Question:
I rarely, if ever, read my Bible. Every few weeks I'll pull it out and plow through a few chapters for 20 minutes or so, and then I'll put it away and not touch it for weeks. I get side-tracked with other things, there's always something else I'd rather be doing that just happens to be a lot easier to get around to than reading my Bible, and I'm just generally bored when I read it.
So, two things.
First of all, I sorta want to read my Bible. I mean, I realize it's a problem, but I'm not really motivated to correct the problem. Does anyone have any advice on how to go about motivating myself besides praying about it?
Secondly, I want some advice on how to structure my Bible-reading time. Whenever I do read my Bible, I always end up just randomly picking a book to read a few chapters from...there's no consistency, and there's no structure. Can anyone suggest a Bible-reading plan or schedule or whatnot?
Thanks!
Answer:
I'd reccomend doing the "read-through-the-bible" program, even though it's not the beginning of the year. You can get one at any christian bookstore or just find the info written out. It's reading from the OT, NT and Psalms or Proverbs each day.
Then, set yourself a goal:
That you will read EVERY day for the next 3 months, no matter how late it may be. When 3 months is over, extend it to 6 months and keep on doing that.
I've also done something that I liked to call "Bible before Breakfast" where I would not allow myself to eat breakfast until I had read... if you don't eat breakfast you could do lunch or something.
I wish I could stress the importance of being in the Word. Even though it's hard to get through sometimes, it's seeds that are being sown and they WILL be reaped! So keep at it, and trust God and you'll be glad you did.
(Mind you, I hardly ever look forward to my Bible reading, and it often seems like a chore, but the more I do it the more glad I am that I've done it. Oh, and one other thing - it's helped me tremendously to take notes on each section (OT, NT, P&P) to make sure that I'm really focusing and not just reading.)
Answer:
Pick a place to start (perhaps a chapter you've hardly read in the past). Read through a section a night/morning and as you study it, ask yourself two questions: 1) How does this Scripture point to Christ? 2) How does this help me to become more like Christ?
Answer:
1.) Get motivated by finding a time you can do it every day. Mine is always right after I wake up...and take a shower. I take the shower so I can be fully awake.
2.) Get a partner to hold you accountable. My girlfriend and I are reading together and checking up to make sure prayer and reading are happening every day.
3.) I began with the Pauline epistles. I love the writings of Paul. No matter where you start, set a goal and pattern. Whether it be to read a Proverb a day, a Pauline a day, or maybe just a chapter through the Gospels a day, make it a routine you enjoy.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Ryan Akers 3.) I began with the Pauline epistles. I love the writings of Paul. No matter where you start, set a goal and pattern. Whether it be to read a Proverb a day, a Pauline a day, or maybe just a chapter through the Gospels a day, make it a routine you enjoy.
Those are actually the only books I really particularly enjoy.
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I'll try the read-through-the-Bible program...it sounds like it has the most structure. And I've got an accountability partner in mind...actually, someone who's already been pressuring me to read my Bible more often.
Answer:
Ultimately, it's going to come down to having discipline to read every day. Period.

As for a program, I use the monthly Tabletalk published by Ligionier Ministries. In the past I have used the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
Answer:
Using Tabletalk's not a bad idea...
The trick is when you gotta share the thing with two or three other people in the family, all of whom want it for the same purpose of conducting a personal devotion time.
Answer:
I struggle with the same problem, but sometimes I find that using a Topical Bible Reference (included with most bibles, also included in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible) can help me figure out what to read. I will look up something I am struggling with or dealing with. For example, if I am anxious about a decision I have to make, I may look up "guidance". Then I may be pointed to scriptures such as, Psalm 25:5, Genesis 24:12-52 (the story of Abraham), or the story of Ezra.
A devotional can help, as well. One of my favorites is "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers... it is very inexpensive and they also have a youth edition.
Ultimately, the challenge is finding scriptures that are relevent to your life. I recommend starting any quiet time by simply asking the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, and to cause the words you read impact your heart. Doesn't have to be fancy, just an invitation to help.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jas de F Those are actually the only books I really particularly enjoy.
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I'll try the read-through-the-Bible program...it sounds like it has the most structure. And I've got an accountability partner in mind...actually, someone who's already been pressuring me to read my Bible more often. If you email me at jozeca@gmail.com I can send you a word doc that our church secretary put together that has it all on one double-sided page.
Answer:
Well.... for starters, set a time everyday to just read the bible, and do nothing else at that time. Everything begins with discipline. It may be quite a chore at first, but I find that as I begin to stick to it, it just becomes a lifestyle and you'll soon enjoy doing it. Then you can get a bible reading program guide from bookstores and try it out...
But just a scoop of what I do now myself:
I'm making it a point to finish reading thru the bible at least once (i'm in the middle of round 1 as of now) and I know many ppl give up in the old testament bacouse of the long and seemingly 'boring' accounts of history (i'm speaking from the fleshly point of view). So what I'm doing now is to read at least 2 chapters a day: one form where I left off in my whole-bible-read plan, and another one from a book that I enjoy reading (as of now, the gospel of John). And if time permits, I would go into an extra book or two in my whole-bible-read plan.
That way I get to get a rough overview of the entire bible, and at the same time, spend time to meditate on ONE chapter from the book that I enjoy reading. And God speaks thru meditation of His word.
hope it helps