It’s been a minute since I wrote about Bible study methods. I haven’t forgotten, I promise. I’ve just been juggling all the things that make up real life and real ministry. Homeschooling teenagers, keeping up with church responsibilities, managing projects, tending a home, and trying to stay faithful to the quiet work the Lord asks of me behind the scenes. You know how it is, some seasons feel like a marathon you didn’t sign up for, and some feel like everything happens at once. But even in the middle of all that, the one steady anchor for my heart has always been Scripture. And when life gets full, I find myself longing not just to read the Word, but to really soak in it.
That’s why I want to share the simple methods that I’ve used throughout my faith journey that work in every season. One I haven’t share yet is the APPLE Bible Study method. It stands for Attributes of God, Promises of God, Principles for Life, Lessons Learned, and Example to Follow. It’s easy to remember, rich in depth, and flexible enough for personal devotions, small groups, kids, and teens.
So grab your coffee and your Bible, friend. Let’s walk through this together.
APPLE Bible Study Method: A Simple Way to Dig Deep into God’s Word
A is for Attributes of God
The first step of APPLE invites you to look for who God is in the passage you’re reading. His nature, His heart, His character. It’s amazing how often we read Scripture—especially the familiar parts—and rush right past the most important truth of all: God is revealing Himself to us.
When you open to a verse and read:
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 (NLT)
You’re not just gathering information. You’re meeting the God who is compassionate toward the places that ache in you. You’re seeing the God who is patient when life feels overwhelming or when you feel like you’re running behind.
This step is beautiful with kids, too. Little ones grasp God’s attributes faster than we sometimes expect. When they hear God is “my shepherd,” they picture that instantly. Teens need this step desperately as they try to make sense of what faith looks like in real life. Noticing God’s character helps anchor them in who He really is rather than who the world says He is.
Tip: Keep a running list of the attributes you discover. Over time, you’ll see a portrait of God forming—one that strengthens your faith in quiet ways.
P is for Promises of God
Next, APPLE invites you to look for the promises tucked into the passage. God’s promises ground us when life feels wobbly. They remind us that His truth is stronger than our fear and His presence is closer than the worry in our minds.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
This isn’t just ink on a page. It’s a promise steadfast enough to lean your whole weight on.
Teens especially need this step. They’re navigating pressure from school, friendships, social media, identity questions, future plans—the whole bundle. God’s promises remind them they are never alone. With younger kids, write the promise on a sticky note and put it on the bathroom mirror or inside a lunchbox. Let it greet them before the world does.
P is for Principles for Life
This step asks, “What truth in this passage should shape how I actually live?” Sometimes it’s simple. Sometimes it’s convicting. Sometimes it’s encouragement wrapped in instruction.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
There’s a handful of principles right there:
- Treat people with fairness.
- Show mercy generously.
- Walk humbly with God.
Teens can take a principle like this and journal how it applies to their week. Younger kids can talk through real-life examples: “What does loving mercy look like when your sibling takes your favorite toy?” And grown-ups like us? We can take a deep breath and ask, “Lord, which principle do I need to live out today with someone in my life?”
This step takes Scripture from head knowledge to heart action.
L is for Lessons Learned
Every passage carries lessons—sometimes gentle and sometimes stretching. These lessons help us grow, mature, and see God’s hand more clearly.
When I read the story of Joseph and come to Genesis 50:20 (NLT):
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
I’m reminded that God redeems what others meant for pain. I’m reminded that loss and heartbreak don’t get the final word. After two pregnancy losses, during my pregnancy with my son, I leaned on truths like this one more times than I can count. God was teaching me that His faithfulness doesn’t change, even when fear whispers louder.
That’s what this step does: it connects the ancient text to the current moment. It helps kids think through right and wrong, helps teens wrestle honestly with God, and helps us adults remember God’s fingerprints on our stories.
E is for Example to Follow
The final step asks, “Who is showing me a way to live that honors God?” Sometimes the example is God Himself. Sometimes it’s Jesus. Sometimes it’s a biblical character like Ruth, David, Esther, Daniel, or Paul.
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
Kids and teens love this step because it takes abstract ideas and makes them concrete. You can ask younger kids: “Who in this story followed God well?” You can ask teens: “Who do you see in your life—or in Scripture—living out a faith you admire?” And for us, it keeps the Word practical.
This step helps all of us to see faith as something we can live out one choice at a time.
How to Use APPLE in Your Day-to-Day Devotional Life
One of the reasons I love APPLE is because it works whether you have a whole morning or just a sliver of quiet before the house wakes up. Here’s how you can make it part of your regular rhythm:
- Choose a short passage: a psalm, a parable, a few verses in the Gospels, or a story from the Old Testament.
- Walk through APPLE slowly. You don’t have to write a lot—just a few sentences in each section.
- Color code if that helps. Attributes in blue. Promises in green. Lessons in purple. Whatever makes it enjoyable.
- Keep your journal open on the counter or table. Let it serve as a daily reminder.
- End each study with a simple prayer: “Lord, help me live this today.”
Over time, APPLE turns into a conversation between you and the Lord. It becomes a way of seeing Scripture with fresh eyes.
How to Use APPLE with Children
This method shines with younger kids because it keeps things visual and simple:
- Let them draw God’s attributes as pictures.
- Summarize the story and ask, “What did this teach us today?”
- Write promises on note cards and tape them around the house.
- Role play biblical stories, focusing on the example to follow.
- Keep lessons short—5 to 10 minutes is perfect.
You’ll be surprised how deeply they absorb it.
How to Use APPLE with Teens
Teens crave honesty and depth, and APPLE gives them structure without pressure:
- Encourage them to keep an APPLE journal.
- Use it in one-on-one discipleship or mentoring.
- Ask their thoughts—“Which part stood out? Why?”
- Help them choose one principle per week to practice at school or in friendships.
- Let them lead a family devotional using APPLE. They gain confidence quickly.
APPLE is especially powerful for teens navigating identity, belonging, and purpose.
Helpful Resources for Going Deeper
Free APPLE Bible Study Journal Printable
Here are some simple APPLE Bible Study Journal printable pages that I created to help you dig into Scripture using the APPLE method. They are perfect for your own devotionals and simple enough for kids and teens to use as well. Whether you’re studying alone early in the morning before the house wakes up, walking through Scripture with your children at the kitchen table, or helping your teen build independent Bible study habits, these pages give you an easy place to start.
The printable includes guided sections for:
- Attributes of God
- Promises of God
- Principles for Life
- Lessons Learned
- Example to Follow
You can print a stack and keep them in a binder, use them during family Bible time, or tuck a few into your church bag or homeschool planner for quiet moments throughout the week. Sometimes having a simple framework in front of you makes it easier to stay focused and really engage with the passage instead of rushing through it.
I especially love using methods like this with teens because it teaches them how to study Scripture for themselves instead of depending entirely on someone else’s teaching. And honestly, as adults, we need that reminder too sometimes. God’s Word becomes even more meaningful when we slow down enough to ask questions, notice patterns, and listen carefully to what the Lord may be showing us.
Here are some solid tools to support your personal study time:
Books
- Living By the Book by Howard G. Hendricks
- How to Study the Bible by Kay Arthur
- Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family by Kara Powell
Bibles & Apps
- Bible.com or Bible App
- Blue Letter Bible site or app
- NLT Study Bible and NKJV Study Bible
- Bible Gateway (for reading passages in NKJV, NLT, and ESV side by side)
For Kids
- The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- The Adventure Bible
- Hands-on Bible story activity books
For Teens
- Discover 4 Yourself Bible Studies by Kay Arthur
- Teen Life Application Study Bible
- Beautiful Word Bible, NIV (my daughter has this one and loves it)
Just Between Us
The APPLE method isn’t complicated, but it’s rich. It slows you down long enough to listen. It helps you find God’s heart in the passage. It teaches your kids and teens how to root themselves in Scripture. And it gives your family a shared language for studying the Word together.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful…” Hebrews 4:12 (NLT
And it truly is. Every time we open our Bibles, the Lord meets us with fresh grace. APPLE just gives us a simple way to savor what He’s saying.
