Pray before you begin
Choose a Bible translation you can understand
Set a regular study time
Start with a short passage
Read the passage more than once
Observe who, what, when, where, why, and how
Identify the main message
Compare related verses
Use a study Bible or concordance
Look up key words
Note the historical and cultural context
Keep a notebook for questions and insights
Memorize important verses
Apply the passage to your life
Study one book of the Bible at a time
Read the surrounding chapters
Cross-check with other Scripture
Join a Bible study group
Ask for guidance from a pastor or teacher
Review what you learned regularly