How to Create a Bible Study Basket
What is a bible study basket?
A Bible Study Basket is just what it sounds like, a basket you use for your Bible Study. It’s 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 God’s Word.
Another thing I like about it is that everything is in one place. I don’t 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 I’m 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 it’s put together well, it can look good too!
What should I have in my basket?
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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 it’s 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.
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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.
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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.
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Bible Journal
A Bible Journal is a great place to write down your thoughts as you go through God’s 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.
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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.
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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 “let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly”. Committing God’s 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).
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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 don’t like to write in your Bible then you can use pencils, pens and highlighters to write in your Bible Journal or your Prayer Journal.
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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.
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Candle
You may like to light a candle for your Bible study time to create a special mood, or a special ‘space’, 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.
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A special mug
I like to have a cup of tea when I’m 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.
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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 God’s Word as you spend time studying.