Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days

by Kay Arthur

Well-known Bible teacher Kay Arthur leads readers into the fascinating world of inductive Bible study where God Himself becomes the teacher (Psalm 119:102). With more than 60,000 copies sold, this book teaches readers how to study Scripture and specifically mark the text to unlock its meaning. In just 28 days readers learn how to

study the Bible book by book and understand what they are reading recognize key words and concepts in the Bible discover the main point of any passage of Scripture discern God's purpose and apply life-changing truths to everyday life

This is a very practical, hands-on, learn-by-doing book, perfect for either individuals or small groups. Bible text and space to write insights are included. Readers need only a pen, a few colored pencils...and a prayerful heart to complete each study and experience the Bible's life-changing power.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality, Christianity, Religion, Christian Living

156 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Kristina (seekerofbooksandcoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really struggled with reading the Bible before I took a Bible study group about this book. I feel like I have a clearer idea of where the books are and what the context of most of the books now.
I am planning on picking up the prayer one next!

[Amanda R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best studies I've ever done. I can't recommend it enough. It has changed how I see the Word and has opened up a whole new way of learning it's intricacies. Kay's study takes you step by step through reading the Bible and dissecting it along the way so that you are able to build a complete and accurate picture of what it says. I've been reading the Bible daily for years but through this study I've been able to begin to see so many details I've been missing. It has brought a new excitement to studying God's Word that I was lacking before. Highly, highly recommend.
.

[Ellie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great Bible study that definitely changed the way I study the Bible! If you've never done inductive study before, this is a great starter, and if you're still relatively new to it I'd still recommend this. I did an inductive study at church but missed some of the most important weeks due to traveling, so I decided to go through this to make sure I hadn't missed anything, and I'm glad I did. It teaches you to go in depth in your Bible to get the most out of God's word. I'd highly recommend it for anyone on your journey of discipleship.

[Aubrey Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book! 4th time reading it and walked through it as a discipleship tool and would highly recommend to both new and strong believers! I've been using the tools in this book since I read it with my mom in middle school

[Mandi Ehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used the inductive study method 15+ years ago but never really found my rhythm. However, I picked this book up at the beginning of the month to give it a try and really fell in love with this method for interacting with the Bible.

Ironically, I don’t LOVE Kay Arthur’s writing style (it’s a little too “sweet” for me) and I don’t agree with her on all theological issues, but I do really love the meat of this book and look forward to reading others.

[Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare that I find a book that I don't like. However, this book is one that I was on the verge of hating. When a title claims to do something, I expect it to do it. This book was nothing like that. She never explained why she was telling you to make these weird symbols in your studies. She left you to underline and never explained that either.

I was disappointed by this book. I stopped reading and went on to a real Bible study.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is not every day that I stop in the middle of something and just put it down. After the first few lessons, I found myself wondering and questioning. I felt like the premise of what the book was asking us to do was not explained. I found myself not wanting to follow along and not looking forward to studying my Bible through this book.

[Tabi Slick · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a study that will help you approach the Bible in a different way, then Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days by Kay Arthur will be right up your alley.

The Critique:
Arthur breaks down the book of Jonah in the first three weeks of the book and you really do learn quite a lot, while the final week is spent studying Jude. The first week definitely grabbed my attention, although I don’t do all of the highlighting and coloring as I’m not really that kind of person, I got a lot out of it just by underlining keywords and marking the “5 W’s and an H” (who, what, when, where, why, and how).
What would’ve made this book better would be if it had more room to write down all of your notes within the book making it more like a workbook. I didn’t like having to have a separate notebook to write everything down as I like having everything all together. I also felt like the pacing of this book was a little rushed, some daily chapters were quite lengthy and involved. The book seemed to end very nicely in Jonah and so she could’ve spread Jonah out just a little bit longer without adding Jude. Even though the book of Jude is short and very insightful, ending a workbook in the same chapter you started in seems more complete and less like adding just to get a page count.
Overall, this was a pretty good Bible study and would recommend for those wanting to get a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Nonfiction Star Rating Report Card:

4 Stars out of 5
1) How would you rate the writing?
★★★★ - 4 stars
2) Does the intro grab your attention?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
3) Does the book move at a good pace?
★★★ - 3 stars
4) Did you enjoy the book overall?
★★★★ - 4 stars

[Bill]

This is not just a book to read, it is a workbook that gives you the opportunity to learn and practice the Inductive Bible Study method. Due to intervening circumstances it took me more than 28 days to complete; however the effort was well worth it. I have been a student of the Bible for 38 years, and yet I found here some new insights to take my understanding of the Word to deeper levels. The of God is truly inexhaustible, and there is always more to learn. If you think you have no more to learn from the Bible, the fact is you haven't learned anything yet! I challenge you to get a copy of this book, to read it, and to complete the exercises.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It's semi workbook type. Kay Arthur books are pretty much the same. In this book she works to teach on how to get the most out of your Bible study. Her delivery is gentle and informative. This book may leave you wanting to know much about the technique inductive method. Arthur has more books that further explain the method, which are well promoted in this book. If you're curious about the inductive method, then give this study a try. It takes 28 days to get through this book. The lessons are about 20-30 minutes. You will enjoy the quiet time this book encourages you to create.

[Jessica Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for anyone at any stage of their journey with Christ. I like this one better than the supposedly more complete book by her called The New How To Study Your Bible, because this one has you learn more by doing rather than trying to follow what I felt she explained in a somewhat complicated manner (in the other book). This one is not just a read but an actual Bible study with lots of scripture reading and contemplation that also sets a standard for how you can study in the future. I recommend not hesitating to take 2 or 3 days to complete some of the lessons she has allotted for one day, if needed.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Intro to Inductive Bible Study

I've had extensive training in inductive Bible study so this seemed quite simple. At the same time I can see how someone with no background in in-depth study would find it challenging and enlightening. I gave it fewer stars because I used the kindle version, which was not conducive to all the marking and list-making that make inductive Bible study work well.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to help you learn HOW to study the Bible. The author provides you with strategies of highlighting same works, underlining other words, drawing a simple picture above another word...All in the process you read and reread the passages and focus your attention on the meaning of the verse.

Of all Bible studies I have read, this one provided me with strategies to get more out of future Bible studies. I highly recommend this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn solid Bible study skills that will allow you to dig deeper, think critically and draw your own conclusions then this book is a must have in your library. Mrs. Arthur encourages critical thinking and introduces you to a process that is easy to execute in layers.

[Tennille · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is is basically a really simple lesson on paying attention while reading. There's a lot of marking up Bible passages with colored pencils to the point that by the time you're done, almost every word is marked.

[Mark A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent basic how to read work

[Kimberly Duffle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great instructional book on how to STUDY the Bible!

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I have read several times and will reread again.

[Fara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent teaching on inductive study of the Bible

[Darlene Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good study on how to study the bible

[Yvette Hayes]

Did as a bible study at Good Shepherd. Fine.

[Ethan Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Primer on studying the Bible inductively!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Adrienne Y. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Detailed and worth every minute invested.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For people unfamiliar with inductive study techniques - letting the Bible be the beginning and focus of study, before one ever looks at the interpretations or thoughts of men - this book serves as an excellent introduction. In four short weeks, the reader in introduced to the basics of looking at the audience, purpose of writing, themes evidenced through key repeated words and phrases, and the structure of a book. Learning to focus on the context and exactly what the passage or text says helps keep interpretation from going off on tangents. Setting a verse within the larger context of a book and then cross-referencing in order to see the larger scriptural context is a strong tool of interpretation and application that is sometimes missing when one studies devotionally and without the Bible as a firm foundation.

The structure of the study demonstrates how much one can glean while studying a chapter in the Psalms, then the book of Jonah, and finally the book of Jude (all while really honing inductive study skills). The depth that the reader achieves from that focus builds an excitement for the degree to which the Bible can be understood and gives the student confidence to press on with further study. While focusing on how to study, the Bible itself demonstrates to the reader that it is "alive and active" as the book of Hebrews says, as the message of each book studied while learning skills becomes relevant to the life of the reader.

The shortness of the book (28 days of homework over the four weeks) can at times frustrate the student who wants more practice. On the other hand, it whets one's appetite for continuing and going deeper as she realizes the means of studying independently and growing in a deeper relationship with God through this method of study. Inductive study techniques are not the only way to study the Bible; but, this book provides the first steps in showing what can be gained from reading with a purpose and not going beyond the text, or what it says.

[Heather Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently bought this book because I used to be involved in an inductive Bible study with my church - but they cancelled it. I wanted to learn more about this method so that I could continue studying the Bible on my own and it had GREAT reviews... but honestly, I started out very un-impressed.

Towards the beginning I was reading 2-3 days (or chapters) at a time and still not getting much out of it. It was going much too slow for me. What I do love is that Ms. Arthur doesn't give away any answers. She sends you on what I'm calling "Bible Errands". She gives you an errand to do in your own Bible (or in the selected Bible text in the back of the book) and then suggests what to do with what you find to draw your own conclusions. It felt great on the days when I found some profound truth all on my own... but then it was often 3 days later before I found another one. Some days she was totally excited about something that I just didn't see, and that made me feel a little inadequate and very frustrated - especially when she asked me to apply it.

At the same time that I bought this, I bought the New Inductive Study Bible, and it has much of the same information - only while Ms. Arthur's book drags it out at an unbelievably slow pace, the study Bible lists it all up front and it's almost too much to take in. I'd love to find a book about inductive Bible study that was somewhere in between the two.

I haven't decided if I'll recommend this book yet or not. I've contemplated using it to teach my kids about inductive Bible study - they should handle the pace of this book well. Or it might (and I emphasize the might) be good for someone who has zero experience with inductive Bible study, but even then, it might be best for them to go through it with someone who has just so that on days when they don't connect the dots they don't get discouraged.

[Kenneth Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to Study

As the title of this book says I learned to study Gods word not just read. I recommend this read to all.

[Glscales · Rating 5 out of 5]

God calls us and sometimes he might lift you completely us and your intellengent level understandings it all. But, for those of us that have made worldly issues part of our lives and held on to that so called wonderful bagage, it takes a longer process. The devil attacks immediately with all forces for you not to keep going on the journey with Jesus. We must learn these truths that help us defeat the danages that reaches out to get our souls. Kay you are so, annoited. I wonder if you know how God has really used you and the lifes that have been tured to Jesus because you were obidient to the training, trails, and listening to the Holy Spirits direction. I hope your beacon will shine for many years to come and life will be restful in HIS HANDS.

[DaShannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me more than 28 days but I did learn much about studying the Bible. Arthur moves through both the old testament and the new testament spending the most time in Jonah and Jude. Her voice is very much like you are sitting in the room with her. She walks you through were to look, how to mark the Bible for better understanding, and how to take notes. I admit, I got caught up on why she told the story of the woman in her introduction and then ended with Sodom. I don't see how that was the best introduction to an inductive Bible study book. I've done many, many Bible studies over years and this is a good one to start understanding how to get more out of just reading the word.

[Suzanne Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to teach women at my church how to study the Bible for themselves. It is a great tool. I am a visual learner and really like to mark my bible and find it very helpful in learning and studying. This book requires about 30 minutes a day or more (depending on how deep you go and what experience you have). The last week took us two weeks to get through the lesson. (Book of Jude) I would allow 5-6 weeks for it. I am using it for mentoring/discipling and will allow two weeks for each lesson. They are college aged girls that stay busy.