Tips for Establishing a Daily Habit of Getting into God’s Word

When I was a young mom, there was a group of older ladies who moved their Bible study to my house so I could join in while my babies were napping. Then when those babies woke up too soon (as they often did, much to my frustration), those godly women would pull them onto their laps and cuddle them while we kept discussing God’s truth. They knew God’s Word backwards and forwards, and their love for Him stirred my heart to love Him too. Their wealth of knowledge came from years of the simple habit of daily opening God’s Word. I wanted to love and know God’s Word like that.

It’s been 15 years since that season, and I can say I’m well on my way to knowing and loving God like they did. And it’s all because I’m committed to spending time in God’s Word every day. Have I done it perfectly? Not even close. But I have established a daily habit of opening the Scriptures.

You can too.

Here are 3 tips for establishing a daily habit of getting into God’s Word:

1) MAKE A PLAN

Habits don’t form by accident; instead, they are purposeful. Make some decisions about how and when you will read the Bible.

• Pick a time of day and set a reminder on your phone.

• Collect your tools (Bible, notebook, pen etc.).

• Choose a space.

• Choose a book of the Bible to read and plan to read one chapter at a time.

Are you a morning person? If so, perhaps the time before the rest of your house wakes is the best time to open God’s Word. Is your house quiet when the kids are napping? Use that time to read the Bible. Maybe you are more alert in the evening and reading your Bible then is giving God the best time of your day. Regardless of when it is, pick a time that works for you and then stick to it. Set your alarm clock or set a reminder on your phone and set aside that time to spend with God.

Then you need to determine what you will do with that time. Which book of the Bible will you read? If you are new to Bible reading, I suggest reading one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) or perhaps one of the New Testament Letters (e.g. Ephesians). Do you like to journal as you read? Grab an ordinary notebook and a pen and write down the things that stand out to you. Perhaps you would enjoy handwriting Scripture or listening to an audio Bible. There are many ways to get into God’s Word. Choose something that you can get excited about.

If you miss a day, simply jump back in the next day. If you end your time in the Bible without feeling like you got anything out of it, don’t despair. Reading the Bible is an investment over time. Each time you open God’s Word you are building spiritual muscle and gaining spiritual insight. Trust God with the process.

2) ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU THE DESIRE TO READ HIS WORD

Some people say they just don’t want to read the Bible. They have no desire to get into God’s Word. I get it—for years this was my story. But I’m here to tell you, the desire grows as you spend time in it. The more you read it, the more you want to. Ask God to give you the desire to know and love His Word. When we pray according to His will, He hears, and He answers. Over time the desire will grow.

3) WHEN DESIRE DWINDLES, ASK GOD FOR DILIGENCE TO READ HIS WORD

We all go through seasons where our spiritual temperature cools. It could be a result of busyness or crisis or illness. When your desire to get into God’s Word dwindles, ask God for diligence to continue in His Word. We can press through these lukewarm seasons with perseverance knowing the desire will return.

LEAVING A LEGACY

One day, Lord-willing, we will be the grey-haired women gathering younger women around the Word, cuddling their babies, and leading them into a passionate relationship with Jesus through the Scriptures. This is what produces a legacy of faith.