Hands down, there's nothing more important than reading the Bible for spiritual growth. Out of all the things you can do as a Christian, reading Scripture is at or near the top.
The problem, though, is that reading the Bible isn't so easy. It's a complicated book or set of books. It's hard to know where to begin, and it's also hard to develop the habit of reading Scripture.
The purpose of this post is simple. It's to help you develop a consistent Bible reading habit. We want to provide clear guidance on how to do this and practical steps on how to get started.
Why Read the Bible?
What are the benefits of reading the Bible regularly? Four reasons come to mind.
First, reading the Bible will deepen your relationship with God. Scripture is how God reveals himself to us. It's given to us by God so that we understand him and what He expects from us. Nothing is more important in life than understanding who God is and orienting ourselves rightly around him. You were made to know God. Nothing is more important.
The best way to get to know God is through Scripture. Scripture meets our deepest and greatest need: it helps us understand who God is and what he wants us to know about Him.
Secondly, reading the Bible consistently will give you wisdom and guidance for daily life. We all face countless decisions, but lack the wisdom we need. Scripture is a source of wisdom on how we should live. It's very practical. Scripture is designed to give us the wisdom we need to live well in God's world. We can't live well unless we understand the world from God's perspective and what He's revealed about how He wants us to live.
Third, engaging with Scripture will facilitate your transformation. The Bible makes a claim about itself: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is designed not only to change our behavior but also to change our hearts. Reading Scripture has a profound effect on our lives. As we are shaped by Scripture, we find ourselves increasingly changed as we understand more about God.
Finally, we need to read the Bible so we can flourish. Psalm 1 offers a powerful description of a man who delights in Scripture:
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
(Psalm 1:3)
The message of the psalm is that if we are going to be like this tree that flourishes, we need to delight in God's word.
For these reasons and more, it’s important that we develop the habit of reading scripture regularly in our lives.
Obstacles to Consistent Bible Reading
Why don't we read the Bible? Many of us have tried to develop this habit in the past, but it's easy to get discouraged or give up.
Here are four common obstacles to consistent Bible reading.
- Lack of time or busy schedules — Everyone I know is busy, no exceptions. It's easy to go through life without making the time required to read Scripture. Our busy schedules can get in the way of what matters most.
- Difficulty understanding the Bible — When you read Scripture, you will encounter passages that you don't understand. If you're new to the Bible, you'll especially feel overwhelmed. Often, we encounter things we don’t understand and give up, believing that our efforts are pointless.
- Feeling overwhelmed or discouraged — The third obstacle is feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. I know I felt that way when I fell behind on a plan and felt like I had failed. It’s normal to feel discouraged when falling behind or overwhelmed by the Bible’s size and complexity.
- Struggling with consistency and discipline — The fourth common obstacle to consistent Bible reading is struggling with consistency and discipline. Creating habits is challenging. It's easy to start a new habit, but keeping and maintaining a habit is a different story.
These four main obstacles to developing a consistent Bible reading habit are common among people I talk to.
Overcoming Obstacles
So, how do we overcome these common obstacles to consistent Bible reading? Here are six approaches you can try.
First, set a specific time and place for daily reading. You know your schedule best, so find a time and place that works for you. Decide in advance when you will read scripture. Set an intention. Don't just aspire to read; get practical with when and where you will do it.
Second, start small and gradually increase your reading time. You don't need to read for hours. Even seven minutes a day can help you read through scripture in a year. Start small and build from there. Make your goal so small that you can't help but succeed. Start with a small goal and gradually build up instead of aiming for something unrealistic.
Third, choose a translation that you find easy to understand. We live in a golden age of Bible translations. I often recommend the CSB, ESV, or NIV. For sheer readability, it's hard to beat the Christian Standard Bible. Find a translation that works for you, and that’s both accurate and easy to understand.
Fourth, use study aids. One of the best investments you can make is a good study Bible. I recommend the CSB Study Bible or the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible. A study Bible is an investment that yields long-term benefits. Other aids include devotionals, commentaries, and Bible apps. Check out this free online commentary and this set of Bible studies to help you understand scripture.
Fifth, engage with the text through journaling, prayer, or memorization. As you read, journal the questions and thoughts that come to mind. Pray through the passage, asking God for understanding or reflecting on it in your prayers. Memorize scripture passages that challenge or comfort you.
Finally, find an accountability partner or join a Bible study group. You don't need to read alone. Find others who can join you and offer support. Ask them to check in and encourage you as you read scripture.
When You Get Stuck
Here are some ways to handle the obstacles and setbacks that you'll inevitably face.
”I don't understand what I'm reading."
No problem. This is very common. Think of reading Scripture as learning a new language. Not understanding what you're hearing is just part of the process. It's an inevitable step on the way to learning. Even when you don't understand what you're reading, it still helps you become familiar with Scripture. It's just part of the process of learning what Scripture is all about.
Embrace not understanding everything, but use resources like a study Bible or seek help from a pastor or friend. There are many good resources out there that will help you improve your understanding of difficult passages.
”I can't stay consistent."
Here's what I recommend: Make your plan very realistic so that it's easy to stay consistent. Don't aim for something ambitious; aim for something small and achievable. Find a good plan that works for you and gives you grace days to catch up if you fall behind. Ask for help from accountability partners. Track your progress with a good habit app or journal. Read a good book on building habits. And don't get discouraged if you can't stay consistent. It's better to keep at it and do it imperfectly than not do it at all.
"I don't have the time."
Everyone's busy. It's not so much a matter of time, but a matter of priority. Get creative with your scheduling. Just look for five or ten minutes a day that work for you and guard that time. Treat it as a priority in your life. Consider using audio formats to listen to Scripture while commuting to work. Read in micro-sessions instead of reading for ten minutes straight; look for two five-minute periods throughout the day.
The most important thing is to just keep going. Don't get discouraged when you fail. Just keep up and refuse to give up as you build this habit in your life.
Getting Started
Here are some practical next steps you can take to get started.
First, find a plan that works for you. There are many plans available. If you want to customize it, you can use a website that lets you build your own Bible reading plan. You can also buy Bibles formatted for daily reading, which you can pick up every day and read. There are countless options that take you through either part of the Bible or the whole Bible over a year. There are great audio Bibles you can try.
Choose a plan that works for you and experiment. You can choose a chronological plan, read the New Testament, or follow the order of the books in the Bible. However you choose, just find a plan that suits you and get started.
Second, buy good tools. A good study Bible will be a huge help as you begin to read Scripture. George Guthrie’s book A Short Guide to Reading the Bible Better will also be helpful.
Third, enlist help from others. Tell a friend or friends that you are reading Scripture. Ask them to keep you accountable and encourage you as you begin to read.
Finally, simply keep going. Guard the time you've set aside for reading Scripture. Prioritize it over other activities like surfing the web or watching your favorite show. When you get discouraged, refuse to give up. Keep going and continue building this habit because it will change your life.
Just Get Started
Beginning a Bible reading journey can feel overwhelming, but every great journey starts with a single step. Start with five minutes a day, listen to an audio Bible while commuting, or join a study group. The key is to begin.
Don't let perfectionism or the fear of not understanding everything hold you back. Like any meaningful habit, Bible reading becomes more natural and rewarding with time. The wisdom, guidance, and deeper relationship with God that await you are worth every effort you make.
Remember: start small, be consistent, use good tools, and don't hesitate to ask for help. When obstacles arise – and they will – keep pushing forward. Regular Bible reading transforms you by letting God's word shape your heart and life. It’s not just about gaining knowledge.
Take that first step today. Choose your time, pick your translation, and begin this life-changing journey. Your future self will thank you for starting this vital spiritual habit now.
