BST Quick Tips: Slow Down

Reading through a certain amount of the Bible each day is a worthy goal. But don't let the quantity of your reading become more important than the quality. Slow down when you need to.

You should certainly set goals to motivate yourself while reading Scripture. But reading or listening to large sections of the Bible shouldn't be the primary focus. Instead, give God time to speak through His Word.

One way to do this is by reading a few chapters from a daily reading plan. As you do, mark the spots that stand out. Then, after you've finished your longer reading, go back and re-read those spots. Read them slowly a few times and ask what God might be trying to teach you. If you need help, My Bible makes it easy to highlight and take notes.

Some Christians practice alternating types of reading plans. They read through the entire Bible in about a year, and after that, they focus in on one book to read deliberately. That way, they get both the "big picture" and the close details.

Finally, you may want to consider a detailed Bible study of a particular book to complement your regular reading. Studying with others can be a great way to get more out of your reading than you would alone. If you don't know of a study group in your area, we have online groups that study together.