Sabbath School Lesson for April 25-May 1, 2026
Introduction of Lesson 5, How to Study the Bible
Memory Text: ” ‘So shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it’ ” Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
Simply owning a Bible isn’t going to help us grow closer to God. We must regularly partake of the wisdom found within its pages, in order to reap the reward of knowing God better.
How do we best read the Bible, and how do we best study what we find there? These are legitimate questions we must pursue, if God’s word is to do more than collect dust in a closet or drawer, or make an attractive table decoration in our living room or on a bedside stand.
Reading the entire Bible is beneficial and commendable. Martin Luther said he read it through twice a year for many years. Developing strong study times and exploring the many methods of Bible study available will keep our devotional time vibrant and able to make us more like the God we love and worship. As Isaiah pointed out, the word will accomplish what it’s meant to do. It will bring us closer to our Friend Jesus.
This week, we will explore:
- Sunday: Time
- Monday: A Place
- Tuesday: Deep Bible Study
- Wednesday: A Double Blessing
- Thursday: ‘Tis So Sweet!
Sunday: Time
Many of us have begun a schedule of daily Bible reading, but found ourselves losing interest and eventually not following through with our commitment. Keep in mind that it takes 21 days to make something a habit, so make sure you have the best chance for success by paying attention to some planning details before you even begin.
Resolve that the reading will take place daily. Choose a time that works best for your schedule. A time when you feel refreshed mentally and relaxed emotionally, when distractions are minimal. Gladly, there’s also the option of listening to the Bible. Find an app on your phone, or other means that you can audibly soak in the Scriptures at a convenient time of day for you. It can be on your daily commute to and from work or when you are doing some menial household task at home.
Don’t do it just to appease your conscience, however. Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to make you gain the most from this worthwhile exercise. Do it for the right reason–to know God better, and don’t feel guilty if a day or two is missed, due to some unforeseen schedule interruption.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Jeremiah 29:13 and Psalm 37:4
- What should be the state of our mind as we try to know God better through His word?
Acts 17:11 and Psalm 46:10
- What two things are important to remember as we schedule our Bible reading?
Monday: A Place
Besides finding the right time for our daily communion with God, it’s also important to choose the right place. Jesus gave us a noteworthy example to follow in this.
Mark 1:35 tells us how the Master rose early every morning before dawn and found a quiet, solitary place for prayer. If Jesus needed to do this, in order to have strength and courage for His ministry, we surely need to do the same.
Any place we choose can be a prayer closet, but keeping it the same place every day, when possible, improves the chances for it to become a habit. Both time and place must be conducive to making our relationship with God a priority. A quiet time and a solitary place will allow us more easily to hear His still, small voice speaking to our hearts.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Psalm 27:8 and 1 Chronicles 16:11
- What does it mean to seek His face and His strength?
- What are we really looking for by seeking God?
Mark 1:35
- When, where, and why did Jesus go somewhere to pray?
- How can we follow His example?
Tuesday: Deep Bible Study
Many people feel untrained when it comes to deep Bible study. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar, however, to drink deeply from the living water found in God’s word. Praying for the Holy Spirit’s help, both before and after you study, will go a long way in giving you deeper insights and understanding of what you read. Both heart and mind must be engaged, so the Holy Spirit is needed to prepare us to gain the most from our study.
In addition, writing down our thoughts and observations is an excellent way to remember what we’ve learned. These stored words may enable us to encourage someone else struggling to know God better. The prayer used at the end of our study time might include a request to show us someone who needs such encouragement.
The Bible is a lamp that sheds light on our path (Psalm 119:105). Deep study is worth it. especially when it helps others who need further light as well. So, drink deeply and be prepared to share what you find.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Psalm 119:105
- How has the Bible been a light for your path, a guide for how to have a better life?
- Why is sharing it so important?
Wednesday: A Double Blessing
If we are sharing what God has revealed to us from the Bible, we want to make sure we are getting the most out of our study. There are many ways to approach our time spent with God’s holy word. We can focus on one chapter, verse, or book, or perhaps do a study of a word or topic, which will take us many places in the Bible.
In order to keep us interested and engaged, however, it’s best to vary our methods of study and not forget to synthesize our discoveries by summarizing and writing down our thoughts and observations. This not only provides us with a way to review what we learn, but have something concrete to share later with someone else, making it a double blessing indeed.
Having a daily commitment of getting to know God better by abiding in His word enables us to focus on the prize. We aren’t in a short sprint, but rather, a marathon. So, try to focus on the long term and know that God is with you every step of your spiritual journey.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Isaiah 50:4
- What does it mean by “a word in season”?
- Why do many chose the morning as a time for their daily devotions? What benefit does that time of day have for most of us?
Thursday: ‘Tis So Sweet!
We don’t normally consider having our faults pointed out as a sweet experience, but the author of Psalm 119 found the words of God as sweet as honey, even though they revealed his sins (Psalm 119:103). Perhaps it was because they also included a remedy that would set him on a straighter path to happiness.
God’s precepts or laws, though cutting at first, become a light for us to see a better way (Psalm 119:105), the way that gently moves us closer into the embrace of our heavenly Father. When we dive into God’s word with submissive humility, we are immediately challenged to the point of finding our characters becoming more like God’s. He promises to be with us throughout this process that enables us to have a sweeter life for ourselves and those around us.
No wonder Isaiah encourages us to seek God (Isaiah 55:6). Uncovering His character of constant love and repeated forgiveness in the Scriptures brings us to a higher plane of existence with Him than we previously thought possible. Nothing can be sweeter than that!
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Psalm 119:103-105
- What made God’s words such a sweet experience for the psalmist?
Isaiah 55:6
- How do we seek God and how do we call on Him? What specific actions are required to know God better?
Friday: Final Thoughts
There are several principles we should keep in mind as we read the Bible:
- It is meaningful. Therefore, read slowly, perhaps more than once, and meditate on the meaning of what you find there.
- It is beautiful. Appreciate the Bible’s poetic, literary structure and powerful imagery.
- It is self-interpreting. Compare scripture with scripture, allowing passages to be the key to understanding other verses.
- It is inspired. Put away your personal agendas and biases. Always pray for God to guide your thinking and consult often with other believers, exchanging your ideas.
- It is engaging. Therefore, apply it personally, allowing it to shed light on your life circumstances. Make sure obedience flows from the heart.
- It is moral. Handle its truths carefully. Don’t use them to judge or criticize others, but rather as a tool of redemption and encouragement.
Next Week: Prayer Warriors
To read the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly and see more resources for its study, go to
