I just got back from a week away at my church’s summer camp for middle school and high school students. One of the questions that got asked is, “Why is it so hard to read the Bible?” This resonated with me. And, when I followed up with my cabin later, they agreed it is hard for them.
There are so many things that seem to get in the way of spending focused time in scripture. My day is more flexible than most, and yet I still find myself in seasons where it has been difficult to set apart time for it. So, I wanted to reflect on what was said at camp and share my thoughts.
It is Hard to Read the Bible
First, I need to acknowledge that the Bible is not the easiest book to read. It is a series of ancient text, written by a multitude of authors in other languages, to audiences that are quite foreign. It is also an intensely personal book, through which we seek answers and discover life lessons.
Because of these challenges, it is not surprising that many Christians struggle to read it. We are distracted by constant notifications that require our attention, daily tasks to keep a house running, and a hundred other competing priorities that seem more pressing in the moment.
Most of us have filled our lives to the point of exhaustion with work, errands, relationships, hobbies, etc. So, when presented with a rare chance to relax, it becomes unlikely that the scripture will fill that time.
But, there is only one way to get better at doing something we consider difficult: practice.
Misconceptions About the Bible
I believe that the first step in making a habit of reading the Bible is to understand what it is. It is NOT a homework assignment you have to do. The Bible is a will written by the Father, given to a world full of potential heirs in the hope that they will grasp the inheritance He offers.
It contains stories and history to teach us about who He is. It contains instructions that tell his children how to live. And, it is loaded with reminders that God loves us, cares about us, and is currently, deeply, and intimately involved in our daily lives.
We don’t have to read the Bible. We get to read it.
Changing my mindset about scripture has made it easier to open my Bible. It doesn’t matter where I am reading; God has something for me in there, today. Maybe it’s encouragement, maybe it’s a nudge to obey, or perhaps it is a sense of wonder and joy.
I get to experience the things that God has spoken to humanity, to me, in the quiet moments I spend alone with His word.
One of the students at camp this week led a brief devotional on (our lack of) Bible study. He observed that that 15 minutes is almost exactly 1% of the time we get each day. How can we say He is important to us, and yet be unable to find time for Him? How can we claim this is a thriving relationship when even that small amount of time is too much?
The Bible isn’t a dusty tome of ancient stories and archaic wisdom. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” It is a tool. A weapon. A love letter. It is all that, and more.
If you want to start reading your Bible, I recommend the SOAP Bible Study Method as a good way to begin. It will help you to slow down and be intentional in reflecting on what you’ve read.
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