Looking for some help with how to study or teach God’s Word? Maybe you’re searching for a study to use in your daily devotions or for your Bible study or Sunday School class? You’ve come to the right place. Follow the links below for more information.
The studies I’ve written are like “training wheels”. They’re designed to teach you how to study (or teach) the Bible for yourself and what kinds of questions to ask of the text so that, when you get the hang of it, you won’t have to depend on other people’s books and materials – even mine – any more. To that end:
I do not make recommendations for Bible study books or materials other than the Bible itself.
I do not provide answers for the study questions in the studies I’ve written.
All of the studies I’ve written are suitable for groups or individuals. You are welcome to use them as a Sunday school or Bible study class curriculum (for free) with proper attribution.
You are also welcome to print out any of my Bible studies (or any article I’ve written) for free and make as many copies as you’d like, again, with proper attribution. I’ve explained more about that in this article (3rd section).
From time to time I receive inquiries from men about using my studies for their personal quiet time or for teaching a co-ed or men’s Bible study class. It is my personal conviction that it is more in keeping with the spirit (though not the letter) of 1 Timothy 2:12, Titus 2:3-5, and related passages for men to use Bible study materials authored by men rather than by women. Therefore, on the honor system, I would request that men please not use my studies for personal use, or when teaching a class with male members. (Vetting the studies for your wife, daughter, or the women of your church, is, of course, fine. Encouraged, actually.)
Bible Study Articles and Resources
Articles (and resources) about how to study/teach the Bible on your own.
Bible Reading Plans
It has become my New Year’s tradition to publish an annual round up of Bible reading plans. Some plans will take you through the whole Bible, some, through a book of the Bible or a biblical topic. They range in length from a few days to a few years, to ongoing. There’s something for everybody!
Click above for this year’s list.
Bible Studies
Old Testament
The Women of Genesis
This 36 lesson study covers the whole book of Genesis, stopping along the way
to give special attention to women like Eve, Sarah, Rachel, and others.
Judges
The era of the judges was a dark time for the people of Israel – a time of rampant sin, idolatry, and rebellion against the God who loved them and kept calling them back to Himself. Could it be that Judges is just the book God’s people should be studying today? An 18 lesson study.
Ruth
Find out how the adventures of two Old Testament women can
point us to Jesus our Redeemer. A five lesson study.
Ezra
What happened after the exiled Israelites returned to Jerusalem from Babylon,
and why is it relevant to Christians today? An eleven lesson study.
Ezekiel
What is God’s perspective on sin? What is His posture toward His people when they persist in sin…and when they repent? What was it like to be a prophet of (mostly) doom and gloom? A 21 lesson study.
Jonah
How can a rebellious Old Testament prophet point us to Christ?
A twelve lesson study. (Older format, more devotional.)
Psalm 119: The Glory of God’s Word
What does God’s Word teach us about…itself? This 13 lesson study will lead you to cherish God’s Word more deeply, and give you a greater love for the God of the Word.
New Testament
Mark: God’s Good News for the Gentiles
Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This 24 lesson study follows the gospel of Mark as he introduces the good news of Christ to the “Greeks,” or Gentiles.
Colossians
How can a biblical Christology help us obey Christ
and believe sound doctrine? A seven lesson study.
1 & 2 Timothy:
The Structure and Spirit of the Church
This 13 lesson study explores God’s vision for the church – its organizational structure and the spirit of its people, through the epistles of 1 & 2 Timothy.
Titus: God’s Order of Service
God wants His church to operate in an orderly way – to glorify Him – as we worship, work, and witness. A seven lesson study.
Living Stones: A Study of 1 & 2 Peter
How are Christians to live lives of holiness in an unholy world,
and while facing persecution? Dig in to 1 & 2 Peter for answers
in this 13 lesson study.
Am I Really Saved?: A First John Check-Up
Use John’s checkpoints to make sure you’re not a false convert,
but truly in Christ. A nine lesson study.
The Sermon on the Mount
The 14 lessons of The Sermon on the Mount delve into what God’s Word teaches us about thinking biblically and developing Christian character as Jesus taught us in Matthew 5-7.
Topical
The Ten: God’s Goodness in the Ten Commandments
A 13 lesson study examining the Ten Commandments
and how they are relevant to Christians today.
Sweet Hour of Prayer:
Learning to Pray from the People of Scripture
This 12 lesson study examines the prayers of various Old and New Testament
Bible characters to demonstrate how we should approach the Lord in prayer.
Imperishable Beauty: A Study of Biblical Womanhood
This 17 week study examines the Old and New Testament Scriptures
dealing with living in a Christlike way in our role as women.
Choose What Is Right: A Study in Discernment
This 12 lesson study searches the Scriptures to answer questions like: What does the Bible say about discerning between true and false doctrine? How does God regard false teachers, and how are we to deal with them in our personal lives and families, and as the church?
Miscellaneous
Wednesday’s Word
Wednesday is Bible study day here on the blog. Here, you’ll find miscellaneous, one lesson Bible studies from each book of the Bible. One chapter of Scripture followed by study questions. This sampler series demonstrates that there’s nothing to be afraid of when approaching those “lesser known” books and that every book of the Bible is valuable and worth studying.
Sunday School: Chronological Study Lessons
During 2014, I led my ladies’ Sunday School class in a chronological read-through of the entire Bible. Each week I taught a lesson from that week’s reading and posted it here on the blog.
Michelle Lesley 
I was wondering what your views were on “ungodly soul ties”, in reference to past relationships?
LikeLike
Hi Amber- Briefly, there’s no such thing. It’s not mentioned or taught anywhere in Scripture, and the only people I’ve ever heard teach such a thing are false teachers- usually those in the New Apostolic Reformation camp. If you’re sitting under the teaching of someone who teaches about soul ties, RUN.
LikeLike
Thank you for that clarification. So I guess another question would be, if i was in a previous relationship with someone who I was involved with physically, mentally, spirutally and emotionally. How would I loose myself from that?
LikeLike
Hi Amber-
I’m going to drop an e-mail to your hotmail address since this subject might get a little personal, OK? :0)
LikeLike
I am involved with a church that has a Restoring the Foundations ministry.. “soul ties” are included in this as well as generational curses and demonic oppression… would this be a valid reason to leave a church, or should I just not involve myself with that particular ministry team? My husband and i have been studying reformed theology for the past year and are seeing many red flags at our church, but aren’t sure where the “line” is… Appreciate your work!
LikeLike
I would check with the pastor first to see whether or not he knows this is being taught. If he doesn’t know and he corrects the situation after you bring it to his attention, and the church is otherwise doctrinally sound, no need to leave (but in the future, he does need to more carefully vet the materials his church uses). If he knows and supports what’s being taught in this ministry, yes, it’s time to leave.
There are various “degrees” of false doctrine, and the ones you mentioned are not on the “minor” end of the spectrum. These are pretty deep and demonic false doctrines that are taught by the worst of the worst heretics out there. If you need some help finding a new church, check out the “Searching for a new church?” tab at the top of this page.
LikeLike
Hi Michelle! I know this comment is from several years ago but I have the same question as Amber in regards to past relationships? I am scouring your website just soaking in all of the information lol I love what you have to say and so appreciate your boldness to say what some of us have been thinking but didn’t have the ability or courage to express it! I am now thinking that the concept of breaking soul ties is leaving more women, like myself, subject to more bondage rather than freedom from a past of sexual sin. I will continue to look more into this and finding true freedom! Thank you!
LikeLike
Hi Laura- I’ve addressed the false doctrine of soul ties in a bit more detail in this article. Hope this helps. :0)
LikeLike
Hi,
I am new here and saw the question about soul ties. I am a volunteer facilitator for a local abortion recovery ministry here. We have a topic within the study that talks about soul ties as part of the recovery. We use Her Choice to Heal by Sydna Masse. I had a nouthetic counseling pastor look over this portion and he could not find anything unbiblical about it. Could you expand on that for me?
Thanks so much,
Mary
LikeLike
Hi Mary- I’m not familiar with that book, but, as I said in my response to Amber, the doctrine of “soul ties” is not taught in Scripture, and for that reason alone, it should be rejected. It is a man-made doctrine usually taught by those who espouse New Apostolic Reformation heresy- another reason to reject this teaching.
Here’s a resource you might find helpful: https://www.gotquestions.org/soul-ties.html
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Michelle,
Can you recommend any Bible Studies for a suffering marriage? Thank you so much for this blog! God is using you in a very profound way!
LikeLike
Hi Brandi-
Thank you so much for your kind words. If your marriage is suffering, the best advice I can give you is to encourage you to set up an appointment with your pastor for counseling. If you husband will go with you, great. If not, go by yourself. While a good book on marriage can certainly be a helpful supplement to counseling, it shouldn’t take the place of counseling. Additionally, once your pastor hears your specific situation, he might want to recommend a different and more helpful book than I could recommend.
I hope this helps :0)
LikeLike
Dear Michelle what if you only have one session to teach? I have been asked to share the Word this friday at Women’s Monistry for my church. It would be my first time and our leader has not given me many instructions yet. What do you recommend?
Really looling forward to your kind reply.
Greetings from Peru.
LikeLike
Hola,¿qué tal Susana?- Check out the “Wednesday’s Word” section above. I went through every book of the Bible and did one stand-alone lesson from each. (Some of the earliest ones do not have study questions, but most of them do.)
LikeLike
I am so grateful Michelle!!! I love your blog and praise God for all your amazing work.
Thank you so much for these resources and your reply. I will check those out. Thanks!!!
LikeLike
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the wealth of information you have on your site. It has been such a blessing to my daughter and myself. I am trying to find biblically sound online bible studies for women that are NOT live. For a variety of reasons, I am not able to commit to a particular time to log on with others for Live interactions. I can, however, do the back and forth commenting. Any recommendations that I can look into? Appreciate you!
LikeLike
Hi Donna-
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
Did you mean studies besides the ones on this page?
LikeLike
Hey Michelle! I’d like to know your thoughts on topical studies? And there is a study you can suggest for a group of single women?
LikeLike
Hi Amber-
Although we should normally study Scripture verse by verse (working our way through a book of the Bible from beginning to end), occasional topical studies, when Scripture is handled correctly, can be very beneficial. In fact, I’m considering doing a topical study (biblical womanhood) for the next one here at the blog when The Women of Genesis (our current study) is finished. “The Ten” (see above under “Old Testament”) is a topical study of the Ten Commandments.
Any of the studies above would be appropriate for any group of women regardless of marital status, or your group can just pick a book of the Bible and work you way through it verse by verse. (I don’t recommend “canned” studies. I explain why here.)
Hope this helps! :0)
LikeLike
Our church is putting together a slumber party/overnight retreat for women. We have women who are new and others who have attended church and studies for years. I’m trying to find something for us to study on this night. Do you have something you could recommend? Most if us have been married for many years, there are a few that are newly married and one that is in a relationship but, not married . Your help would be appreciated.
LikeLike
Hi Amy-
Are you looking for a one lesson Bible study?
LikeLike
Hi Michelle,
I saw in your blog post today a reference to a past study on Jude. I did find a Wednesday’s Word study on Jude. Do you also have a longer and more in depth study of Jude?
Thank you,
Ali O’Connor
LikeLike
No, that’s the one I was referencing. We could possibly take a look at doing a more in depth study of Jude in the future. :0)
LikeLike
Hi Michelle, what will you say to a woman who just graduated from a “school of prophecy “? How do you handle this subject in a graceful way to help her see the truth.
LikeLike
Hi Carolina-
I’ve answered your question in this article.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Michelle,
Can you recommend a good and “safe” book/study for teen girls? I value your thoughts and opinions and look forward to your suggestion.
Thank you so much,
DawnMarie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi DawnMarie-
Thank you so much for your kind words. Did you get a chance to read the information at the top of this page? I know it’s easy to skim over things quickly and miss some of the info (I’ve done that many times, myself!), but it does clearly say, “I do not make recommendations for Bible study books or materials other than the Bible itself.” (And if you click on “do not,” that link will explain why.)
If the teen girls you have in mind are new to studying straight from the Bible itself, they are welcome to use any of the studies on this page to learn how. “The studies I’ve written are like ‘training wheels’. They’re designed to teach you how to study the Bible for yourself and what kinds of questions to ask of the text so that, when you get the hang of it, you won’t have to depend on other people’s books and materials – even mine – any more.”
If you’re looking more for a “Christian Living” type of book (rather than a Bible study) that they can read in their leisure time, I would recommend anything by any of the authors at the “Recommended Bible Teachers” tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page.
I hope this helps. :0)
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the response. I will dig deeper!
LikeLike
You’re welcome. Blessings! :0)
LikeLike
Hi, I have read a couple of your articles and I understand you are very strictly scripture-centered when it comes to interpreting the bible (I am as well). I am mildly concerned by your statement (in an article about soul ties– which I agree is a man-made doctrine) that God knows what words mean and is capable of communicating clearly. I totally agree with that sentiment but I also believe that means you have to look closely at the original language because the ancient languages and English have different words with different semantic ranges that do matter as far as understanding what God is saying to us. For example, in Thessalonians, Paul repeatedly refers to believers who are “sleeping”. He actually throughout chapters 4 and 5 uses 2 different words for sleeping that have two different implications in the original language even though in english they translate the same way. I say I am concerned because you encourage people to adhere to this strict standard of what words are actually used, but do not encourage them to look at the original texts, at least to my knowledge. I agree with the strict standard, but I think to uphold such a standard it is important to encourage people to truly study the actual meaning of the words. I was a Classics and Theology major in college (I studied Latin, Ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew). However, not everyone has studied the languages scripture was originally written in, and the original language is very important in interpreting the meaning of the Word. I know you do not recommend Bible studies besides scripture itself. But, would you consider recommending that people closely study scripture with the aid of biblical commentaries? Understanding what word is used, what it meant in the time it was written and where else it is found in scripture can be very helpful for discerning meaning in a strictly scriptural study.
Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Victoria- Thank you for your thoughtful comment. It’s great that you’ve had an opportunity to study Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but surely you must know that probably greater than 99% of Christians have not, especially in my audience – Christian women, most of whom have not been to seminary (if I were writing to an audience of pastors, I’m sure the percentage who have studied the original languages would be higher).
If you will click on the “Bible Study Articles and Resources” link above, you will find several articles in which I recommend commentaries, lexicons, and other study helps, in addition to recommending good English translations of the Bible. Also, I often recommend those kinds of resources within the Bible studies I write. (For example: last Wednesday’s lesson (17) of our current study on Ezekiel. You can go to the home page and scroll down until you see it if you like.)
Hope this helps. :0)
LikeLike
I saw that you did a whole year of sunday school teachings on the chronological Bible. Do you have a link to lesson 1? I can’t seem to get to it. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Did you try scrolling down until you got to the first lesson? I’m so sorry- I know it’s a pain, but WordPress organizes everything from most recent to oldest. If you try scrolling all the way back and still can’t get to it, let me know, and I’ll see if I can find it for you. :0)
LikeLike
Hi Michelle the link to the Chronoligical Plan won’t work for me. Is anyone else having difficulties?
LikeLike
I have only had one other person say it wasn’t working. The link is to a PDF, so that may be the issue on the device you’re using. (It is working just fine for me on my laptop and my phone.) I would suggest trying a different device, and if that doesn’t work, ask a tech savvy friend who’s there with you to help.
LikeLike
Hi Michelle,
I am one of the leads of a prayer group that also does a Bible study. We are doing chapter by chapter in the Old Testament. Most of the ladies are name it and claim it and speaking prophecy, casting out demons, health and prosperity expectations, one speaks in tongues, etc. I have disagreed with this which has upset the women for the sake of unity. I have stayed to try to give the opportunity to share Biblical Gospel, but it wears me out after each session. I let the pastor know. He’s planning changes to the group and I’ve let him know I’m not going to lead the group anymore. I feel like I’m letting God down. I also need to think of my spiritual well being. This is a Wesleyan church BTW. I plan on using your Bible studies. Your thoughts will be appreciated.
LikeLike
Hi Sally-
Great question! I’ve answered it here.
LikeLike
Hello! I just found you tonight while doing some research. I’m wondering if you have any book recommendations for having the gift of prophecy? Thank you & God bless!
LikeLike
Hi Tera- Welcome! I would recommend the book Strange Fire by John MacArthur.
LikeLike
I looked it up and it sounds like a very good read. I’m not sure if it would help guide me in my gift though?
LikeLike
You do not have the gift of prophecy. God speaks to us through His written Word, not through prophets (except the ones in the Bible: Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.). The sign gifts (i.e. prophecy, speaking in other languages {“tongues”}, and people working miracles) are no longer in operation. These were given in Old Testament times to validate the message of God’s prophets, and in early New Testament times to validate Jesus’ and the apostles’ message. Since we now have the complete canon of Scripture, they – prophecy included – are no longer needed.
Strange Fire explains all of this in greater detail according to sound doctrine. Generally only false teachers and churches teach that the gift of prophecy is something a Christian can have today, and they generally subscribe to some form of charismaticism or are full blown New Apostolic Reformation. Strange Fire addresses this as well, but I would encourage you to read my article The Mailbag: What is the New Apostolic Reformation? as well as the additional resources at the end of that article.
I would also encourage you to read my article Basic Training: The Bible Is Sufficient.
If you’re in a church that teaches that Christians today can have the gift of prophecy, I would recommend finding a new, doctrinally sound church immediately. The Searching for a new church? tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page can teach you what to look for in a good church and also has lots of great church search engines.
And since churches that teach that the gift of prophecy is for today often either mangle or simply don’t teach the biblical gospel, I would urge you to go through the materials at the What must I do to be saved? tab (also in the blue menu bar at the top of this page) to make sure you believe the biblical gospel.
LikeLike