightful king of Israel.

David was “a man after God’s own heart” (15:14) and was selected by God to be king over Israel. Samuel appointed David when he was a young boy, but it wasn’t until many years later when David would slay the giant and become the leader of Saul’s armies. Because of Davids many great victories, Saul became afraid that David would steal the kingdom so he tried to have him killed. Although David had the opportunity to put an end to his mistreatment and kill Saul on two separate occasions, his fear of God was greater than his fear of man.

Important themes in 1 Samuel

The most important theme is that of the Davidic Covenant, as referenced by the “anointed king” in Hannah’s prayer. Although this is ultimately a reference to the coming messiah (Jesus) as the King who will triumph over all, we see a foreshadow in the life of David. It is also through David’s bloodline that the Messiah will one day come.

The sovereignty of God is also seen throughout this book in the lives of the four main characters. God opened Hannah’s womb in response to her honest prayer and placed Samuel in the hands of Eli to be trained up in righteousness. David’s life shows that it is not mans’ appearance or achievement that marks one as useful to God, but rather a willingness of heart.

The W’s of 1 Samuel

Here is the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of this action-packed book.

Who Wrote 1 Samuel

The author is unknown. Some consider Samuel himself to have written parts of the book, perhaps up to his death in chapter 25. Nathan and Gad are thought to have written the rest. Their authorship is considered because of 1 Chronicles 29:29, however it is controversial and Biblical scholars do not all agree

What it’s about

The Book of 1 Samuel shows how Israel rejected God’s authority and chose an earthly king to rule over them.

When it was Written

Just as the authorship is unknown, the exact date 1 Samuel was written is also unknown, although it was likely written around 930 B.C.

When the story takes place

The book begins with the Birth of Samuel around 1020 B.C. and follows a period of about 100 years through the anointing and death of Saul.

Where the story takes place

The story takes place in the central highlands of Israel between the period of the Judges and the monarchy. The main locations include the tabernacle and residence of Eli at Shiloh. Samuel’s hometown was in Ramah, while Saul ruled in Gibeah. David was born in Bethlehem, and he ruled in Hebron and Jerusalem.

Why 1 Samuel is important to study today

This is an important book to study because it shows mans’ sinful desires to turn away from God and seek the things of this world. The Israelites wanted a king to be like the other nations. So God gave them their desires and from it they continued in a downward spiral, based on the kings’ whims.

How God demonstrates His character in 1 Samuel

God’s character is demonstrated in His continued faithfulness to his people by keeping his promises. He is faithful on an individual level when He gave Hannah a child, and God showed faithfulness to the nation by opening the way for the messiah to come.

Key verses in 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 1:27-28 reveals Hannah’s act of faith and gratitude: “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”

1 Samuel 10:25 depicts a pivotal point for the Israelites moving from a theorcracy to monarchy: “Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.”

1 Samuel 15:22 expresses God’s desire for His people: “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'”

1 Samuel 16:7 reveals how God looks at us: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”

In 1 Samuel you will find {Reading Plan}

The birth and call of Samuel {Chapters 1-3}
The Presence of God and the Ark {Chapters 4-6}
The quest for a King {Chapters 7-9}
Saul chosen, anointed, and reigning as king {Chapters 10-12}
Saul rejected as king {Chapters 13-15}
The rise of David {Chapters 16-20}
David flees while Saul pursues {Chapters 21-23}
David Spares Saul twice {Chapters 24-27}
The demise and death of Saul {Chapters 28-31}

Additional resources

There are so many wonderful, free online resources for digging deeper into the Bible. My favorite for doing book studies include the Blue Letter Bible Introductions, and BibleHub’s Bible summary and Bible at a glance.

There are also some great video resources, such as the Bible from 30,000 feet by Skip Heitzig, and A Complete Animated Overview by the BibleProject.

My personal Bible that I use is the NIV Journal the Word Bible. I love that there is space to take notes directly in my Bible so I have the knowledge the next time I read through it. For Bible book introductions, I like reading the full book first before reading commentaries and researching specific topics, and finishing up by reading the full book again. This helps ensure that I am focusing on the Living Word of God.

A few of my go-to resources for studying any book of the Bible includes: How to read the Bible for all it’s worth, the Israel Bible, and Rose book of Bible Charts, maps, and Time-Lines.

Final thoughts

This book of transition implores us to see God’s heart in the messy, imperfect lives of His people. As you read through 1 Samuel, remember that every failure, every prayer, and every moment of waiting points to the faithfulness of a King far greater than any earthly ruler.

Let this introduction give you confidence—not just to read 1 Samuel—but to seek the God who still speaks through it today.

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?