5 Ways to Read Your Bible More This Year
Every year, one of my goals is to read my Bible this year. Whether it’s reading the Bible in a year or simply getting into the Word each day, I try to set clear SMART goals to make sure I’m getting deeper into Scripture.
Some years I’ve succeeded, others have been challenging, and even more, have been mediocre attempts at best. But in the last few years, I’ve started looking at what makes the successful years successful.
What are the tools that help me read my Bible more?
While there’s no magic bullet that will guarantee you’ll read your Bible more (you still need to be willing to put in the time and effort) there are several things that I’ve found to help minimize the stumbling blocks and help you find time and energy to read you Bible.
Here are 5 ways to read your Bible more this year:
Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) should you decide to make a purchase.
1. Dwell App
The Dwell App is an audio Bible that provides several different translations and readers to create a customized listening experience. You can slow down or speed up the reading based on your preference and there are also several different background music options. It makes listening to the Word of God (how many in the Bible and Christians for centuries to follow learned the Scriptures) easy and enjoyable.
Most of the audio Bibles I’m seen in the past are difficult to navigate and the reading just sounds plain unnatural. Not so with Dwell! This is an excellent way to listen to the Bible while getting ready, driving, working around the house, or even to follow along with your own Bible while you read. It makes reading through large portions of Scripture easier (especially the genealogies and the more confusing parts of the prophets) and is essentially the only way I was able to complete the Bible in Lent Challenge.
2. Find a Plan & Set a Time
If you want to consistently read your Bible more, you need to create a Bible reading plan. Know what you’re going to read and when you’re going to read it. Having a clear plan in place makes it harder to push off or neglect and easier to get back on track.
Make a plan! Create a calendar reminder or set an alarm on your phone so that you have time set aside and a reminder to make sure you remember to pick up your Bible when that time comes.
3. Listen to a Podcast
This year, I found the Bible in a Year podcast to be a very easy way to make sure I was getting into my Bible every day. Did you know it only takes about 12 minutes of Bible reading a day to read the Bible in a year?
Subscribing to this podcast and starting at Episode 1 is a great, clear plan for your Bible time. It’s roughly 25 minutes long each day, beginning with the Bible readings for that day and ending with some short teachings on the passages from Fr Mike Schmitz.
4. Ask for Accountability
If you want to read your Bible more, ask those close to you to check-in and encourage you to do so. Tell them your plan and invite them to ask you if you’ve read your Bible.
Do you have a friend who is also wanting to read their Bible more this year? Ask them to be your accountability partner! Check-in and ask if they’ve done their daily reading. Send them a text when you’ve done yours telling them what you read. Pray for them. Ask them to pray for you as well! Share with one another things you’re learning or understanding better through your reading.
Having accountability from a close friend or family member can go a long way in helping your reach your Bible reading goals!
5. Join a Bible Study
Joining a Bible study that meets regularly is a great way to make sure you’re regularly reading and engaging with your Bible. It creates a regular schedule for you to read the Bible more and helps you connect with others who have the same goals – to read the Word of God and let it transform their lives.
A Bible study is also a great framework to begin reading your Bible because it gives you an idea of how to study Scripture. This means that even when your study is over, you are better equipped to read the Word of God on your own and creating a lasting habit.
I hope these tools will help you engage with Scripture and read your Bible more this year!
If you’re looking for a guide to help you develop a clear plan for when and how you’re going to read your Bible and a simple Bible study to get you started, check our Building a Bible Reading Habit. It’s an approachable but deep 31-day workbook that guides you through the Gospels.
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