I learned to study the Bible as an adult, during a season of closeness with the Lord. It began when the women at my church went through a particular Bible study, sparking a deep curiosity and desire for a richer understanding of God’s Word.


On a weekend getaway, I stumbled across a book about how to study the Bible and eagerly grabbed it. The following week, I found myself in my pastor’s office, asking if he had any commentaries or word study books I could borrow. After several trips to my car, I was loaded up with resources.


As the winter months rolled in and my nursing shifts often fell in the evenings, I had plenty of time to spend my mornings settled near the fireplace, my guitar propped against the couch and books sprawled across the floor and coffee table— those were sweet moments of communion with the Lord.


When I eventually returned the books to my pastor, I expressed my amazement at the sheer number of resources needed to really dig into the Word (I may have been a little winded from hauling them all back!).


He chuckled and asked, ‘You do know there’s software with all these resources available electronically, right?’


…No, I didn’t! 🤯 (and then promptly purchased a Logos software package)


Among all the wonderful resources that help us study the Bible, Chasing Sacred stands out as an accessible book for everyone. It offers a method and model that will equip you for deeper engagement with Scripture.


Let’s take a closer look inside!



A Guide to Inductive Bible Study: Reviewing Chasing Sacred by Mikella Van Dyke

Content

Purpose of the Book

Table of Contents

Summary

My Take: Methods and Time

My Recommendation

Quick Stats

[WATCH] Book Trailer

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Scriptures About Knowing and Loving God’s Word

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quote from chasing sacred by mikella van dyke

Content
Purpose of the Book
Mikella Van Dyke’s Chasing Sacred is written to guide readers in gaining a deeper understanding of God’s Word and to offer a clearer perspective on why we study Scripture—not just for knowledge, but as an act of worship to our Savior. The book also provides practical steps to help readers engage meaningfully with the Bible.


Table of Contents
Introduction


PART 1: Why Chase Sacred?

CHAPTER 1: Find Something Worth Chasing After

CHAPTER 2: Experience the Delight of God’s Word

CHAPTER 3: Discover the Bigger Story of the Bible

CHAPTER 4: Recognize False Teachings


PART 2: Who Helps us Chase Sacred?

CHAPTER 5: The Role of the Spirit

CHAPTER 6: The Role of Prayer


PART 3: How Do We Chase Sacred

CHAPTER 7: Which Bible Should You Choose?

CHAPTER 8: Observe and Ask

CHAPTER 9: Uncover Context

CHAPTER 10: Identify Genre

CHAPTER 11: Interpret

CHAPTER 12: Apply

Conclusion


Summary
In three parts, Mikella Van Dyke explains the value of studying Scripture for the Christian life. She explores how the Holy Spirit and the discipline of prayer support us in this journey and provides a practical guide to studying the Bible inductively. Throughout, she shares relatable stories from her cross-cultural experiences as a missionary kid in Thailand, enriching her insights with personal examples.


quote from chasing sacred by mikella van dyke on inductive bible study

My Take
Methods
If you’ve ever tried this method of Bible study before, it can feel daunting.


Understanding the context of a passage can be tricky if you're new to the Bible, and thinking about original languages might seem impossible. And if the words “study” or “books” make you cringe, I get it—the struggle is real.


Now, you’ve probably gathered by now that I’m a bit of a nerd (I write book reviews for fun, after all), and when I first learned this method, I was so excited that I dove headfirst into it.


But I also understand that it’s not like that for everyone. The process of studying the Bible can be intimidating! And if you feel awkward or hesitant about it, that’s okay—you’re not alone!


There are so many great resources to guide you if you’re new or unsure. (I have a few collected here). One of the best ways to start is by joining a Bible study or gathering a few friends to learn together. You’re already doing hard things—raising kids, managing your home, juggling so much. You can do this, too!


Keep in mind the ultimate reward: the joy of knowing and loving the Lord more deeply. The time we spend in His Word equips us, strengthens us, and prepares us to walk in obedience and grow to be more like Christ.


Time
Carving out time to study is also a challenge. In the introduction, I shared memories of cozy mornings by the fireplace with books and hours at my leisure. But life looks different now. With three kids, work, and other activities, time isn’t entirely my own anymore. So, I’ve had to be more intentional about when and how Bible study fits into my days.


You’re probably facing similar challenges. Pray about it. Ask the Lord to help you find the time. After all, His Word is our guide, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps. 119:105).


You might be wondering, ‘How do I fit it all in? What about my Bible reading?’


My friend Jana puts it this way, “Bible reading is for breadth. Bible study is for depth. We really do need both!”


There have been seasons when I’ve had more time to dive deeply into study, and others when I’ve only had time for daily reading. One rhythm that has worked for me is maintaining a steady pace of Bible reading during the week, then setting aside a day to study a book of the Bible more in-depth.


The point isn’t to follow a legalistic routine or check off spiritual disciplines—it’s about keeping ourselves rooted in the beauty, goodness, and truth of His Word.


How can you carve out time in your current season of life to grow deeper in your understanding of Scripture?


quote from chasing sacred by mikella van dyke on inductive bible study

My Recommendation
This book will draw you toward your Bible and refresh your desire to study his Word.


If you’ve been feeling a little stuck in your study of scripture, or have never learned how to study before, this is the resource for you!


Find more resources on the Chasing Sacred website to find Bible Study Journals, Bible Studies of Ephesians and Philippians and a couple free ebooks.


Quick Stats
# of Pages: 259

Level of Difficulty: Easy

My Rating: 5 stars

Publication: September 10th, 2024

this book is so good; diving into scripture is making me understand how to read the bible.
I love these type of nonfiction books


Thank You Netgalley and Tyndale
The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book, Chasing Sacred, reminds us how to stand firm on the Bible even when situation outside full of stress and confusion. We can come to Bible to get the wisdom, truth, and light to guide our path.