Although Jesus instructs us to rely on God to provide our daily bread in Matthew 6:11, He also makes it clear that "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God," (Matthew 4:4).
Beyond our physical needs, such as water and food, we also need spiritual nourishment that can only come from the God who created us. One of the ways that God provides fulfillment for us is through His Word.
Here are some ways that God's Word satisfies us:
Teaches, corrects, and trains. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Provides direction and guidance. (Psalm 119:105)
Gives hope. (Romans 15:4)
Grants wisdom and discernment. (Hebrews 4:12)
Helps us to mature spiritually. (1 Peter 2:2)
And so much more!
For all these benefits, Christians should be intentional about making time for God's Word daily. The Bible is not a cute accessory for Christians; we desperately need it every single day.
However, this fundamental Christian discipline can be challenging with busy schedules and constant demands on our time. How can we practically make God's Word our daily bread? Here are 10 ways to do just that.
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1. Make God’s Word your first resource.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” Hebrews 4:12.
In the age of Google, we're more likely to seek answers from the internet before God. But don't forget that God's Word provides all the answers to life's questions. I've yet to find an issue that is not addressed in the Bible. I encourage you to seek God’s Word for the questions you have. His Word is living and active, and God continually uses it to communicate to us in ways no one else can.
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2. Hide God’s Word in your heart.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” Psalm 119:11.
Taking time to memorize scripture now can help during seasons you don't have time to sit down and read the Bible. When we remember God's Word in this way, it is then already in our hearts and minds readily available to us any time that we need it. I know this may sound intimidating, but there's no need to start off memorizing an entire book of the Bible unless you've worked up to that. I suggest starting with a short verse that speaks to the current season you are facing. Write it on an index card and place in areas you know you will see it like your bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car. Every day that you see your memory card try practicing your verse without looking at the card.
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3. Make a plan to read God’s Word.
Many Christian apps and online ministries offer Bible plans that prove a scripture to read and devotional content for certain amount of days. These laid out plans take the complication out of trying to figure out what to study when you actually make the time. And with the added ability to track your progress, staying consistent in God's Word is that much more fun and attainable.
You can look through plans on BibleStudyTools.com and choose the one that’s right for you.
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4. Study God’s Word with a partner.
If you need accountability, ask a friend to read and study the Bible with you. Set a time to read individually and then a time to chat about what you've read together. Studying the Bible with a partner is also a joy because you get to hear what God is doing in their life. Your partner might glean different things from scripture than you do, making your study time more beneficial and fruitful.
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5. Study smaller portions of God’s Word.
I love daily Devotionals. Reading a small devotional each day in college was the only reason I stayed in the Word. Because I knew it would be short, I was more likely to keep reading the Bible a daily habit. I think many people get discouraged when it comes to daily Bible reading because we think it's going to take too much time but it doesn't have to. A small amount of time in God's Word is much better than no time.
You can find a treasure trove of daily and weekly devotionals on BibleStudyTools.com. Pick one, two, or a dozen to arrive in your email inbox for free!
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6. Study larger portions of God’s Word.
Some seasons in life are great to study the Bible by spending most of the time in one smaller section of scripture, diving into its historical context and original meanings of words. Another way to read the Bible is in larger portions. Reading whole books of the Bible, or the whole Bible itself, is a great way to get a different perspective on the “big picture.” And starting a “Read the Bible in a Year" plan may be just the motivation you need to read God's Word daily. Because you won’t need to think much about what to read next; just turn the page. This makes it even easier. Imagine how much you will grow in your relationship with God after reading the entire Bible – Imagine how much you will see God do throughout those stories.
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7. Listen to God’s Word.
If reading seems daunting, then try listening. Audio Bibles give you the option to listen to the scriptures while you get ready in the morning, commute to work, wash the dishes, or exercise.
When the people of Israel encountered God’s Word, it was often spoken to them. They heard and listened to God’s Word.
“When Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the LORD has said we will do,’” Exodus 24: 3.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD,” Ezekiel 34:7.
“Hear the word of the LORD, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel,” Jeremiah 2:4.
We can join in this ancient practice with new technology; or you can grab a partner to read God’s Word over each other.
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8. Write out or draw God’s Word.
If you want to get more involved in reading and studying the Bible, try Bible journaling or Scripture writing. This is simply writing or drawing scriptures to help you memorize, meditate, or learn. It's also a very creative way to study the Bible and makes it more exciting and fun. This practice helps you slow down while reading the Bible. You can write out a verse in your Bible reading plan. Or visit iBelieve.com for a free printable PDF each month to get you started.
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9. It’s okay if you don’t understand all of God’s Word.
In her devotional, “It’s Okay if We Don’t Understand the Whole Bible,” Wendy Pope shares about her experience of reading the whole Bible, cover to cover.
“When we don't understand something, it doesn't mean we are less of a Christian or not as smart as another. We're not meant to understand everything in the Bible the first time we read it. If we were, we could read it once and put it on our shelf. The Bible is unlike any other book. Hebrews describes God's Word as living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is meant to help us live life. Therefore, it's necessary to have it as a part of our daily living. With this truth in mind, I set out to read the Bible one day at a time. Now many years later, I've read the Bible in its entirety year after year. Not because I'm a super Christian, but because my first reading of the entire Bible taught me that amazing truth ... and I wanted more.”
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“Whenever we go to the Lord, he’s always there.”
Ron Gannett gives advice in his video, “How Can I Remember to Read the Bible Every Day?”
“Put your Bible in a place where you’ll see it every day,” he said. “Whenever we go to the Lord, he’s always there.”
Spending time in God’s Word is always good. I hope now you've found a new way to help you make Bible engagement a daily habit. Which suggestion will you try?
Christina Patterson is a wife and stay-at-home mom with a passion to encourage women in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word. When she is not folding laundry or playing blocks you will find her with her head deep in her Bible or a commentary. She holds her masters in Theology from Liberty University and is the founder of Beloved Women, a non-profit providing resources and community for women to truly know who they are in Christ: His Beloved. She blogs at belovedwomen.org.
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Originally published Tuesday, 10 April 2018.
