An abundance of incredibly fruitful tools for both reading and studying the Bible flood the Christian sphere. The very fact that a varied market exists, proves the need to meet varied minds and personalities. We are not in competition with one another. Each and every tool functions specifically as a design for the end goal of either creating a daily habit of spending time in God’s word or studying the Scriptures well. 

What’s the “why” behind The Bible Study Workbook? 

I desired a workbook that balanced my desires to understand the text but critically think on my own. Most of the tools that I had utilized in the past either scratched the surface or did the work for me. Where was the middle? And did it exist?

Over about two years The Bible Study Workbook was built. As a nearly blank space, it invites you to become an independent student of Scripture. It takes the details that fall within observation, interpretation, and application and provides a systematic approach—but, without doing the work for you. Unlike a traditional Bible study, you as the student will choose the book of the Bible to study, and you will learn to deconstruct and reconstruct the text on your own. It is a sure-proof way to ensure your Bible study methods are appropriate. 

Everyone has a Bible study method whether they know it or not. The challenge is asking the question: is it right? When we understand the Bible as literature, written by a specific author to a particular audience for one reason, within a cultural and historical time period unlike our own, then we cannot deny the need to understand the context and meaning of the text first to the ancient reader before the modern. 

That’s the goal of a deep, intentional study. To rightly observe, interpret, and apply—for the sake of growing as a disciple of Jesus, forming our theology, and building doctrine. In other words, increasing in biblical literacy. 

The BSW reminds you that studying intently is a grace-based discipline. The expectation is not to do this every single day in every season of life, but rather, slowly and steadily. Jerry Bridges says, “reading gives us breadth, but study gives us depth.” We should be reading the Word every single day, covering more “ground” in the Bible and thus expanding our general understanding of Scripture as a whole and the gospel message. Then, we study, throughout our week as we go deeper into the details. Both are biblical disciplines, and both inform one another. 

The Bible Study Workbook is designed specifically for your time of study, not reading. It bridges the gap between traditional Bible studies and devotional reading by guiding you through the underlying aspects of the inductive method, challenging you to critically think, attentively read, and see Jesus within the text. 

Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra has set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel”

Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

2 Timothy 4:13 “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” 

Three examples included above show reverence for the Word of God. The last one was written by Paul as he was in prison. He made only two requests, a cloak and the Scriptures. These men knew the Scriptures to be holy and treated them as so. We too, have the same invitation. 

Braulia, a customer, says this about the BSW: “The BSW is an exceptional tool that is able to assist anyone, whether it be for a discipling relationship, a Bible teacher, or anyone who just wants to grow in their understanding of the Bible. It helps you gain a more in-depth overview of the Word and the gospel, and all the while simple to follow along.” 

A challenge that the BSW provides is one against our natural tendency to rush and scrape. In order to use the workbook to its full design you will be forced to spend an ample amount of time in the Word. Let me be clear here: we shouldn’t have to be forced. But the reality is we have been growing up in a culture of fast food and on demand so our attention spans and disciplines, for the majority of us, need reworking. This in part must begin with the heart. Pair heart change and discipline  with a tool like the Bible Study Workbook, and we’ll find ourselves emerging as students of the Bible.