How to read the Bible for life-change

For most people, the best time to read the Bible is first thing in the morning. I have known very few exceptions. The key to Christian living is to start your day with your Bible on your lap. Consider these verses:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Getting up a half-hour earlier to have your Quiet Time means going to bed a half-hour earlier. Otherwise, you are so tired you won’t get much out of your time with God.

Pick a place that is free of distractions. You might want to get away from the computer and phone. The key is to read your Bible at the same time and the same place every day.

Jesus said to go to your closet to pray. The place matters. It doesn’t have to be a closet, although, Andy Stanley says he took it seriously and created a prayer closet under the stairs of his parents’ house.

My Quiet Time got exponentially better when I did one simple thing. I sat in a different chair. I work at home with a laptop in front of me. I found when my laptop was nearby, it was too much of a distraction. I was tempted to check my email, or respond to some beep on my computer. Sitting in a different chair and getting away from the distraction of my laptop made a huge difference for me. Environment matters.

The goal is to make this a habit so that you are not wondering whether or not to do this every day. It is just like brushing your teeth. It is just something you do. Set a goal of 100 consecutive days. Don’t worry with the length of time you spend; just get your Bible open every single day. If you can’t spend thirty minutes, spend five.

If you are new to Bible reading, I recommend you start in the New Testament—perhaps the book of John. Whatever book you start in, read it straight through. Don’t read a few verses here today and skip somewhere else tomorrow. Starting in the book of John and reading straight through to the end of the Revelation is a great way to start.

At some point in your life you may want to read through the entire Bible. I recommend the One Year Bible. It breaks down the readings into an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, a reading from the Psalms, and a reading from the Proverbs every day. This way, there is something interesting every day. (The Bible is all inspired and equally inspired; it is not equally inspiring.) You may not want to read through the Bible every year, but it is good to do at least once.

Change up your reading every so often. If you get bored with a particular plan, change it up. Read somewhere different. There are numerous plans available.