Friends,
After twenty years of being a pastor, I’ve learned something that might surprise you. The people in my church who grow the most in their faith aren’t necessarily the ones who never miss a Sunday service or volunteer for every committee. They’re the ones who read their Bibles at home.
I’ve watched people struggle with the same problems year after year, wondering why their faith feels stuck. Then I’ve seen others face tough situations with a peace and wisdom that amazes me. The difference? Those who are thriving have made reading the Bible a regular part of their lives.
The apostle Paul wrote to a young man named Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul wasn’t just talking to pastors and teachers here—he was talking to every person who follows Jesus.
Learning from the Best Students
There’s a story in the Bible about a group of people in a town called Berea. When Paul came to preach to them, here’s what happened: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Notice what made these people special—they didn’t just listen to Paul’s sermon and go home. They went to their Scriptures every single day to check if what he said was true. Even though Paul was an apostle, they still looked things up for themselves.
If they did that with Paul’s teaching, how much more should we check everything we hear against what the Bible actually says?
The Problem with Only Getting Fed by Others
Here’s something I’ve noticed: many people treat their faith like they’re spiritual babies who need to be spoon-fed. They come to church on Sunday, listen to my sermon, maybe read a daily devotional, but they never actually open their Bible to study it themselves.
Imagine if you only ate when someone else fed you, and you never learned to feed yourself. You’d be weak and completely dependent on others for survival. That’s what happens when we don’t read the Bible personally.
King David, who the Bible calls “a man after God’s own heart,” said: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). David didn’t say, “I heard about God’s word at the temple.” He said he hid it in his heart—and that only happens when you read and study it yourself.
God’s Word Has Everything You Need
Here’s what Paul told Timothy about the Bible: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Let me put that in everyday language: the Bible contains everything you need to know how to live, what to believe, how to recognize when you’re wrong, how to get back on track, and how to do good in this world. It’s God’s complete instruction manual for life.
When we don’t read it regularly, we’re like someone trying to assemble furniture without looking at the directions. We end up frustrated, confused, and with a wobbly result.
How to Actually Do This
Let me be practical here. I’ve seen too many people start with good intentions but give up because they didn’t have a plan.
Start simple. Get up fifteen minutes earlier than usual. Before you check your phone or turn on the news, open your Bible. Start with the book of John if you’re new to this, or Psalms if you want encouragement.
Read slowly. Don’t worry about covering a lot of ground. It’s better to read one chapter carefully than to rush through five chapters without thinking.
Ask questions as you read. What is this passage teaching me? How does this apply to my life today? What does this show me about God’s character?
Keep a notebook nearby. Write down thoughts, questions, or things you want to remember. Don’t worry about being profound—just be honest about what you’re learning.
Pray before you read. Ask God to help you understand what you’re reading. The Bible says, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). In other words, we need God’s help to really understand His word.
What You Can Expect
Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28). The first Psalm promises that the person “whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” will be blessed (Psalm 1:2).
I’ve seen this promise fulfilled over and over. People who read their Bibles regularly start making better decisions. They handle stress better. They have more patience with difficult people. They find comfort when they’re hurting and wisdom when they’re confused.
The Bible calls itself “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). That’s exactly what it becomes when you read it consistently—a source of guidance for daily life.
My Challenge to You
Here’s what I want to ask you: if you’re not already reading the Bible regularly, will you give it a try for just one month? Not because I’m telling you to, but because God’s word is too valuable to ignore.
You don’t need a theology degree to understand the Bible. You don’t need to have perfect faith or to have your life completely together. You just need to be willing to read with an open heart and mind.
The people in Berea were called “more noble” simply because they searched the Scriptures daily. There’s nothing stopping you from being that kind of person too.
I’ve spent twenty years watching people’s lives change through the power of God’s word. Some of the most dramatic transformations I’ve witnessed happened not in church services, but in the quiet moments when someone sat alone with their Bible and let God speak to their heart.
That same opportunity is available to you right now. Your Bible is waiting. God is ready to speak. The only question is: are you ready to listen?
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12