Turn Aside Bible Studies
Sparking spiritual growth through biblical understanding
Workbook and PDF downloads available
Different options for individual or group studies.
Old Testament and New Testament studies
Helping you understand the books of the Bible and how they relate to the rest of the Bible.
An outreach ministry of the City gates church
Studies developed in the local church, for the local church.
Turn Aside Studies-our Why and Convictions
Why Turn Aside Bible Studies?
Turn Aside Bible Studies are created to spark spiritual growth through Biblical understanding. We help believers engage deeply with God’s Word, enabling them to know the Author of Scripture more personally, which leads to spiritual maturity. We believe Bible study should be rooted in Scripture, powered by the Holy Spirit, and focused on God, not us. Come and see what makes our studies different and grow alongside other Christians as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Conviction #1: God’s Word Is About God
This has been a mantra of mine for over 30 years. Christians often approach the Bible with a self-centered mindset, looking primarily for personal benefit rather than seeking to know the heart of God. Sadly, this trend has only grown as biblical literacy has declined, affecting both the church and broader culture.
While many would agree that the Bible is about God in theory, their approach to Scripture in practice suggests otherwise. When we treat the Bible like a spiritual scavenger hunt for self-help, we miss the deeper transformation it offers.
Conviction #2 God’s Word is powerful and will work in your life, if you let it.
Nothing else in life makes the bold claims that Scripture does:
- It is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12–13).
- It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).
- It is profitable for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness, equipping us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
- It has the power to keep us from sin (Psalm 119:11).
- It is eternally established and will never pass away (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35).
If you want a guaranteed return on investment, build your life on the Word of God. Nothing else compares.
Conviction #3: God’s Word Was Written for Everyday People
Yes, everyday people with everyday lives, facing many of the same concerns and desires we experience today. People who needed guidance, correction, and reminders of what is true.
Have you ever noticed that many of the New Testament epistles include specific instructions? That’s because the people needed to be instructed!
While instructions and guidance are important, we want you to know the One who is giving these commands. Having a better understanding of Who God is, as He reveals Himself in His Word, should propel us toward love and good deeds.
Conviction #4: Questions Should Come from the Bible, Not a Commentary
Years ago, I joined a women’s Bible study that was using a well-known pastor’s guide for a particular passage. While the questions were good, most were drawn from his transcribed teaching – not directly from the text itself. I stayed for the community, but honestly, the homework felt like a chore.
God promises to bless His Word, not a commentary on His Word. While teaching and preaching absolutely have their place, Bible study should be centered around engaging Scripture firsthand. That’s why our Turn Aside Studies are designed to help you dig into the Bible directly. Each study leads you to read God’s Word for yourself and answer questions from the passage, not someone else’s thoughts about it.
Conviction #5: Many Christians Avoid the Old Testament and they are missing out!
One of my greatest desires is to eliminate the hesitation many have toward the Old Testament. It’s not merely background for the New Testament and the ministry of Jesus, it’s beautiful, rich, and foundational.
We wouldn’t have the longest Psalm in the Bible (Psalm 119, written BEFORE the New Testament was written) if God’s Word weren’t as wonderful as it claims to be!
Jesus said in John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me.”
Some of my favorite moments in Bible study are when someone “sees” Jesus in an Old Testament passage for the first time. Their joy is contagious, their desire to learn grows, and understanding truly clicks in.
Conviction #6: Sit in the Unknown
Confession time: there are passages in the Bible that are hard to understand. Some might even seem “weird” (gasp!). They can feel contradictory, confusing, or just foreign to our 21st-century ears.
When we come across passages like this, our immediate response is to run to a favorite commentator for answers. But may I gently challenge you to wait?
Some of the most meaningful insights I’ve ever received came from sitting with the hard passages, praying through them, asking the Holy Spirit for help, and spending a few days to wrestle with the text. And when that moment of clarity finally came, it’s unforgettable.
After gaining what I believed was insight from the Lord, then I would turn to a trusted commentary to confirm or deepen my understanding.
Those moments of wrestling created ownership, depth, and intimacy with the Lord. They were reminders that He wants to reveal Himself, and He will.
The Three Pillars of Turn Aside
God comes first
We learn who He is before asking what we must do.
Daily cross reference
We learn how this passage connects with the rest of scripture.
Weekly overview days
We remember the context by seeing the forest and the trees.