Stone Soup for Five: My Big Problem with Bible Study

My Big Problem with Bible Study

Before I can get really into my big problem with Bible study, I have to first share a bit about where I've been...

I became a Christian in my early teens without any opportunity to really grow.  I went to a youth group event at a church I didn't attend or know anyone and met Jesus in a barn, sitting on a hay bale.  Soon after, I realized I had a horrible allergy to hay as my eyes puffed up and my throat began to constrict.  I looked like I had a hugely emotional experience all coughing and red and swollen... but in reality I was introduced to my Savior with awe, surprise and wonder, and severe allergies.

I'll just let you soak in all the 80's awesomeness
 that this picture is...



For years after, I floundered.  I tried to secretly read a dusty twenty pound sit-on-the-shelf family record Bible, but was lost and confused and more than a little overwhelmed.  Eventually I got my hands on a little devotional book called "If God Loves Me, Why Can't I Get My Locker Open?"  (Isn't that a GREAT title?)  I remember devouring that book and leaving it on the school bus that I rode for an hour each way to and from high school--first one on, last one off.  My home life was miserable and the book was the first introduction into following Jesus.

When I went off to college I eventually got a job at a great Christian office and started attending a solid Bible church.  My faith grew as I took classes in basic Christianity and sat under good teaching... but still I was frustrated with not being able to dig out understanding from the Bible myself.

 I met DC Talk when they were still DC Talk.
I can't even tell you how much I was pitting out in these pictures...
 because Michael and Toby!


Years passed and my frustration grew.  I sat in on some awesome Bible studies, read some amazing books, but I still struggled with the same sins and I still had a hard time reading the Bible--just the Bible-- without guidance.  It was like there was a big, secret key that locked up this knowledge and everyone had it but me.  I'd be in Bible study with other women who were pulling some amazingly deep stuff out of their time in the Word and I'd sit quietly in a chair across the table trying to hide my empty fill-in-the-blanks that I didn't get to that week.

I knew time was short (my mom died at 29 years old, there are no guarantees) and I wanted to learn and DO as much as possible in the days I had.  Finally my frustration lead me to scour the internet where I stumbled upon a Bible journal, or Bible Commonplace Book.


 After a couple years of writing all my notes, thoughts, and questions in my Bible journal, I realized I was learning and things were sticking.  I was remembering more, learning more, and starting to use it practically in everyday life.


After a few years of learning how to journal, doodle, list, and ask questions, I'm so excited to tell you that this is a LEARNABLE skill!  It's not limited to Bible scholars or those amazing artists that you see on Pinterest with picture perfect Bibles and notes.  You guys, if you can write in a notebook, sign your name, and draw a wonky circle, you can learn this way!



I'm so excited over God's word!  I love reading His word and drawing out truths.  I still love Bible studies, church sermons and reading greater minds than mine, but the great thing is it can still be just me, a pen, my Bible and a notebook.  Any time, anywhere, anything.  In the next post, I'm going to take you through some simple steps I took to dive in deep and dig out life changing truths.


Now it's your turn:


Do you guys have problems with Bible study?   If you have struggled, or still do, let me know in the comments.  I hope I'm not the only one who has felt this way.  What are your struggles? What do you want in a Bible study or time in God's word?  Let me know below and let's talk.


15 comments:

  1. I, too, have struggled/am struggling with Bible study. I have trouble staying focused, sticking with one method, knowing where to start, remembering what I have read......and many other things. I do have your Ephesians study, but I bought it when I was in the middle of doing something else so I have not gotten to it yet. Part of the problem I think is many years in fill-in-the blank studies and when I don't have that workbook I don't know what to do, but I have never retained anything from those popular studies. Many, many years ago in college I learned inductive bible study, but who has the hours to dig in like that? Me thinks it is time to begin Ephesians. ~j

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    1. Yes! I SO understand! I would LOVE to hear what you think of the Ephesians study and if it helps you as it has helped me. I hope these studies are the starting point for everyone to learn how to dig deep! Thanks!

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  2. I could so see myself when you were describing trying to find that secret key. I do struggle. I do want to dig deep. Perhaps your Ephesians study is my key...I keep coming back to it. As with Anonymous, me thinks it's time to beging Ephesians. :)

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    1. Sandy, let me know what you think when you dive into it. Ephesians is a GREAT book!

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  3. I have done numerous fill-in-the-blank Bible studies, with some pretty amazing women. And while I loved doing them, like you, I have a hard retaining much of anything. As in the case of others I too have the Ephesians study, but haven't started yet because, well, life. Guess I'll be starting it up soon too! Thanks Kari!

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    1. Ya, I completely agree! Beth Moore is my BFF and I LOVE her videos and studies! Let me know what you think of Ephesians!

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  4. I just found your blog through Pinterest and this about sums it up for me, right down to the awful 80's hair. I was a substance abusing hot mess in high-school and socializing was more fun than learning, so I have never really understood the concept or practices of note taking. People make it sound so simple or obvious and I just end up feeling like the fluffy idiot in the back of the room again. I'm excited to start Ephesians :)

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    1. I'm excited for you to start too Angie! Please let me know what you think as you dig in!

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  5. I really love this post Kari. It is from the heart and very honest. Thank you for all your encouragement. I loved doing the free Ephesians study although I am rubbish at the arty, doodling bit. Will definitely be buying more of your studies. xx

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    1. Definitely from the heart, and if it helps more people who were floundering like me, it's all worth it! I'm glad you enjoyed the Ephesians study!

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  6. I am new to your blog also Kari and I just received your Ephesians study a couple of days ago. I will be working through it very soon and I'm very excited about journaling through the Bible. I, like others, have done many, many workbook style studies and God has grown me and changed me in so many amazing ways through those studies but I have always felt like something was missing. I desire to dig into God's Word on my own instead of continuing to be spoon fed by others. It felt like "home" when I came across your blog and was reading about your technique so I truly feel like this is going to be the something missing I have been looking for. Thank you so much for sharing your studies with others. Keep it up please! :-)

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    1. Thanks Angie! I hope it helps you grow even closer with God!

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  7. Hey! So I just stumbled upon your website VIA Pinterest. I love it! I have been wanting to Bible journal for quite a while and every time I start I feel like I get super overwhelmed. And actually, I am so inspired by your blog that I am going to link to you from my blog and my newspaper article I'm writing this week. You are a GREAT resource! I wish I would have known about your Ephesians study a few months ago when we started leading a Young Adults (Highschool) Bible study over... Ephesians!! We are wrapping it up this week but I think I will be going through it again since its such an awesome book. THANK YOU for this blog - We all NEED to read and study our bibles so much more. You are awesome.

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    1. Hi Emily! I'm so glad you're here! I've been over on your blog and love it! And CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you get started with Bible Journaling, it's a life changer! Thanks for writing!

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  8. Hey! So I just stumbled upon your website VIA Pinterest. I love it! I have been wanting to Bible journal for quite a while and every time I start I feel like I get super overwhelmed. And actually, I am so inspired by your blog that I am going to link to you from my blog and my newspaper article I'm writing this week. You are a GREAT resource! I wish I would have known about your Ephesians study a few months ago when we started leading a Young Adults (Highschool) Bible study over... Ephesians!! We are wrapping it up this week but I think I will be going through it again since its such an awesome book. THANK YOU for this blog - We all NEED to read and study our bibles so much more. You are awesome.

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