Start with the word
There are a lot of things we know we should do, but still struggle to actually do.
We know we should exercise. We know we should eat better. We know we should get enough sleep. And for many Christians, reading the Bible can easily fall into that same category.
I know I should, but I just don’t.
But when we understand that spiritual formation is happening whether we notice it or not, Bible study becomes more than another task on our spiritual to-do list. It becomes one of the foundational ways we intentionally position our hearts toward God.
In the last article, we talked about moving from drifting to becoming. If we want our formation pointed toward the freedom, peace, and abundant life found only in Christ, we have to become intentional about what is shaping us. And in my opinion, Bible study is the foundational piece.
The Bible is not just one book. It is a collection of books written across centuries, through many different authors and contexts, all telling one unified story of God’s redemptive plan to bring His children back to Himself. It is not merely ancient wisdom or religious inspiration. It is the living and active Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful.”
God’s Word teaches us who He is, shows us what is true, reveals what is happening in our own hearts, and shapes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. It is one of the primary ways God speaks to us and forms us.
But just like exercise, it helps to have a plan. A good plan starts light. It builds consistency. And it also makes room for what you need in the season you are actually in.
Start light
If you are just starting to read the Bible, start with something manageable.The goal is to begin building a rhythm you can return to.
Start in the New Testament. I often suggest Luke. Read a chapter a day. If a chapter feels like too much, read a smaller section. The point is not speed. The point is showing up and beginning to let God’s Word become part of your life.
Over time, as that rhythm becomes more comfortable, begin moving from reading to studying. This is where things begin to deepen.
Take a small section of Scripture — sometimes just a few verses — and slow down with it. Write out what the passage means. Look at what came before it. Notice what is repeated. Pay attention to what stands out, what convicts you, what comforts you, or what raises questions.
Are there cross-references to look up? A location to learn about? A festival, custom, or repeated theme that gives the passage more context?
This is why I often only study a few verses at a time.
The Bible is layered with meaning, and the Holy Spirit often uses it to reveal something about God and something about us. Studying slows us down enough to hear and see more clearly.
I was taught this way of studying Scripture decades ago, and I still return to it. God has used it to fortify my peace, direct my steps, and ground my confidence in Christ.
Stay consistent
Like exercise, consistency matters.
But consistency does not always mean doing the same thing every day. It means continuing to show up.
Some days may be longer. Some days may be shorter. Some days may feel rich and focused. Other days may feel like you are simply choosing obedience in the middle of distraction.
That still matters.
This world has a gravitational pull. Left to ourselves, we drift toward comfort, distraction, fear, comparison, control, and our own desires. But consistency in the Word of God helps ground us and redirect us toward holiness.
For me, Bible study usually happens at the beginning of the day, right after working out. Some days are shorter because I do not have much time between the gym and work. On rest days, I may have more time to sit with the Word a little longer.
And recently, because of STLL, consistency has also looked like taking a five-minute break at work and choosing to reconnect with God instead of opening Instagram — through memory verses, affirmations, and meditations that bring my attention back to Him.
The point is not perfection. The point is returning.
Be specific to the season
Sometimes at the gym, I need a lighter workout. I may be tired, healing, or simply not in a place to push for a personal record. So I adjust. Our time in the Bible can be similar.
There are seasons when reading through a whole book of the Bible is exactly what we need. There are other seasons when we need to slow down and cling to specific truths.
When I was laid off, I searched the Bible for verses about provision. I memorized them. I journaled about them. I prayed them. I needed God’s Word to become louder than my fear.
That is part of the gift of Scripture. God’s Word meets us in real life — in uncertainty, grief, anxiety, temptation, confusion, waiting, and joy. It gives us language for prayer, truth for our thoughts, and direction for our steps.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Diving into the Word - starting with reading, moving into studying, and grounding yourself with memorization - sets your spiritual formation towards God in the strongest way. It also the foundation on which all the other practices will be placed on top of. Prayer comes next.
So start light.
Stay consistent.
Be specific to the season you are in.
And keep returning to the Word.
Because we are not just trying to know more. We are learning to be formed by the God who speaks.
