How to Make Reading the Bible Easy & Fun
By Matt Dawson
Before I start, I have to admit that reading the Bible hasn’t always been easy or fun for me. I used to never really enjoy reading the bible. I’m an auditory learner, so before the YouVersion Bible App, most audio bibles had me asleep within the first few verses.
***SIDENOTE – If anyone from the YouVersion Bible App is reading this – I’d love to hear a German Accent read Revelation – I just think that would be awesome!
Anyway, the point is that I didn’t like to read the Bible. Then, I learned a very quick and easy way to read the bible, enjoy it, and take something away from it every time I read it. And I’m going to share it with you today.
Close your eyes. I want you to picture a time when you decided to take a drive – you know, the kind where you really don’t have a destination, just wanted to hit the road and maybe take in some sights. Maybe you don’t do this anymore because you’re too busy with life, kids, church, hobbies, sports, etc, but try to remember the last time you did it.
Taking a scenic drive has 3 core elements to it:
Deciding where (roughly) you want to drive.
Seeing something (while driving) and stopping to take in the view.
Driving home with a memory of that experience.
For instance, I recently drove to Charleston, SC and decided to take a short drive to see some sights before I came home. While driving over one of the massive bridges, I saw a HUGE shipping dock. You know, one of those with thousands of containers being loaded onto a massive freight. I found a road down to get a better view and stopped. I remember thinking “I wonder what is in each container – there are SO many!”. I drove home with this great memory and will never forget trying to think of how many different things were represented in those containers.
I take the same approach when reading the Bible for my personal quiet time and connection with God.
Decide (roughly) where I want to read. Example: Ephesians 3.
I SEE something while reading and STOP to take in the view. Example: “Verse 18 – And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” I think about measuring love. How do you do this? He said wide, long, high, deep. As I ponder these measurements, certain things come to mind – Grand Canyon, a runway, the Empire State Building, the ocean – and I am consumed with God’s love for me.
I drive home the memory with PRAYER. Example: Dear Lord, help me remember today how wide, long, high, and deep your love is. May I see and experience examples of it today as I connect with people, do my work, and engage with my family. Thank you Jesus for how much you LOVE ME! Amen.
Now it’s your turn! I hope this easy strategy can help you find reading the Bible fun and easy. As the author of Hebrews tells us, HIS WORD is ALIVE and POWERFUL, so I know that if we develop the discipline and joy of reading His Word daily, then we will be changed by His Word.
Decide where. See something. Drive it home.
Open your Bible today!