Here are some stats for you on Christians reading the Bible.
53% of Americans have read relatively little of the Bible. Of these 1 in 10 have read none of it, 13% read a few sentences, and 30% have read several passages or stories.
35% of Americans never pick up the Bible and 30% look up something when they need to. Overall Americans don’t seem to have an urgency to read the Bible.
Here are some of the top reasons for not reading the Bible:
Not having enough time
Lacking motivation and discipline
Feeling intimidated
Struggling to apply the Bible to everyday life
What do you think of those categories? I’m not going to lie, I have been in each of those categories at different times in my life. But let me speak now to the importance of pushing past these barriers and making it a regular part of your life.
Reasons You Should Read The Bible
1. Hear From God
God uses his Word to speak to his children. If you aren’t reading his word it’s going to be very hard to hear from him.
In the New Testament they had Jesus walking and talking with them but now we have him inside ALL of us and at the SAME TIME, through the Holy Spirit!
In order to learn to hear him speaking inside of us we need to spend time reading and discerning what God sounds like through his Word.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. The Word Of God Is Alive
God’s word is alive and still applicable to today’s society. It’s not just meant for Old Testament times or Jesus’s time but is meant for ALL people across ALL of time.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
3. Only Way To Truly Know God Deeper
It takes about 40-60 hours of time spent together in the first few weeks after meeting someone for a casual-friendship to be formed.
Casual friendship isn’t what we long for in our relationship with God, intimate friendship is, so that takes much longer to build.
The point is, to truly know God you have to spend time with him and begin to understand how he sounds. You have many voices speaking at you throughout the day and being able to discern which one your heavenly Father sounds like is super helpful and powerful!
4. To Understand The Bible
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45
This verse is talking about Jesus opening the disciple’s minds to understand when he appeared to them after the resurrection. If we don’t understand the scriptures he will help us to understand, we just have to ask.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1:5-8
5. Growth
How can we grow to our full potential if we don’t know God?
Growth in our walk with God, growth in our faith, growth in our relationships, etc. all will come from increased time spent in his Word.
6. Obey God
How can you obey someone if you don’t know what they are telling you you can and can’t do?
The following verse has a promise attached to it, if we obey everything written in the Bible we will prosper and succeed in all we do. That’s some pretty good motivation to read and obey.
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8
7. Build Your Faith
Trials come with life and when they do it’s so important to have strong faith to make it through. The Bible helps to build up your faith so when these trials come you are able to withstand.
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17
Ways To Desire Reading and Studying The Bible More
1. Pray For It
A while ago I heard someone say they prayed that reading the Bible would feel like eating a bowl of fresh fruit in the middle of a hot summer day does. Refreshing, exciting and something to look forward to!
2. Stop Being Complacent
The enemy is clever, he wants to keep Christians in a place of complacency and not drawing closer to God or reaching the full potential they were created for. He is lying to you, you can understand the Bible, you can find time for it, it does apply to your life, don’t let him win!
3. Practice
The only way to get good at something is to do it over and over again. Practice reading the Bible and listening for God’s voice daily.
4. Pray Before You Read
Pray for God to open your eyes and ears to what he wants you to see before you ever start reading. You will be amazed at the things he begins to reveal to you.
The next post in this series will be on different ways to study the Bible, ways to make it easier, and formats/guidelines for you to follow. Stay tuned for that post releasing later this month.
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