The Basic Steps of Bible Study: Getting Started

by Kay Arthur

Beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur has long taught the inductive study method, which has helped millions of people enjoy discovering the truths of God’s Word for themselves. This guide is a great place to start learning how to study your Bible in a truly-life-changing way.
As you cultivate the inductive skills of observation, interpretation, and application, you will… The more you become an active participant in God’s Word, the more you will become aware of all that it means to be in Christ and to live boldly and confidently in God’s truths.
 

Genres: Christian

64 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2019

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

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/172023
Quick reread because I'm thinking about buying several copies to give as gifts but it has been so long since I read this I needed to double-check exactly what all they covered in it. It's the bare basics but can serve as a short and helpful introduction on how to study the Bible or a handy outline review.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a larger book broken down into smaller and manageable pieces.
This is the very beginning. Getting started. This is the approach to inductive Bible study and is for the student to approach the bible with their own open mind. No mobile phones to google help or the study insights of a learned schooler interpreting The book of Romans, or even that study aid / the bible commentary.
This approach to the process of learning from Scripture, demands that you do the work.
This short guide begins with an overview and the introduction to the discipline of observation. What should be clear is that it like building an model of an E-type Jag, then reading the manual on the vehicle before you can sit in the actual sports car.
The preparation can and should be beneficial but the desire is to plunge into the bible head first is a natural one; a joyous one but better perhaps to learn to swim.
The key word here is STUDY. It is like serious hard graft. Armed with highlighters and comprehension skills most of us realise we haven’t ever had. Let’s not read Macbeth for ourselves but the Letts study guide and allow other commentators provide the answers. At least if we reminder the guide well enough we might convince some we’ve read the Scottish Play.
The thing I like most about this book is it is honest; it sets out the steps to follow. Calls upon the right approach, what benefits we seek and the promises of help that have been made to bring clarity and understanding. The effort needed is discipline and perseverance but the rewards greater and beneficial in our goals.
Inductive study is spelt out. Observation - What does it say? Interpretation - What does it mean? Application - What does it mean to me?
It might not be everyone’s approach - there are some excellent bible study notes that take new Christians through their bibles in a less demanding way and by applying similar tools and encouragement establish these principles. This brings an immediacy to God’s Word where through this book and others to follow it is more like learning to prepare food and cook without ever being able to taste it.
Like most things balance is the better approach - bible study the inductive way will suit many by for others a more personal sharing my bring better results. Certainly, some guidance is importance but this book seems to overcomplicate studying the bible and more an intellectual exercise.
Yet to truly come to terms with a clean approach to biblical study, to think for yourself and build your own understanding then this book would suggest it has to be the inductive way.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone looking to learn how to study the Bible for themselves in a more systematic, in-depth way in order to better understand God's Word will find a great how-to manual in Kay Arthur's "The Basic Steps of Bible Study." It's a shortened form of some of her earlier works, but maybe better formatted for a new generation.

Learn the basics of inductive Bible study by taking a look at context, learning how to observe what the Bible says, interpreting what it meant to its original intended audience, and then applying it to life today.
This well-written, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide will make a great reference tool for anyone getting starting in Bible study. Arthur will hold your hand through the process and help you become an adept and confident student of God's Word.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashley Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on inductive bible study to be incredibly helpful to me. I have been a Christian for a long time now. I understand that we are to study the Bible, but in my own journey there has been very little information and guidance in how to do it. I am someone who follows a pattern very well, but has trouble making my own pattern. So something like this is so helpful to me because I can take this process and make it my own.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick introduction to Kay Arthur’s inductive Bible study method. Explained well. This method isn’t “my cup of tea” but it was a thorough explanation.

[Aminata Coote · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Basics of Bible Study introduces readers to the inductive Bible study method. They are taught how to study the Bible by books, chapters and by paragraphs; to search for key words and discover the themes in God’s Word.

This resource is helpful if you are just learning the inductive Bible study method. However, if you’ve already read How to Study Your Bile or The New How to Study Your Bible you’ll find that The Basics of Bible covers much of the same ground.

The Basics of Bible Study teaches readers to question a text asking ‘Who’ ‘What’ ‘Where’ ‘Why’ ‘When’ and ‘How’ questions. As we make note of what is obvious in a text, the meaning and application become clear. The Basics of Bible Study takes the reader through a step-by-step process that can easily be followed until one becomes adept at studying God’s Word.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in a place where I aspire to really learn and understand what God is telling me and I'd like to start by studying, not just reading, my bible. I'd like to know the Word of God in its entirety, as I have never read the bible and taken the time to read it daily before. Now I carry it with me and I find inspiration everytime I open it and read it.

I started hearing about inductive bible study in my quest to learn more, and this book is a good overview of it, and a good summary. It has opened me up to markings and color coding that I see so much on pictures and social media, and I may need to learn to be open to that and buy a book & study bible I can use to write on the pages. I'll continue to explore more into it, as there are so many ways to enjoy this journey.

[Lauren Bates]

I had heard of Arthur's inductive Bible study method, and this quick read was a great overview for a beginning Bible student who longs to learn more than just what's on the surface. I made lots of highlights and will be referring to my notes as I dive into my studying. Highly recommend for any student wanting to turn their reading into realizing how the Bible is relevant for now. My only complaint is that I didn't realize this was information from a longer book and I'll need to purchase another book =)

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Basic Steps of Bible Study By Kay Arthur is a wonderful introduction to inductive Bible study. This book is just what it describes-- it is very basic, it is a quick read, it is not meant to be an exhaustive approach to Bible study. But in the simplicity of the approach, this book is wonderful start for new Christians and just as wonderful as a refresher for seasoned believers. I think both would benefit from its wisdom and time tested methods. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The material is good my issue with this very short new book (55 pages) is that it is only one of the steps (Observation) in the inductive study. It is also just part I of the full book (almost word for word). I don't see the point in this book. The full book is only a few dollars more and you get the entire inductive experience.
Thanks to Netgally for this ARC, it did not in anyway influence my review.

[Holly Minion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've done a couple of Bible studies by Kay Arthurs in the past. This book is the perfect size for a quick primer on Bible study. She walks the reader through steps to studying any Bible passage on their own. I was able to read this in about an hour and was able to implement some tips immediately. I recommend it for anyone who wants to go farther with their Bible study.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars: 5/5 Stars
I am a student of the Bible and have been for many years, even taking seminary courses for pastor's wives, and this book is a wonderful study guide for those of all levels. I plan to purchase the NISB, New Inductive Study Bible, that Kay Arthur recommends in the book.
I received a digital version of this book from netgalley and Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[William Dicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introduction to the inductive Bible study method, this short book really accomplishes its purpose.

I have been using this method for many years, and I would recommend this little book to anyone who would like to start learning this method, or those who have never done any real Bible study at all.

[Samantha Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just what I needed to help me dig deeper into my bible study. I can't wait to start on the larger book and workbook so I can really dig deep. It was a great quick read to help you get started.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book to be very helpful.. highly recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

[Nancy Teal · Rating 5 out of 5]

anything
by
Kay Arthur is worth the read.

[Lis K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is an excerpt from the longer book, "How to Study Your Bible." This pocket book focuses on the first step, Observation, in the Observation-Interpretation-Application approach to studying the Bible. I think it is a great resource to help individuals or groups by providing a clear framework of how to observe the text. It sounds easy but there are a lot of steps involved, it is for someone who really wants to study their Bible, not just read it and walk away. This book mentions several resources (worksheets) that the reader can use to help organize information but they seem to be only available in the complete book. It also references the New Inductive Study Bible as another resource to use this in study approach. I'd recommend this pocket book to readers who are serious about studying their Bible and need help on how to begin.
* I received this book free of charge from NetGalley.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to get started learning about the inductive method of Bible study, read this booklet. Arthur provides an overview of the method as a whole and then instructs readers in the first step of inductive study: how to observe the biblical text. If you are interested in learning about the entire inductive process, including how to interpret and apply the Bible, read the full book "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur, David Arthur, and Pete De Lacy.