How often have you fallen asleep in church while the pastor goes on and on about the sermons? How many times have you finished the Bible plan you started on January 1st as part of your “new you, new year” resolutions? Ouch, I didn’t mean to poke you on that one! Well, if you have finished reading the whole Bible, good job! (No need to shove it in our faces though.)
Reading the Bible can be challenging, whether you’re a seasoned believer or new to faith. I’ve been there. There were times when I never left home without reading at least five chapters. Now, my Bible is gathering dust in a corner.
Before we start, let’s get some things straight. We’re not here to police you into reading the Bible daily, nor are we encouraging you not to read the Word. We just want to be transparent and encourage you to develop a habit of discovering God through the Word, no matter what you’re going through.
1. Beware – The Religious Police
The beauty of being a Christian is that you get to walk and fellowship with God – the OG. If someone can read the Bible daily, great! But they don’t get to belittle you because you can’t. Every journey has its own pace. Show yourself grace like Jesus, who is full of Grace and Truth. Don’t look for people’s approval. Journey with Him at your own pace.
2. How Do I Get into the Word of God & Get the Word of God in Me?
Start with Prayer
Before anything else, ask God for help. Pray that He’ll bring His Word to life in your life. Trust me, this works!
Make It a Habit
Even if you don’t feel like it, read it just as it is. God has a habit of showing up amid your mundane routines.
Explore Different Versions
I was an avid King James Version soul – thy servant understandeth every word of thine mouth. Then I switched to ESV, read NLT, Amplified, and The Message version (Psalm 40 from The Message is my favorite, by the way), and now I love reading the Pidgin Version – trust me, it’s so fun to read. If these don’t work, try reading the Word in your native tongue. I tried reading in Hindi and Español, and my mind was blown. Fun fact: The Bible is the most translated book in the world. You don’t even need to buy different Bibles anymore; just download the YouVersion Bible App.
Study the Word
You don’t have to read chapter by chapter. Pick a portion, a story, a name, or a place – study the history, context, and people involved.
Here’s a cool discovery: I was reading 2 Samuel 22 for the first time, but it felt familiar – it’s the same as Psalm 18! There you go, I helped you read one chapter less. Ever noticed that?
Many Indians think the British or Americans introduced Christianity to us, but if you study the scriptures, you’ll discover that India and Israel were ancient trade partners. The word “India” is actually mentioned in the Bible!
The Bible is a treasure trove; you’ll find precious gems as you dig deeper.
Listen to the Word
If reading isn’t your thing, try listening. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of the Lord. You can use the audio Bible feature on YouVersion or find readings on YouTube.
A fun way to listen is through the Streetlights Bible App. While it doesn’t have all the books yet, it covers most of the New Testament and is working on the Old Testament. It’s definitely a faster way to finish the Bible, No more excuses about not having time – just plug in your earbuds during your commute to work, college, or the gym.
If you’re a visual learner, try watching The Bible Project videos. They break down the books of the Bible and biblical topics in an accessible way.
Join a Bible Study Group
Partner with a friend to study the Word together, or join your church groups. Remember that people understand scriptures differently, so get your basics right and avoid arguing theology. You can have different opinions while honoring others, even in disagreement. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
Remember how Jesus handled different situations: When the rich young man couldn’t let go of his wealth to follow Jesus, He responded with compassion. When Nicodemus struggled to understand His teachings, Jesus patiently broke down the Word for him. Christians often find it difficult to disagree respectfully, taking things as either offensive or conflicting. Learn to engage in healthy discussion.
If you’re looking to study the Word more formally, All People’s Church in Bangalore offers a free e-learning Bible Course at elearn.apcbiblecollege.org.
Meditate & Live the Word
This is something you can’t do on your own. Ask the Holy Spirit, and He will guide you.
We’re blessed to have so much technology and so many resources available to us today. Make the most of them in your journey with the Word.
