Using The Margin

The Margin is a Bible study prompt library designed to help you understand Scripture, grow closer to God, and explore His Word in ways that fit your life.

Not sure where to begin? This optional guided course walks you through The Margin step by step, helping you discover the different study options, resources, and tools available to you.

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Why I Made Room

The Margin started with a personal problem: I wanted to consistently study the Word, but I didn't always have the same capacity to study it the same way.

  • I have found myself in a lot of different seasons—angry, sick, depressed, scared, focused, thoughtful, curious, and investigative.

    Through all of them, I kept running into the same problem: consistency.

    I would start Bible plans, devotionals, and structured studies genuinely wanting to finish them. Sometimes I made it a few weeks. Sometimes a few months. Eventually, somewhere between losing interest, feeling overwhelmed, not knowing how to study, or simply trying to do too much too fast, I would fall off.

    It wasn't that I didn't want God or His Word. I was beginning to realize that my desire could remain while my capacity changed.

  • I love structured Bible studies. I love devotionals. I love a good Bible-in-a-year plan.

    But what worked beautifully when I was focused didn't necessarily work when I was exhausted. What challenged me when I was curious could overwhelm me when I was already carrying too much.

    I needed to stop treating Bible study as though I had to show up with the same amount of energy, attention, and emotional capacity every single day.

    So instead of only asking, “What should I study?”

    I started asking:

    “How can I study today?”

  • I began looking for ways to study that weren't dependent on one method.

    Could I investigate one word?

    Could I listen instead of read?

    Could I draw something?

    Could I follow a question?

    Could I spend twenty minutes digging into context when I had the capacity—and spend five minutes closely observing one verse when I didn't?

    The goal wasn't to lower the value of studying Scripture.

    It was to learn how to adjust the method without abandoning the Word.

  • Room to be tired and still study.

    Room to be curious and investigate.

    Room to have questions.

    Room to create.

    Room to process.

    Room to sit with something I don't understand yet.

    Room to give God what I genuinely have today instead of giving Him nothing because I couldn't meet the standard I created yesterday.

    That room became The Margin.

  • The Margin began as something personal—a way for me to find different ways to study and apply different levels of effort while still making intentional time for God.

    But I believe that, in many circumstances, what God develops in us isn't intended to end with us.

    Someone else is tired.

    Someone else wants to study but doesn't know how.

    Someone else has started and stopped more plans than they can count.

    Someone else is hungry for the Word but needs another way into it.

    So what began as my personal study tool became something I wanted to make room for others to use too.

More About The Margin

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Margin is a self-guided Bible study tool designed to help you engage Scripture in different ways based on how you’re showing up today. Instead of following one study method from beginning to end, you can choose from prompts that encourage you to observe, investigate, reflect, create, question, listen, write, and more.

    The method may change. The Word doesn’t.

  • Start with The Study Margin. It’s a short introduction that explains how The Margin works, what you may encounter, and how to choose a study.

    After that, head to Find Your Margin, choose how you’re showing up today, and select a prompt that fits.

    There’s no required order. Come back and choose again whenever you’re ready to study.

  • Nope. In fact, we don't want you to.

    The Margin isn't designed as a traditional reading plan where missing Day 4 means you have to catch up before moving to Day 5. Choose the category and prompt that fits your capacity, curiosity, or need today.

    Tomorrow, you can choose something completely different.

  • At minimum? A Bible and a little room to engage.

    Some prompts may suggest a journal, pen, highlighter, headphones, Bible app, concordance, commentary, or other study resource, but we'll tell you when something additional may be helpful.

    You don't need a perfect study setup—or an hour of free time—to get started.

  • Not quite.

    Devotionals often provide teaching or reflection for you to read, while reading plans usually give you Scripture to complete according to a schedule.

    The Margin primarily gives you ways to engage the Scripture yourself. Rather than always telling you what to think about a passage, the prompts are designed to help you observe, ask questions, investigate, make connections, and spend time in the text.

  • Then don't pretend you do.

    Some Margin studies will require more attention, time, or investigation than others. Others can be simple enough for days when your capacity is limited.

    Choose accordingly.

    The goal isn't to see how much you can complete. The goal is to make room for God in His Word—even when the room you have today feels small.

  • No. The Margin is designed for people at different levels of familiarity with Scripture.

    Some prompts will be simple and observational. Others may invite you into deeper investigation, historical context, word studies, cross-references, or theological questions.

    You don't have to know everything before you start.

    Curiosity is welcome here.

  • The Margin may provide context, instructions, resources, or questions to help you study, but its purpose isn't to replace Scripture, your own study, or sound biblical teaching.

    Sometimes we'll give you information.

    Sometimes we'll give you a question.

    Sometimes we'll tell you to go find the answer.

    The goal is not to make you dependent on The Margin. It's to help you become more comfortable opening the Word, digging for yourself and engaging with the Holy Spirit.

  • Then study it.

    The Margin welcomes thoughtful questions. If something causes you to pause, don't feel pressured to accept an idea simply because you encountered it here. Return to Scripture. Read the surrounding context. Compare passages. Research. Pray. Seek sound biblical resources and counsel when needed.

    The Margin isn't meant to eliminate your questions.

    Sometimes the question is where the study begins.

  • Absolutely. The Margin is making room for younger readers, too.

    A dedicated Kids Margin will provide age-appropriate ways for children and teens to engage Scripture, with studies divided into Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels.

    The prompts will be designed with each age group in mind—helping younger readers build curiosity, ask questions, understand what they're reading, and begin developing their own Bible study habits.

    Parents and guardians are encouraged to explore the studies alongside younger children when additional guidance is helpful.

    Because learning how to make room for the Word doesn't have to start in adulthood.

    There's room for them here, too.