What's keeping you from reading your Bible more often? Maybe you have a busy schedule with little downtime. For some people, spending a little too much time on social media can take away from other activities like Bible study. Perhaps you're not sure how to approach the Bible practically. Figuring out why you're coming up short on your goals can help you overcome those issues.
It can also help if you're clear on why you want to read more of the Bible. Remind yourself that you're reading God's word, which helps you grow spiritually and strengthen your relationship with God. You might have a goal of increasing your faith or finding peace in a difficult situation. Focusing on why and the benefits you gain can be a motivator to pick up the Bible more often.
Bibles come in different versions and in all shapes, sizes, colors and themes. You might prefer a simple, classic Bible so you can focus on the messages within the book. Or you might want a pretty Bible with lots of embellishments. A large-print Bible or an audio Bible can make reading easier if you have visual impairments. You can also find several other versions like journaling, study, devotional, chronological and reference Bibles.
Think about how you want to interact with the Bible when creating a dedicated space for reading. You might prefer a cozy upholstered chair next to the warm glow of a lamp if you like to be comfy while you read. If you plan to take notes or journal as you read, a table or desk area with good lighting and a place to hold all your materials could work better.
If you're struggling to fit Bible time into your day, consider adding it to your schedule. This helps you set aside time specifically to read your Bible. You can add it to your planner or your digital calendar, with a pop-up reminder to encourage you to sit down with the book. This helps you get into a routine that includes daily Bible time.
When you sit down with your Bible, get rid of as many distractions as possible so you can focus on what you're reading. Think about what works best for you. Some people like Christian music playing quietly in the background, while others might find it distracting, for instance. In general, a quiet environment is ideal. Put your phone on silent or leave it in a different room so you're not tempted to check notifications while you're reading.
You might have lofty goals of increasing your time with the Bible significantly. But don't rush into a major increase. It's often easier to increase gradually. Say you read your Bible once or twice a week for 20 minutes. You might increase that to 30 minutes without adding days. Or you might start reading the Bible every day but stick with the current 20 minutes. When that becomes a natural routine, increase it more.
You don't have to read the Bible from cover to cover. Jumping around to books and verses that are relevant to your life right now can make the practice more meaningful and help you stick with it. Seniors often deal with common difficult situations, such as chronic pain, loneliness or loss of friends and loved ones. Researching sections of the Bible that speak to those situations can make the words more relevant and helpful to your life.
Finding a Bible study group can encourage you to interact with your Bible more often. This can be beneficial if you're not sure where to start or how to apply the Bible's messages to your life. Group leaders create the lessons and assign readings to help guide you through the book. You can find different Bible study groups for different types of people or focus on different themes and purposes to find one that's relevant to you.
Journaling as you read your Bible can help you become more engaged in the process. Bible journaling is flexible and simply means you're writing as you read. You might journal your thoughts on a particular passage or write about how it relates to your life. It helps you better understand what you read and use it in a meaningful way.
Another way to strengthen your faith is to combine prayer and Bible reading. You might pray over the passages you read, or you can incorporate some of the passages into your prayers as you talk to God. If you spend a lot of time in prayer, this can help you increase your Bible reading at the same time.
