Reading the Bible consistently can be challenging but works well if you create a Bible study habit. God talks to us through His word, and I know every Christian longs to hear from God every day.
Personally, I have managed to create a good Bible study habit. And, I have to admit that it wasn’t easy when I started out. There are times I could forget to do my Bible study. Other times I got distracted by my children, phone calls, and friends who came to visit. Sometimes, I just didn’t feel like I wanted to do it. However, right now I find it enjoyable and easy. I had to come up with tips that helped me create a perfect Bible study habit. So, I asked myself, ‘how do I develop a Bible study habit?’ I really wanted to do it but there were many things that held me back. These reflection questions helped me find ways to create a Bible study habit:
- How do I make reading the Bible a daily habit?
- How can I avoid distractions when doing my Bible study?
- What is the best way to study the Bible every day?
As you seek to find ways to create a Bible study habit, you can reflect over these thought-provoking questions too. I’m so glad that I enjoy reading the Bible every day and I feel honored to share the secret with you.
How to Create a Bible Study Habit
God instructs us to read His word regularly. He wants us to pay attention to His word and let it abide in our hearts. This is what He says:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NKJV) – “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Creating a Bible study habit can help us read the word of God without straining. As the scripture explains, we can do this in different ways as long as it works for us. The following are five tips that can help you create a Bible study habit:
1. Choose a Time That Works Best for You
Busy schedules and distractions are some of the reasons why Christians find it hard to read the Bible daily. Many use their busy schedules as an excuse. Others complain that their children distract them as they run up and down in the house. And some are confused about the best time to do a Bible study. The truth is, there is no ‘best time’ for Bible study. Any time is a time to learn from God through the scriptures. You only have to choose a specific time that works for you.
For instance, you can choose to read the Bible.
- In the morning before everyone else in the house wakes up.
You can wake up at 5 a.m. and do your Bible study. This time may be a perfect time since no one will be around to compete for your attention. At this time, you will rarely receive phone calls or texts, there will be no visits, and your kids will probably be asleep. Besides, it can be a great way to start your day with inspiration from God’s word. Starting the day with the word of God is powerful in ways that are unimagined. Moreover, there is no way you will forget that you have to do your Bible study since it is the only reason you are awake at that time.
- At night before you go to bed.
You can choose to study your Bible when everyone else has retired to bed. Let it be the last thing you do before you sleep.
- During breakfast or dinner.
You can introduce this Bible study habit to your family and have them read the Bible with you. This will work well since everyone in your house will grow in faith and in the knowledge of God. Furthermore, when you do this together, your family bond will grow stronger. It is said that ‘a family that prays together stays together.’ And I can add to that by saying, ‘a family that reads the Bible together grows together.’
These are just suggestions; you are free to choose the time that is convenient for you and start today!
2. Choose a Chronological Bible Study Plan
Now that you know the exact time for your Bible study, what next? What plan do you think will work for you? Choosing to study the Bible chapter by chapter has worked for many Christians. My friends and I started this challenge and none of us has backed out ever since. I have heard several people claiming they got confused on which scripture to read. They went to their study table with their Bible but did not know which scripture to read. The truth is, the Bible is a big book with different scriptures. It can be really confusing to choose what to read. That is why you need to have a plan, a good one that will not make you bored or confused.
Reading the Bible chronologically is one of the best plans so far. You can start from genesis and read chapter by chapter. Decide on the number of chapters that you have to read each day and do it every day.
3. Select a Specific Topic
The Bible touches on every area of our lives. It reveals the mind of God concerning different aspects of our lives. Luckily, there are many ways you can identify scriptures on a particular topic. Some Bible versions have a summary page where they list various topics with their corresponding Bible verses. Additionally, you can search for Bible verses about a specific topic on the internet. You can read these scriptures and meditate upon them.
Example;
If the topic you want to study is repentance, find all the Bible verses that talk about repentance. You will not only find Bible verses but biblical illustrations of people who repented and turned back to God, and how they did it. This can be a good way to study your Bible and gain valuable insights on how you need to put the word of God into practice.
4. Journal
Mere reading of the scriptures cannot fully impact and transform your life. As a result, you may find this boring. God’s word was written to shape us into the image of Christ. It was written to guide us to holiness and help us live lives that are pleasing before God.
2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 (NKJV) – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
For God’s word to be effective in your life, you need to understand it, reflect upon it and let it take root in your life. And there’s no better way you can do this than to journal it. Write down the Bible verses that you read each day and journal your reflections and observations. What have you learned from the scriptures you just read? How are you planning to apply what you have read in real life? In what way has the word of God impacted or changed your perspective about life? Write down your thoughts in a book and you will find this inspiring and enjoyable as you go along.
5. Delve Deeper into Your Sermon Notes
Don’t be that person who only opens their Bible on Sundays. Instead, be wise and go through your sermon notes. Take your time to go through the scriptures you wrote during the last sermon and meditate upon them. This will not only help you cultivate a Bible study habit, but it will also help you know how different scriptures relate with your real life. Try and reflect how the preacher explained each Bible verse and the examples they gave. This way, you will develop a good Bible study habit and you will long even listen to more sermons.
Conclusion
Coming up with ways to create a Bible study habit is crucial if you really want to grow in the knowledge of the word of God. In Romans 10:17, we are told that faith comes by hearing the message of God. Therefore, to grow in faith, we have to immerse ourselves in the word of God by cultivating a good Bible study habit. Use the above tips for Bible study and come up with your own schedule that will see you reading the Bible regularly and consistently. Above all, when trying to come up with ways to create a Bible study habit, pray. Pray for God’s grace, God’s wisdom and understanding, and that God’s word may take root in your heart.
Start your Bible study today and connect with God every day!
