Bible divider tabs make a great addition to your bible. They help you keep tabs on where all the books are and divide it up in an easy way to navigate.
They act like the index in the front, except you don’t need to go searching for the index, its right there in front of you!
They can be good not just for those starting out but for long time readers of God’s Word to help you look things up quickly, and well lets be honest they add a little bit of pretty to your bible đ
You might be wondering how do I put on the bible tabs? Well, I’ve made it nice and easy for you to get started by giving you a free printable you can download and instructions below on how to get your bible set up with them.
How to make bible tabs
Step 1 – Print out the bible tabs
Step 2 – Cut them out
Step 3 – Fold them in half
Step 4 – Work out the positioning of the tabs. I like to overlap them slightly, as there is space behind them you can still easily see where the names are.
Step 5 – Paste them in. You can just use regular glue or you can use sticky photo tape.
Step 6 – You’re done!
I have made some free bible tab printables for you to download below, enjoy!
A Bible Study Basket is just what it sounds like, a basket you use for your Bible Study. Itâs a place where you can keep all of your Bible study tools, everything you need for your Bible study, your Bible Colour Coding, and your Scripture Journaling.
Why should I have one?
I have to admit, I only heard about a Bible Study Basket just recently, and at first I thought, why? But as I thought about it, I thought what a great idea!
For a start, it is a great visual reminder to make Bible Study a priority. I know I want to make Bible study a priority but sometimes life can get so busy that the day gets away and it can be easily forgotten. Having a basket there is just a visual reminder not to forget to spend that all important time reading Godâs Word.
Another thing I like about it is that everything is in one place. I donât have to go looking for, or gather together, my Bible, my pencils, my journals etc as they are already there in the one place.
It also means that I can pick it up anytime and Iâm good to go. I can easily take it to any room in the house I want, or in the yard, or the park, or wherever I want to spend my time with God on any particular day.
And, if itâs put together well, it can look good too!
What should I have in my basket?
Bible
You may have a favorite Bible you like to use, or you may decide to buy a new Bible to start your basket. There are many different versions and types of Bibles to choose from, and itâs a very personal choice. It can be helpful to have a study Bible, as it will have additional resources such as book summaries, cross referencing, maps, or additional information that can be helpful as you study the Word.
Bible Reading Plan
Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start so you may want to use a Bible Reading Plan. This resource can help you know what to read and where to start. They can be especially helpful if you have a goal such as reading through the Bible in a year. You can also use other Bible Reading resources that lead you through verses, passages and topics. Or, you can work your way through a particular book of the Bible or the Psalms.
Resource Books
There are many resources out there. You may want to have a Bible dictionary or concordance, to help with those tricky words that inevitably show up, or to reference names and places.
Bible Journal
A Bible Journal is a great place to write down your thoughts as you go through Godâs Word. Putting words on paper can help to clarify your thoughts and help you to remember points you may want to hold on to. You may also make a note about something you would like to come back to at a later time, or something you would like to study more deeply. It can also be a great record of what God is doing in your life, and an encouragement as you read back over the things God has shown you.
Prayer Journal
You may have a prayer journal in your basket. Prayer journals are a great way to organize your prayer life and stay focussed on the people and things you would like to pray for. You can also make notes of answered prayers, which is always a great encouragement to look back on. A prayer journal can also be used to write out your prayers, you may write them out in points, or you may like to write out your prayers in full.
Bible Memory Cards
You may want to have Bible Memory Cards in your basket, or, make some yourself using verses from you Bible study. Colossians 3:16 encourages us to âlet the Word of Christ dwell in us richlyâ. Committing Godâs Word to memory is a great way to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and hide His Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) is part of our spiritual armour, and is our weapon against the enemy, and when facing temptation. Jesus memorized scripture, and He used it against the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
Pencils, Pens, Highlighters and Pencil Case
As you read and study your Bible you may want to colour code your Bible, or practice Bible journaling, or just underline words or verses that have particular meaning to you. If you donât like to write in your Bible then you can use pencils, pens and highlighters to write in your Bible Journal or your Prayer Journal.
Stickers and Sticky Notes
Using stickers can be a fun way of highlighting, or drawing attention to, something special that you have read, or for using in your journals. They can have a specific purpose, or can be purely decorative. Use your imagination and have fun with it.
Candle
You may like to light a candle for your Bible study time to create a special mood, or a special âspaceâ, or a sense of reverence. Having a candle burning during this time can also be a visual signal to your family that you are spending time with God and, hopefully, encourage them to not interrupt or distract you during that time.
A special mug
I like to have a cup of tea when Iâm reading, so, whether your preference is tea or coffee, it can be nice to have a special mug to use during your study time. It may be a favourite mug, it may have an inspirational quote on it or it may have a Bible verse on it, whatever it looks like it can live in your basket, ready for you when you need it.
A special basket
Of course, a Bible Study Basket would not be complete without a basket! It can be as plain, or as pretty as you like. Once you know what you want to keep in it you will be able to choose the right size.
Once you have all these things together you are ready to go.
Have fun with your basket and have enjoy soaking up Godâs Word as you spend time studying.
It can be hard to know how and where to start with studying the Bible. There are resources out there, but they still donât always lead to a deeper relationship with God, or a deeper understanding of His Word.
I was blessed to have a Christian mum growing up and she did a great job at getting me to read my Bible most days, unfortunately I absorbed it as a âhave toâ thing to do rather than a âwant toâ thing to do, and as much as I loved the Lord, I struggled a lot in early days approaching my Bible from a legalistic âhave toâ point of view rather than with joy and anticipation, and therefore I often missed out on getting the most out of spending time in the Word.
You may have had a similar experience, or a very different one. It may be that you used to love spending time in the Word, but the busyness of life and itâs circumstances have got in the way, making spending time in the Word more of a chore, something you donât feel you have the time for, or maybe you just donât know how to get back into it again.
The SOAP method is a simple way of spending time in God’s word. It not too full on that a beginner couldn’t do it and you can go much deeper with it if you’re looking for something more.
But before we get into the ins and outs of the SOAP method of bible study lets take a look at why we spend time in God’s word and why we study the bible.
We want to make sure we are not approaching it from some legalistic point of view, as we probably wonât get much out of it, and it more than likely wonât be something that brings us joy.
What stops me from spending time in the Word and why should I spend time in the Word?
The first question will possibly take a little soul searching on your part.
Only you can answer that one, it may be that you donât know how to study Godâs Word, it may be you donât know where to start, it may be you donât think youâll get anything out of it, it may be that you struggle to find the time, you may not see the importance of it, or there may be another reason that stops you.
Whatever the reason, if spending time in Godâs Word is something you want to do more of then the thing that stops you needs to be addressed. What follows may have answers for some of those things that hold you back.
Why should I study the Bible?
Itâs a way of getting to know God Better
John 15:15 says that He (God) has called us friends. Thatâs a pretty amazing statement, think about it, friends, with God!
Take a few moments to think about your friendships, the people in your life who you are close to, who have your back, and you have theirs. How did those friendships start, how did they grow? Usually friendships grow by spending quality time with each other, getting to know each other, talking, listening, sharing interests.
As our friendships in the natural grow, so our friendship with God in the spiritual can grow. Spending time in His presence, getting to know Him and His character through the Word, communication through praise, worship and prayer, listening for His âstill small voiceâ (1 Kings 19:12).
As we get to know God better, and spend more time with Him, we will learn to hear His voice.
For Guidance, truth, right thinking and wisdom
Godâs Word is alive and active, not dead and motionless (Hebrews 4:12).
Godâs Word reveals truth (John 17:17). In a world where there can be untruth, confusion, deception and lies, its good to have a reliable source of truth, a yard stick to measure life against. The Berean church in the book of Acts knew that it was important to test everything, even the teaching of the great apostle Paul, against the Word of God to ensure that what was being taught was true. (Acts 17:11)
Godâs Word provides guidance (Psalm 119:105). It can illuminate our path and give us direction. When we are not sure what to do, or which way to go, Godâs Word can give guidance and help us in our choices.
Godâs Word offers teaching, equipping and right thinking (2 Timothy 3:16). It teaches us about God, His plans for us, for His people, and for the world. It provides us with the necessary knowledge and understanding that, if appropriated, can equip us to tackle the things that life throws at us.
Godâs Word brings wisdom (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Proverbs 2:6 says that knowledge, wisdom and understanding come from the mouth of God, Godâs Word.
Ok, so, now Iâm going to answer the question of âwhat does SOAP have to do with studying the Bibleâ.
SOAPâŚinsert drumrollâŚis an acronym!
I hope thatâs not an anti-climax, and donât give up on me yet, the SOAP approach to studying the Bible is worth looking into, itâs simple, straight forward, and you donât need to buy any expensive books or study tools.
This is not just reading the Bible and then getting on with your day but rather taking a little time to dig a little deeper and get to know God, your Friend, a little better.
What will I need?
Itâs simple, all you need to get started is a Bible, pen and paper, and a quiet space and time where you wonât be distracted, about 15 minutes should be enough to start with.
How do I do it?
As I said before SOAP is and acronym which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Letâs break each one down.
Scripture â read a passage of scripture and then write it down. If it is a long passage then just choose a few verses that stand out to you and write them down. Writing things down enables a higher level of thinking which can result in a more focussed action.
Observation â think about the scripture and ask yourself, what stands out to you, what do you observe, who is the audience, is there something you see that you havenât seen before, is there repetition, are there comparisons or contrasts. Write down your observations.
Application â now it gets personal. Ask yourself, how can I apply what I have read to myself, my life, and my walk with the Lord, is there something I need to do, or change. It may not always be something you need to âdoâ or âchangeâ but it may be something you learn about God that changes your relationship with Him, or that you want to add to your praise and worship. Write down how you will apply what you have learned.
Prayer â pray through what you have learned, ask God to work in your life through what you have learned, it may involve praise, it may involve confession, it may be asking for help to act on something. (Matthew 13:23)
Example of a SOAP bible study
Letâs try an example of the SOAP method, Iâm going to use Psalm 46 verses 1 and 2. (Iâve used the World English Bible)
Scripture
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we wonât be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas. Psalm 46:1-2
Observation
As I read this scripture, wrote it down, and meditated on it, I noted the word âisâ. It doesnât say might be or may be, it says is. It is a truth statement, a statement about Godâs character that I can count on and depend on. He IS my refuge and strength.
Application
As I go through the troubles and testings of the day, and thereâs always something that comes up in a day, I can KNOW that GOD IS my refuge and strength. Someone to go to when I need a safe place, someone to talk to who loves me unconditionally, and by turning to God as my refuge it can change my perspective on things and I know that He will give me the strength to face whatever the challenge might be.
Prayer
Lord, as I go through my day today may I be aware of your presence with me. When things get tough help me to remember what I have learned here, that I donât need to be afraid, that I can come to you with my problems, no matter how big or small, that you will be there to keep me safe and to give me the strength I need to move forward.
And thatâs it. Simple to remember, easy to do, and an effective way of spending time in the Word. If youâre not sure where to start the Psalms and the Gospels can be a great place to begin.
Remember, this exercise is not about your ability to write well, or whether or not you think youâve done it ârightâ. Itâs about you spending time with God and His Word, interacting with His Word and allowing it to change your life, and your relationship with Him.
Hi, I'm Steph! I want to equip you with faith resources to encourage a love of Gods word in your life.
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