Article by: Erin Myers
Do you struggle to find time in your day to dig into God’s Word?
There’s a saying that goes: Something that can be done at any time is often done at no time.
I think that Bible Study can easily fit into this category.
We all know how beneficial reading and studying Scripture is for us, yet, because it doesn’t usually have to be done at any specific time, it often goes undone.
Despite our good intentions, our plans for diving into the Word can easily get pushed aside by the busyness of life.
Or we might be in a season of life in which we literally do not have one spare hour to pull out our Bibles and journals and really delve into what God has to say to us.
That’s why we have to decide to be intentional about making time and space to read more Scripture.
Luckily, there are several easy things that you can do in order to ensure that you are getting some Bible reading done each and every day.
Here are several easy things that you can do in order to ensure that you are getting some Bible reading done each and every day.
Why Studying Scripture is So Important
Before we look at some of the ways that we can make Bible study more of a priority in our lives, we should first examine why we should do so.
First and foremost, we have been instructed to know and ponder God’s Word.
In Joshua 1:8 ESV, we read what the Lord tells Joshua and the people to do regarding the scripture that He has given them:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
God wants us to speak the Word and meditate on it day and night—all the time—so that we are familiar with it and can follow what it says to do.
Secondly, we need to study Scripture because it is beneficial for us.
Paul writes in Romans 15:4 ESV, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
By reading our Bibles, we gain wise instruction for how to live our lives, as well as endurance, encouragement, and hope.
By reading our Bibles, we gain wise instruction for how to live our lives, as well as endurance, encouragement, and hope.
5 Habits to Help You Read More Scripture
Now that we know why it is so important and beneficial to read the Bible regularly, how do we go about making time for it in already busy schedules?
Here are five simple ways to read more Scripture this summer!
Read More Scripture Habit #1 – Change Your Expectations
If you regularly have very full days with little or no free time, yet expect that Bible Study has to look like an hour shut away in an office with your Bible, a concordance and a journal, you might have to shift your mindset and adjust your expectations.
Sure, this deep kind of study is extremely beneficial, but if your busy schedule means that you just skip study altogether, you aren’t getting the advantages of God’s Word.
Spending just ten minutes reading a single chapter is much better than avoiding Bible study completely.
Read More Scripture Habit #2 – Get Up Earlier
If you make Bible Study the first thing that you do in the mornings, you are more likely to get it done.
The early hours of the morning are best because it’s likely that you will have few, if any, interruptions.
If you make Bible Study the first thing that you do in the mornings, you are more likely to get it done. By reading our Bibles, we gain wise instruction for how to live our lives, as well as endurance, encouragement, and hope.Additionally, when you first wake in the morning, your willpower to accomplish tasks is much stronger. Research from psychology professor Roy Baumeister shows that our willpower wanes as the day goes on, much like a muscle that is tired from being worked all day, meaning that if we put off our study until the end of the day, it is less likely to be done.
Read More Scripture Habit #3 – Make A Bible Easily Accessible
Ensure that when you do have a few minutes to read some Scripture, a Bible is ready and waiting for you.
If you like to study first thing in the morning, place a Bible, journal and pen in a basket next to your favorite chair in the living room.
Alternatively, place an open Bible on a book stand in your kitchen so that you can read a few verses while washing the dishes or preparing dinner.
Carry a small pocket Bible with you in your purse so that you can read while waiting at appointments or standing in line at the store.
When it’s ready and waiting for you, the Bible becomes more likely to be read.
Read More Scripture Habit #4 – Study With Your Family
If you are a parent, one of your responsibilities is to teach your children the Word, so why not study the Bible together as a family?
While you might not be able to study as deeply with young children, you are still receiving the encouragement and instruction of the Word while helping your children to learn it as well.
It’s great to take a few minutes after mealtime to read through a portion of Scripture and then discuss it with your family members.
You’ll also have the added benefit of quality time together as you bond over the story of God’s promises!
Read More Scripture Habit #5 – Use an Audio Version of the Bible
If you are extremely busy and don’t have time to sit down with a paper copy of the Bible, why not listen to someone read it to you instead?
Install a Bible app with an audio version on your phone, so that you can listen to Scripture while you drive, fold laundry, walk the dog, or exercise.
No matter how we choose to do our Bible study, the important thing is to make that intentional choice to turn to God’s Word and see what it has for us everyday.No matter how we choose to do our Bible study—whether it is sitting at a desk alone with a paper Bible, studying while washing the dishes or hearing the Word while we drive to and from work—the important thing is to make that intentional choice to turn to God’s Word and see what it has for us every day.
With these simple tips, you can always ensure that you make time for the Lord in your day. And no matter if you can spend six minutes or sixty, those minutes given daily can add up to big benefits over a lifetime.
-Erin Myers
Are you longing for more peace and joy in your daily life? Do you crave a deep, sustaining relationship with your Creator? Join us for our free Summer Bible study entitled, “It Is Well: A 6-Week Study Inspired by Beloved Hymns.” Reserve your spot today, and the first devotional will arrive in your inbox tomorrow morning.
This compelling Bible study includes the stories behind some of Christianity’s most beloved hymns. Each week, you will meet a new hymn writer and have the opportunity to study the theological truths woven into a familiar hymn. This e-mail based Bible study consists of weekly lessons which include the story behind the song, a printable workbook with five days of hymn-inspired Bible study, and a devotional commentary to help enhance your personal study and application of the biblical text.
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Erin Myers is a mom of 2, married to her Marine veteran husband for almost 20 years. She was so overwhelmed when she first became a mother, that she wanted to help other young moms avoid those feelings. She encourages moms in building happy families and homes at her blog, My Mommy World. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
