There are different kinds of Bible study. We recommend the passage study, as described in a previous article, as the main kind of study. The other types of study are useful adjuncts, but shouldn't replace regular passage study. The kinds of Bible study are:
Passage. Described in detail in the previous article.
Topical Bible study. In a topical study, a specific scriptural topic is studied, which typically requires drawing together multiple passages on that topic. The idea is to gain a cohesive understanding of that topic from a scriptural perspective.
Word study. In this type of study, a given word is studied. If a modern word is studied, the study involves understanding the original language word(s) that are translated into the English (or some other modern language), and the context(s) in which they are used. When studying an original language word, the study involves learning where the word is used, how it is used, and how it is translated into other languages. This can also involve studying how the word was used in other contexts contemporary with the Scripture where it is used; for instance, how the Greek word "logos" was used in Greek culture at the time. Most important, though, is seeing how the word is used in different contexts in the Bible.
There are also different approaches to Bible study. Each has certain advantages, and there is no reason to limit onesself to only one. In any case, we highly recommend that everyone does - at a minimum - a regular personal study. The approaches are:
Exegetical. This is the typical approach used in sermons and commentaries. The intention is for someone with education and/or insight into the Bible to teach others what it says.
Devotional. The purpose of this approach is to apply teachings of scripture to one's life, generally in an uplifting or encouraging manner. These tend to be topical. Examples include such things as a weekend missions conference, or a women's retreat.
Educational. The purpose of this approach is to teach the Bible in a more structured manner. For instance, the students may be given a passage and a set of questions about the passage to answer. The idea is to get the student to consider the meaning of the passage, to reiterate it in his own words, and to think about aspects of the passage that he may not have previously considered. An example of this kind of study is the approach used by Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and Awana clubs.
Personal. This approach is to study the Bible on one's own. Such a study nearly always makes use of reference materials such as commentaries, lexicons, Bible dictionaries, and so forth. There are many structured approaches to personal study that have been developed. For instance, an Inductive Bible Study (IBS) follows an outline of general questions that the student can follow to consider various aspects of Bible passages. This differs from the Educational approach in that the questions for an educational study are crafted to each passage and are designed for the student to learn specific things, whereas an Inductive study asks questions that apply to any passage of the Bible.
The lines between these approaches are not always clear. For instance, a devotional approach may also include exegesis, while an exegetical approach may include devotional aspects. Educational approaches are especially useful for those who are new to the faith.
Finally, one can be involved in group studies. The form and value of these varies quite a bit. One one extreme, some can resemble a neighborhood book club, with the Bible being the book. Unfortunately, these tend to be overly subjective and rarely require any effort beyond reading the Bible before coming together. Often, they are nothing than a bunch of people sharing their ignorance. Even worse is a book club approach which involves a book about the Bible, rather than the Bible itself. There are many useful books that can enhance our understanding of scripture, but they should always be an adjunct to study rather than the focus of study themselves. We aren't saying that such groups are never helpful (groups such as Celebrate Recovery may be very helpful indeed), but such a group should never supersede actual Bible study.
The advantage of a group study is that others in the group may be able to answer questions you have. Others may also have insights that you don't. Certainly others have different life experiences which can provide a broader understanding of the practical application of scripture. Members of a group study can also offer confirmation or correction in regard to your interpretation of the Bible. It is almost always encouraging to study the Bible with others. Groups also facilitate accountability. One can share one's application so that others can support everyone else in their spiritual journey. Finally, group study often also involves fellowship in addition to study. We highly recommend that you couple your personal study with a group. But if you cannot find a group, you should not neglect personal study.
One last consideration with groups is the make up of the group. Studies that include both men and women tend to provide a broader understanding of scripture, but can make sharing of applications difficult - even possibly inappropriate - in mixed company. Groups may be oriented toward married couples or singles. They may be composed primarily of older or younger people. They might be in the context of a particular culture. Therefore, there may be some groups that do not work for you, or there might not be any groups available in your area. You might want to consider starting your own. This site offers some helpful resources for those leading group studies.
Copyright 2026 by Alan Conroy. All rights reserved.