Each year, we end the year by bringing you the 10 most popular Bible studies from the past 12 months! These studies cover a variety of topics that will strengthen your faith, draw you closer to God, and help you grow as a Christian in an ever-changing world. You can use these studies in your personal devotions, or study with a group! Either way, these popular studies will infuse wisdom into your daily Bible reading.

1. Going Deeper in Prayer
Learn how to communicate with God in a meaningful way.
Multi Session Bible Study

If you've ever struggled with your prayer life, you're in good company. As you seek to grow in this area, this study will help guide you. In it, you'll find articles that will challenge and grow your understanding of prayer. You'll find insights to help you evaluate your time in prayer, as well as advice for strengthening and revitalizing it. We've also packed plenty of other resources inside for you to go even farther in finding the prayer life you've always wanted. Remember, doubts and uncertainties may come and go, but as we press on we'll experience abundance—for the righteous find life by faith (Romans 1:17).

2. 1 John: Go Deeper in Christ
Life with Christ shouldn't be shallow.
8 Session Bible Study

What does it mean to "go deeper" in your faith? While the answers may vary a bit, this study focuses on personal spiritual vitality. From knowing Christ, to dealing with sin, and looking forward to eternal life, this study covers topics that are essential to a strong foundation of faith. Life with Christ shouldn't be shallow, and it's our responsibility to pursue growth and wisdom. Using 1 John as the reference point, this study will take you through eight weeks of developing a deeper spiritual walk.

3. Racism: How Should Christians Respond?
Our faith must inform the way we think and act about this ongoing issue.
3 Session Bible Study

Decades after the Civil Rights Movement, America is still dealing with racism. The topic of race fills our news headlines, our city streets, and even our pulpits. Recognizing the centuries-old mistreatment of minority groups, how should Christians respond to racism? Is it possible to respond in sensitive ways that actually make a difference? This study includes three sessions that encourage Christian faith to inform the way we think and act about this ongoing issue.

4. James: Living the Christian Life 24/7
What does a relationship with Jesus look like day-to-day?
6 Session Bible Study

What does a real relationship with Jesus look like day-in and day-out? The Book of James is all about what it means to follow Christ 24/7. It explores spiritual maturity, and how to grow up in the faith. Every verse is easy to understand but not at all easy to implement. This book teaches us about real faith by giving us God's Word on some of the most daily realities of following Jesus, including suffering, temptation, obedience, social justice and compassion, speech, and prayer.

5. 1 Peter: Walk the Talk
Transformation—the process of becoming holy—begins in your mind.
7 Session Bible Study

In this seven-session Bible study, the apostle Peter shows us how to think differently, which will radically affect our behavior. We all make split-second decisions to do right or wrong. To choose right, we must learn to be obedient to God, which will give us an appetite for being good. This kind of obedience will create a radical change in our relationships, so that our quality of life will improve. Finally, we will learn how to prepare for suffering that inevitably comes to everyone, as we trust a loving God who has promised to take care of us.

6. Psalms: Managing Our Emotions
Learn how God's word in the Psalms deeply affects our emotions.
12 Session Bible Study

Emotions are complicated and complex. Even the experts are not sure what causes us to experience emotions. For Christians, emotions can be troubling, frustrating, and untrustworthy. Some emotions seem deeply spiritual; other emotions seem downright sinful. God created us to experience emotions, yet there are still godly and ungodly ways to manage them. This 12-session study on the Book of Psalms will help you sort this out.

7. What Does the Bible Say About Being Gay?
Shining God's light of truth on a polarizing topic
3 Session Bible Study

In general, Christians have done a poor job of talking about sexuality, especially when it comes to same-sex orientation. For many, it's a taboo topic to avoid at all costs. Others speak about it plenty, but they focus solely on truth without any love or grace. What does the Bible really say about being gay? And how should we respond to people who experience same-sex orientation? This study draws on three articles—two from Christianity Today and one from Her.meneutics—to address these questions in truth and love.

8. Bible Study Basics: The Letters of John
Live out the message of Jesus.
Multi Session Bible Study

As time passed after Jesus' death and resurrection, the believers had an increasingly difficult time remembering his actual teachings. Believers from different places were preaching different messages. As fewer and fewer people who had spent time with Jesus in the flesh were alive to share their experiences, John wrote these three letters to clear up Jesus' teachings and to call believers back to his message. The drift away from Jesus' message happens all too easily—even today—and we can all gain from John's wisdom. Learn how to stay true to Christ in a very gray world.

9. The Minor Prophets: God Still Speaks
Lead your group in experiencing God's sovereignty, holiness, and love.
12 Session Bible Study

Be honest. When did you last read a book like Obadiah? Or Nahum? Or perhaps the better question is "Have you ever read Obadiah?" or "Where do I find Haggai"?

The Minor Prophets form the last 12 books of the Old Testament. Theologian James Montgomery Boice comments on how the Minor Prophets dramatize the character of God as few other books do: "They highlight God's sovereignty … holiness … [and] love …. In the Minor Prophets, we will hear the voice of God speaking to us in a fresh way … as individuals and as a spiritual fellowship in the Church." Explore the great wisdom in these books in this 12 session study.

10. Colossians: Against the Tide
The Book of Colossians teaches principles for living a Christian life in the midst of a non-Christian culture.
9 Session Bible Study

The Book of Colossians teaches principles for living a Christian life in the midst of a non-Christian culture. Sometimes this calls for us to stand against the tide of public opinion or popular trends. This nine-session study will address such issues as how to please God, develop a stable walk with God, think like a Christian, practice spiritual self-defense, live with a focus, and become a prayer warrior.

Kristen Cloyd is the Marketing Coordinator for ChristianBibleStudies.com.