Brain Based Bible Study

Pay attention to (focus on) what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find themand health to one’s whole body. – Proverbs 4:20-22

When I was an elementary school teacher in Shelburne, Vermont my team of educators were given the initiative to explore the latest and greatest teaching practices available at that time. We set out to revolutionize how kids thought about school. Our goal was to make it so kids would jump out of bed in the morning, excited to go to school.

If you have children, you know this is a gigantic goal. Think about your own childhood. When you were in elementary school, did you jump out of bed excited because you couldn’t wait to attend school? Not me, but I set out to create an educational space that defied boredom. 

What I discovered is that when children’s brains are activated through their five senses, or Brained Based Education, powerful memories are made. 

In our classroom, we built rocket ships and hot air balloons to teach gravity and Newton’s third law. We wrote poetry from the point of view of young immigrant children. We read science journals and planted flowers in various degrees of sunlight. When learning was engaging, inspiring and collaborative, we lost track of time and laughed a lot.

As I was planning a Women’s Bible Study kick off event to start this new year, I prayed to God for direction and inspiration. As I began to daydream of my classroom in Vermont, it occurred to me that a Brain Based Bible Study could be just as effective and fun.

Here’s what I came up with. Hopefully you will find these seven steps easy to understand and they will activate your brain while you study God’s word. Feel free to try this with a few friends and see if you too lose track of time and laugh a lot.

Brain Based Bible Study

A Head – Heart – Hands Approach 

Step #1 – Access

• Create a space in your home to meet with God as you read His word. Make it comfortable & have your supplies accessible. (Bible, pens, glasses, highlighters, devotionals, study workbooks…) How can you minimize distractions in your “God space”?
• Commit time to God. Prioritize this “divine date” and write it on your “To Do” list.

Through Jesus we have access to the Father by one Spirit. – Ephesians 2:8

Step #2 – Attention

• With your eyes focused and wide open, read God’s word expecting to discover treasures that will transform your life such as; God’s promises and plans for you.
• Pay attention to how God is speaking to you though the Bible. Lean it and believe you can hear His voice through His word. Don’t be surprise when He pops words of the page.

Pay attention to (focus on) what I say. – Proverbs 4:20

Step #3 – Assess 

• Think about what your reading. Mediate on God’s word, repeat a verse or two over and over. Let it sink deep into your mind. What does God want you to think about?
• Ask yourself if you agree with God’s word. Assess how scripture can grow and change you. 

As you think, you become. – Proverbs 23:7

Step #4 – Activate

• Let what you’re thinking about sink into your heart. What emotions are you experiencing? Embrace how the word of God impacts you.
• Activate your memory by writing down God’s word and your thoughts in a journal, on 3x5 cards, or in your Bible. Writing increases your recall ability and recording your thoughts outlives your life.

Let this be written for a future for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. – Psalm 102:18

Step #5 – Accuracy 

• Check for understanding. Ask yourself if your thoughts and feelings align with God’s promises and truths.
• Tap into your prior knowledge. Are you building on what you already know about God’s character, His values and attitudes? Are you headed in the right direction, a wise way? 

For the word of is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Step #6 – Articulate

• Speak aloud what you are learning. When you tell someone else what you’ve discovered, your knowledge increases and your “own it” more.
• As you share your faith stories with others, you can expect your faith and confidence to soar. God can connect dots in your mind as you articulate your Biblical findings.

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.  – Psalm 78:4

Step #7 - Apply 

• Put your growing faith into action by applying what you’re learning.
• The Biblical knowledge and wisdom you are gaining by reading, thinking, writing, speaking, and teaching others must be applied to all areas of your life to truly be effective. 
• The Holy Spirit is leading you into greater wisdom and understanding, will you follow, trust and obey?

Do not merely listen to the word, and do deceive yourselves. Do what it says. – James 1:22

Faith without deeds is dead. – James 2:26

There it is, your Brain Based Bible Study approach for 2018! First your mind is engaged by thinking, mediating, and questioning. Then your heart is activated by allowing your emotions to align with God’s thoughts and truths. And finally, when you take action by owning your faith and sharing it with others, you’ve embraced a Head – Heart – Hands Bible Study Plan for the new year. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

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