My goal for our time together is to study the Word of God and hopefully you’ll walk away with a study approach that feels doable. But most of all I pray it ignites your desire to dig deeper and spend more time in God’s word for yourself.

I love studying scripture but I’ve only studied portions of Ephesians. I’m so happy to accompany you on this journey.

During our time together, I’m here as your sister, your guide, the facilitator. I’m willing–and you know I am–to show you everything I know. This includes any tips, “tricks”, resources, etc. to help you accomplish this goal.

However, in the end, this journey is yours. Take what you find helpful. Leave what doesn’t serve you. Contribute to the conversations, or sit and fellowship with us on the private Zoom calls.

I only have one requirement and that’s to show up.

Read.

Study.

Engage with us.

Show up for yourself and your fellow sisters on this journey.

Again, welcome and let’s get to the examples for how I plan to study this week.

Example Week

Day 1: Read

Read (and/or listen to) the entire book of Ephesians. This doesn’t have to occur in one sitting. But Ephesians is a short book and it’s great to give you context for the entire book.

Day 2: Read and Record

Read the current assignment and record (and/or mark) anything that stands out to you.

Look for the obvious like the five Ws and the H–who, what, when, where, why, and how. Then consider:

• People, places, events, times.
• Repeating keywords.
• Words you need to define.
• Words, phrases, and verses that stand out to you.
• References to God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit.
• References to the purpose of the book.
• And so much more.

Here the goal is: Be inquisitive. Gathering all the facts. This is your license to be nosy.

Also, write down any questions that pop in your head. This will generate a nice little study list for you.

I was taught that observation is the foundation for interpretation. And this is the beginning of how we account for what we read, hear, and see in scripture.

Day 3: Read and Research

I called this “investigate” in the video but couldn’t overlook the opportunity to create an alteration.

Go back to the hefty list you made on Day 2 (or in the previous step because honestly “Day 2” can cover many days, or weeks even). Now dig in. Literally!

This means it’s time to process the content from yesterday.

• Define the words flagged. I use the dictionary and concordance in the back of my bible.
• Read referenced scriptures from the cross-references (and we have a nice starting place in the introduction of the She Reads Truth bible). And many bibles have passages flagged in the footnotes.
• Review maps and other chapters in the book.

Here the goal is to: Let scripture interpret scripture.

Have a question? Find a verse to help you understand the passage better. But don’t read any outside notes. Not yet. Save those for after you’ve learned all you can from scripture on your own.

Keep writing your questions. This will become a running list for you and yet another starting place for digging deeper into scripture.

Day 4: Read and Retell

This is when I start gathering my thoughts.

It’s usually messy. Really messy.

I have lines and arrows darting across my pages. I have different colors of ink and highlights making connections as I get an understanding.

Here the goal is to: Say what you’ve learned in your own words.

Sometimes I digest the content verse by verse. Other times I can craft a single statement to convey the meaning of the chapter. It varies.

The best advise I can give you is to make this your own. Do what you think will help you remember what you’ve learned?

Consider writing as if you’re telling a child the meaning of the verse, chapter, book.

Day 5: Read and Restate

This segment of you studying looks much like the previous except this is where we look at other resources.

• The original language studies–either Greek and/or Hebrew.
• Notes in your study bible.
• Commentaries.
• Sermons.

Here the goal is: To gain a solid understanding of what the passage means.

What truths does it convey about God? His people? His church?

What truths does it convey about your life as a believer? Your actions? The way you serve? How you communicate?

This is the account of what you’ve learned from your studies. This is also a great place to revisit your list of questions.

Day 6: Read and Reflect

I didn’t cover this in the video. We tend to do this easily but at the wrong point in our studies. But this is one of the BEST times to journal. To sit in the presence of God and reflect on what you’ve learned from your studies.

Here the goal is: To draw near to the Lord.

This reflection takes many forms: quiet time, journaling, art journaling, movement, meditation. Just to name a few.

Tips

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. This is a general guide. Some of the “days” listed above take several days for me. I’m super slow when I study, and sometimes it’s discouraging. But the understanding I gain from my diligent pursuit encourages me to keep going, and I hope these words will do the same for you.

Did you notice “read” in every step of the process? Read every day, even when you can’t study.

Can’t read? Listen.

The more you read the more you’ll see and understand. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit gives us understanding through repetition. But it happens.

So, even when you only have five minutes, read or listen it will prove fruitful during your studying.

Want to get more from the passage? Keep listing to the full book while you study the individual chapters. You’ll start making connections and getting a real picture of the story the book is telling.

Have more time on your hands? Dig into your list of questions. Start searching scripture for the answers and follow all the steps listed above. Then, as a bonus, revisit your notes from this study and see if your conclusions remain the same.

Questions?

I think that’s it. Do you have any questions?

We’ll discuss this more during our private calls. But I wanted a written form for you to reference.

How will YOU study Ephesians Chapter 1? Tell us in the comment section.

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The topic during my LIVE on my YouTube hobby channel last week was bible study. I opened this month’s topics to my viewers because I wanted to explore more content and offer, hopefully, a more diverse offering for my channel.

The topic of bible study came up several times. Initially, I thought to address it in the same manner, here’s my bible…here’s how I do it. Then a few hours before the LIVE it hit me. That’s not the problem.

The problem isn’t that we don’t know how to study. But that we don’t know how to study to get the end we desire. Or that we don’t know how to go deeper without the guidance of another.

It seems I was correct. This opened up more questions, more dialogue, and then a view asked if we could have a bible study. Then another, and another.

Y’all, my life is crazy busy. You’d probably think I’m insane for taking on this task, right now. But my heart says do it. So, here we go.

What to Expect

The Meetings

We’ll meet by Zoom for 90 minutes. We’ll start on time. End on time.

Week 1: Introduction and Ephesians 1
August 9, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST
Click here for more details.

Week 2: Ephesians 2
August 23, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

Week 3: Ephesians 3
September 6, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

Week 4: Ephesians 4
September 20, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

Week 5: Ephesians 5
October 4, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

Week 6: Ephesians 6
October 18, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

Week 7: Wrap Up
October 25, 2020, at 3:00 pm CST

The Study

We’re studying the Book of Ephesians. To limit the purchasing of useless materials I’m only recommending two books. But you can do it with any bible you own.

She Reads Truth Bible

The CSB She Reads Truth Bible aims to live at the intersection of beauty, goodness, and Truth. Featuring She Reads Truth devotionals and Scripture reading plans that include supplemental passages for deeper understanding, this Bible invites every woman to count themselves among the She Reads Truth community of “Women in the Word of God every day.” The CSB She Reads Truth Bible also features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization.

The She Reads Truth Bible includes almost 200 devotionals, 66 artist-designed key verses, 35 full-color timelines, 20 full-color maps, 11 full-color charts, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, carefully curated topical index, Smyth-sewn binding, two-colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking.

Women’s study Bibles and devotional Bibles are a great resource, but a beautiful and theologically sound Bible like this can be a great encouragement in a woman’s time in God’s Word.

The CSB She Reads Truth Bible hardcover Bible (also available in genuine leather and leathe touch) features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Take extended notes alongside passages of Scripture, with lined blank pages interspersed throughout complete books of the Bible.

“An excellent set for notes, thoughts, prayers, and even just reading.” ―Randy A. Brown, Bible Buying Guide

ESV Scripture Journals pair the entirety of individual books of the Bible with lightly lined blank pages opposite each page of Bible text, allowing readers to take extended notes or record insights and prayers directly beside corresponding passages of Scripture.

These thin, portable notebooks are great for personal Bible reading and reflection, small-group study, or taking notes through a sermon series.

Register for the Study

Here’s the signup link for the Bible study. The form closes on August 23, 2020. I’ll email the Zoom link weekly. You must sign up to get it.

Resources:

• She Reads Truth – Christian Standard Bible. Learn more about the Bible. https://shereadstruthbible.com

• Inspire Praise: The Bible for Coloring & Creative Journaling (Large Print)

• ESV Journaling Bible (Large Print)

• ESV Study Bible

• NASB Precept Bible

• The Bible Study

• The Quiet Time Companion

• Search the Scriptures

• 100 Days of Less Hustle, More Jesus: A Devotional Journal

Have questions? Add them in the comments. Also, stay tuned for the Zoom Bible Study. Details will post this week.