Have you ever been bored by the Bible? Back in high school, I’d make grand plans to read the whole Book, and I’d open to page 1 of Genesis. After 5 minutes, I’d start yawning, and that would be the end of it. Then a month later, I’d start again on page 1 of Genesis. By the time I got to the genealogy of Noah, I was snoozing.
It’s easy to get into a rut with Bible reading.
We get into a rut when we approach reading the Bible as something to check off our list because that’s how a good Jesus girl is supposed to start her day. We sit down to read the written Word without really expecting to meet with the Living Word.
Then some days we wake up tired or distracted by worry. Our eyes glaze over as we stare at the page. I don’t how to handle those mornings, but I do know one thing:
I’ve got to get God’s word into me if I’m going to let my faith spill out. I’ve got to get God’s word into me if I’m going to make a positive difference to my family, friends, and community. That’s why I’m always looking for new approaches to God’s word.
Ten Tips for Fresh Encounters with God’s Word
1. Expect God to speak to you. For real.
We have an amazing opportunity to meet with the living God through His written word. Before you begin, ask God to make his presence real and to speak to you. Here’s a good start:
2. Read it out loud.
If you’re having trouble focusing, read scripture out loud. Speaking out God’s the word increases our faith.
3. Pray the Word
As you read through a passage, use it as fuel for prayer. Stop every few verses and turn the truth you read into a prayer for yourself or a loved one.
4. Write it on an index card.
Choose a verse to write on a card. Carry the card around in your pocket, and get it out to read it. Set it on the dashboard of your car while you drive or on the counter while you cook.
5. Read shorter passages
When a whole chapter is too much, I read just the verses under a sectional heading. For example, instead of reading Colossians 3, I read “Living as Those Made Alive in Christ” one day and “Instructions for Christian Households” the next.
6. Read it twice:
Try reading a passage twice to see what new things God shows you the second time around.
7. Take a short book and read it through several times
Spend two weeks reading through a short book several times to really internalize the message.
8. Memorize it.
Last spring our family memorized John 1:1-18 together over breakfast. We worked on one verse at a time, repeating it 5 times and adding a new one every few days. Each day we started by reciting the verses we’d already learned.
9. Listen to it
Listen to recorded scripture in your car or on the walking trail.
10. Read together with your husband
A friend of mine reads scripture out loud with her husband every night before bed. Reading together can bring freshness to God’s word and increase spiritual intimacy in your marriage.
I hope these ideas encourage you as you seek to get God’s word into your heart and mind. What ideas do you have for a fresh approach to the Bible? Is there one on this list you’d like to try?
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Great ideas! I love the different ways we learn – by reading, writing, listening, memorizing. Each adds a different dimension and depth to our understanding. The first one on your list was most eye-opening to me. Was hard to believe it until it happened, but now I love digging in and hoping/expecting God to speak through whatever words I’m reading.
Yes, it is hard to believe God wants to meet with us and speak to us! This morning I lingered over my quiet time even though I needed to finish work on this post. I thought, okay, shortening my quiet time in order to write a post on savoring God’s word would NOT be too cool. So I took my time this morning and enjoyed hearing God speak!
What great tips, Betsy! I’ve been reading the Bible through a few years now. And I’ve found if I change how I read it each year, it keeps it fresh and helps me notice different things. I’ve read it straight through, chronologically, OT/NT passages each day, and this year I am using the genres plan. I think it has been my favorite. Memorizing scripture has a way of making it come alive for me–and it also make me study the passage, so I know exactly what it means and what I am supposed to do. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
You have some great tips yourself, Sabra! I like changing the way I read the Bible too. I love different versions: The Message, and New Living Translation are two of my favorites.
These are some wonderful tips Betsy, and I’ve tried all of these so I know they are effective! Reading with my husband is something I want to get back into again. It really does draw us closer. And I have an awesome testimony about praying it aloud I’d love to share with you one day. There are certainly some books in the Bible that speak to me more than others, but my I am so grateful that if I go to it expecting to hear from God, He will surely deliver. Such truth here. Love it.
Yes, Abby. He delivers every time! I’d love to hear that testimony about praying scripture aloud. I have go-to books that seem to speak to me more than others, too. 🙂
It wasn’t that you said something I didn’t know, it was that you reminded me exactly what I wasn’t doing! Great post!
Thanks for stopping by today, Helene. It means so much to me when people read what I write. Blessings on your week.
I love these! Its amazing how all of the scripture that I’ve memorized over the hearts has helped me just when I needed it (and now with BibleGateway.com, I can figure out what the book, chapter and verse are 😉 ).
I love scripture memory too, Anita. One of my favorite things in the world is a little pink notebook where I’ve jotted down all the verses I’ve memorized the last 3 or 4 years.
These are wonderful tips. What I have found has really helped me improve my Bible reading is joining a Bible Study Fellowship class. The daily questions they provide makes such a difference. And our weekly time together is such a blessing. As Anita said too, I love BibleGateway.com. I love to read passages in different translations. I also love my Life Application Study Bible. Thanks for sharing your tips. Blessings.
Yes! That is a great tip too, Beth. Bible study groups. I also like different applications.
Great tips! I love the first one-His word is alive!!!! I also really love accountability, that is what helps me dig a little deeper. Visiting from Holley Gerth.
Thanks for stopping by Kortney. Accountability is important for me too. I love talking about scripture with someone else.
These are such great tips, Betsy! Thanks!
Good tips! I also like to mix it up, so I alternate between old testament and new. That helps too.
That is a great idea, too, Brittany. I’ve gotten some great tips myself from the commends.
Wonderful tips, Betsy. Consistent Bible study and prayer are so vital to our effectiveness in everything we do, both at home and away. So glad I popped over this morning, as I really benefited from reading that good reminder!
These are great and my favorite is number 1! I sure can use these right now 🙂
Such great tips! Well thought out and organized (should I be surprised 🙂 ). I will definitely refer to these from time to time.
Great practical tips for getting more out of our time in God’s Word. A change in our routine can give us fresh perspective.
Thanks for stopping by, Wanda. I pray God will bless your times in God’s word.
These are helpful tips! It really is so easy to get bored when you start reading the Bible at times. I’m guilty of that. Thanks for sharing this.
This is some really good information about how to read the bible and how to get out of a rut. I have been stuck in the middle of the bible for a while. So, I liked that you pointed out that reading out loud might be a way to help speed up the process.
Glad if this helped you, Ivy! Thanks for the encouragement.