Study:

Daily devotionals are great, but they are not study. Study is foundational to personal growth and enrichment of faith. Check out 2 Peter 1:3-11

John 8:32 Jesus says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Meditation is devotional, study is analytical. In study you are digging deeper into the text or even a theme.

Study should be Balanced

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Eccl 1:13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!

Eccl 12:12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

John 5:39-40 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Four steps to study:

1-repitition

2-concentration... no distractions or multi-tasking 

3-comprehension... ck out John 8:31-32

4-reflection...pondering the meaning of what is being said. Mark 7

Study through reading and examining, Acts 17:11

1-What is being said

2-What does it mean

3-How do I apply

Ways to study...

Reading... scripture, commentaries, books

Have you ever read through a whole book, say Ephesians every day for a month?

Observing

Nature

Ourselves... Romans 12

The key to study is not really reading tons of books, but by experiencing what we read. The reading of scripture should far exceed whatever man has written ABOUT scripture.

Finally, 2 Timothy 2:15-Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. While this is written to a young evangelist, its principles are ubiquitous and timeless.