Feb 15, 2011
How We Doin’ on Bible Reading?
Awhile back I wrote a post for inCourage about my difficulties with regular Bible-reading.
Many people left comments on that post, confessing as well that Bible reading is difficult for them. Perhaps you’re one of them?
So I guess I’m just feeling a need to check in and ask: How you doin’?
Here’s what I’m not interested in:
- Any type of wow-I’m-so-great nonsense.
- Attempts to earn brownie points with God.
BUT…are we doing the hard thing?
How I’m Doin’
Right now, I’ve found that I’m bad at going to the open Bible on my counter. I won’t lie, there may even be dust settling in that page.
BUT…I’ve decided to keep my little Bible and a small journal in the car.
Each day I go pick up Orison from kindergarten, and I’m usually there with 5-10 minutes to spare. So on my way there (about a 15 minute drive), I’m praying. No formula, no list, just whatever/whoever God brings to mind as I drive.
Then when I get there, I pull my little Bible out from between the seats and crack it open.
Right now I’m reading the Psalms, and in my notebook I write character traits of God, questions I have, or verses I love.
I might not make it through a whole chapter some days, and some days I’m running late and I don’t get to it at all, but at least there’s some time that I’m trying to set aside.
What have been your trials and errors? What’s working? What’s not?
I’m still struggling, but I’ve been able to work on my memorization. I put the passage I’m working on in my phone and since I always have it with me I can pull it out and work on the verse I’m focusing on and review previous ones. Definitely not as good as reading my bible, but it has been helpful when I’m rocking the baby, etc.
When I had more time, I tried Grant Horner’s system. It’s really a great system and I learned and grew so much through it, but you’re supposed to read ten chapters a day and as a busy college student, I don’t feel like I can afford that kind of time anymore. I’ve begun just reading as much as I can of a chapter a day, but not reading consecutively through a single book at a time. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing and it is helping me stay more faithful.
I used to read my Bible every day. That was before I had kids, ha! Now even though my kids are old enough I could read my Bible with no problem, I still don’t. Hate that I don’t do it, and hate that I feel bad for not doing it. I have taken to reading some scripture at the dinner table with the kids, but it feels l-a-m-e
Dont feel lame Sheryl!! I read the Bible outloud to my 5 month old son. I’d like to say I’m aswesome and do it every day, but reality is that I do it 3-4 times a week with him. I put him the exersaucer, in front of the bible verse it’s taking me 2 months to memorize (it’s at eye level with him) and I read to him out loud and talk about I read with him. And then we pray. I felt dumb at first, but it’s nothing to me now, and I know that he hears the word of God every day. Just like your kids do. And thats what matters, right? If reading out loud to your kids keeps you AND them in the word, then keep doing it!!
I use a Bible reader app on my phone by YouVersion.com. (It’s online too.) I try to read a bit every morning – usually just 1 chapter but sometimes 3 or more if they’re short. One of the plans I use is called Project 345 because it takes an average of 3:45 minutes to read a chapter in the New Testament. That encourages me since its not a lofty goal. Plus that plan is only 5 days a week. I don’t always keep up with the schedule but it can be easily adjusted or restarted from the current date. Just me and the app – no pressure.
First thing in the morning works best for me now. I get up between 15 and 30 minutes before I need to start getting ready for the day and spend that time with God. If I don’t actually get out of bed, I fall back asleep. And of course, some days I just go back to sleep. I really like starting my day that way if I can exercise enough self-control in the mornings. If your kids wake you up at varying times in the morning I guess this wouldn’t necessarily work. If I try to do it before bed I just fall asleep. When its warmer outside sometimes I spend 15 minutes outside or in my car at lunch time or for an afternoon break from work.
I am using the Essential Jesus plan right now! It’s great!
When I was in my first trimester, the thought of adding something to my schedule would make me cry. Even adding Bible reading. So, during this pregnancy, I quit my intensive Bible class, I quite worrying about how often I WROTE about God, and I quit fretting about formulaic prayers. Now, (most) mornings, I grab my phone and open the Essential Jesus plan, 100 scriptures designed to tell me more about Jesus. I can share verses via Facebook or Twitter and some of those I am working on committing to memory. Then I pray about what I read, some of the needs at the forefront of my mind, and some things I’ve promised to pray for. SOME DAYS, I am so inspired that I open my journal and write a bit too.
I notice more often how irritable I am when I skip a reading, which is sometimes motivating.\
LOVE the idea posted above about putting the memory verse in my phone! Thanks!
This sounds great, Rose. Thanks for sharing.
I’m nursing a 3-month-old right now, and instead of nursing him out in the living room or wherever, I’ve been trying to stick to the chair in his bedroom, next to which I keep a journal, a prayer book, and a small Bible. Then I’ve got about 5 times a day where I have 20-25 minutes to read, pray, and think…with a few interruptions from the 4-year-old here and there. Sometimes I only get a few sentences read in that time period, but hey, it’s working….for now.
Ha! I am definitely not-so-awesome, but I was so encouraged by your original post. I shared it with my friends and many of us have tried to encourage each other in this season of our lives with small children.
I tried having the Bible open on my kitchen counter, but found that I was close to getting peanut butter and jelly all over it, so I moved it to my dining room table, which is major thorough way in our house. It serves as a reminder. I have been getting up before the kids and spending time in prayer and reading through the Psalms.
Thanks for the encouragement and for being so real.
I’m reading through The Message Bible this year, and it IS going great, but I’m just now finishing Genesis. Love, love, love the stories in that book! I expect Exodus to be lovely as well and then I anticipate hitting a HUGE WALL in Leviticus and Numbers.
My struggle? Trying not to think about the e-mails, blogs, fb news awaiting me when I’m done. :(
As for finding the time… my hubby and older 2 girls leave for work/school at 8:00, and I plop my 5yo in front of the TV or computer while I read. This may not work for you at this point. :)
It’s been hard. I get up pretty early already to do remediation for my dyslexic son and the day just goes from there.
But I’ve been doing better than before. I am making myself do Ann Voskamp’s Colossians memorization. It hasn’t been too hard since I had already done part of Colossians before … so it’s nice to break in easily with re-memorizing. Thankful for that. As for reading, I’ve just been reading and praying through the chapter I’m working on memorizing. I just can’t make myself do any more.
But I do a Bible time with our kids and it’s always convicts me a little, too, since we are doing the children’s Peacemaker one. It’s something to work on in a house full of four boys! Plus the baby … who’s starting to make herself heard.
It’s been hard. There seem to be SO many things that I will do before I will read the Bible. However, when I do it first thing in the morning, it seems to be easier. I’m not so bogged down with things to do at that point. I’m trying to do better, and thank you for posting this today…a good reminder.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! This is an AWESOME idea! I am ALWAYS waiting for Dave…I’m totally doing this. Thank you! Love you!
Remember that time we were gonna talk on Fridays and then I suck? Yeah.
I know, it seems so basic and therefore kinda obvious/dumb. But it’s really been helping!
I got a new Bible.
It’s the exact same version, size…even color…as my old one.
For some reason this has helped.
You know that fresh, clean, clear vision you get when you pop in new contacts after dragging the old ones out WAY past their 3-week limit?
It’s kind of like that.
No markings or highlights.
No hazy preconceived conclusions.
It’s more difficult to find things. And I like that.
Just a fresh, clean, clear start…praying that God will show me what I need, that I’ll actually read it, and that I won’t walk away and forget what I saw there.
I love this idea and considered it, but never actually purchased the new Bible I placed in my shopping cart. I think I will, today. I’m in such a different place than I was when I did mark the heck out of my old Bible. I also associate that Bible w/a church that contributed to some spiritual damage, so maybe that’s why I can’t crack it. Maybe a fresh start is what I need. Thanks Kara.
Crystal–Maybe even try a different version…? When I switched from NAS to ESV few years back I also felt like passages came alive in a new way. But–when I’m truly stuck in a rut and praying for God to pull me out of it–my staple is missionary biographies. Somehow they always pull me back to God and wanting to be in the Word.
Oh Crystal, thanks for sharing. I hope the freshness is inspiring!
I am struggling right now. I have some specific goals set in lots of different areas of my life, but for some reason I haven’t been able to work accomplish much in regards to many of those lately. I really need to get up earlier–like as in before my kiddos, so that I can have some actual quiet time. I just don’t really want to. I want to want to. I need to suck it up and do it. At least, I can sometimes sneak some reading in while my youngest naps if I can get my oldest to play quietly.
I HATE getting up any earlier than I have to. I’m SOOOO not a morning person.
My baby is almost a year old and I’m still figuring out a Bible-reading plan that fits into my life as a mom. Every time I try to wake up before the baby, I snooze and the little fella gets up early. But I’ve subscribed to the Book of Common prayer daily readings in my feedreader, so now I at least run across Scripture every day when I read blogs (usually while I pump or give the baby a bottle, so it’s not very focused but better than nothing!).
My oldest is 5 and since his birth Bible reading has been put on the back burner, not because I didn’t want to or know I needed to but because then a second child came along and I could hardly keep up with the first! This year I have finally found something that seems to work for me (and the fact that they are now 5 and 3). I seem to always have time for an iphone app and always have my phone with me so I downloaded a Bbile Live.tv app. It has different reading plans to follow and I’m using the New and Old plan. It has me reading usually 2 chapters from the Old and 1 from the New. It feels good and even though I’m only in Exodus I feel like I may have finally found my groove. The struggle is to “be present” when I’m reading and not rushing to the next app.
My oldest is 5 and since his birth Bible reading has been put on the back burner, not because I didn’t want to or know I needed to but because then a second child came along and I could hardly keep up with the first! This year I have finally found something that seems to work for me (and the fact that they are now 5 and 3). I seem to always have time for an iphone app and always have my phone with me so I downloaded a YouVersion. It has different reading plans to follow and I’m using the New and Old plan. It has me reading usually 2 chapters from the Old and 1 from the New. It feels good and even though I’m only in Exodus I feel like I may have finally found my groove. The struggle is to “be present” when I’m reading and not rushing to the next app.
Still struggling. But I came across the slacker/shirker plan a few days before you posted it which I found uncanny!
Anyway, I FINALLY got around to printing out the plan and then I cut and taped each “day” into strips. Then I put those strips in their places through the bible with the “day” at the top of each strip.
This has helped me actually know where I’m reading on any given day whether I have my laptop near me or not.
This morning I posted about my quiet time experience: http://iamstricklyspeaking.blogspot.com/2011/02/quiet.html
We’re all still in the struggle Vanessa. But we’re still THERE! We won’t give up! We won’t! And not because we want to get our “good girl” points, but because we want to know Jesus!
I have always wanted to read through the Bible in a year, but it seemed so overwhelmimg. I found Proverbs 31 Ministries and Wendy Pope is one of the ladies who works there. She reads through the Bible in a year and has a video every day. I bought the Chronological Bible she uses and love that it has a reading for every day beginning January 1st. I read the days reading and then watch the video. Wendy brings things out of the Bible that would never enter my mind! :-) I look forward to it every day. Sorry this is so long, but you may go to http://www.wendypope.org. You can sign up and she will send you the days video via email. I love it so much and highly recommend Wendy’s web site. :-)
I remember a time when I was not working for a year and still without kids. I thought that it would be great- I would have all this time for reading my Bible, no more excuses. Well, it didn’t work out that way. In the end, even when I did have time, I was lacking the desire to really do it.
I asked God to put a desire in my heart to really want to read the Bible and he answered my prayer. I’m not a shining example of anything, except to God’s faithfulness in helping us when we realise we are weak.
I’m trying each day to stick with my In Touch devotion. It’s a free monthly magazine from In Touch Ministries (Charles Stanley)that you can sign up for at http://www.intouch.org. It has articles but also a daily devotion for the whole month. It has a verse to read first then a short devotion based on the verse. I am often surprised at how often the devotion is timely and needed in my life. My goal is also to read more on my own, but am not doing well in that area. But I feel that quantity is not always the goal. As long as I have received something each day from the Word it’s enough.
You would be encouraged by this article: Do What You Can .
Love this follow up article to the original post! I love that you have focused on the whole journey aspect of spending time with the Lord in your posts. Its all about pursuing Him and knowing Him and not about just following a formula so that others think you are spiritual. Thanks so much! My youngest is almost 2, so I’ve settled into a fairly consistent routine in the mornings. I get up an hour before the kids so I can spend time in the Word and have just some peace before the hustle of the day begins. A tool I use is http://www.examen.me It allows you to read the Bible, listen to the Bible, journal your prayers, and even offers a large variety of reading plans. I’ve found it really useful.
molly, i go in spurts mee-self. right now, i’m in a dry spell. but one thing that encourages me to read and note in my Bible is the idea that samuel will read my Bible one day… and hopefully the Lord will encourage him knowing how his mother’s tears and ink stained the pages. i sometimes wish i could read my dad’s Bible with his notes and tears.. but it’s in Romania. :)
Pretty much my only “down-time” during the day is as I crawl into bed beside by snoring husband after finally getting the baby to sleep. I do have the advantage of never having been an “asleep-as-soon-as-my-head-hits-the-pillow” kind of girl (even with newborns!)so rather than just lay there awake I kinda had to choose to redeem the only time I had to myself!
So anyway, my bible and journal sit on my bedside table. I also use that time to write in my daughter’s journals (prayers, letters, etc. to give them someday) and maybe pick up the parenting book I’ve been trying to read.
Sometimes I get into it – sometimes it’s just a chapter or a few versus… but I am finding I’m waking up thinking about Jesus and it is (by His grace!) changing the way I respond to those daily frustrations with the kids and Kurt.
Great question!
I’m doing OK with it (for maybe the first time in my life! ha ha!). It’s still a struggle, but I’ve come up with a little morning routine that has been helping me. Here’s my routine:
1). I try to get up 30-45 min before my kids usually get up (painful, but I don’t actually get out of bed, so that helps :))
2). I grab my copy of “Daily Light” off my nightstand — it’s a book of short morning & evening Bible readings — 100% scripture. If a verse grabs me, I jot it down in my journal (also on my nightstand).
3). I grab my little purple “prayer journal” & write down any things I can think of to pray for. Then I either pray right then, or pray later.
4). I grab my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) lesson off of my nightstand, and do the day’s lesson (I joined BSF last year &, though it’s not perfect, I can’t recommend it enough, for me AND my kids. It gets me in the Bible regularly & there’s built in accountability — love it.)
5). I’ll read a portion of a Christian book — right now it’s “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp
So that’s my routine — sometimes I make it through all 5 steps, sometimes through the first 3 (that way I at least start my day w/ a little scripture & prayer), and sometimes through none at all. And — with a brand newborn, everything’s been out the window this week, so my routine will probably need some tweaking! But at least the framework is there, and I do look forward to it every morning!
One other thing that has helped me has been to stop viewing Bible-reading as a discipline and start viewing it as a “thirst quencher” — a place to seek refreshment and renewal rather than a box to check off my to-do list. Someone shared this idea with me in a Bible study last summer, and it really stuck and has helped motivate me to open that Bible a bit more often!
(Good golly, this is a long comment!! :))
No I LOVE it! I can’t believe you’re doing ANYTHING with a new baby!
your new system sounds like a great opportunity to get into the word.
as for me, i continue to *try* to get up at least 15-30 minutes before the rest of my crew in the morning. it’s not easy as i’m a natural born nightowl. ;)
i love reading from my ‘jesus calling’ devotional in the morning followed by reading the vs. that accompany each daily reflection.
music really speaks to me – i have several pandora stations that play a lot of tunes that echo scriptures as well.
~h
ps – can we have a rain check playdate soon? ;)
I find that, with kids, what works for me changes every few weeks or months. Currently, I’m subscribed to Bible-Reading@yahoogroups.com. Right now, doing my reading on my phone, in bed, is what works for me. I miss the times of sitting down with an open Bible and journal, but honestly, if I have those expectations of myself in this phase of life, I won’t get to it at all. So what I do is just keep my phone by my bed, and when I wake up at some insane early-morning hour due to a child who’s had a bad dream or my crazy insomnia, I pull up my reading for the day and read while I’m laying there. If I miss a day, I don’t try to catch up. It’s working well right now, but I expect my little system will be revised for some reason or other before too long!
Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers…yup – that’s me AND it’s working. I love it!! Check Ransom Fellowship for the schedule if you’re interested.
Isn’t it a freeing plan? Love it!
Had an interesting experience last week that I thought I’d share… I was at a church meeting (at my church I’m in a role where I “should be” praying and reading regularly, and is the burden of “should” too much to bear, or what?) Anyway, the person leading one portion of the meeting where we were talking about a book recommending Bible time and prayer for leaders decided that instead of talking about it, we were going to spend 15 minutes actually practicing it. He handed out a passage and off we went.
It was seriously the most refreshing thing. After 15 minutes, I wondered, “If it feels this good, this peaceful, and I feel this kind of restoration after just 15 minutes of thinking about scripture… why on earth is it SO HARD to make that time?” I literally realized that the hard part for me is opening the book, which I dread – maybe because of the burden of “should.”
Anyway, since then, I’ve found myself reaching more regularly for the book that’s been collecting dust on my nightstand since November. Not every day, but more often. In those moments, the word is real to me, and it’s touching my heart.
All this is NOT to say, “I’m doing better” (although I’m glad that I am,) but to share my experience of being touched and restored by just a few minutes reading and thinking about scripture… and hoping others may find encouragement to find a few minutes of their own.
I know, right? I don’t want to do “shoulds” or “have-tos” in relation to God. I want to do “get-tos!”
And if it’s touching your heart, then be FREE! You are FREE!
seemed fitting today: http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/doing-what-i-can
Thanks for this post Molly and your honesty. I am at the other end of the “mothering season” as 3 of my four children are out of the house. #4 is 11 and very independent. When they were little ones they might as well have been triplets. Born in 1987, 1988, and 1991, #4 coming in 1999. I found putting a Bible in key areas, kitchen, bathroom, coffee table was very helpful in my daily reading. Just as you are doing, I would pick it up when I had a few minutes and just soak up the Word. It will never return void. You don’t think the years will pass quickly, but they do. Whatever season in life we find ourselves God knows and is faithful to give us what we need. Thanks again for your post, your transparency is important.
Unfortunately, I’ve done terrible. Read that original post when you made it, and I printed the schedule but that was it. Haven’t picked up my Bible once. :( But, I am going through a theology book (Big Truths for Young Hearts) w/the babies, and there is Scripture in there. So, daily we are reading some Scripture, and discussing some weighty truths about God. It’s better than nothing, but still waaaaay from where I want/need to be. I’m going to buy a new Bible like was mentioned up above, and see if that brings a little spark. Thanks for asking this question.
I’m realizing more and more the importance of prayer, that one on one time with God. Strangely enough, I was convicted when reading a book about Mr. Rogers! He was walking closely with God I believe. so, I’m currently taking a prayer challenge from garlandhouse.blogspot.com from Kim Winters. Thanks for sharing how you are doing!
Oh I’m SO in love with Mr. Rogers! I’ve always said if they released the whole Mr. Rogers Neighborhood on DVD that I’d pay big bucks to have all the episodes. That man was amazing!
Someone else mentioned it, but really, accountability is the most helpful thing for keeping me in the Word.
There was a period of time when I felt accountable because I knew there was a possibility I’d get a phone call from a seriously struggling friend, and if I didn’t have the Word to offer her, then what did I have? I read through the whole New Testament that fall; the Word was magnificently alive for me.
Now I have a Bible study where I know I might be called upon for my reflections on a certain passage. It’s also good to have read the passages so that I better understand where others’ thoughts have started.
I recognize these both as “outside” motivators, which bothers me because I feel like it’s less holy than a motivation based on my heart’s desire. But I’ve found (Of course!) that the habit creates an appetite. And for now, I guess my heart needs that outside motivation to remember how much I want Him.
As far as strategy: I leave the childrens’ Bible out on the table so I’m reminded to read to and pray with my girls’ at breakfast. And my own study time is sometimes while the younger naps, and sometimes before bed.
When I was at the stage of life you are at, I would pray when folding laundry, try to put a verse in front of me somewhere when washing dishes to memorize/meditate on, and would put on kids Bible songs, especially scripture songs to sing and get some word into me. It is a very difficult stage of life. A young mom with no kids saw my struggle and came over once a week to babysit for free so I could go away and have a real quiet time. What a blessing she was.
Hi Molly- thanks for posting this. I loved your original post on the other blog. It really resonated with me. Sometimes those pages feel like they are 1,000 pounds. I write for a small blog in Orange County, CA and was thinking about challenging my fellow readers to wake up a little earlier than usual to read (even if it’s 10 minutes!). Thanks for your words, as always.
I started reading a “Read the Bible through in a Year” bible a couple of years ago. I actually started in March and I gave myself permission to miss days if I can’t get to it. I haven’t missed any because without the pressure I see this as a “get to” and not a “have to.” It takes about 15 minutes everyday.
I am using the Bible Gateway Website and choosing the Option to read outloud to me. Just click on the Speaker Option. Since I am at my Computer for several hours a day, I listen to it over and over again. I was surprised last week and I got up in the morning, I could resite the whole 3 versed that I had ben readin all week. What a Blessing Bible Gateway!~
We started reading through the Bible with our daughter (who’s now 3) when she was about 1 1/2. It was completely by accident. I was trying to get in some reading time after breakfast while she played, and she asked me to read it to her, so I did and she kept asking me to read to her, so now it’s our nightly ritual (although we don’t panic if it doesn’t happen every night). She even reminds me to get the Bible if I don’t have it when I tuck her in. We are now making our second way through the entire Bible and are in Genesis. I struggle more with serious and consistent study on my own. I’ve started in the last few months to try (it doesn’t always happen) to read the same book or part of a book each day for a month. It has made me think more deeply about some verses and passages and encouraged me to study more in depth as well as the added benefit of Scripture memorization without feeling the pressure of notecards. I’m not faithful in either of these, but they have allowed me to read some of God’s Word each day (or at least that’s the hope). I think it’s really easy to become legalistic in our reading and study, but I’m trying not to get caught up in how much or how seriously I read each day, mostly because I figure some sustenance is better than none. May God continue to encourage you in His knowledge and grace! And thank you for being a blessing :)
Waiting for the kids at school is always a precious oasis of time!
You will find other times like that as they grow–at music lessons, etc.
The thing that I have found most helpful is to pray, Lord, please give me time with you today, and then to take it when that time opens up.
I find it hard to manage all three of these in one day–sustained prayer time, Bible reading AND memorization/meditation, but I have found that they key is to not give up.
I like Elizabeth George’s advice that something is better than nothing, so I don’t put off these things until I have a big block of time anymore. On the other hand, I ask myself. How would my husband feel if I only talked to him in the car, or while I’m exercising (actually, I only exercise a few times a year, so that wouldn’t be a good time for me to spend time with the Lord, but I’ve heard that it works for some), or folding laundry.
So I try to include my spiritual food while doing other things, but I don’t want to make that the only time.
Spending time with our husband, and spending time with the Lord–two so very precious things, and they seem the hardest of all at times. But I like your father-in-law’s story about getting letters from Noel and skipping lunch to read them. Lord, give me that kind of desire for time with you!
I am my own worst enemy by over-committing to work and church activities. But it is never too late to change. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going!
So, so glad we have regular Bible reading with our kiddos, because many days it is the only Bible reading I get and to be honest, I hate it…I will not make excuses, I choose to sleep in, read blogs or magazines and putz around with sewing before spending time with the Father. I’m busy, no doubt, with three kiddos three and under, but I still make really bad choices with the time I do have. I will not miss out on the abundance Christ has for me and I will not leave this legacy to my children. Today is a new day…
I used to feel so guilty about it, not doing IT. Sick to my stomach about not “being in the Word.” But lately, I have felt a release from being wracked with guilt. Instead I am concentrating on loving Jesus and loving people. Out of this has come a new love for the times I do spend reading the Bible or Bible verses, and deeper insight. I am trying to check my beliefs and research the Word (online). Applying my online habits to the Bible has helped!
Thanks for your suggestion, will try the car thing.
Blessings…
P.S. I love reading your blog :-)
Oh I hear you on the crushing guilt. It’s so not from the LORD! I want to live in His freedom, letting love flow in our relationship. It becomes so much less about duty.
Things that are working for me: lots of GRACE, and having my Bible ON the table next to my plate. It gets crumbs on it, and gets pushed around my table, but I eat there 3 times a day and having it open there, available to read makes me read.
Things not working for me: reading plans attached to dates. I’ve done them, but in this season of mothering little ones, I need to just read what I can, (love the “Do What You Can” article about Jean Fleming mentioned above!) when I can, and not worry about catching up or reading enough. Just read what I can and trust God will speak and teach in the verses I get to read.
Because of those things above, I’m enjoying the Shirkers and Slackers plan – no dates, and I just read when I eat, or whenever I can.
Thanks for checking in and asking how people are doing. :)
I hope your little crew of cuties is doing well. Take care of yourself too!
For the past two years I have gotten bogged down in the plans that have you reading from four places at the same time. I started those because it allowed for 5 days at the end of the month to make up missed days. But I found that I’d get more than five days behind because I couldn’t fit the “required” reading in the time I set aside.
This year I started a chronological plan (from ESV) and I’ve enjoyed it so far! I like that it (usually) reads through one book at a time since that saves page flipping time. I also like that it starts with Genesis, Job and Exodus because they’re fun to read! I’ve also have taken the plan and put it in a Word document so I can cross the days off the list as I move forward which provides a delightful, and for me necessary, sense of accomplishment.
I used to love reading the Bible, I have an app on my ipad (sorry for the blatant apple plug!) that’s absolutely fantastic, and it brings me through a variety of different reading plans.
Since my 18-month-old son Vincent died after an extended battle with cancer, it’s been really, really hard for me to read the Bible, especially the Old Testament. I had to skip different chapters of Isaiah in my reading plan because I could not read about all the killing and wars and judgement God was bringing on his people…
…I’ve also been noticing more now then ever that the Bible is not a warm fuzzy book. When I read it, as someone who has been broken, it challenges me in new ways and provokes me in others. I can’t read it to get my fuzzy warm kicks. When it does encourage me, it does it in brand new ways that surprise me.
I’ve been having a lot of grace for myself in my Bible reading. When I do sit down to read, even if I’ve skipped a few days, my app let’s me catch up by just clicking on the dates I missed. Great stuff.
I don’t even have kids and I can’t get it together with the bible reading. My husbands been listening to audio bible in the car so that’s helping. We are suppose to be doing the M’Cheyne thingy but man it’s hard. Trying not to be depressed about the lack of box ticking going down.
It’s tough to get it all together! I never really studied in school, and while committing that kind of time to the Word is totally different, I still find myself ‘cramming’ before church services and/or blog posts. :o/ Just bein’ honest!
What’s working for me right now is the YouVersion Bible app. I’m using it daily where I was doing pretty badly about cracking open my big study Bible every 24 hours. :o)
Also, hubs and I are doing the love languages devotional [Gary Chapman] together and discussing the highlighted verses together has led us to study deeper without being overwhelming.
What a great topic!
As a mom of four young children I find it a constant struggle to open the Bible on a regular basis. This year I’ve challenged myself to memorize more than verses, but chapters and even books, so they will be in my heart and on my tongue even when the Bible is under a pile of toys! I started in January with the book of Philippians and am memorizing 2-3 verses a week. It should take about 6 months for the whole book.
I have a little notebook that I write out my memory verse for the week and it sits on the kitchen counter. I am in the kitchen approximately every three minutes of the day so when I walk in I immediately review the verse and the verses before.
I believe it is so important to hide God’s word in our hearts and I’m just sorry I’ve not done it before now. :)
I got a Kindle and loaded it with two versions of the Bibe and the Matthew Henry Commentaries…mostly for studying for Sunday School. However, I’ve found that I read much better with the kindle. Even if I have to look in another book on it, when I return to the bible “i’m reading” we go right back to the spot. I’ve covered a lot more ground that way, and I can type in a note anywhere I want…. Well worth the money.
I thought I might use my kindle some…I’m amazed that I use it all the time.
It is really hard for me to find time to read my bible daily too! I intend to read it everyday but it rarely works out so well. I leave it on my nightstand and everytime I walk by it I am reminded that I need to read!!! But I have a one year old and while she is sleeping I just think “well I need to do this or that” and I get so caught up in what I “need” to do that I will tell myself “I won’t go to bed until I read it” but by the time I get in bed I am so tired…I think it’s the devil putting so many distractions out there! I try to pray that the Lord will give me a great desire to read my bible a thirst for his word. I have also found that if I read my bible BEFORE I do any chores that everything does not fall apart and the world keeps on going :)
I’m not doing nearly enough good study, but I love to read my bible on my iPhone (free esv app) while I’m nursing my baby in the morning. It’s something, right?