Developing a daily Bible reading habit
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This is the third in a series of articles on Bible reading.
My first article in this series gives reasons why Christians should read the Bible at least four days each week. My second article explains why regular Bible reading is challenging for many.
If you're like most Christians, then you want to read the Bible more often—and more consistently—than you have in the past. You may feel ready to commit to reading the Bible every day.
Maybe you've tried to do that in the past. Several times, I've tried to read the entire Bible in a year. On New Year's Day, I've launched into the Book of Genesis with tremendous energy and a sense of purpose. But, like over 90 percent of people who make resolutions, I couldn't sustain my effort for more than a few months.
That's because developing a good habit requires more than good intentions.
A three-month commitment
A habit is a behavior done with little or no thought.
A routine, on the other hand, is the regular, and intentional, repetition of a behavior. When a behavior is unfamiliar or uncomfortable, making that behavior into a routine requires a concerted effort.
How long does it take for a good routine to become a good habit? While there are plenty of sites promising that you can develop a new habit in 21 days, research shows that it typically takes two to three months.
If you commit to reading the Bible every day for three months, then you give yourself a good shot at developing a routine that will become a habit and continue long after the initial three months.
15 minutes a day
For your three-month commitment, I suggest blocking off 15 minutes a day for Bible reading.
Fifteen minutes doesn't sound like a lot. In fact, if you read at the pace of a narrator of an audio Bible, then you can read through the entire Bible in less than 15 minutes a day.
But you're not reading to check a box on a to-do list. You're reading to draw closer to the God of the universe, who inspired every word in the book and sent His Son to redeem you. You want the words that you read to sink in and change your life.
That takes focus. And it takes more time and effort than that needed simply to plow through the words.
Even when you are allocating 15 minutes to Bible reading, you should choose a passage that takes no more than five minutes to read. Here's why:
- Before you start reading, you should pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your time.
- You'll want to read the chosen passage twice. The first time, you'll simply read it. The second time, you should highlight or take notes on key words, phrases, and concepts. You might spend a few minutes dwelling on or wrestling with something that catches your attention.
- You'll want to use some of the 15 minutes to pray. How is God speaking to you in the passage? How do you want to respond?
The right time
Most sources that I checked, and most people with whom I spoke, recommend doing your Bible reading when you rise in the morning. There's no better way to start your day, they say, than finding a quiet place and spending time with God and His Word.
Years before I met her and ultimately married her, my wife got up 30 minutes early every weekday so that she could spend that time in Bible reading and prayer before she got ready for work. She had to be on the road by 6:15 a.m., so she started getting up at 4:30 instead of 5:00.
Ouch. I don't know how she did it. For the first 30 minutes after I wake up—even when I'm not getting up 30 minutes early—my brain exhibits less activity than a bowl of lukewarm oatmeal. Sure, I can read, but my ability to retain what I've read or be impacted by it is severely limited.
A good friend does his daily Bible reading just before bed. I've tried that, too, and sometimes it works well. Other times, I nod off in the middle of a passage or during my prayers. Again, it's not the life-changing impact I seek.
Some other options to consider are:
- Get to work 15 minutes early so you can spend that 15 minutes in Bible reading.
- Take 15 minutes at lunch.
- Reserve time right after you put your kids to bed (and before you spend time with your spouse).
The fallback time
Whatever time you pick for your daily Bible reading, you can count on one thing: it's not going to work every day.
If you are a "first thing in the morning person" then, inevitably, just before your alarm goes off, your child will inform you that he just threw up. Or a business trip will necessitate that you rise an hour before your "15 minutes early" time. Or something else will happen that takes the place of your usual Bible reading time.
You need a Plan B. It may not be perfect, but it will get you into the Bible.
One option is to listen to today's passage in your car. Before you start to drive, ensure that your phone's output will play through your car's stereo, start the Bible app of your choice, and select the passage for the day (or the chapter that contains that passage). Someone will an excellent speaking voice will read your passage to you.
Get distracted? Tap the rewind button on your car's console. Need a minute to consider what you just heard? Tap Pause.
You can't take notes, and you probably won't retain as much as you would if you read the passage, but it still will have a positive impact on you. And you'll be less upset with the stupid drivers around you. Trust me on that.
Staying on track
Every week, do a few things on Sunday to ensure that you'll stay on track for the week:
- Plan your passages: What will you read this week? Mark your Bible. (I also put reminders on my online calendar.)
- Check your schedule: Is something going to disrupt your usual reading time on Thursday? Pick an alternate time.
- Set alarms: If you read when you wake, then one alarm can serve a dual purpose. If not, then set an alarm for a few minutes before the time you plan to read.
The best way to stay on track is to partner with at least one other person in your venture—and adventure—of reading the Bible regularly. When someone else is reading the same Bible passages on the same days as you, both of you benefit from interaction. When you hear someone else's perspective and share yours, both of you gain better understand and have more success applying God's Word to your daily lives.
Even if the other person is not your reading partner, he still can provide you with accountability, support, and prayers.
What parts of the Bible should you read during your three-month commitment? My next article will look at some options.
One way to get into a rhythm of daily Bible reading is to take my three-month Bible reading challenge. For details, go to 3monthchallenge.com.
 | Chris Bolinger is the author of three men’s devotionals – 52 Weeks of Strength for Men, Daily Strength for Men, and Fuerzas para Cada Día para el Hombre – and the co-host of the Throwing Mountains podcast. He splits his time between northeast Ohio and southwest Florida. Against the advice of medical professionals, he remains a die-hard fan of Cleveland pro sports teams. Find him at mensdevotionals.com. Learn More » |
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