092: 7 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Bible Reading Plan

Send Ashley a text! 7 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Bible Reading Plan 1. Remember the WHY. We don’t follow the plan just so we can check off a box and say we accomplished it. We read the Word to know God and to develop a deeper relationship with Him. Reading the Word gives us a greater understanding of who He is and shows us a wider picture of what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do. It reminds us who we are because of Him and reveals our purpose. It helps us set our focus on things above, and gives us wisdom to live the life He created us to live. 2. Choose a time and a place. When is the best time to read? Believe it or not, there is no hard, fast rule about when you have your quiet time. For most of us, the morning works out to be the best time – a time before the distractions of the day hit. By getting up a few minutes earlier, you have the benefit of setting your focus for the day. You have the opportunity to let God’s voice be the first voice that you hear, before all the other voices in your world have a chance to barge in. Some people use their lunch break for their time. Others before they go to sleep. The important thing is to choose a time when you are alert and can really focus on what the Word is saying. Whatever time you choose, commit to it. Show up. Be ready to receive. If something happens and you miss your time, reschedule it for later. Getting behind is discouraging and the enemy will do his best to influence you to just give up. If you get behind, don’t give up. Keep going!  Catch up when you can! Decide where you are going to read. I like to read at my desk because I take a lot of notes. I like to have my pens and highlighters handy. Wherever you choose, choose a place as free from distraction as possible. If you’re like me and want to have supplies ready, get a basket or a bag and put your Bible, journal, and pens in it so it’s always ready to go. 3. Use a print Bible. We live in a time where everything is available digitally. It’s really easy to open the Bible app on your phone and read from there. But can I encourage you to use a print Bible? Our minds have become accustomed to opening our phones and just skimming through content and we miss so much!. Scientific studies have shown that we absorb more when we read printed books over digital ones. Having an actual Bible in our hands allows us to really engage with the Word. Highlighting and underlining and making notes in the margins personalizes our experience and keeps our attention. One thing you may find helpful though, is to listen to the Word while you read it. I use the audio from the Bible app while I read the Word in my print Bible and there’s something to hearing the words and seeing the words at the same time. You can find the Bibles that PD and I will using on Amazon. We both like having the wide margins to take notes in, but they also make a regular OYB that’s smaller and a little easier to handle. You can also use a Bible you already have and follow along with the printed plan. 4. Keep a journal. I am a writer. I write everything down, so of course I keep a quiet time journal. I learned this from my first mentor when I was a teenager and I absolutely treasure looking back at what I’ve written! My journal is probably a bit more elaborate than most peoples, but the principle of journaling – of writing down what you observed in the Word- - - - -Join the Private Facebook CommunityThe Pastor Wife Life group on Facebook is a private group just for you! We'd love to connect with you.Be A Guest on The Pastor Wife LifeGo to the FAQ page to find out how you can be on an episode of the PWP. I promise - it's painless!