5 quick ways to get more from your Bible study {when you're short on time}

Do you want to study the Bible, but you find it hard to find time to read, let alone do in depth study? I’ve been there! With 9 children, and being in and out of the newborn sleepless nights, to having a full schedule homeschooling, I know how hard it can be. But that is why I’m excited to share with you today 5 quick ways to get more from your Bible study! These tips help me to not just consume the text, but dig a bit deeper and store up God’s word in my heart and actually digest it! They don’t require much extra time to your reading time- maybe a couple minutes, but they can add a lot of value to getting more from what you actually did have time to read!

looking over the shoulder of a mom reading the Bible on the couch in the morning

Firstly, if you don’t already have a Bible reading plan, I would strongly encourage you to find one! Having a plan will help keep you stay consistent with reading. The word of God is food to our weary and tired souls, and we ought to be regularly consuming it. Whether it’s a quick small meal or a longer richer one, we shouldn’t regularly be skipping meals. 🙂 My top tip is not to worry about catching up if you get behind. Just start right back where you ended! Here are some links to my favorite free reading plans, if you’re looking to get started with one.

Alright, I’m know what you’re here for, so let’s get into the tips!

Ask the Spirit to open and reveal the Word to you

This is a fundamental part of reading that we should aim to do before each reading. The Bible actually tells us that the Spirit reveals the depths of God to us. The mysteries of God! Do you sometimes find the Bible to be a bit mysterious? Well, ask God to open your heart and mind to understand those mysteries and apply it to your life and He will answer that request!

Here are some powerful promises:

John 14:17

Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

1 Corinthians 2:10,11

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26- 28 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Ask 2 questions of the text

This really doesn’t take extra time at all. You can close your Bible, or turn off your app, and still ask these questions to yourself as you go about your day even. If you happen to have a little more time, you can write your answers down in a notebook as well. I love to do this over the weekend when I have more time. It’s encouraging to look back on what God’s taught me in those moments. Otherwise, just ask the questions and think of answers as you go throughout your day.

Question #1: What did I learn about God from this passage?

Reading is listening to God’s voice, and a way He communicates to us. What does He want to teach us about Himself form the passages today? How was His character revealed? What attributes did you witness of His. This can be a really encouraging thing as the Spirit reveals more of God to us, we can feel His love, compassion, kindness, mercy, severity, goodness….. Who doesn’t want that? It also helps give us a bigger view of God and a smaller view of ourselves. We can all use that perspective shift. 🙂

Question #2: What did I learn that I can apply today?

What did you learn form the passage today that you can put into practice immediately? Was there anything you were convicted of you need to repent from? Sometimes the simplest passages can be the most convicting. Simple, but difficult to apply. Ask for the Spirit’s help to put into practice what you’ve learned today, and ask for his equipping to pursue what he’s called you to.

Highlight directives of commands

This one takes a bit more time, but not as much as you would think. Make it a bit of a treasure hunting game! You are going mining for riches and can benefit and gain deeply from helping the text jump out at you. Read with a highlighter in hand and look out for specific commands or directives God is giving to His people in the passage. Sometimes this can be easier to do in the New Testament, but if you’re looking for them, they’re abundant in the OT as, well. An easy way to find them is to look for the commanding action words or verbs- walk, do, go, speak, act, listen, love, etc.

Bonus tip: Use the Pilot Frixion erasable highlighters! These highlighters are a favorite in our home because of the subdued colors, as well as the ease of use. They stay put well but then easily erase when you want to start fresh again. Because they erase by heat- friction caused by rubbing. They will also magically disappear if you blow a hair dryer over the whole text! So easy!

Highlight the names of God

Did you know there are said to be anywhere form 700-1,000 names for God. Some of these names God has chosen Himself, and some are ones His people refer to Him as He reveals his character to them.

When you come across a name of God, underline or highlight it. Take note that some translations in the New Testament of Lord or LORD are different words. You can dig into those differences usually in a commentary when you have more time.

God chose His personal name to be Jehovah. ISAIAH 42:8

Hebrew: יהוה

This name can be found 7,000 times in the Bible!

God chose His personal name to be Jehovah.
Hebrew: יהוה
This name can be found 7,000 times in the Bible!
Isaiah 42:8

God reveals more about his character and attributes in the many names he refers to himself as, as well as by what his people call him. You don’t have to look them all up, just highlight any you come across as you read. This will help make them jump out at you and recognize the varied ways God reveals himself. Remember that in the translated text the “name” usually appears as a descriptive phrase- i.e. “King of Kings” or “Lord of Heaven and Earth”.

bible open on a table outside during a personal bible study time

Meditate

This word actually actually means: ” to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time.” You can do this quickly, but choosing a verse or 2 that stood out to you from the passage you read to focus on throughout the day or in your small pockets of time.

David was a busy king and yet the Bible says he meditated on God’s word day and night! No wonder He was a man after God’s own heart. We can follow his example by focusing, dwelling and thinking about God’s Word throughout the day. There are a myriad things that call for our attention and distract us. Why not instead let God’s Word be one of the things we intentionally let “distract” us.

Tip: Screen shot a verse or two and add it as your phone wallpaper. Or go old school and write it down on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or above your sink!