John Wesley, in the preface to his Old Testament Notes, makes some solid suggestions on general bible study that I find quite illuminating.  It is simple, yet challenging.  He sets forth some practical goals, but ends with a spiritual challenge that will send all your religion packing.  Religion learns but never DOES from the heart.  And as James says, what is head faith without action?- well it is DEAD. Part of faith is the risk it takes to obey God.  It is easy to study the bible for the sake of knowledge.  It is of course the application that is the ultimate snag or snare.  But empowered by the Spirit as Wesley suggests – we all can be challenged to do that which convicts us.   We will not only read, shrug, and continue in our paralysis.  I have made the underlines. If you would like to read the entire preface, you can find it here.

If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,

1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose

2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: is you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one

3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it In order to know his will, you should,

4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.

5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing “scripture can only be understood thro’ the same Spirit whereby “it was given.” Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.

6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short. And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.