Bible Study Notes
Welcome to the Koutz Farm Bible Study Notes
Our faith is part of everyday life here at Koutz Farm, and studying God’s Word is one of the most important things we share on this website. As we work through Scripture, books, study guides, sermons, and other resources, we take notes, ask questions, chase a few rabbit trails, and reflect on what God may be teaching us along the way.
We share those notes here in hopes that they encourage you to dig a little deeper in your own Bible study—not simply to read God’s Word, but to understand its history, geography, culture, audience, language, and meaning.
We’re learning right alongside you. So grab your Bible, your notebook, and maybe a cup of coffee, and come study with us.
Current Bible Study
Learn A New Way To Read & Understand The Bible
Dr. Susan Michael brings the Bible to life in her book and study guide titled “Encounter The 3D Bible”. She notes ways to better understand what you are reading and how to get more out of your time in God’s Word. She explains the 3 primary ways to do a Bible Study: 1: At an Inspirational Level (the perspective most people study from and most pastors follow for church sermons). 2: At the typical Bible Study Level (the study of theology and doctrine). 3: At the “3D” Level (understanding historical context, geographical context, cultural context, the audience being spoken to, literary context, and more). Dive into this Bible Study with us by reading our posts below.
Order Your Study Materials:
Affiliate Link Notice
Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. This simply means that we get a referral bonus if you click our link and place an order. The company rewards us for the referral – but it doesn’t cost you anything extra over the cost of the products/services that you decide to purchase (plus any shipping fees and taxes). The payment is sometimes in monetary form, sometimes in discounts, sometimes in store credits, sometimes with other types of rewards. By using our links, you are supporting a small family business and helping our little farm.
To learn more about affiliate links, please read our Legal Terms & Conditions.
Bible Study Archive
Bible Study: Introduction & Day 1 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Many Christians know individual Bible stories but struggle to connect them into one continuous story. Without understanding the historical setting, geography, culture, and timeline…
Bible Study: Day 2 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Rather than simply reading the Bible for information, today’s lesson reminded me that spending time in Scripture is spending time with God Himself…
Bible Study: Day 3 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Today’s study emphasized the importance of understanding both the author and the original audience before applying Scripture to ourselves…
Bible Study: Day 4 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
As I explore the importance of culture, audience, literary genre, and Bible study tools, I’m discovering that understanding Scripture begins with understanding…
Bible Study: Day 5 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Chapter 3 quickly walked through some of the most important moments in Israel’s history—from Abraham to Moses, David, the exile, the return, the birth of Christ, and the beginning of the…
Bible Study: Day 6 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
More than anything else, today’s lesson reminded me that the Bible isn’t simply a record of what God has done. It is the story of what God is still doing. Although many biblical prophecies have…
Bible Study: Day 7 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
The Old Testament is not a discarded first draft of Christianity. It provides the history, promises, covenants, language, and expectations necessary to understand the New Testament. Without the Old Testament, we lose…
Bible Study: Day 8 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Today’s study demonstrates how geography, history, culture, trade routes, and God’s covenant purposes all work together to reveal that the land itself plays an important role in God’s redemptive story.
Bible Study: Day 9 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Home Purchase Your Study Materials: Book Only (Paperback) Audio Book (For Kindle) Study Guide Only (Paperback) Day 9 — The People of the Bible: Chosen for a Purpose “And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.’” — Acts 1:7 (ESV) Study Tip: Understand that you are not going to know everything or be able to figure out the answer to every question you have or that others might ask you. Acts 1:7 provides a good example as to why we aren’t provided with that knowledge. Jesus reminds His disciples that some things simply belong
Bible STudy Tips & Our Tool Shed
Study Tips
Bible Journaling In Color
Use Bible Journaling tools such as colored pencils or highlighters to enhance your studying process. Writing down your thoughts and questions along the way helps you retain the information you are learning – writing in color makes the exercise a creative endeavor.
Read Every Passage Within Its Historical, Cultural, Literary, and Biblical Context
Before interpreting or applying an Old Testament passage, ask:
- Who wrote it?
- Who was the original audience?
- When was it written?
- What was happening historically?
- What cultural practices were assumed?
- What literary genre am I reading?
- What comes before and after the passage?
- Where does it belong in the larger biblical story?
- How is it used or understood in the New Testament?
- How does it point toward God’s redemptive work through Christ?
Paul instructed Timothy to handle the word of truth correctly. That requires more than finding a verse that sounds encouraging and applying it immediately to ourselves. Responsible Bible study takes time.
Ask Whether a Prophecy Has Been Fulfilled, Is Being Fulfilled, or Awaits Future Fulfillment.
Not every prophecy functions the same way. Some were fulfilled shortly after they were spoken; some point directly to Jesus; while others describe events Christians think are coming in the future.
The Koutz Farm Tool Shed
Our Most Used Tools
Our Favorite Books & Digital Resources
Other Helpful Tools For Your Bible Study Journey
Affiliate Link Notice
Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. This simply means that we get a referral bonus if you click our link and place an order. The company rewards us for the referral – but it doesn’t cost you anything extra over the cost of the products/services that you decide to purchase (plus any shipping fees and taxes). The payment is sometimes in monetary form, sometimes in discounts, sometimes in store credits, sometimes with other types of rewards. By using our links, you are supporting a small family business and helping our little farm.
To learn more about affiliate links, please read our Legal Terms & Conditions.
Bible Study FAQ
How We Layout Our Study Notes
WHO?
Who wrote it? Who was involved? Who was the original audience?
WHAT?
What is happening? What kind of writing are we reading?
WHEN?
What was happening historically?
WHERE?
How does geography change our understanding?
WHY?
Why was this written, and what was the original message?
We Also Look At Things Like:
Historical Context • Cultural Context • Audience • Language & Translation • Cross References • Life Application
How Do We Submit A Prayer Request?
Fill out the Prayer Request Form linked here.
How Do I Join The Koutz Farm Prayer Warrior Team?
Fill out the linked request form to join our Prayer Warrior Team.
How Do I Submit A Question To Your Bible Study Team?
Fill out our Holler At Us contact form, making sure to detail your question in the space provided for your message.
What Are Your Qualifications?
We aren’t Bible scholars or theologians. We do not have any religious credentials. We’re just students – Christians with the desire to learn more and build a stronger relationship with God.
Our goal isn’t to tell you what to think—it’s to encourage all of us to slow down, ask better questions, seek reliable sources, pray for discernment, and spend more intentional time in God’s Word.
A Note About Our Faith & Values
A Note About Our Values
Before you spend time exploring Koutz Farm, we want to share a little about who we are.
We are a Christian family who loves God, loves our neighbors, and strives to live our lives according to biblical principles. Our faith is woven into many parts of this website because it is woven into every part of our lives. You’ll find Bible studies, prayers, stories of God’s faithfulness, and, yes, you’ll probably see us wishing you a Merry Christmas instead of “Happy Holidays.”
We also deeply believe that every person has been created with inherent worth and dignity. While we may not always agree on faith, politics, or other topics, we respect every individual’s right to their own beliefs, opinions, and freedom to worship—or not worship—as they choose. Our hope is never to pressure or argue with anyone, but simply to share our journey and the hope we’ve found in Christ. If you ever find yourself going through a difficult season, know that we’ll gladly pray for you, whether you share our beliefs or not. We sincerely believe prayer changes lives.
You’ll also notice that we’re proud Americans and proud Texans. We love this country, appreciate the freedoms we’ve been blessed with, and are grateful for the men and women who have served to protect them. We believe it’s possible to love our country while also recognizing that no nation, institution, or political party is perfect. We don’t align ourselves blindly with any political party or ideology, and we believe healthy conversations are more productive than division and name-calling.
From time to time, we’ll discuss current events, history, government, preparedness, stewardship, homesteading, conservation, and topics that encourage people to think critically and do their own research. We don’t expect everyone to agree with our perspectives, and that’s okay. Respectful disagreement is part of living in a free society.
At the end of the day, Koutz Farm exists to share our life, our lessons, our successes and failures, our love for the outdoors, our passion for homesteading, and our faith in Jesus Christ. We hope you’ll find something here that encourages you, teaches you something new, or simply reminds you to slow down and enjoy the blessings that surround us.
Whether your visit is brief or you become part of our community, we’re grateful you’re here. Welcome to Koutz Farm.
