On a thread from awhile back concerning "Apostolic Bible Study Methods" I posted this:
Well, here's what I tell new folks. I taught this to each of my children, and I tell this to anyone who doesn't already have a systematic method of studying the Bible.
1.
Read the Bible, regularly, systematically. Most Bibles have a 'Bible reading plan' in the front or the back, or there are gobs of reading plans on the internet. Find one that is comfortable for you and FOLLOW IT. If you don't have one, I can give you one - it goes through the Bible, every year, as follows: Pentateuch - twice, rest of the OT (except Psalms) - once, Gospels, Epistles, and Psalms - four times. Also gives you 9 days out of the year 'free' to play catch-up if you fall behind. Requires about 6-8 chapters per day plus 2 Psalms. We divide it up into two segments - morning, and evening (makes it easier). I even have it printed out...
One needs a regular, systematic, Bible reading program to develop an overall familiarity with the Bible.
2.
Study by Book and Chapter instead of by 'random verses'. Pick a book, and go through it starting in chapter one, and study one chapter at a time. No hopping and skipping around.
3.
Study sytematically. Read the chapter once all the way through. You can do background research if you want (who wrote it, when it was written, what occasioned the writing, etc) but basic study requires nothing but a Bible and maybe a dictionary. After reading the chapter once, read it again, this time looking for
commandments. Find any and all commands you can in the chapter, write them down. Then read it again, this time looking for
promises. Write them down. Read it again, looking for
examples, both good and bad. Write them down. Read it again, looking for
warnings. Write them down. Then read the chapter again all the way through. Move on to the next chapter. Keep a notebook, organised by 'book and chapter' (ie 'Romans, chapter 1') and 'subject heading' (commands, promises, examples, warnings). You can add other subject headings later on as you get more used to this approach.
4.
Pray for wisdom. Trust God to lead you. Ask him to lead you, to give you understanding of his word. Expect him to this. And be willing to accept what is plainly written and clearly stated in the word.
5.
Meditate on the word constantly. Ponder it. Rephrase it. Imagine yourself explaining to someone else what you have read and studied. Ask questions like 'What does this mean? Why did God say that? How does this apply to me? How can I put that into operation in my life?' Memorise
Psalm 1 if you have to, it will help motivate you to study.
6.
Do the word. Obey the commands, believe and claim the promises, follow the examples, heed the warnings. Bible study just to increase head knowledge is pointless and will just make the flames of hell hotter.
Do the word, put it into practice. Look for opportunities. Make the changes in your lifestyle. Pray about how to incorporate the word into your daily living. You're a disciple, which means you model your life on the teachings of Jesus, you follow him, you 'put on the Lord' (like a man puts on a suit) which means you conform your life to the Teacher you are following. (If you're not a disciple you don't need more Bible study, you need evangelism! You need to hear and believe the gospel!)
This is a basic study method that will get anyone started. Later on, they can find another method more suited to their needs, or develop their own. Keeping notes is important. Periodically reviewing one's notes is also important. This approach helps to get the mind saturated with the word of God, so you begin to think biblically.
'The devil don't like it, cause my mind's... staaaaaaaaayed on Jeeeeeeesus!'
What I am not certain of is how to answer the question 'where do I start?' I am almost tempted to say it doesn't matter, start anywhere, you'll eventually wind up at the same destination if you keep at it.