Five Tips for Reading Your Bible if You Don’t Enjoy Reading

Five Tips for Reading Your Bible if You Don’t Enjoy Reading

One of my sons doesn’t particularly like to read. We finally found some book series that he likes, so he was excited to begin reading “for fun.” Until he had read all of the books in the series. Then he was done reading for fun. As he struggles to read, I was struck with the thought: “How can I encourage him, a non-reader, to enjoy reading the Bible?” What if he never learns to enjoy reading? Will the Bible be just another book he feels guilty for not reading? 

So I begin thinking through other ways to “read” the Bible. Then I thought about my dad. You see, my dad got saved as a young man, but years prior he struggled in school. He never really could read well. And never learned to enjoy reading.  Reading wasn’t something I ever saw my dad do. He would read things, but he never read books. He wasn’t an avid reader, which is pretty neat considering all four of his children love books! 

Every time I hear my dad teach the Bible in Sunday school or children’s church, I’m reminded that you can be a student of the Bible, even if you don’t like to read. My dad would read his Bible because he knew the importance of it. Did he struggle? Yes. Did it take him longer to read it? I’m sure. Did he still do it? YES! 

You can be a student of the Bible, even if you don’t like to read. Find Five Tips for Reading Your Bible if You Don’t Enjoy Reading here.

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As I thought about you, dear reader, I wonder if you might struggle with reading? Right now I’m reading through a pretty intense Bible reading plan. We read anywhere to 5-6 chapters daily. That’s a lot. To some of you today that seems like way too much. And maybe it is. But can I encourage you? There are more ways today than ever to “read” your Bible, even if reading is hard or you don’t enjoy reading. 

How to Read the Bible When You Don’t Like to Read

1. Get a plan. You know by now I don’t like to just open up the Bible and read whatever my finger happens to land on. I love a plan and a purpose. This is extremely helpful for many people who don’t like reading.  
2. Read smaller portions. Start with a small book of the Bible (Philippians or Ephesians). I’ve developed this reading plan for some smaller books of the Bible to help you keep on track, but not be overwhelmed with several chapters. Click here to download a free copy of A Reading Plan for the Letters of Paul. 
3. Memorize one verse a week. Although I do believe in reading larger chunks of Scripture, studying and meditating on smaller passages is extremely beneficial. Psalm 119:105 says we are to “hide God’s word in our heart.” Memorizing is a part of scripture reading!  Click here for 40 of the best verses to memorize. 
4. Have an accountability partner. I would suggest finding a friend or companion who might not enjoy reading to do one of the plans above with you. Knowing someone will ask you how your Bible reading is going is a great way to keep reading! 
5. Listen to the Bible being read. I’ve mentioned before how much I love the Bible audio version found on many apps available today. As I said, I’m in the middle of a pretty intense Bible reading plan, and often I don’t have time to read several chapters. So I’ve gotten into the habit of once a week listening to the Bible being read to me. Sometimes I’ll follow along in my Bible. So I’m sort of reading – but having someone else do the harder work! 

Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She share tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer