How can I get in the habit of reading the Bible everyday?

First off, reading the Bible is not essential to being a Christian, particularly if you are settled in your church tradition (you are not a seeker) and/or your church has extensive Bible readings as part of the service (mine does). There is more to Christian living than simply "study".

I find something sort of like Lectio Divina helpful. I just pick a short passage and read it, focusing on what God is saying to me in the text. If nothing in the text speaks to you, find another text. I read it through a more Lutheran grid, of course, so it's not completely like the Catholic practice of Lectio Divina, but it is similar in that I'm not reading the Bible informationally.

Paul's epistles are particularly good for reading in this manner because there's so much theology there. If I were reading a Gospel, perhaps a more Ignatian approach of trying to visualize the text would be more helpful.

I have in the past read the Bible in a more analytical way but generally now days I'm disinterested in that sort of thing. There are Bible reading programs online that can help you read the Bible in that manner, usually a chapter or two every day, if you are interested in doing so.

Bible Gateway - Reading Plans

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

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A devotional might help the most, not really worrying about getting through it in an ordered way. This one has prayers, a song (if you wish to listen) and a shorter passage with notes on it each day.

A little a day is better than none at all, and getting in a practice of doing it daily in the morning (it's not long) can get you in a motivated and disciplined state to eventually just use Bible reading plans and read commentaries on your own, a bit each day.

Once you get into it, whichever way you do, you'll find the motivation from it yourself. 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Psalm 119:11, Hebrews 4:12.

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

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If you really want to, you can.
But like all intentional new habits, it will take some dogged determination.

Say I want to lose some serious weight. It will take some good strategy, and dogged determination to achieve that... and it will mean sticking to it day after day, even if I don't feel like it... and furthermore, knowing I will stumble occasionally, but having a plan how to get back up on my feet.

See?
All you need is a strategy, and determination.

I became a Christian when I was 8... but never read the Bible through until God dealt with me, at age 29. He laid it heavily on my heart to devote my free time to "tithe" 2 and 1/2 hours a day to reading the Bible. I did it, and even made myself re-read portions aloud, if I found my mind straying.

It took me 3 months to read the Bible all the way through. Paying attention.

At the same time, I gave myself to an hour on my knees every day... It was not easy at first. It felt like murder. But soon, it became so precious... I would rather have given up mealtime, than to give up my hour on my knees with God.

This strategy was like boot camp. Very hard at first. But so rewarding!
It changed me thoroughly.
I highly recommend it.

edited to add:
I use a simple chart of each chapter of the Bible listed as a number in a little box. I read wherever I feel led, and mark off the chapters I have read. But I will only "eat dessert" if I let myself read only the delicious parts... so I make myself read the Old Testament from front to back, 3 chapters every night. Then I also in a chapter of the NT in the morning, and another one, or a Psalm, at night, after reading the 3 obligatory OT chapters. (But sometimes, the OT gets so interesting, I keep going there... sometimes covering 8 or 10 chapters.)

This gets me through the OT at least once a year, and the NT 2 or 3 times.

I want to develop the same habit. Just know it's not mandatory to read every day but it can be recommended. But here's my input:

The Bible app YouVersion on Apple and Google Play has hundreds of reading plans for you to choose from. I highly recommend it. Each reading plan comes with daily word you can read. They even have the "read the whole bible in a year" ones as well. They have reading plans for almost anything you can think of. I think you should check it out!

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

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If you haven't read the entire Bible yet, I would suggest you make that your goal. Devote a large chunk of time to it as often as possible until you've finished.

I believe reading and knowing God's Word is imperative to being a Christian. This isn't about salvation but following Christ. Unless we read what God says and allow Him time to speak to us through it, we can't really know Him well enough to follow "like Jesus" which is what a Christian is to do. Other people's sermons are nice, but you're immersed totally in paying attention to their presentation, though the Spirit of course speaks too.

I agree that a devotional is a good way to begin. Here's a sound one that you can also sign up for them to send it to you each day. Today's Devotional - JVIM Once that habit is established (no matter what...daily for at least 3 weeks it will take to begin, then two more sets of 3 weeks to firmly establish it) then perhaps inquire further into each day's reading... expand it either by verses around it or by theme.

As for OT reading it does help to understand the history of the Hebrew people as told the way we are used to learning. It's so wonderful to read and understand from that perspective. Also, knowing that Christ is throughout the OT makes it deeper. In studying the Hebrew language the text comes alive because each letter means something, each word as used adds another layer... and in all the studying God impresses you with HIS layered and deep (think 3 D chess) information He has given us.

The creator of that app is cohort with Rick Warren and his group... those who say that we are to remove the crosses and choirs, and stop saying Jesus is the Son of God, so that they can accept Moslems and their faith and not offend them. This is a dark web underground of apostates. I see the videos from lifechurch.tv and ...no crosses no choirs... from what I see.

I would be very careful about using any version it promotes, personally. There are other apps of Bible versions. That "this" one is the most popular should have raised a concern to check it out in the first place.

People who don't read the Bible much, and don't know the Bible are incapable of discerning where changes are made using different words that have no such meaning. (I read a Rick Warren book and NONE of the citations of verses given within the text matched what he had written!)

Just my pov.

This is the chart I use:
http://www.deltonafl.netadvent.org/bib1.jpg

ForgivenPrincess said:

I want to develop the same habit. Just know it's not mandatory to read every day but it can be recommended. But here's my input:

The Bible app YouVersion on Apple and Google Play has hundreds of reading plans for you to choose from. I highly recommend it. Each reading plan comes with daily word you can read. They even have the "read the whole bible in a year" ones as well. They have reading plans for almost anything you can think of. I think you should check it out!

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It's not mandatory just like it's not mandatory to eat physical food every day.
You don't HAVE to eat. You GET to.
And a lack of hunger is not normal.

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

Click to expand...

One thing that helped me get interested in the parts of the Bible I did not find interesting was this book put out by Readers Digest, that went verse by verse giving the context of each book of the Bible.
It becomes a lot more interesting reading when you start to have a clue of what the author is actually talking about.

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

Click to expand...

What’s helped me is building a library of books about the bible, good commentaries and other books about bible interpretation etc, as well as a few books about different biblical characters. Well written books of this sort can really open up the text and give some shape and direction to your study, and make it a lot more engaging and interesting.

Think of the bible as the "little book" of Revelation 10. You must consume it (eat it) so it becomes part of you, just as food does. Once read your mind will retain all that you have read, especially if sermons and bible studies refresh the memory. The bible is God's message to the church, and to whoever chooses to read it. To not read it in it's entirety is unthinkable (think about that).

It helps to read it the first time through as a novel (no prayers for 'spiritual understanding', or working up 'sanctimonious' feelings); the history of what would become Christianity. Once you get into to you will have a hard time putting it down. Hint: Read the KJV or the RSV. Don't worry about archaic terms. They are usually understood when the context is understood.

You need the whole story to achieve whole understanding. You also need to remember that chapter and verse were added by the translators for study and reference purposes only, and they can disrupt the natural flow of the narrative. You will come across many 'verses' that have been isolated from their original context and given meanings not intended by the authors. Good luck.

My honest feelings are its VERY hard for me to read it at all. I used to all the time, especially when in teen stuff at church. As an adult I think I've maybe read through it all only twice. Though obviously I've read from it in general WAY more of course.

My problem is I think my health issue play a role in me reading it. I get bored or I get tired. Probably because read it so much when younger. Like the four gospels at the start of the NT I never really read anymore because I know it all already. It feels forced to read something you already know. In some cases I don't read it because I have a hard time understanding somethings or I may confuse myself about views. Sometimes I can go weeks or months reading the verses the Daily Bread says to read (Bible in a year), other times I'll not read those verses at all for months.

Now to be fair I have lots of other books but never really got around to reading them or also get sleepy while reading them.

NothingIsImpossible said:

My honest feelings are its VERY hard for me to read it at all. I used to all the time, especially when in teen stuff at church. As an adult I think I've maybe read through it all only twice. Though obviously I've read from it in general WAY more of course.

My problem is I think my health issue play a role in me reading it. I get bored or I get tired. Probably because read it so much when younger. Like the four gospels at the start of the NT I never really read anymore because I know it all already. It feels forced to read something you already know. In some cases I don't read it because I have a hard time understanding somethings or I may confuse myself about views. Sometimes I can go weeks or months reading the verses the Daily Bread says to read (Bible in a year), other times I'll not read those verses at all for months.

Now to be fair I have lots of other books but never really got around to reading them or also get sleepy while reading them.

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I know some have a real problem being able to read.
How about the Bible on CD? Or as a continuous-play Youtube Mix? I have used those as background sound while doing manual labor.

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

Click to expand...

Just make it your daily routine to read the Bible. Just like its your daily routine to get up and go for work. If you haven't read past 2nd Samuel then start from 1st kings and go on from there. A few paragraphs each day will do. Read your Bible before you read your newspaper. Also read your Bible before bedtime at night.

PollyJetix said:

I know some have a real problem being able to read.
How about the Bible on CD? Or as a continuous-play Youtube Mix? I have used those as background sound while doing manual labor.

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Hmm, I never even thought about that. I'll have to try that out!

I confess that I would like to as well. Perhaps forming some sort of bible study group could be a good idea. Whether in person or by Skype for example. Meeting others that share the same interest in learning and reading the Bible everyday or at least more often. A few ideas. Having the app or even a CD are also great ways to continue it often. Not necessarily every day...

mmbattlestar said:

I'll admit it. I very rarely read my Bible. I have the youversion app downloaded on all of my devices but my wife and I don't really read the Bible much. I just cannot get motivated to read it. Especially the boring parts like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I LOVE the gospel of John I've read it at least 15 times. But I cannot get motivated to read the rest of the Bible. Its like I think that the only part of the Bible worth reading is the gospel of John. Ive read the whole NT all the way through at least twice. But ive never read the OT at all past 2nd Samuel. How can I get motivated to read my bible everyday like every other Christian on the planet? I feel so alone! Lots of people have read the Bible all the way through. Why can't I?...

Click to expand...

I read it when I get to work. I have a Bible on my desk. Alternately you can read it at breakfast first thing in the morning. Bible apps are good too. Reading through the entire Bible is good and gives us an insight into the continuity and some modifications from the OT to NT. Since you seem to love the gospel of John, I think that alone should it. Keep reading and re-reading it if that's what speaks to you. My best to your family. Peace in Christ .

Walk to work with KJV audiobook
a) You will get your daily dose of God's word
b) You will lose your belly fat
c) You save money on gas