Getting Started in Bible Reading (Even When It’s Hard)
Although I’m well past the baby and young toddler stage, I was there once. I remember the long nights, the bleary eyes, and the constant noise and distraction—all fighting against my intake of God’s Word. And even now, in the busyness of life with teenagers, prioritizing time with the Lord takes intentionality and thoughtful care. Anytime we set out to do something big—like read the Bible consistently—it’s easy to start the journey with doubts. We may feel like we’ve failed before we even begin.
So, why is Bible reading important? Why even bother with this pursuit if we are tired and busy? The question is: do we see our need for God and are we seeking to know him? Are we fixing our hearts, eyes, and minds on the person we will be fixing our hearts, eyes, and minds on for eternity?
Any time in the Word is not wasted time. By the Spirit’s help, we can start a new journey each day into Bible literacy—reading God’s Word with joy and grace.
Defeated Desires
The word “literacy” means competence or knowledge in a specific area. Therefore, Bible literacy is competence or knowledge of the Bible. Simple enough. However, studies show that most Americans who own Bibles don’t actually read them.[1] As busy moms, we might hear those lines and crumble in guilt and despair. We love God and love his Word (or want to), but we feel inadequate. We desire to become Bible-literate, but we are overwhelmed and tired.
None of us have arrived. Even our favorite Bible study authors, mentors, and theologians all started somewhere. We all find ourselves struggling from time to time to read the Bible and interpret it correctly. Many of us begin reading and then have to coach ourselves to keep going. We’ll start and stop and start again. And here’s the good news: that’s okay. Not only is it okay, but it’s also great because it keeps us dependent on God. The goal of Bible reading isn’t to win some race or prize; we don’t earn more favor before the Lord because we have already been fully pardoned in Christ.
No Condemnation
Paul tells us that there’s “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). So, if we find ourselves feeling conviction and a desire to read God’s Word more—that’s a good thing. But if we feel condemned before the Lord, we can receive God’s grace. Our reading time is not about earning his approval. Trying to do so leads to the pitfall of legalism in our worship: pursuing good works to earn God’s favor.
An example of legalism is reading Scripture so that God will love us and be pleased with us and ensure our standing with him is secure. When we work hard to earn God’s favor, we are not operating with faith. Instead, we are saying that we must add to the finished work of Jesus on the cross—that his work wasn’t enough. We think we must work to make him happy—in this case, by spending time delighting in his Word.
The gospel frees us from such self-striving. Christ has accomplished what we could never do by our own efforts, and now we receive his Word not as a means of guilt, but a means of grace.
A Great Gift
One of God’s greatest gifts, besides himself, is his Word. Scripture is God-breathed. Both the Old and New Testaments are his words that reveal him to us.[2] The Scriptures are useful, binding, relevant, and true.[3] The law is perfect and revives the soul.[4] The Lord uses his Word to bring people to himself.[5] By it, we learn how to walk with God, please him, and bear fruit.[6] God has been gracious to give you and me access to know many things about him—his creation, his desires for us, and, most importantly, his Son—through the pages of Scripture. Oh that we would read and treasure this precious gift.
I have had seasons of Spirit-filled, worshipful, and consistent times in the Word and seasons when reading has felt like a duty rather than a joy and delight. I’ve had seasons when I’ve gotten up at five in the morning to read, study, and pray. And I have had seasons when I was happy just to get in the shower and feed the kids. We can all acknowledge that there are times in life when reading the Bible is tough even though we long to. The one thing that has helped me enjoy and delight in the Lord and his Word is remembering this truth—that it is his gracious gift to me.
Over the years, I’ve implemented creative ways to seek him through his Word, such as listening to the Bible when I struggle to read it or using guides to help encourage me along the way. At times, I’ve involved my kids as I read. There’s no rule book. God’s desire is that we delight ourselves in him and his Word, and he will help us discover ways to do it in our own season and circumstances.
If we long to get into our Bibles, God will honor that desire. Ask him for joy as you pursue him. Ask him for wisdom and creativity to make it happen. Ask him to give you wisdom and understanding as you read. God is faithful; he will surely do it. We find joy in Scripture not because it makes us feel good to check off the box, but because it leads us to the One who spoke it into existence.
[1] Bob Smietana, “Lifeway Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It,” Lifeway Research, April 25, 2017, https://research.lifeway.com/2017/ 04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/.
[2] 2 Peter 1:21
[3] 2 Timothy 3:16–17
[4] Psalm 19:7
[5] Romans 10:17
[6] John 15:5
