Bible Study Tools to Use in Your Quiet Time

When I was a kid, my favorite part of the school year was purchasing new school supplies. I loved the brand new folder that weren’t creased or torn. I loved the freshly opened box of colored pencils and they way they looked before ever having touched a pencil sharpener.

As an adult, I think I prefer the equivalent of new school supplies – office supplies. I love cute stationery. I am the kind of girl who has a specific brand of pen that I prefer to write with that makes my handwriting look better.

I think that’s why I love using specific Bible study tools in my quiet time with God. I like writing in spiral bound notebooks because I can easily write neatly without having to be hunched over a table. I have a neatly organized prayer list on an app on my phone. And yes, I have a particular order in which I construct my quiet time.

If you’re new to studying the Bible or if you are looking for new things to incorporate into your quiet time, I’m going to share some tools and ideas that will help deepen your relationship with God today.

Bible Study Tools

1. The Bible

This one is pretty obvious. If you’re going to do Bible study, you should study the Bible – of course.

Too often, people rely solely on devotionals to give them their daily dose of Bible reading. While I am totally all for reading devotionals (in fact, I am going to recommend a few to you later on), it’s important to remember to keep the Bible the main focus and not another person’s interpretation of a particular passage.

I have heard it said before, “The best Bible is the one you read.” And that is so true. Sometimes people get too caught up in which translation is best instead of just reading the Bible.

I personally read and reference the KJV because I grew up reading it and am familiar with it. This article from LifeWay is very helpful for guiding you on how to choose your Bible.

2. Highlighters

I like to highlight verses in the Bible that speak to me while I am reading. Some people say that it’s distracting to them because it keeps them from seeing new things the next time they read the same passage again later.

But I feel like when I see a highlighted verse the next time I read, I am reminded again of the promises from God.

I normally use regular old yellow Sharpie highlighters, but you can use any color you want. You can even make a highlighting key to keep in your Bible or notebook so you can assign different colors to different categories.

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3. Pens

Pens are necessity when really studying the Bible. You can underline passages of scripture (if you prefer not to use highlighters), take notes in a journal or worksheet, or write in the margins of your Bible.

I like to use colored Sharpie pens when taking notes in my Bible. I like seeing all the pretty colors when I flip back to my favorite passages.

I also like to write with these Pilot G2 gel pens in my prayer journal and notebook.

4. Notebooks/Journals

I use two different notebooks while I am having my quiet time.

I use one notebook to take notes on the passage I am reading. I am currently using the SOAP Bible study method.

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The SOAP Bible Study Method:

S – Scripture: Write out the verse or passage of Scripture that speaks to you.
O – Observe: What do you observe about this passage?
A – Apply: How does this scripture apply to your life?
P – Prayer: Write your prayer for God to help you apply this truth to your life.

CLICK HERE: Download your FREE Bible Study Worksheet!

The second notebook I use is a prayer journal. I keep a list of prayer requests on my phone, so this journal is specifically for writing out entire prayers to God.

I like to write out specific prayers because it helps me not to get distracted by anything else since my mind is focused completely on writing out the prayer. Also, I can go back and read my prayers later on and see as they are answered. I add the date of when I write the prayer and the date of when the prayer is answered later on.

Keeping a prayer journal is a great way to remind myself that God will always answer my prayers.

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5. Note Cards or Sticky Notes

You can use note cards or sticky notes to write out memory verses and keep them with you throughout the day.

You can put quotes from your devotionals on a sticky note and put it on your mirror in your bathroom so you can remind yourself of it while you’re brushing your teeth in the morning.

You can write a Bible verse on a note card and keep it in your textbook at school.

You write a promise from God on a sticky note and keep it on your desk at work.

Keep these items nearby when you’re studying the Bible so you never miss an opportunity to write yourself a reminder.

6. Commentary or Word Search Tool

Since the Bible has been translated into English from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, some ideas of phrases and words be unclear at first glance if you aren’t sure exactly what a word or figure of speech means.

That’s why it’s important to do research on Bible words and the context of the passage. I like to use The Blue Letter Bible App to help me look up the meanings of certain words and phrases.

7. Devotionals or Bible Study Plans

Bible studies or devotionals can be great when you want a study a certain topic or book of the Bible. Here are some of my favorites that I recommend.

100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs
10 Minutes in the Word: Psalms
10 Minutes in the Word: Proverbs
Always Enough, Never Too Much by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan

8. Christian Books

Christian books are also good to incorporate into your Bible reading because they offer a deeper dive into a particular topic.

Here are 40 great Christian books for women to read in 2020.

9. Music

Music is so important because it helps set the atmosphere, it guides our hearts to focus on God, and it inspires us to worship God.

I like to play instrumental worship songs on Spotify while I am reading or writing. I also like to start my morning by playing and singing along to worship songs, too.