Book study is the most basic and fundamental Bible study method. It can be helpful to study a little here and a little there, but studying the whole book helps keep everything in its proper context. Studying the Word of God one book at a time helps to get the big picture. It’s like looking at the Scriptures first with a telescope before looking at the Scriptures through a microscope. The telescope gives us the proper foundation to see how all the parts fit together as a whole so that when we look through the microscope we can better understand how the parts relate to each other and how they are to be applied.
Book study is the most difficult and includes many other study methods. It includes inductive study, where you write questions, answers, thoughts, lists, etc. It also includes marking, where you mark the main points, topics, etc. It includes topical study, where you identify topics throughout the book. It can also include a devotional study, where you journal what is speaking to you at this specific time in your life.
There are many ways to do a book study. This is not the only method you should try, but hopefully there will be something here that can help you grow in God’s Word. Always begin with prayer. Ask God to lead you as you dig deeper into His Word.
First, read the whole book. If it’s a small book try reading it in one sitting. If it’s a larger book, try reading as much in one sitting as possible so you can get through the book in just a few days. Don’t worry about the details yet. Just try to grasp the main points.
Next, read the book again. This time, write down the main points that speak to you.
Then, read the book again. This time try to answer who, what, when, why, and how. Write your answers to each question. Ask yourself the questions as many times as you can. Write down who the writer is and who the writer is writing to and why. What are the circumstances that caused the book to be written? What are the key thoughts, passages, and verses? What is the literary style? Does the book have a key verse? Who are the key characters? What are the key events? Were the key points applied? How?
Next, read the book again. This time, divide the book into sections. Take the major points and events in each section to create your own headings for each section.
Next, read the book again. This time, this time, take the headings you’ve written to help you form an outline of the book.
While reading the book, use your outline to help you write a summary of each chapter. Once you’ve written a summary of each chapter, try writing a summary of the whole book.
Read the book again. This time, mark the text. Mark the main points, topics, and events that speak to you.
To grow even deeper, try writing your own commentary of the book. Also try teaching the book to others. Use your notes as your teaching material.
This method is a lot of work, but when you’re done you will master the book. Each time you read it you will see something that you overlooked before. This method is the most difficult, but most complete and thorough method of Bible study. I feel that it gives the greatest results. This method will help you build a foundation to build your own cross references, word studies, topical studies, character studies, etc., and it will give you what you need to teach it to others. You might even remember a verse or two along the way.