This post pertains to the first step in Bible study, which is to begin with prayer.
Passages like John 16:13, Psalm 119:18, Luke 18:38, James 1:22, Luke 24:45, 1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 119:105, Ephesians 6:17, and Hebrews 4:12 provide scriptural guidance about what to pray prior to each Bible study session. An exemplary prayer using John 16:13 reads:
Dear Heavenly Father, when I open Your written Word, I rely on, and look forward to, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will guide me to receive all the relevant biblical truth that you want me to receive today. I early anticipate receipt of what You have for me. May this upcoming study session and what I take from it glorify Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, I pray.
If you want more details, the PDF version (link: https://stevebelsheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/STAGE-ONE-Prayer-Rev-1.pdf ) of this post is expansive and briefly treats John 16:13, Psalm 119:18, Luke 18:38, James 1:22, and Luke 24:45 including setting forth an exemplary prayer using each verse.
If you are not a Christian, then please go to God’s Plan of Salvation and take to heart what it says (link: https://stevebelsheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BLOG-IF-YOU-ARE-NOT-A-CHRISTIAN-REV-1-426.pdf ).