A question I get all the time is, “How do I study the Bible?” And I’ve actually covered this a lot in posts, on the podcast, maybe even on YouTube (if not, that’s on my list!). But there’s another question I get that’s just as common: How do I build a consistent Bible study habit?

Let’s be real. Getting consistent at anything requires making a choice. And this isn’t me minimizing anyone’s life circumstances. I have ADHD, I’m autistic, and I have my own struggles, so I get it. But if we want to make Bible study a habit, we have to choose to make it part of our routine. Just like with business: I can’t say I want to start a business and then sit around hoping it’ll happen. I’ve got to put in the work. The same goes for deepening our relationship with God through His word.

Start Small & Don’t Overthink It

When it comes to getting into the word, a lot of people look at big names like Jackie Hill Perry or Priscilla Shirer and think, “I have to be like that, or I’m not doing it right.” No, you don’t. I get it; we see people who seem to have it all together, and we think, “I could never be like that.” But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be a Bible scholar. You don’t need hours on end. You just need consistency.

Let Go of Expectations and Just Show Up

Once you’ve decided to make time for God, the next step is stripping away your expectations. So often, we have this picture of what a perfect Bible study looks like and if we don’t match it, we feel we’ve failed. But that’s not true. Bible study isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up. You don’t need to get every little detail; sometimes, just reading a few verses and journaling can open the door for God to speak to you.

Listen (Really Listen) to God

One key part of building consistency is listening. And this has been a struggle for me, too. Life gets busy, and sometimes, instead of waiting for God’s guidance, I just run ahead. We can get so caught up in doing that we forget to be still and let Him lead. If we’re constantly rushing, we won’t hear Him because He’s not going to yell over the noise. He waits until we’re ready to listen.

Remove the Barriers

If you want to stay consistent, you need to clear out the roadblocks. That might mean putting Bible study on your calendar (seriously, Google Calendar runs my life), setting reminders, and maybe even setting aside specific times to pray and seek His guidance on where to start. And if you’re someone who loves to study or feels called to dive deep, that’s great but it’s not required for everyone. A simple, consistent routine is more powerful than a sporadic deep dive.

Don’t Just Read, Study

Reading the Bible is good, but studying it is a game-changer. I grew up around the Bible, but it wasn’t until I committed to actually studying it that my understanding grew. Studying requires intentional time spent with the word, digging into its meaning, context, and application.

It’s About Relationship, Not Religion

Let’s clear up a misconception: spending daily time with God isn’t about checking off a religious box. If Jesus Himself took time to be alone with God, why would we think we don’t need to? Spending time with God is about relationship, not rules.

When Life Gets in the Way

Trust me, I don’t have this perfected. When I was in school recently, I found myself reading the Bible just to “get the right answers” on tests, just to pass. I missed out on really studying because I got caught up in doing the bare minimum. But here’s the thing: God doesn’t hold that against us. He just gently brings it to our attention so we can get back on track.

Bible Study Takes Effort, But It’s Worth It

If we’re being honest, some people say they want to study the Bible, but they really want to want to study the Bible. There’s a difference. A lot of us have felt that way about things in life, myself included. But if we’re serious about growing in our faith, we can’t keep using excuses. There are resources, apps, devotionals, and so many ways to start, even if you have no idea where to begin.

If you’re waiting for a “perfect time” or some magical desire to study, let me remind you: sometimes you have to show up out of obedience, not because you feel like it. And over time, that obedience can turn into passion.

No More Complacent Christianity: Choosing the Word, Every Day

I’ve had a calling on my life since before I was born, and only this year am I finally taking it seriously. With that calling comes a hunger for the Word because let’s be real, you can’t develop a desire to read the Bible without actually reading the Bible. Just like you don’t get motivated to work out by staying on the couch, you won’t find passion for God’s Word by keeping it closed.

If you’re waiting to feel like you “want” to read it, you’ll be waiting forever. Open your Bible because you need to, not because you feel like it. If you desire to be in God’s Word, pick it up, even when it’s tough, even when it’s inconvenient.

And please don’t rely on one person to feed you spiritually. I admire teachers like Priscilla Shirer and Jackie Hill Perry. They’ve changed my life, and they’re a big reason I do what I do. But they aren’t my only source of God’s truth. The Lord Himself has given us His Word. Get into it yourself.

It’s easy to fight about translations, theology, or minor issues instead of just reading it. You don’t have to have a perfect setup; you don’t need a special time or place. Just read. There’s nothing else to it. Want consistency in your faith? Open the Bible. Want to understand God more? Pick it up and read. I say this from a place of love because I understand the struggle.

Many of us have our own battles like ADHD, chronic illnesses, emotional struggles. I face them too. But none of that can keep us from God’s Word if we’re intentional. The enemy is not intimidated by us working out or excelling at work. But open your Bible, and you become a threat.

If you’re wondering why it’s easy to stick with working out but tough to stay in the Word, ask yourself: what does the enemy have to gain by stopping your workout? Nothing. But he’ll throw distractions your way when you try to read Scripture because he knows God’s Word is powerful. That’s why staying in it is spiritual warfare. And every time you hit a stride with God’s Word, expect some sort of distraction to pop up – sudden appointments, unexpected problems, anything to keep you away from your Bible. Decide now that you won’t let these things stop you.

If you’re not sure where to start, just pick a page. And if you need help, I’ve got resources for you, a free Bible study, prayer journal, daily posts on my blog. Use what’s available to you! This isn’t about legalism or perfection. It’s about rejecting complacency and truly following Jesus. I’m done with this “comfortable” faith that doesn’t take us anywhere. Let’s be a Church that fights to stay in the Word every single day.

This is your call to action: Put Bible time on your calendar, set reminders, do whatever it takes. And remember – choosing the Word consistently isn’t just about gaining knowledge; it’s about gaining strength, vision, and closeness with God that nothing else can provide.

No more complacent Christianity. Let’s get after it.

Struggling to stay consistent in the Word? You’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

I created a Free 5-Day Bible Study to help you get started with a rhythm that’s real, doable, and rooted in Scripture.

Grab it here and start showing up, even when it’s hard.

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