How to Be Consistent with Bible Study: 7 Practical Tips

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Woman learning to be consistent with Bible study

Learning to read and study your Bible consistently is a skill. It takes time to get good at something new and Bible study is no different.

Here are the 7 practical tips for creating a habit of consistent Bible study.

1. Choose the Right Bible Study Tools

Obviously, the only thing you actually need is a Bible, but what kind of Bible? What translation? Digital or physical? Does audio Bible reading work better for you?

Choosing a way to read Scripture that you connect with is important.

Nothing will derail your plans like opening your Bible and not understanding it.

Maybe you want a jo urnaling Bible to write and highlight in. Maybe you would enjoy an illustrated Bible with pictures and beautiful lettering. Maybe you want a s olid study Bible to get all the context notes.

Choose tools and accessories that get you excited to study your Bible. Gather your favorite pens, get a beautiful new journal, and some pretty highlighters. Grab some fun stickers and Post-it notes.

Make it fun!

2. Learn How to Study The Bible

As Christian women, we know we need to be in the Word, but has anyone ever taught you how?

Just opening your Bible and reading can be impactful on its own because Scripture is the living Word, but knowing how to study it for deeper understanding will bear even more fruit in your walk with Christ.

The Bible was written at a different time for a different people, so we need to approach it as such. It is our responsibility to seek to understand the meaning in the correct context.

3. Make a Plan That Works for Your Season

Before you dive into any plan for Bible study you must take a look at your schedule and commitments and do an audit of your time.

In my current season, I have littles at home and a baby that still wakes at night. This is not the time for me to wake up early. But I can still diligently seek to get into His Word daily, I just have to be creative and be ok with my Bible study looking simpler in this season.

Maybe you are in a busy semester at school or a demanding season with your job. Making a plan that works with your season instead of against it is going to help you be more consistent in reading your Bible.

We need to be tenacious in seeking the Word regularly, but it is ok to adapt to a plan that fits your life.

I created a planning guide that walks you through this process step-by-step!

Take Me to the Guide!

4. Saturate Your Bible Study in Prayer

If you are not beginning your Bible study time in prayer, you are missing an opportunity to be intimate with the Lord.

I am someone who struggles with this and likes to dive right into the Word, often because I feel rushed to get it done.

Beginning with prayer allows you to pause and be still before God. I find this helps with feeling rushed and anxious when I do not have much time to read my Bible.

Prayer primes your heart to hear God’s voice as you read and understand what God is trying to teach you. It moves the focus off of us and onto Jesus, where it belongs.

Take time during your Bible study and pray for a desire to read God’s Word. Pray the Lord would work in your heart to cultivate a deep desire to read and understand Scripture.

5. Remove Distractions

One of the biggest hurdles we need to overcome is letting our time be stolen by mindless scrolling or apps on our phones.

While technology has made our lives easier, it has also caused us to be incredibly distracted.

If you feel like you just don’t have time to read your Bible, try a social media fast and reset.

Every year my church spends January in a time of prayer and fasting and we are encouraged to delete all social media apps from our phones and not engage in TV or video games for that time.

Every year and I am shocked by how much of my time is sucked away by my phone and social media.

If this is an area where you struggle, pray about how God wants you to be stewarding your media and devices.

During your actual quiet time with God, try not to use your phone whenever possible. If you are using an online resource, use a laptop instead. You will be surprised what a difference that makes in both your spiritual and mental health.

6. Study the Bible in Community

Join a small group Bible study through your local church or an online community.

There is no better way to have consistency than having a regular meeting with other believers to study the Bible.

Often a leader or teacher is guiding you and giving opportunity to ask questions and other believers to discuss the Bible with.

Hearing multiple perspectives is so valuable when studying Scripture.

7. Have a Backup Plan

Even our best-laid plans and intentions for studying the Bible consistently can get disrupted, so it is important to have a backup plan.

In times of illness or emergency, you are more likely to forego in-depth Bible study. So what will you do when those things happen?

Will you meditate on Scriptures you have memorized or listen to an audio Bible in the car? Will you use a simple devotional app on your phone?

Take some time to think through what you will do when you only have a few minutes here and there to get into the Word of God.

Your Sister in Christ,