3 min read
21 Apr
21Apr

I've had the good fortune over the years to have participated in some amazing Bible studies. Now that we are in isolation it is still possible. There are many online studies available for free or at a low cost. I will list below some of my favorites:

Melissa Spoelstra - I've studied Isaiah: Striving Less and Trusting God More and First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree which were absolutely life changing studies as so applicable for today. I am looking forward to studying her Acts: Awakening to God in Everyday Life,  Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More, and Romans: Good News that Changes Everything which are on my shelf and calling my name. Her Bible studies come with free access to her video sessions.

Beth Moore - I've studied her Believing God, Breath: the Life of God in Us, Breaking Free, Sacred Secrets, and David: Seeking a Heart Like His. Her video or audio series as well as study guides are available online and at her website lifeway.org. Beth's studies are primarily focused toward women but men can enjoy her studies as well. Study guides are usually "fill in the blanks" on the video response portions and "question/answer" for weekly Bible research. I've enjoyed every part of her studies and plan to continue. Typical time to finish a study averages around ten weeks but can be extended for busy people who can't spend time daily in their Bibles. I am also studying Beth's Personal Reflection Series. I am currently spending time  with Jesus: 90 Days With the One and Only and then I'm looking forward to John: 90 Days With the Beloved Disciple.

Kay Arthur - I'm studying Precept Ministries' Genesis. It doesn't require a video or audio series to accompany it and Kay is big into self discovery and using colored pens/pencils and hands on diagrams and sketches. There is some memorization which is beneficial. Her studies are not focused primarily on females and there is a depth of studies available...practically every book of the Bible and also topic specific studies.They are available at precept.org. Study time for these studies varies on the individual because they are hands on as well as academic. They can take weeks or months.

Courtney Doctor - I've only studied her In View of God's Mercies: The Gift of the Gospel in Romans but I learned so much and it comes with access to her video teaching sessions as well at the back of each book.

BCF (Biblical Counseling Foundation developed by John C. Broger) - I took this intensive course while attending Calvary Ocean Hills years ago and it was life changing. There is a manual called Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship and a Self Confrontation Student Workbook that accompanies it. It requires a lot of scripture memorization, Biblical research, and of course, self-confrontation. It's intent to make you able to counsel others but its bonus is that your life can change for the better. It did for me.

The Journey/Influencers - This is an amazing self-confrontation study (although they do not like to use the word study or program but rather "a discovery process from the Bible") that was one time primarily focused for male Bible groups but now includes mixed groups. It includes a manual, a S.T.A.R. Method journal, The Journey to the Inner Chamber: Discovering the Treasure of the Universe by Rocky Fleming, The Prayer Cottage and the Sacred Garden: Experiencing Intimacy with Christ by Rocky Fleming, Secrets of The Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance by Bruce Wilkinson, and A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller. Amazing study. Life changing. A huge commitment to self-confrontation, discovery, and change. It's worth taking yearly. This study can take weeks or months but probably best to take it slowly and abide in it.

The War Room Bible Study by Stephen and Alex Kendrick - This is a short study that accompanies the feature film, War Room. It is mainly a question and answer study and won't take long to complete. It's what it can do for you in your life that holds the most influence. Watch the film first. It is powerful. It came out at a perfect time for me. I turned my RV into a war room for several months when my son was sick in the hospital. It also changed the way I looked at spiritual warfare. 

Jesus Today by Sarah Young - There are so many devotionals on the market. One that I keep by my bedside and read nightly is Jesus Today. I feel like God is talking to me Himself. My favorite is Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace In His Presence but I also enjoy Jesus Today: Experience Hope Through His Presence and Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence. These are easy short reads in the first person with accompanying Bible scriptures. Her books are usually readily available in Target, Walmart, online and in major bookstore chains at a very reasonable price.

30 Days to Understanding the Bible in 15 Minutes a Day by Max Anders - This is a fast paced twelve-week study plan for understanding an overview of the structure, geography, history, and prophecies of the Bible. It requires some memorization and worksheets. It is easily accessibly for preteens on up.

I have many more and will continue to update.

 I hope that you are getting a chance to participate in a study that is grounded in God's word, challenges you, and changes you for the better. Please feel free to offer up feedback regarding Bible studies you have enjoyed or are enjoying and why.


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