Not sure where to start studying or what you should dig into during your quiet time? A sermon, message, or lesson recently preached or taught at your church is a great place to begin! Watch this class to learn WHY and HOW then scroll down for 5 practical steps when you are studying your notes.

Step #1: Identify key points

Looking at your notes, ask yourself: What do I need to remember and believe? When you hear the word of God you do not want to treat it like it’s just random conversation and you certainly do not want to be a forgetful hearer (James 1:25).

Pull out the main lessons from the message, highlighting them in your notes or jotting them down elsewhere, so you have your takeaways and so you can mix the word with faith (Heb. 4:2).

Step #2: Consider the practical application

Next, reread your notes and see how you can be a DOER (not just a hearer) of God’s word (James 1:22). Ask yourself: What do I need to do and obey? God gives His word not only for us to learn it but also to apply it to our lives so we recommend you reading through your notes and highlighting the concrete action steps you can take based on what you learn.

You can also take your notes into prayer and talk to God about what you heard. This is a great way to be led by the Spirit in how to use the Word of God in your life and specific circumstances. He will help you do what He said if your mind is made up to live by it.

Step #3: Read the verses mentioned in context

Once you have your key points and application steps, it’s time to dig into the scriptures. To better understand what the minister was saying, go back over the verses they mentioned in their context.

How do you do that? One great way is to read the entire chapter so you can see what was happening or covered before and after. For example, if John 3:16 is in your notes read all of John 3. This will give you a better sense of what the preacher or teacher was saying and, most importantly, what God was communicating to us through His word.

Step #4: Look up the meaning of specific words

We do not always understand the meaning of words in scripture — and even if we do, there is more we can gain by diving into the definitions from the original Hebrew or Greek words.

Using tools like Strong’s Concordance or Blue Letter Bible, explore the meaning, grammar, and usage of the words mentioned in the message. From your notes you can pick out the main subject as well as any words from the scriptures called to look up. Start with those you don’t understand and move to the ones you find interesting.

Step #5: Find other related passages

After you have dug deep into your sermon notes from both an understanding and application perspective, now it’s time to take your study further by looking for cross-references. The goal is to find and study related passages, examples, characters, or events that reference, support, and expound on what you learned. For example, if the message was on faith, you might study the example of Abraham.

It also could be studying a parallel passage where the same teaching or story is found in another book in order to gain additional insight. The parable of the sower is in Matthew 13 but studying it from Mark 4 and Luke 8 gives even more understanding.

God gives pastors and teachers to spiritually strengthen believers through knowledge and understanding. Studying sermons helps Christians grow spiritually and stay grounded in truth.

Don’t be the person who takes all the notes and never studies them! Use these practical tips and more from the full class to make sure you study, remember, and LIVE the Word that God sends over the pulpit to you.