Simply reading the Bible daily doesn’t seem too daunting of a task, but are we doing it? Developing the habit and sticking with it is definitely a commitment worth making.
Maybe when your kids were little you used to dream about having peaceful quiet times next to a roaring fire while your cup of pumpkin-spiced coffee was sitting next to you on the table. Maybe a little Christian music playing softly in the background.
Now that your kids are gone you might have a bit more time available but you just don’t know where to begin when it comes to reading God’s Word daily.
Or maybe you feel like you don’t have extra time on your hands. I know I’m busier now than I was when my kids were little. Hey, I don’t mean to step on any toes here and believe me I’m talking to myself just as well. We seem to have time to keep up with Facebook and Instagram – oh, and the Masked Singer! (I never miss that show!) But somehow picking up the Word of God seems like something we’re willing to put off for another time.
Maybe it’s because we think we’ll read two chapters tomorrow. Or it’s Monday and we were just at church yesterday so we can take one day off. The excuses can pile up quickly.
That’s why it’s so important to develop your why. When you understand your “why” the how, when, what, and where isn’t a problem.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
WHY YOU SHOULD READ THE BIBLE DAILY
- To hear from God Himself! The whole purpose of reading is to get out of a book what the author intended. Therefore, reading our Bible daily is learning what God himself wants you to know. It’s awesome to read books by Christian preachers and teachers but that’s only taking in second-hand information when the Scripture is the only inspired Word of God. When we pray, we’re sharing our hearts with God. But when we read the Word, we’re tapping into His!
- To receive practical instructions for life. We had a guest speaker at church recently who said something that sounded wrong but was oh, so right. He said he often tells people no when they ask him to pray about something. The reason is that the thing they want him to pray about is already explained in God’s Word. The Bible has practical steps for how we are to live our lives. We don’t need to pray about something that God already has clear instructions for in His Word.
- It acts as a source of life for us. We will go through dark times and our relationships and circumstances will get difficult. But, when we are being fed by the ultimate life source we will continue to grow even though everything around us may be deteriorating.
- It’s the best way to learn about God and His character. While completely understanding all there is to know about God isn’t possible in our limited, human minds, He does reveal His character in His Word. We don’t trust people fully until we get to know their character. So learning the character of God is directly related to how much we trust Him and see Him working in our lives. Plus, this shouldn’t go without mentioning, He actually gave His life for us – that fact alone makes Him someone worth knowing! He created us, He loves us, and He wants to work all things together in our lives for good. Learning His character will allow us to trust Him more and open our hearts for worship.
ARE YOU READING GOD’S WORD OUT OF DUTY OR OBLIGATION?
I grew up attending a Christian school. Reading the Bible daily was part of our curriculum. I used to see it as a duty from childhood. So as an adult, I began to pray for a hunger for God’s Word.
If you start to think of it as a duty, purposefully decide to take that thought captive and think of it as a guide through life’s tough times or as encouragement for the day. An actual how-to for living the best life possible according to His will and plan.
Shift your focus from the obligation to benefit.
5 PRACTICAL WAYS TO READ THE BIBLE DAILY
- Listen to the Word. I know the heading of this section is “ways to READ the Bible daily” but some people are better audible learners. If that’s the case for you, you’ll stick with the habit better by finding a way to have the Bible read to you. Try using an app like YouVersion Bible App.
- Use a Bible reading plan. If you don’t know where to begin once you pick up your Bible allow me to suggest you find a reading plan. I have found some great reading plans on She Reads Truth and the First 5 app. The book of John is always recommended as a great place to begin as well as the Proverbs. Did you know the book of Proverbs contains exactly 31 chapters? Many choose to read a chapter a day according to what day of the month it is.
- Memorize God’s Word. Write some verses down on sticky notes and post them on your mirror in the bathroom, in your car, or wherever you pass throughout your day. Glance over, read the passage, and as you walk away continue to think about the verse and quote it a few times. By the end of the week, you’ll have the verse memorized!
- Soak it in by doing some Illustrated Bible journaling. Bible illustrating has become quite the trend these days. I know some people have a problem with drawing in their Bible – if that’s the case, pick up another specifically for that purpose. Read a passage of Scripture and meditate on it while you creatively illustrate the meaning.
- Take the passage your pastor spoke on Sunday and re-read it each day throughout the week. God will open up more truths and it will help the message to sink in.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
WHAT DOES YOUR QUIET TIME LOOK LIKE? DO YOU HAVE A SET TIME OF THE DAY OR AREA IN YOUR HOME?
SHARE IN THE COMMENTS – YOUR IDEAS MIGHT HELP SOMEONE TO DEVELOP THEIR HABIT OF READING THE BIBLE DAILY!
This is the second post in the series of 6 Building Blocks To A Stronger Faith In Christ. You can read the first post here!
