Do you want to read your Bible more, but just can’t seem to find the time? Do you have intentions of making it a daily habit, but then get off track? Maybe you stick with it for a week, or even a month, but then miss a few days, which turns into missing a few months. Ever read chapters from the Bible and have NO idea what’s going on? You, my friend, are not alone! I have been there. I think we have all been there! That’s why I’ve compiled 6 simple tips to help you read the Bible every day, AND make it a habit that sticks.
I started becoming more interested in reading the Bible during my college years. I am a VERY Type-A person who feels the need to do things in a logical, organized way. Therefore, I felt (and still feel) the need to read the Bible from start to finish, in order. Now, that goal is fine, but let me tell you, there are some difficult books to get through at the very beginning of the Bible. So if you don’t have the right kind of motivation and discipline, it’s going to be super easy to lose interest, feel unfulfilled, and lose momentum.
That is why, for years and years, I went through phases of trying to read the whole thing, but never making it very far. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the book of Genesis!😂) It wasn’t until a little over a year ago, I decided to give it a whirl again, but this time, with a couple new strategies in mind, and I can’t tell you how much of a difference it has made! Here are my 6 secrets to making your Bible reading a daily HABIT, one that lasts longer than a couple weeks or months.
Tip #1
Make use of the Bible app and the reading plans it has to offer!📱 ESPECIALLY ones with commentary, explanations, and/or devotions.
My first few tries of reading the Bible on my own were just that … on my own. I would sit down and read chapter by chapter, without hearing anyone else’s take or explanation on it. Big mistake! Following a day-by-day plan takes some of the work out of it for you. You don’t have to decide what or how much to read each day.
The particular plan on the Bible app that I decided to start is called “Bible in One Year 2020 with Nicky Gumbel.” I highly recommend it!!!🙌 I chose this one for a couple reasons. Like I said, it only makes sense to me to read from front to back, and this one does go in order, for the most part. You will read a little from the Old Testament and a little from the New Testament (starting at the beginning of each) and either a Psalm or Proverb each day. Even though this has me jumping around a little bit, it still follows a logical order, AND the best part is you don’t get super burned out reading ONLY the Old Testament for months and months. I found this to be a great compromise for my Type-A personality.
The biggest reason I love this plan is because Nicky Gumbel provides commentary and a devotional for each section you are reading. I can’t tell you how beneficial this has been for me. He explains what is happening and connects it to our lives in a way that makes it so relatable and fulfilling. And that’s the most important part of reading the Bible. You want to be getting something out of it. I can assure you that if I had not started this plan with his commentary, I would have stopped short, just like I did every time before. Instead, I began to get so much out of it, it just became an integral part of my routine.
Tip #2
Don’t set unrealistic goals.✅ (For example, reading one chapter from the Bible every day. Nope! Did you know some chapters are super short and some are like reallllyyyy long?) And if you’re going to set a time frame for yourself, be sure to make it manageable. Even 10 minutes a day if that’s what works for you. For me, to get through one day on the plan I follow, including reading the passages, reading the commentary, and taking my own notes, it usually takes me around 30 minutes, and even that can be daunting on certain days. Trust me…10 minutes a day in the Bible is FAR better than none. When setting goals, make it reasonable. Set yourself up for success, not failure.
Tip #3
Dedicate a certain time of day for it.⏰ Now, this one is more of a personal preference, and definitely depends on your schedule. If you don’t have a predictable, recurring schedule, maybe you just have to fit it in whenever the time arises. (Oh, and here’s another tip if you are super busy…did you know you can listen to the audio of certain plans on the Bible app? So you could simply listen on your drive to or from work!) For me, the best time of day is usually during my kids’ nap time, AKA my very blissful “me time.” There are also many days that it doesn’t end up working out during that time, and instead I’ll read before I go to bed. Be flexible!
Tip #4
Write. Take notes.📝 This is also a personal preference, but for me, I really enjoy writing things down. Yep, I was one of those nerdy kids in school that liked taking notes. Don’t write me off for it, though! When I started this Bible plan, I got myself a new Bible, one that has a beautiful floral-print, cloth cover, one that I LOVE opening every day. That should be another tip in and of itself – get yo’self a pretty Bible that you love!
I specifically got one that has space in the margins to write. I often write things that Nicky points out in his commentary, or personal things in my life that relate to that particular verse or chapter. Even if you’re not the type of person that likes taking notes, there is actual proof that it keeps you more engaged in what you are reading, so I urge you to give it a try!
Tip #5
Don’t stop just because you missed a day.❌ This is a big one, folks. Don’t forget it! Because trust me…you WILL miss a day. Or 2, or 3. Life happens. This is a hard one for me, and it rings true for any habit that you form or try to form, like working out everyday. When you are in the habit of doing something everyday, it comes easy, but once you break the habit and get out of the routine for a little while, it can be SO hard to get back. This is normal. It just takes that extra push of discipline to get back on track when we get off.
Tip #6
Pray.🙏 Here’s another reason I love the plan that I chose on the Bible app. It has a prayer you can say at the end of every day’s reading. Don’t forget to make prayer a part of your Bible reading. Ask God to open your mind and heart to what you are supposed to learn. Ask Him to give you the motivation and the discipline to make it a habit. Ask Him to help you find meaning though even the parts that are hard to understand. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what He has to show you.
~ Happy reading! 😊
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