6 Tips to Develop a Bible Reading Plan You Can Stick To
Each one of us has good intentions and we want to read the bible daily.
Yet, we must pause and ask ourselves, do we truly follow through?
The Word of God is a living document.
It breathes life into those that read it, offering a direct channel to understanding the nature of God Himself. Through the Word, divine messages are conveyed, and profound revelations unfold.
The Word of God is how you learn about God.
Embracing the discipline of daily Bible reading holds the power to transform your life if you commit to it daily.
The Word is how God can speak to you.
It is a transformative practice that allows God to commune with you intimately, guiding your path and igniting spiritual growth.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12)
Prepare for an insightful discussion as we dive into this post, where we will present nine valuable tips to assist you in establishing a steadfast and unwavering daily Bible-reading habit.
READ THE WORD DAILY
- Set a Holy Appointment: schedule a consistent time each day that will work best for you. It can be in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed. Setting this designated time helps create a routine.
For me personally, my Holy Appointment is in the morning around 5:30 am. This time of day works best for me as there aren’t too many things that are going to be distracting so I can stay focused on the Word.
2. Choose a Favorite Location: choose a place that you love being. It could be a kitchen nook, the kitchen table, the lanai, patio, or deck, or it could be an office. Creating a specific place where you can leave all your study materials laid out makes it more of a routine. This will save you time gathering your stuff together and getting prepared every time you go to study.
When I’m praying, I can be out on a kayak, on a hike, or even biking. However, when it’s time for my Holy Appointment, I love to sit in my purple chair at my little table in my van. This is where my bible and other study guides and books are always present. It’s a place where I like being, it’s comfortable and everything is in its place so I’m not having to waste time looking for pens or notebooks, etc.
3. Start with a Manageable Goal: Begin with a realistic reading goal that you can comfortably accomplish each day. It could be a certain number of chapters, a specific passage, or even a single verse. The key is to make it achievable to avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Maybe find a topic you want to study and read that specific book.
One recommendation would be to set a goal to read three verses per day. Once you can do this consistently for 30 days then you can increase the number of verses per day or change your plan. The big goal here is to .
4. Use a Reading Plan: if you want you could use an actual Bible reading plan. These plans offer structure and provide a systematic approach to reading the Bible. You can find a variety of plans online or through Bible apps that cater to different themes, durations, or specific books of the Bible.
My goal for the rest of 2023 is to read the New Testament every month. I have put the chapters and passages that I will read daily in my calendar. That way when I get up each day, I know exactly what I’m doing. A plan is something that will also help us stay focused.
5. Embrace Different Reading Methods: Explore different reading methods to keep your practice fresh and engaging. You can try reading aloud, journaling your reflections, using different Bible translations, or exploring specific themes or topics of interest.
Reading the Word out loud is powerful, you can do this every time you read! As always journals are always a great way to keep notes and your personal thoughts.
6. Give Yourself Grace: Life can be unpredictable, and there may be days when it’s challenging to maintain your routine. Be flexible and adapt your reading plan when needed. If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up, simply pick up where you left off and continue moving forward. 😊
- Supplementary Resources: at some point, it would be good to invest in a study bible. Some of the resources can include commentaries, study guides, devotionals, or online resources that provide deeper insights and understanding of the text.
Translation apps
Study Bibles
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible
- The Life Application Bible
- New English Translation (NET) Full notes edition
Online tools for note taking
- Make Reading the Word Priority: Prioritize Bible reading in your daily schedule, schedule it on your calendar, and don’t miss your Holy Appointment. Consider this life or death, because, it is.
Remember, building a habit takes time and consistency. Be patient with yourself and focus on progress rather than perfection. Through daily Bible reading, you can deepen your understanding of God’s Word, grow in faith, and experience the transformative power of Scripture.