In this episode, we explore gentle, everyday ways God can invite us into His Word—sometimes through devotionals, podcasts, a lyric, or a note in the margin. You’ll discover how simple resources can become gentle nudges toward deeper Bible study and help you learn to love the Bible, one step at a time.
- Bible studies, devotionals, and podcasts can all be doorways into deeper engagement with Scripture—no pressure, just invitation.
- The “tools” themselves aren’t the point; it’s about staying open to God’s gentle invitations, wherever you find them.
- God can use ordinary moments—a phrase from a sermon, a lyric in a song, or notes from a podcast—to spark fresh encounters with His Word.
- You don’t have to do it alone. The Resource Hub, Companion Toolkit, and Bible Caddy are there whenever you need inspiration.
- Listen on the Podcast
- Watch on YouTube
Ever sit down for quiet time and draw a blank—wondering where to start or what to do next? You’re not alone. Let’s talk about some unexpected resources that can spark something new in your devotional life—on days you feel inspired, and on days you just need a gentle nudge.
Welcome
Hey there, friend. Welcome back to Beneath the Fig Tree. I’m Rose, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Right now, we’re in a special season called the 119 Bible Bootcamp—a journey designed to help you fall in love with scripture using Psalm 119 as our map.
In this part of the Bootcamp, we’re Gathering Your Gear—building your toolkit for meeting with God in real, everyday life. No pressure, no perfection—just simple, grace-filled ways to learn to love God’s Word more deeply.
Today, we’re talking about some tools you might not always think of as ‘Bible study resources.’ Devotionals, podcast, sermon notes, and Bible Studies.
You might not usually think of a devotional, a podcast, or even sermon notes as tools for Bible study. But sometimes, those are the very things God uses to spark new insight in His Word.
So whether you’re looking for encouragement or you want to dig a little deeper, let’s explore how these resources—some familiar, some unexpected—can help you discover more of God in His Word.
1. Bible Studies: Guided Deep Dives
Let’s start with Bible studies.
Bible studies are often structured books or guides that walk you through a passage, a topic, or a theme in Scripture—sometimes with teaching, sometimes with questions or journaling prompts.
I love using Bible studies not just for groups, but on my own. What I’ve learned over the years is: the real treasure often isn’t just in the “lesson,” but in the verses or moments that tug at your heart.
We tend to think of devotionals as short reflections, and Bible studies as structured lessons—but either one can become a launching pad for deeper Bible study, not just for a few minutes of encouragement.
An Example of Using a Bible Study to Go Deeper
For example, here’s a study I’ve worked through. You’ll see I’ve highlighted or circled verses, or scribbled questions in the margin.
Whenever something stands out—a phrase, a verse, even a question—I make a mark. Sometimes I know why, sometimes I don’t. But I don’t ignore the tug. That’s my cue to come back later.
If you only have a few minutes, just read the Scripture for the day and ask, “God, is there something here for me?”
Mark what stands out, and if you can, jot it down in your journal, even if you don’t fully understand it yet.
If you’re looking for ideas to get started with Bible studies, I’ve actually listed some of my favorites over on my website’s Bible Caddy page. It’s just a little resource library I keep updated with books and studies I’ve found helpful through the years. You’ll find the link in the show notes.
Whenever a verse or phrase tugs at my heart—whether it’s in a Bible study, a devotional, or even from a podcast—I try to make sure I don’t lose it. Sometimes I circle it right there in the book, but what’s really helped me is having a special place in my journal—a section I call “Whispers.”
This is just a simple page or tab where I collect those tugs: verses that stand out, questions I want to bring to God, or things I want to revisit later. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for future conversations with Him.
If you’ve ever seen the Fig Tree Journals, you know there’s a whole section dedicated to this. Even though they aren’t available right now, I actually have a short episode where I teach you how to create your own “Whispers” section in any journal you have. I’ll link to that in the show notes, so you can set it up today.
And if you’re excited about the Fig Tree Journals—they will be coming back next year, Lord willing! But in the meantime, you don’t have to wait. All you need is a blank page and a little curiosity.
2. Devotionals: Gentle Daily Nudges
Next up: devotionals.
A devotional is usually a short daily or weekly reading—often with a story, a verse, and a little takeaway. These are wonderful when you need a gentle nudge, or a starting point for your quiet time.
Here’s one of mine. Most devotionals list a Scripture at the bottom, or weave it through the story.
I always make a point to look up the verse in my Bible, not just read the snippet.
There have been so many times when what started as a quick devotional turned into a deeper moment with God, just because a verse caught my attention.
If something tugs at you, highlight it, jot it down, or leave a blank page in your journal to revisit later. Sometimes you’ll know exactly why it stands out, other times you’ll come back days later and realize God was planting a seed.
There are some devotional books and apps on my Bible Caddy page as well, if you’re looking for a new way to try out devotionals or want a few ideas for what to read next.
3. Podcasts: Inspiration for Real Life
And now for one of my favorite new tools: podcasts.
Maybe you listen on a walk, while driving, or even as you make your morning coffee. Podcasts are a great way to hear fresh perspectives or teaching on Scripture—even when you’re busy.
Podcasts, sermon notes, or even a lyric from a song might not seem like traditional ‘study tools,’ but if they lead you back to Scripture, or help you see something in a new way, that’s Bible study, too.
Think of podcasts as a “jumpstart” for your quiet time.
You might hear a teaching or a story that stirs your heart, or a verse that stands out.
Pause for a moment—what spoke to you? Was there a question, a story, or a Scripture that you want to explore with God?
If you find an episode that really resonates, write down the key thought or verse in your journal, or leave a note to come back to it later.
And if you’re looking for Christian podcasts, I keep a list of my favorites on the Bible Caddy page, too.
Whether you’re looking for something deep, something practical, or just a little encouragement—there’s probably something there that’ll fit your season.
4. Other Unexpected Tools For Bible Study
You might also find inspiration through email devotionals, Scripture art, music, printable prompts, or even a playlist of worship songs. God can use any of these to open the door to deeper connection.
But don’t limit yourself to only devotionals or formal Bible studies. Sometimes God speaks through something unexpected—a phrase in a sermon, a passage from a non-fiction Christian book, or even a lyric from a song. Recently in church, it was the words “Talitha koum”—little girl, get up—that landed in my heart in a way only God could orchestrate. Maybe you’ve had a moment like that, too.
So if you hear a phrase, read a quote, or sing a line that tugs at you—capture it. Write it in your journal, add it to your “Whispers” section, or jot it on a sticky note. Those moments matter, and they can become invitations to a deeper conversation with God.
Remember—the best tool is the one that helps you actually meet with God, not just learn about Him.
Why This Matters
If the idea of ‘Bible study’ has always felt a little intimidating, start here. Even tools you think of as just ‘devotional helps’ can spark a genuine, meaningful journey through Scripture.
God can use any of these—Bible studies, devotionals, podcasts, notes from a sermon, or even a single lyric—to help you see, study, and savor His Word.
An Example from my own human-life
Let me share a real story from just this week.
I keep a handful of podcasts in my subscription list—good teaching I trust, the kind that helps me stay grounded in the Word. Most nights, I’ll play one as I’m winding down for bed. It gives my mind something to focus on, so it doesn’t run amuck and keep me awake.
If I’m honest, I usually have to listen to them more than once to actually hear the whole episode, because I drift off to sleep.
The other night, I was half-awake and half-listening when one of those podcast episodes started speaking right to the very thing Holy Spirit had been talking to me about all week.
I didn’t have my journal handy, so I took a quick screenshot of the episode info on my phone to remind myself later.
That’s something I’ve learned: if you’re not in a place to jot it down, take a screenshot or drop a note in your phone—just so you don’t lose the tug.
Later, I made time to go back and listen again, journal in hand.
I ended up with two full pages of notes and a handful of verses I want to dig into deeper—just from following that nudge and making a little space for God to keep the conversation going.
So don’t ignore those moments. If something grabs your heart—even if you’re drifting off or just catching it on the go—find a simple way to mark it, write it down, or make a note to come back.
Those moments can turn into the richest conversations with God.
If you want some practical ways to put this into practice, download the free Companion Kit for this episode.
I’ll give you space to track what stands out—whether it’s from a Bible study, devotional, or podcast.
Try using one of these tools as your “launchpad” for quiet time this week. See what God might do with it.
Let’s keep cultivating a devotional life you love—one that feels personal, flexible, and real.
On the days you feel stuck, you’re not alone. God loves to meet you right where you are.
If this episode encouraged you, make sure you subscribe so you’ll get notified when new episodes drop. Also I’d love it if you’d consider sharing this episode with a friend or leave a review? That helps more women find their way into the Bootcamp.
And for all my favorite resources—from Bible study tools to devotionals and podcasts—you can always visit the Bible Caddy page on my website.
Let’s cultivate a devotional life you love. Like, really love. Because it is possible and it’s easier than you think. Chat soon, figs.
