Does any of this sound familiar?
"I want to study the Bible, but I don't even know where to start."
"I read it, but none of it makes sense to me. I get frustrated and just don't have the energy to try and understand."
"I barely have five minutes to myself; it would take me that long just to get settled down to study."
I talk to so many wives who want to study the Bible more, but they’re frozen before they even start.
Why? Because it feels like too much. Too hard. Too confusing.
And with toddlers tugging at your leg or teenagers needing rides every ten minutes, it’s easy to say, “I'll do it later.”
Let me give you three tools (plus a couple bonus ones!) that can completely change your Bible study rhythm—and make it doable even in the middle of real life.
A Bible Study Template:
Whether it’s SOAP or a printable worksheet with prompts, having something that guides your study step by step saves you from staring at the page wondering where to start.
I used to keep my template printed and tucked into the front pocket of my Bible study notebook. That eventually became paper overflow, and my sweet husband bought me an iPad so that I can keep everything digital.
Now I have digital templates that I duplicate and reuse. It’s like having a Bible study buddy right there with you!
If you haven't seen it yet, I've created a free Bible Study Toolkit for you, with several templates from which you can choose.
If you need help deciding which of those templates to try first, this blog post can help.
A Dedicated Spot:
I used to drag my Bible from the dining room to the couch to the bed—and honestly, I’d end up doing more moving and organizing than studying.
Then I was gifted a Bible Study Bag where I keep my Bible, journal(s), and a box of highlighters and colored pens, which stays next to the couch. That tiny space feels sacred. When my Bible has a home, it reminds me that study has a place in my life.
It's also an easy way to keep everything together when you want to grab it for church, or a group Bible study.
As I mentioned earlier, now I have my iPad so that all of my studying is digital, which helps me even more to keep all that I need in one spot.
A Go-To Translation:
Don’t underestimate how much your Bible translation affects your understanding.
If you’re constantly confused, it might be time to try something different. My recommendation is the ESV, because I have found it to be the most accurate AND the most understandable.
Find a translation that speaks clearly to you so you can focus on studying—not decoding.
BUT - you want to make sure the translation you're reading is one that is true to the original language. I strongly discourage you from making your go-to translation one that is a thought-for-thought version rather than an actual translation from the original language (e.g. The Message). With those, you are getting someone else's idea of what the text means, rather than reading what was actually written.
Those can be helpful when comparing translations, but it's imperative that the translation you primarily study is one that is true to what the authors actually wrote.
Bonus Tools:
Because we're in the digital era, there are many digital tools available that I would highly recommend you check into. The two that I use most often are:
Bible Hub is the first online tool I was taught to use with the original languages. Here's are a few things I love that you can do:
- compare multiple translations at a time
- look up words or phrases in their original language
- research where else the word was used in Scripture
- gain an understanding of the context in which the word was used in a particular passage
- listen to or read sermons from highly distinguished pastors and Bible teachers
- read book summaries, and chapter summaries
- research topical themes and see how they're connected throughout Scripture
- get a bird's eye view of the timeline of the events in the Bible
- look up difficult questions and answers related to a theme or passage
- get a list of Bible study questions for each chapter to help you think critically
BibleArc is a study Bible that I found recently with a lot of different features. It's free for the study Bible portion, but I do have a subscription for the courses. Here are a few of the features I use most:
- look up multiple translations
- access study notes from the different translations
- use tools to create markups, diagrams, notes, phrasing, and arcing
- receive daily insights that give deeper meaning to various passages or answer important questions
- take courses that teach multiple skills necessary to study the Bible deeply
- access a coach with courses that gives feedback on your assignments and helps ensure you grasp the material
While BibleHub is free and BibleArc does have a subscription to access certain features, I would highly encourage both of them.
Bible study doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be consistent.
These tools can help you go from overwhelmed and inconsistent, to intentional and transformed.
I'd love to hear which one you're going to start with!
I used to feel so overwhelmed by all the Bible study methods out there.
SOAP, inductive, verse mapping, color-coding, commentary deep-dives… whew.
As a busy wife and mom, I just needed something that worked and made sense.
The truth is—there’s no “one size fits all” method. But there is a best method for you, in this season.
Let’s break down a few simple ones:
SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer):
This one’s my favorite for busy mornings. You write the verse out or simply summarize it, observe what it’s saying, journal out applications you feel called to make personally, and respond in prayer. It’s simple but deep.
SPECK (Sin to avoid, Promise to claim, Example to follow, Command to obey, Knowledge about God):
This one is more of an overall observation method to help you pull out wisdom you could potentially miss. This is great when you need a little guidance finding application straight from the text—especially if you struggle to see how the Bible connects to your daily life.
Verse Mapping:
If you like digging into the original language and comparing translations, this one’s for you. There is so much more depth when you realize why an author was using a specific word, or learn what other meaning is behind the word they used. It’s a little more detailed, but super rich if you want to grow in understanding.
Bible Digest Method (a.k.a. Homiletics):
This one’s amazing for bigger passages or teaching others. For clarification, let me state that I believe Scripture prohibits women from preaching to men or having authority over them, so this method is not for the purpose of preparing a typical sermon. However, Titus 2 does command older women to teach the younger and this method could be used to help you better understand what you are going to teach younger women (or children). You summarize the main idea, find key points, and think about how to apply and share it.
I always tell women this: the best Bible study method is the one that helps you actually understand and apply what you read.
It’s not about doing what’s trending—it’s about doing what helps you connect with the Word.
This week, try a new method! I created a little freebie Bible Study Tool Kit (with SOAP and SPECK templates) to help you experiment and find your favorite.
Raising teenagers in today’s world can feel like spiritual warfare.
Maybe that's because the vast majority of the time, it is.
There’s so much noise—from social media, school pressures, cultural confusion—and sometimes we feel like our voice is the last one they want to hear.
But mama, your voice still matters.
And even more importantly, your example matters.
When you prioritize Bible study, you're not just feeding your own soul—you're modeling what it looks like to stay rooted in truth.
Your teens need to see that faith isn’t just something you just talk about on Sundays. It’s something you fight for daily.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 encourages us:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
That teaching doesn’t stop when they grow taller than us. (If it did, I would have stopped when my kids were in elementary school. If you know me, you know. #shortgirlproblems)
Set the tone in your home by making Bible study visible and normal.
Let your teen see you reading the Word, journaling, or praying.
Invite them to read with you—maybe once a week over breakfast, during dinner, or before bed.
Ask what they’re struggling with and offer Scripture that speaks to it. They may roll their eyes at first, but seeds are being planted.
Here are a few ways to stay grounded and pour truth into your teens:
- Have a personal Bible reading plan and share what you're learning (not sure where to start with a personal reading plan? Email me or comment below and let's chat so I can help you create one!)
- Ask your teen to join you for one verse or one short devotional each week
- Listen to worship music whenever you're in the car together
- Text them Scripture or encouragement (they’re already on their phones!)
- Pray for them—and with them—regularly
- Start a blessing journal you share with your teen where you both write answered prayers, gratitude, or where you saw God at work that day
- Create a Scripture scavenger hunt by hiding index cards with verses or prayers in their backpack, shoes, bathroom mirror, or car
- Do a service project together (like at a food pantry or helping a neighbor) to spark faith conversations in real-life moments
- Build a worship + testimony playlist together and include a few audio clips of you sharing prayers or stories of God’s faithfulness
- Set up a family group chat for spiritual encouragement to share verses, prayers, or reminders of God’s truth throughout the week
- Celebrate spiritual milestones (like baptism, finishing a Bible study, or stepping out in faith) with a special meal or small gift
- Host a faith and food night by inviting your teen’s friends over for pizza and a short devo, prayer, or testimony time
This season requires perseverance, but it’s holy work. Don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9 promises,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Stay rooted so you can guide them well. We can't be the moms our kids need apart from Christ. This season requires intentionality in abiding in Him.
If you’re in the trenches of motherhood with spit-up on your shoulder, three hours of sleep (on a good night), and a toddler clinging to your leg, I see you.
And I want you to hear me loud and clear: you are not failing if your Bible study doesn’t look like it used to.
This sacred season of motherhood—yes, even in its exhaustion—is one the Lord sees.
He’s not asking for quiet time perfection. He’s inviting you into communion, however messy or short it may be.
Isaiah 40:11 says,
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (emphasis mine)
What a sweet picture of His gentleness with mothers.
Maybe right now, your study looks like meditating on one verse all day.
Write it on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror or the fridge. Use feeding times or nap rocking as moments to pray that verse or ask the Lord to help you understand it more deeply.
Listen to an audio Bible while folding laundry or playing blocks on the floor (bonus: your kids hear it then too!).
Hang Scripture verse cards in your home where you’ll see them often.
Music counts too! Sing hymns over your home and your heart while loading or unloading the dishwasher.
Quick wins for this season:
- Pick one verse a day and meditate on it (work on memorization, look up the context and make sure you understand the author's intention and meaning so you meditate on truth rather than opinion or incorrect interpretation)
- Use audio Bibles—play it in the background while you’re nursing or changing diapers
- Stick Scripture cards around the house for bite-sized truth
- Pray Scripture during feedings or even during midnight wake-ups (have you seen my Titus 2 or 1 Peter Prayer Cards?)
Most importantly: give yourself grace.
God is not grading your Bible study. He simply desires for your heart to prioritize Him. Even five minutes with the Lord can change your entire day when it’s done in faith.
Let Matthew 11:28 remind you that Jesus beckons you:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
If you feel like you're reading for a more structured Bible study, reach out to me! I have been praying over the idea of offering customized Bible study plans, based on your style of learning, the time you have available, and what you'd like to study. This would also be an opportunity to learn new Bible study methods to help you dig in deeper.
In the meantime, check out the other digital tools available, and let me know what ONE thing you'll do today to prioritize God in your day!
