I am going to do a four part part post on how I study the Bible. Today (Monday) will be the introduction, Tuesday will be the basics, Wednesday will be the intermediate, and Thursday will be the advanced. Every post will contain some resources you can use to further your study. At the end of the series, I will have a downloadable PDF available combining all parts. 
Let me start by saying, there are many methods to Bible study. I aim to show you the very basic levels of study and how they can build on each other. Nothing fancy, just good, old fashioned Bible study.
Let’s begin.
Walking into any Christian book store will reveal TONS of Bibles to choose from. Some have themes; Bibles for sisters, for brothers, for teens, for dads, for moms of angry hobbit-looking children, etc. In reality, most of the “extras” are not all that important. You can learn a lot from a Bible with little or no notes and devotionals. Actually, for the basics, I recommend getting as little excess as possible in your Bible (The New Inductive Study Bible (International Inductive Study Series) is a great Bible for this but costs a pretty penny).
Translation is more important. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek, and a smattering of Aramaic. Current Bibles are translated from those languages (and some from Latin) to our native language. You want to make sure you have an accurate translation. A great book for this understanding the different translations is How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
- Literal or Word for word; every word out of the native languages is translated individually. Examples include the New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB).
- Dynamic Equivalent; The Bible is translated phrase for phrase. A sentence is translated into English contextually so it flows better for the reader. Examples: New International Version (NIV), Updated NASB, and Revised Standard (RSV).
- Paraphrase. Each thought is translated to make sense as a whole. For example, John 3:16 could be translated: “God loved us so much he sent his Son so we could believe in Him and live forever.” Examples include: New Living Translation (NLT), The Message, and The Living Bible (LB).
What translation should you pick?
I recommend choosing one from each category. I would recommend using the ESV from the literal translations. I bought one almost four years ago and love it. I recommend the Updated NASB from the dynamic equivalent. I have one of these and it used to be my primary Bible.
In my opinion, paraphrases are the worst way to go, but they still have some merit. I like the NLT better than The Message and Contemporary English Version (CEV). I believe The Message is a good Bible for younger readers, but a “last resort” for Bible study. Just my opinion. I have friends who love The Message, and I only make fun of them on occasion 
If you want a free preview of different translations and their readability, check out Bible Gateway. You can read many translations (in different languages even) before you buy.
“Ok, I have my translations, now what?”
This might sound simple, read them. Many enter into the Bible like it holds some deeply guarded secret that has been oblivious to scholars and theologians for thousands of years (*cough* pride *cough*). It is Ok to laugh at those people. The secret of the Bible is Jesus, and it is not a very well-guarded secret at that. When reading, remember, every thing in the book from start to end is about Jesus. If you want a good starting point, I recommend Genesis (duh) or the Gospel of Mark (it is a speedy, action-filled overview of the life of Jesus). If you are a dude who needs action and giant war scenes, I recommend 1 & 2 Samuel. If you are a girl who wants romance and love (or a dude who does not want all the violence), check out Ester and Ruth.
Pick a favorite
No pressure, but I would recommend making one of your three Bibles a favorite. In this one, take notes in the margins. Underline things. Write questions in it, highlight the heck out of it. Make this the one you carry with you to Bible studies, church, dates (if you bring a Bible on your date and you study it together you will either have the best, or worst date ever.The Bible can really help you decide if this person is “the one.”), etc. Having a primary helps you keep all your collective thoughts in one place while you grow as a student. Once you fill up your Bible, you get to buy a new one! Crossway Bibles actually makes a journaling Bible (ESV) which would be great for this (you can buy it here for under $24:The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Journaling Bible (Original, Black), then you won’t need a separate notebook.
Tomorrow, Bible Study 101, the basics.
-Don-
Great post! I really like the sound of that journaling Bible, I am forever writing notes or questions on random pieces of paper and stuffing them in the pages of my Bible or writing short hand comments in my Bible.
Kurt’s mom has my Promise Bible, and your right about not needing all the “extras” in those types of Bibles. She really liked it and has kept it captive for over 6 months now though, so I guess it’s good for some!
I always thought the NASB95 was considered a literal translation. You’re not going King James on me, are ya?
@Sister
Thanks. A guy who went to our church had one, I thought it was so cool. It looked and felt like a mole skin (and only cost $10 more!). They used to cost closer to $40, but now they are $24ish (if you follow the link in my article, you can find them there).
@Josh
I just double-checked Zondervan’s site, the update is not considered literal because they “smooth out” some of the statements to make it more readable…I think I know what that means…
But don’t worry, no KJV for me (I do have two of them in my home…maybe three). I could barely read it.
Please check your gmail and write me back sometime.
I wish they had that Bible in purple mole skin… but black will do.
Great post, Don. I, too, favored the NASB – and still do to some extent. I have the older Ryrie Study Bible, NASB. It’s a little different from the updated NASB, but still doesn’t have the poetic language when addressing God (thou, thee, etc.), which I am thankful of.
The Inductive Bible=Uber love points. I want one of these. It makes you do a lot of work if you really follow it’s suggested study methods. However, I might be a little too lazy to do it right now.
Never knew NKJV was considered “literal.” I can use it, and I have and do sometimes, but prefer not to, just because the wording is a little odd in some places. Actually, the last church I was preaching at held it as a standard, thus I had no choice! Lol.
I also wanted to point your readers to the following FREE downloadable bible resources, which are fantastic tools!
Windows users
The e-Sword – http://e-sword.net/
Mac users
http://www.macsword.com/
I use macsword, and it is great. Although, the interactive abilities of the windows “e-Sword” is a little more user friendly, which causes me to prefer the e-sword, they just don’t make a Mac version of it – these two resources are NOT related (FYI).
i like my message remix… I read it when I am tired of the NIV… those are the only two versions I have of the bible.
@TARA,
Get a NASB – it’s to the point. Or borrow Don’s ESV. I use ESV and NASB and still cannot decide which one I like better.
i would like to read the world of God as i wake up eaily in the morning.and before i sleep in the night because man can not live by bread alone