What kinds of things do you share on social media? Selfies of you with your friends at the beach? Pictures of that eight-inch-tall burger you devoured at a restaurant last night? Your latest hairstyle and Halloween manicure?
Have you ever thought of sharing what you’re reading in your Bible right now? #wordofgod, #bibleverseoftheday, #jesus, #scripture, #godisgood …
Perhaps not because maybe you have yet to make Bible reading a daily habit. I get it if you’re not keen on posting a selfie of yourself lounging in your pajamas and reading your Bible with half-lidded eyes and a super bedhead. But if the reason you’ve never thought to talk about Bible reading with your friends is because you hardly ever do it, now is the time to change that.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
Help, I don’t know where to start!
Every portion of the Bible contains something relevant to your twenty-first century life. Last year, my sister and I endeavored to read the entire Bible all the way through, one chapter a day. We began in Genesis and now we’re in 2 Chronicles 34. I confess, this portion is not the most exciting read (though considerably more palatable than any given chapter of Numbers). And yet I continue to be astounded by God’s forgiveness and love through history.
Every portion of the Bible contains something relevant to your twenty-first century life.
Do you know how many times God said, “Sorry, it’s too late for forgiveness,” to a repentant sinner? Never. I wrestle to be that gracious with my own family, let alone a whole world.
You don’t have to start at the beginning. However, if you’re new to the Bible, or struggling to keep up with it, getting started at all can be intimidating. How about a few suggestions to help you make Bible reading a daily habit?
1) Find a Bible-reading buddy.
When someone else reads alongside you, you can encourage each other and hold each other to it.
When my sister (who lives two states away) suggested we follow the same reading schedule, I shrugged and said okay without really seeing the benefit to it. Your daily time in God’s Word is very personal so why involve someone else?
The answer can be summed up in one word: accountability. I’ve lost track of how many times one of us has texted the other, “What chapter are you on? I missed a few days.” Even if you’re 600 miles apart, when someone else reads alongside you, you can make Bible reading a daily habit together and hold each other to it.
2) Go old-school and purchase an actual, physical Bible.
As an author, I’m well-aware that ebooks are all the rage. Yet one needs only to flip through the Bible I’ve owned since eighth grade to see why sometimes virtual books just don’t cut it. Can you highlight, underline, or write notes in the margins of an eBible? Can you tuck a sticky note with a hundred hearts and smiley faces on it into an electronic format?
Most (okay, all) of us spend way too much time on electronic devices anyway, so make an exception just this once and purchase a sturdy Bible, one that will hold up to years of wear. Find a sturdy Bible cover that suits your fashion tastes, and you can carry it anywhere.
3) Start (almost) anywhere!
Where you begin is not as important as the choice to actually read. What matters is that you finally dedicate time in your busy schedule to hear what God has to say. Genesis is a great place to start, but so is Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. Or Psalms, or Proverbs, or Romans.
Where you begin is not as important as the choice to actually read.
If you’re a newbie to this, do yourself a favor and don’t start in Revelation. As riveting as the imagery there may be, talk of seven lampstands, white hair, and eyes that blaze like flames will have you scratching your head before the end of the first chapter.
My next post, 7 Bible Passages About Your Status Before God, gives some good ideas for starting points if you don’t know where to begin.
Update: This awesome article from TheNIVBible.com—Where Should I Start Reading the Bible—gives you some great starting ideas, as well as a rundown of the different literary genres found in the Bible. Check it out!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
4) Share on social media.
I was only half joking when I suggested sharing your Bible reading experiences on Facebook, Instagram, and the whole works. Because hey, why not? Share your favorite verse from your latest reading. Ask a question and start a discussion. Talk about how God’s Word has changed your heart. Encourage others to dive into scripture as well.
What are YOU reading in your Bible right now? I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a message!
Good suggestion, Lauren about reading the Bible together with someone, starting at page one and all the way through. It gives a great opportunity for discussion.
Have done lots of yellow highlighting in my Bible so prefer turning the pages by hand! Thankful that God has given us his Word to know him better, helping us to face every trial in life and knowing all his many blessings. ??♥️✝️
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