Is your time spent reading The Bible not what it used to be? Does reading The Bible seem more like a chore or task instead of the pleasure it once was? If you’ve lost your zeal for reading The Bible, don’t worry. Let me help you get your groove back with some ways you can renew your love of reading The Bible.
If you’re feeling a little stuck in a rut when it comes to your Bible reading routine, let me start off with some encouragement for you today. You’re already doing great, so don’t get down on yourself. Yes, in a world where time spent in prayer and reading the scriptures is often neglected, establishing a habit of reading The Bible daily is a great accomplishment in itself. You’ve already won half the battle! The fact that you’re even reading this now tells me that you love God and desire to put Him first in your life. So before we go any further, go ahead and pat yourself on the back.
I thought I’d start off with a pep talk because we all need one every now and then. One of the enemy’s greatest schemes is to get us down on ourselves and discouraged so we give up what we’re doing. Friend, don’t let it happen to you. The Word of God is one of our greatest weapons against evil in this world, and we need it now more than ever. If your habit of reading The Bible has become more routine and ritual than delight, don’t give up. It just means it’s time to change things up a bit. Check out these ways to renew your love of reading The Bible and make a change today.
Discover a new translation
If you’ve been reading the same Bible translation for years or have trouble understanding The Bible, it may be time to discover a new translation. There are many different translations to choose from, so spend some time researching until you find the right version for you. Whether you’re looking for a Bible translation in today’s language or one that follows the original text word for word, you’ll be able to find it. Once you begin reading a new translation chances are you’ll gain insight and understanding that you didn’t before. It may be all you need to get your Bible reading routine back on track.
Use a study Bible
If you’re not currently using a study Bible, it’s time to give one a try. Study Bibles come with notes in the margins to give you more insight on the text through historical facts and/or interpretations. I purchased one last year and it made a huge difference in my Bible reading time. Learning something new increased my interest and made me look forward to reading The Bible. Even if you do own and use a study Bible, you may want to give another one a try and see if it does the trick.
Try a devotional book
Have you tried using a devotional book? Devotions are short stories written that bring out the meaning of a passage of scripture. Reading a devotion along with the scripture will increase your understanding and help you apply it to your life.
Follow a Bible reading plan
If you haven’t been following a Bible reading plan, now’s a great time to give one a try. You can choose to read the Bible chronologically, over a certain period of time or you can choose a plan that covers a particular topic. You can learn more about picking out a Bible reading plan here.
Gather support
Maybe you need some accountability to keep you on track. Instead of trying to do this on your own, join a Bible study group from your church or community that can help you on your journey. You’ll be encouraged by the extra support, cultivate friendships and learn from one another the way God intends for us to do.
Make it special
Don’t simply sit down and start reading your Bible, but make your daily devotional time special. Start your time out in prayer and play some worship music to help get you inspired. Spend some time in praise and worship before praying and asking God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures. He is faithful and will answer your prayer.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you struggled with reading The Bible? What did you do to get back on track? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Thank you for your ideas!
Blessings to you!