These are some tips that have helped me personally in my growth of faith and Bible studies :)
pray before you start
ask God for wisdom, understanding and guidance. prayer will help you approach the scripture with an open heart and mind.
set a time and place
choose a calm and quiet place to start reading the gospel without distractions. setting a specific time will help you build consistency in your reading.
start by plan
if it helps you, follow a Bible reading plan(ej: chronological, book by book, etc). I recommend to start by Proverbs, Psalms or Luke(to understand Jesus'' life)
use study tools
concordance: find related verses and themes. Bible dictionary: look up terms, places and names. commentaries: gain insights from theologians.
take notes
highlight and write down verses that resonated with you in a notebook, preferably one that is only for Bible study use, and then go back and review your notes in detail.
ask yourself questions
what''s the message you find? how can you apply the teachings in your daily life? what does this mean?
memorize scripture
This will help you connect and meditate on the word of God throughout the day.
study in context
Avoid focusing on just one sentence. Read the verses around it to get the context of the teaching clear.
apply what you learn
A fairly obvious step, but one that is worth mentioning. Ask yourself how you can apply this to the people around you and moments in your life.
use cross-references
let scripture interpret scripture. it helps you notice how different parts of the Bible connect
be patient
Don''t worry about not understanding the passages at the exact moment you read them, maybe it''s not the moment you understand them, but later on it might be the right moment when you have to hear it.
