Spending time in God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth, but let’s be honest – sometimes, it feels overwhelming. Maybe you don’t know where to start, or perhaps you struggle with consistency.
The good news? You’re not alone, and God desires to meet you in His Word.
(In 2021, I shared part 1 of this post, giving you insights on strengthening your devotional life -click here to read it!)
Today, I am going to give you 5 additional practical tips to help you deepen your devotional life and make Bible reading a consistent and life-giving habit!
1. Be Curious
Curiosity is a vital trait in our faith journey. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3:
'Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child , you will never be able to enter in.'
What is it about children that Jesus wants us to emulate?
The thing about children is that they have a natural hunger for discovery– they ask questions, seek understanding, and want to always know more than they already do.
But let’s be honest: at times, we find this particular characteristic of children quite annoying, to the point that we scold them for asking many questions.
But, what if we adopted the same attitude as them?
What if we approached our faith and the word of God with child-like curiosity, seeking to know & understand the word deeper, rather than read it as a chore or something to tick off our to-do list?
What if we asked the Holy Spirit questions where we did not understand, and asked more questions where the answer we received didn’t make sense?
Friend, I genuinely think we could learn much more from our bible reading if we approached it with this heart posture.
When we approach the Bible with childlike curiosity, we are able to:
- Seek God to reveal more of His truth (Psalm 119:18), and remember, whoever asks, receives (Matthew 7:7).
- Approach His Word with awe-like wonder (Psalm 119:103).
- Stay humble and teachable, knowing we will never outgrow our need for God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Bible isn’t just a book to read – it’s an invitation to explore the heart of God.
2. Ask God to Give You a Love for His Word
Once we become Christians, we embark on a journey of sanctification.
The Greek word (majority of the new testament, particularly Paul’s letters) for ‘sanctification’ is Hagiasmos (ἁγιασμός), meaning “holiness, consecration.”
This process of consecration; of being made holy involves the Holy Spirit working on us; moulding us; transforming our hearts, minds, way of being, doing & thinking to reflect Christ.
Hence, why Romans 12:1-2 tells us:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts and minds are transformed, so that we desire the things of God more than the things of the world. As this transformation takes place, our love for sin fades, and our hearts begin to delight in God, taking root in Him and His Word (Psalm 1:3).
But this process isn’t automatic, nor is it always smooth.
Why? Because the enemy works tirelessly to keep us distracted, indifferent, and spiritually dry.
That’s why we must abide in Christ (John 15:4), remain fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and continuously pray for a deeper love for God’s Word. Just as David prayed in Psalm 119, we, too, should cry out: “Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain” (v. 36) and “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law” (v. 18).
3. Have a Plan!
Let’s say one of your top goals for the year is fitness—you’re determined to get in shape!
Motivated and eager, you download a fitness app and start working out every day, tracking your progress. But along the way, you fall off the wagon. Why? Because you’ve reached a point where you can no longer continue without paying for the app to get the personalized plan you need. Not knowing where to go or how to move forward, you stop.
The core issue? The absence of a clear plan to guide you and provide the structure needed to achieve your goal.
The KEY to achieving any goal is having a plan in place, and the same applies to your goals for spiritual growth!
When you have a bible reading plan in place that guides you, you know what you’re reading each day, thus, you’re more likely to stay consistent. Randomly flipping through the Bible can work sometimes, but having a plan keeps you intentional and consistent.
Some options include:
- One Chapter a Day – Work through a book like John or Proverbs.
- Bible Reading Plans – Use a YouVersion plan for structured guidance, or join our Bible Reading Challenge where follow a plan designed to assist us to be in God’s word everyday.
- Topical Studies – Focus on themes like faith, anxiety, or God’s promises. [We have FREE topical studies available in our online library resource – this is a password protected site, so, subscribe & gain access to the exclusive plans!].
4. Ask the Holy Spirit for Understanding
Allow me to share with you 2 Timothy 3:16 –
'All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]'
Do you see that?
It says, ‘All scripture is GOD-BREATHED, given by DIVINE inspiration.’
That means that scripture is the word of God, given to us by God. Thus, who better else to ask to help us understand the word of God?
‘For what person knows the thoughts and motives of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So also no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.’
No one else knows the thoughts of God EXCEPT the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus promised us in John 14:26, that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”
So, it is the ROLE and the JOB of the Holy Spirit to teach you, to reveal scripture to you and to help you understand + apply it in your life.
For Example: Have you ever read a verse multiple times, only for it to suddenly make sense in a new way?
That’s the Holy Spirit at work! He reveals truths at the right time, exactly when we need them.
There is no way you can do it on your own and get the right understanding/interpretation of scripture. That’s why we have so many believers getting the wrong interpretation of scripture and then proceeding to share the same with the body of Christ, misleading them and confusing them!
That is why we need to always seek understanding from the SOURCE – the Holy Spirit.
So, friend, no more struggling to read scripture on your own .Before you start reading, pause and pray: “Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind. Give me wisdom and insight as I read. Help me not just to understand but to apply Your Word in my life.”
5. Write it Down!!
Science shows that writing things down plays a crucial role in memory retention and comprehension. When you write, your brain actively processes the information, which helps you absorb and recall it more effectively. Furthermore, the act of writing forces you to slow down and engage deeply with what you’re learning.
It also helps with focus, ensuring that the insights you gain don’t just pass through your mind but are actually stored for future reflection.
Interestingly, this principle isn’t just backed by science—it’s also a biblical instruction.
In Habakkuk 2:2, God tells Habbakuk, “Write down the revelation and make it plain…” God knew the power of writing, not just for recording events but for making His message clear and accessible. When we write, we take what God is revealing to us and make it plain – not just in words, but in understanding.
This is why writing down what you learn during your devotional time is so important. Whether it’s a verse that stands out, a personal conviction, or a new revelation, putting it into words helps solidify it in your heart.
It also creates a spiritual record – something you can look back on to see how God has spoken to you over time.
Just like journaling your prayers or reflections, documenting your Bible study insights helps you stay intentional in your walk with God and track your spiritual growth. So, when you’re journaling , write down:
- Verses that stand out
- Questions you have
- How you can apply what you read
- And anything else you desire to take note of/write down
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
God wants to meet you in His Word. The more you engage, the more you will experience His voice, His presence, and His guidance.
So today, take one step – be curious, ask for a love for His Word, seek the Holy Spirit, make a plan, and write it down.
And remember: Every moment spent in God’s Word is never wasted.
What’s one step you’ll take today? Share in the comments!
