Studying the Bible requires that we read it, but reading alone is not the same as studying. We highly recommend that everyone read the Bible. As the revelation of God, reading it consistently over time is a great way to orient our perspective and reinforce the truths revealed therein. Reading it reveals all of the clearly stated - and most important - teachings. It can lead us to salvation in Jesus Christ. When read over a long period of time, it can seep into our subconscious and provide a "speed bump" to heretical teachings that come our way. The level of Biblical illiteracy in our society is a clear indication that far too many people don't read the Bible enough to have even a passing understanding of what it says. You may not reach startling new conclusions when you read it, but it will remind you of what you've read before. Regularly reading the Bible is essential to all believers. If you do not regularly read the Bible, commit to reading a minimum of one chapter each day (most Bible "chapters" are quite short). Be sure to read both Old and New Testaments. In fact, you might want to consider simply reading it all the way through from the start. When you reach the end, start back at the beginning again. If you read merely two pages a day, you will read through the entire Bible (for most versions) in about 18 months.
So, how does study differ? The problem with merely reading the Bible is that it is often hard to draw any deep conclusions. The doctrines that we have picked up over time from various sources tend to make us skim over the words because they either confirm our pre-existing viewpoints or we ignore that which doesn't agree with the filter through which we read it. If you read tahe passage but don't "get anything out of it" is a clear indication of this kind of surface engagement with the text. The purpose of study is to force us to wrestle with the text in a way we are unlikely to do by simply reading it. None of us has perfect knowledge, therefore we must expect to learn new things or change incorrect doctrine over time as we study. As mentioned above, that is less likely to happen if one merely reads it. The question then is "how do we really engage with the text?"
First, one must choose which passage to study. Our recommendation is to pick a book of the Bible and read/study it from start to finish. If you are new to the faith, it would probably be most useful to start with the book of Luke, and then proceed to Acts, and then Romans. Chapters provide a useful sectioning of the text so you can take it a piece at a time. Expect to proceed at a rate of one passage (or chapter) per week. Read the passage each day of the week, and think about it during the day. You will likely start to notice things by day 5 or 6 that you didn't notice on the first day or two of reading it. This is preparation for your study.
Second, set aside some time each week where you can do study without interruptions. The amount of time will vary depending on your circumstances. Some people have the luxury of spending an entire day doing study. For most of us, our schedules and obligations won't support that. But we recommend that you set aside at least one hour. You tend to get out of your Bible study how much you put into it. By the time your study hour comes along, you will have read the passage five or six times. It will have been percolating in the back of your mind all that week.
What is useful in wrestling with the text is having a set of questions that you answer about the passage. This will make you stop and consider it more deeply. Write down your study. You might want to consider a notebook to hold your studies as you progress. Here are some sample things to write down:
You may find it helpful to read the passage in several different modern translations. Where there are notable differences, there is probably something going on with the original language that you need to look into. Next, you can look to commentaries to see if more learned men have seen things that you missed or even correct an incorrect interpretation that you've had. Not that you always have to believe what commentators say - they are only human. Sometimes it may be helpful to make reference to a Bible encyclopedia for a broader addressing of a topic covered in the passage. Finally, consider looking up related verses (a chain reference will help with this). Don't forget to ask your pastor if you have unresolved questions.
In summary, study is harder than merely reading. But it also results in better understanding, correction, and fruitful application in our lives. The foregoing applies whether you are using software or not. Software may very well make things easier, but no software can do the study for you. Avoid using AI to do your study - doing so means you are not wrestling with the text yourself, which is the point of study.