Many of us have tried, and failed, to build a consistent Bible reading habit. We start strong in January, miss a few days, and quietly give up. But what if the problem isn't discipline? What if it's that we've been missing a few key pieces of the puzzle?
I’ve come to realize that building the habit of Bible reading is like a combination lock with four rotating dials. It’s not enough to get one number right; until you get all four aligned properly, the lock won’t open.
Here are the four dials that help unlock a Bible reading habit.
Time
A friend described his schedule to me. He works, serves in multiple ministries in church, and is in the process of applying to medical schools, and shoulders family responsibilities. I asked when he takes time off. “I was sick the other week,” he said.
No matter how hard my friend tries, he can’t cram more into his life. He’s not alone. Many people I know face more demands than they have time. It’s not hopeless. They always seem to make time for something new if it matters to them, but they have to make choices. We can’t keep adding things into our lives without taking something away.
If someone wants to build the habit of reading the Bible, something else probably has to go. One of the biggest obstacles we face is that we’re just too busy.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much time to read the Bible. It takes 15-20 minutes a day to read through the entire Bible in one year; 8-10 minutes to read through the entire Bible in two years.
Until we make the time, we won’t build the habit.
Tools
A friend struggled to read Scripture. She couldn’t understand it. “Have you tried a study Bible?” I asked. She got one, and it changed her experience.
Reading the Bible is a little like learning how to drive a stick shift. You could figure it out on your own, but it’s easier to learn from others who know what they’re doing.
Study Bibles, reading plans (often found at the back of a good study Bible), audio Bibles, and books like A Short Guide to Reading the Bible Better by George Guthrie or How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart provide important help as you learn to read the Bible.
Desire
I want to go to the gym a few times a week. The problem: when the moment arrives, I don’t really want to go to the gym. Never underestimate the gap between aspiration and desire.
When something’s important to us, we figure out a way to get it done. Of course, desires come and go. We can’t expect to always want to do the right thing. Still, we can pray that God increases our desire for Scripture so that we can say with David, “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (Psalm 119:16).
Style
I like to read the Bible in the morning alone. My wife prefers to read the Bible later in the day as part of an online group that provides encouragement and accountability. We’ve learned what works for us through trial and error.
Most books on habits were written by authors with a particular personality style, but all of us are different. Find what works for you. Try different times of day, kinds of reading (print, app, or audio). Experiment with different kinds of structure, spontaneity, and social support.
None of these four dials have to be perfect before you begin. You don't need the ideal schedule, the best study Bible, or a burning passion that never wavers. You simply need to start, and keep adjusting as you go.
The beautiful thing about a combination lock is that you can always try again. So this week, take one small step: set aside ten minutes, open your Bible, and trust that God meets us in our willingness, not our perfection.
When you make the time, possess the tools and desire, and adjust to your preferred style, you may find that you've unlocked not just a habit, but a lifelong delight in the God who speaks through every page.
