How to Fall Back in Love with Reading Your Bible
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
11:45 AM on Thursday, October 16
By Cally Logan, Spiritual Life
Have you found yourself stagnant when it comes to reading your Bible? Has there been a stretch of time since you picked up the Word to enjoy, or if you are reading on a daily basis, is it more of an item to check off your list rather than a refreshment to your soul? How do you fall back in love with reading your Bible?
Try Something Different: Translations and Languages
Repetition of any sort can become monotonous and mundane, but the beautiful gift of the Living Word of God is that there is always more to discover. Approaching something in a new or different way can breathe new vitality into these discoveries. Instead of reading scripture in chronological order, ask the Lord to impress on your heart a specific book to abide in for a time. Read this book in various translations, or even delve into the original languages of Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic. What you will uncover is how these original roots contain extensive depths we miss in just reading the translated English. You may find yourself on a rabbit trail of curiosity surrounding a specific word or phrase and how it connects to other verses in the Bible, to grander revelations, or nods to God's plan in the big picture of the story of the Kingdom. The same verse in a new or different way can shift your perspective and offer something of immense depth.
Consider Yourself in the Story
In the same vein as recognizing how God works and moves for the big picture through metaphors, nods, or parallels (for example, the connection between Passover and the death and resurrection of Christ), consider asking the Lord to reveal how you are part of His story. History in itself is truly His-Story, and He chose you specifically to be a part of that woven tapestry for a specific age, reason, and purpose. When we recall that those mentioned in the Bible's renowned stories were just as human as we are, flesh and spirit in need of salvation, we are reminded that, just as God worked in their lives, so He can work in our lives today. Ask the Lord to shift your mindset so that you may see yourself in His story today. Perhaps a specific story, even the seemingly small stories nestled within chapters, can hold a magnificent takeaway for you in your current season. Ponder that newfound inspiration can emerge through the expressed humanity in the words of a follower of the Lord, penned long ago. It is not self-centered or selfish to consider yourself in the story; in fact, it is a reminder to your soul that you were intentionally crafted to love, serve, and honor the Lord with the life you have been entrusted with in this age.
Pray through Specific Verses
Turning reading into prayer activates something glorious through scripture. Instead of glossing over words on a page, speak the words found in scripture as a prayer over yourself, your loved ones, your country, or generations to come. If your mind races with anxiety, pray 1 Corinthians 2:16, "for, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." If you are seeking clear direction for a decision or action to take, or for understanding in a situation, pray Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Interceding with scripture for someone else to turn towards Christ can benefit from Ezekiel 36:26-27, "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." Even finances or provision has a Scripture to pray in Philippians 4:19, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Whatever burdens your heart, there is an answer and a scripture that can be transformed into a prayer. The Word of God is powerful, and when we lift it up to Him, it holds weight.
Read Commentaries or Listen to Podcasts
The internet has ushered in much, some beneficial and some detrimental, but something glorious is the access to information through commentaries or resources in studying scripture. Whether you are seeking to defend faith like an Apologist or to understand scripture like a Theologian, a wealth of knowledge is available to assist you in such a venture. This is not to replace your time in the Word, but rather to edify and encourage it, stirring admiration for the Bible. The Bible is more than just a collection of stories or ideas; it is a living hope. The more we study and explore the Bible, at times with the aid of commentaries or podcasts, the more we can stand firm in knowing that it is indeed the truth.
Reflect on Application Today
Many people hold the opinion that the Bible is outdated or archaic, but this is not the case; it remains as relevant today as it was in the ancient world. The journey of falling in love with Bible reading can include seeing relevance today, not just in the context of days gone by. Take a moment to ponder a takeaway from the verses you read today, and along with the Holy Spirit in prayer, ask how, why, or in what way it holds importance in this very breath. Inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you through or about a selection of verses cultivates a relationship with the Lord, and it might prove beneficial in how you experience life, how you share faith with others, or how you navigate seasons. The Word of God is for everyday consumption, not for reserved occasions.
It has been said that the Bible is the only book where the author is in love with each and every reader, and that statement is true. God graciously gave us Himself through the Bible, as showcased in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Through God's Word, we not only come to know His character more, understand His enduring faithfulness, or witness the power of His hand—we also absorb truth. If you have found a slump in your time in the Word, don't fall prey to the trap of the Enemy, who wants you to fall away from the Lord. Instead, try something new, invite the Lord to pull back the curtains of wonder, or dig deeper. Not only is the Bible a book where the author loves us, but it is a book where we have the opportunity to fall deeply, radically, and forever in love with the author, which is the greatest gift of all. Time in the Word is time well spent, and it is your portion to experience the love within, for you and through you.
Related Resource: The Bible Study Podcast
Want to dive deeper into Scripture? Every Thursday, Chris Christensen investigates a passage of Scripture and helps us see how to apply it to our lives. Listen to The Bible Study Podcast on Lifeaudio.com or follow on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Cally Logan is the author of three books, including The Wallflower that Bloomed, winner of the 2025 Reader’s Choice Christian Literary Award and the Henri Award, and an Expert Writer for Crosswalk.com and The Rooted Truth. Her heart finds beauty in the mysteries of life and in the glory all around us in the details, big and small. Storytelling is her passion, and she believes each and every one of us holds a unique, valuable, and hand-written story by God, and together, we are part of the Grand Story He has written. She received her B.A. Degree from Regent University and has taught US History and Western Civilization for nearly a decade. Her works have been featured on outlets such as Jesus Calling, The 700 Club Interactive, Propel Women, and many more. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, watching movies, and woodworking. Check out her website, callylogan.com, or find her on Instagram @CallyLogan.
