Self Reflection

Feeling burned out on your Bible study? Losing a little zest? Here are nine approaches I've tried that have helped me bust Bible study boredom. You can learn something new every time you read the Bible, even if you're reading the same passage over and over. Absolutely. But... doing the same thing over and over again can get boring. Let's change gears. Have you ever been bored with your wardrobe? You're getting ready for the day and just feeling "bleh" about what you have to wear. You take a step back and try a new outfit combination using what you already have. Voila! You feel excited about dressing yourself and enjoying your wardrobe again. This concept applies to your Bible study time. Changing up how you approach it can totally reinvigorate your study and growth. You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God's beloved. Let's dive in! Head's up! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you. Woohoo! By the way, I'm committed to only recommending products that have made a positive, meaningful impact in my life. My readers deserve no less. Boredom Buster #1: Try a new Bible translation If you use the Bible app on your phone, you may already know what an amazing resource it is. Whatever translation of the Bible you tend to use (New International Version, American Standard, King James Version, etc.), try reading Scripture with a different translation. A bonus of using the Bible app is that you can find countless translations there! It's a fantastic way to revive your Bible study! Suggested Translations I've been able to absorb Scripture with a greater understanding by rotating through different translations. You may be able to better understand confusing passages by reading different translations. A few go-to translations I rotate through: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Contemporary English Version (ERV) Easy to Read Version (ERV) The Message (MSG) New International Version (NIV) The Passion Translation (TPT) Boredom Buster #2: Shift your reading tactic You can also bust your Bible study boredom by changing what "chunks of the Bible you read. A simple way to break this down is by reading Scripture a few verses at a time, in sections, in chapters and/or an entire book. Read a book straight-through Or are you curious about a bigger picture view of a book? Try approaching the book somewhat like a novel (rather than a manual) and read a book straight-through. With this approach, you're focusing on the story and what's being said. What are some recurring themes? What are some core issues? Who are key individuals? What's the message? It can be easy to forget that the Bible is full of real stories that real people lived through. It's not just a bunch of interesting stories and long-winded letters. Focus on one chapter You're probably already aware of this approach! Typically, Christians are encouraged to read at least a chapter of the Bible a day. This can be a great way to read more of the Bible and focus in on one part of the story. Process one section at a time Do you typically read a chapter a day? Try focusing on sections within the chapter - it can help you do a deeper dive into the content. What details are mentioned? How does this information impact the people involved - the writer, the recipients, and those living the story? Dwell on one verse Still find your mind straying during your study time? Try reading a book one verse (or verses) at a time. As slow as this may seem, it's a fantastic way to really focus on Scripture and absorb that part of the story. I went through John this way, and, boy, it was powerful! Boredom Buster #3: Get a study buddy This is where your spiritual community comes in. You can pursue your study with a Bible study group or one-on-one with a friend or your spouse. You need to commit to doing this together. Decide when, where, and how you're going to connect and discuss your readings. You'll want to talk about what you're reading and how it might apply to your life now. I'm super blessed to have a husband who is committed to doing this with me each day. It's been a great way to grow our faith individually and together! Boredom Buster #4: Write the Word After reading Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life by Lara Casey, I was inspired to start "Writing the Word" in my journal. As the Cultivate team writes, Writing things in our own handwriting helps us better absorb information, multiple studies have shown. Writing things in our own handwriting helps us memorize and recall information. The fewer barriers between us and a goal, the more likely we are to achieve it. Cultivate What Matters Web Site This is so true! Writing the Word was a game-changer during my months of little sleep with a preemie newborn. You can start with a simple notebook, your Bible and go! Boredom Buster #5: Use a devotional book to guide your reading At other times, you want to dive deeper into a topic and don't know where to start. Or you're just overwhelmed with life and would like a handy guide for studying Scripture. Devotional books can help fill the gap between wanting to study Scripture and not being sure where to start. Often, they've helped me expand my understanding of Biblical history and context. They can be a handy tool to assist your study - just stay tuned to if information doesn't align with who God is. Suggested devotional books Not sure where to start with devotional books? Here's a few to get you started: Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst He Is My All: Living in the Truth of God's Love for Me by Debbie Alsdorf Bonus: Free Christian eBooks Email List David C Cook offers weekly free Christian eBooks. What?! How ridiculously exciting is that?! Check it out! David C Cook free Christian ebooks Boredom Buster #6: Change your scenery At other times, simply changing up where you study Scripture can be refreshing. If you have a default go-to for where you study, try a new space for a time. It might help you see Scripture in a new way with different lighting (literally!). Suggested locations In bed Standing at the kitchen table On a yoga mat Outside in the shade On the living room floor At a coffee shop, restaurant, or library In a closet At your desk Pick one change and just do it I know - many of these options may not seem that adventurous. You can access most of these places at any time (except for COVID-19 season!). But.. have you actually tried these different spaces? I'm guilty of this. For years, I would think, "It'd be awesome to do some yoga with my Bible study!" Did I do this? No, because I thought I never had the time or I was waiting for the "perfect time." Seriously?! It takes less than a minute to unroll my yoga mat and just get on it. I finally realized that I needed to just do it and stop overthinking it. Now that I started doing it, it's been way more fun and easy to come back to it again and again. Recapping how to reduce Bible study boredom Your Bible study time is so important for growing your relationship with God. Scripture is God's love letter for us, so it is anything but boring. We can all get desensitized to reading the same passages over and over again. Tweaking your approach to your study time can bust the boredom, re-energize you and deepen your relationship with your Creator! As we discussed, you could: Try a new Bible translation Read a book straight-through Focus on one chapter Process a section at a time Dwell on one verse Get a study buddy Write the Word Use a devotional book Change the location I hope these simple easy tactics to revive your Bible study have inspired you to make one small change to refresh your study! Most of these approaches are crazy easy to start doing. But you gotta do it. You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God's beloved. What tactic will you try? How have you refreshed your Bible study?

Self Reflection

6 Ways to Bust Bible Study Boredom