Do This Spiritual Discipline Daily if You Want to Grow Closer to God

Hey Friend!

One of the questions I often get asked is, “How do I grow closer to God? How do I hear from God?”

There are so many methods that I now use to grow closer to God and build my faith. However, I believe there is one core practice and spiritual discipline we can lean on.

This core spiritual discipline is to read the Bible. It is that simple.

Reading the Bible allows us to become more foundational in our seeking of God and getting to know Him on a deeper level. And I think this is one of the disciplines that most people neglect because it’s tough.

We learn more about God and His plan when we’re in the Word. Many Christians, including myself, neglect this spiritual discipline. Sometimes, I’m tired, and it’s hard to get up, open the Bible, and figure out what to read.

We rely on podcasts or our one weekly church service to fuel and fill us. When we do this, we don’t get into the Word and discern the messages that God has specifically given us.

While not minimizing the other ways we connect with God, I believe this discipline helps us grow. It’s like taking care of a plant. You need to water the plant, put it in the sun, and give it the nutrients to grow. We want to be that beautiful plant that blossoms and flourishes; where we go to get our water, soil, and nutrients is in scripture. 

Overcome the Roadblocks to Building Your Faith With This Spiritual Discipline

I am aware that there are roadblocks to reading scripture every day. These five practical tips can help us overcome these roadblocks, so we can get started and truly experience the nurturing and growth that come from His word.

No. 1: Build Your Spiritual Discipline With the Right Version of the Bible for You

One of the things that dissuaded me from getting into the Word was that I didn’t understand it when I started. I highly recommend getting a version of the Bible that you will not only read but also understand, and one that suits you.

You can search for “Bible translation map” on Google. It will show you the most literal translations, such as the King James Version. You might find that when you try to read a Bible like this, it’s hard to understand and digest. But the map will take you from these versions to The Message or The Passion.

I prefer those in the middle. I don’t want to lose the original contextual meaning of the more literal versions, but I also need to understand them. I need to be able to personally feel something when I read for it to come alive for me. I love the NIV version, also known as the New Living Translation, as well as the Christian Standard. I also love Bibles that I can journal in, take notes, highlight, and color-code!  

So, choose what is right for you.

No. 2:  Plan Your Bible Reading Time to Establish Spiritual Discipline

We are all so busy. In this world of distraction and busyness, we are hyper-distracted and up against algorithms, busyness, and all the things that come with living in today’s world.

We can’t continue to minimize the importance of setting time aside to be with God. Work out what time works best for you to sit down and read the Bible. Is it the first thing in the morning? During your lunch break? Is it before you go to bed?

Look at your schedule and fit it in. If you can only manage ten minutes a day, that’s great. That is where I started. I spent 10 to 15 minutes with Him in the morning, which was transformational.

I have worked my way up to about an hour of reading the Bible, doing devotional time, and praying. But pick the time and dedicate yourself to getting through one week.

Start with ten minutes rather than setting a big, audacious goal you can’t meet. Get that pretty new Bible out. If you have one already that works for you, get that one out. Get some new highlighters that will help you be excited about doing this. Then, commit to doing this for one week for x amount of time each day.

No. 3: Start Small to See Your Spiritual Discipline Flourish

Most of us believe that we should start on page one when we open the Bible. We think we have to start at the beginning of the Old Testament and read in order. But I think this is a little overwhelming.

I highly recommend starting with the New Testament. This allows you to have an introduction to the characters and teachings of the Bible. You get to meet Jesus Christ, and the teachings are relevant to where we live today in this post-Christ world. It lands a bit better and is more relational.

Start by reading one chapter or even a few verses from the New Testament. It’s not essential how much you are reading the Bible. What’s critical is that you read it every day. Small steps lead to significant outcomes.

Sometimes, one verse is all I need because that one verse is so full and so rich. There are so many different things inside a straightforward sentence. Sometimes, we can take one verse and journal over that one thing and get so much out of it.

So, start small in the New Testament and then focus on daily practice, rather than overconsumption. If you do this, you will get more nutrients out of it rather than taking in too much and becoming bogged down.

No. 4: Meditate on the Word to Deepen Your Spiritual Discipline

After you have read the Bible, take a moment to reflect on what you have just read. It’s not just about reading. It’s not about the legalism of having to “read scripture.” The aim is to implant the words in your heart.

As Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night so you may be careful to do everything written in it.” The second part of the verse says, “Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

We are trying to do this. We want to keep this book of the law on our lips, minds, and hearts. And that happens when we sit with it and ask ourselves what we have learned and how it can apply to our lives today. We can ask God what He wants us to do with it.

I recommend journaling for this step. I like to journal because it helps my brain process what I’ve read, either after I’ve read it or while I’m reading. I ask God to speak to me and show me insights, revelations, and thoughts that come from His word. I always close with a prayer that helps seal everything I’ve learned so that I can remember it better.

No. 5: Stay Accountable as You Nurture Your Spiritual Discipline and Grow Your Faith

As with anything in your life, when you start, you are probably going to be excited about it. For example, when you start working out, you buy new workout clothes, and you hit it hard. And after about a week, motivation starts to decline.

But when you share it with someone else, it helps you stay motivated. You feel more committed to seeing out that promise that you made, not just to yourself but to someone else as well.

Ask around to see if anyone else wants to start reading the Bible. You’re welcome to join my group and ask if anyone wants to be your Bible buddy!

Find someone there who also wants to read the Bible every day and text each other when you’ve finished your reading. This elementary level of accountability will help you stick to your plan and create a deeper spiritual discipline.

You can also download apps that will help you. The Bible app is excellent. We have one that we use in our family called Glorify. It keeps you on track with a daily Bible plan and provides checkmarks and other features to accompany your daily reading.

There are many free options for accountability, so choose one and get started!

Practice This Discipline to Take Your Spiritual Life and Faith to the Next Level

Reading the Bible, in my opinion, is one of the most critical spiritual disciplines that we, as Christians, need to embrace. It is not enough to hear second- or third-hand information about the word of God. We need to return to this place of seeking truth and connecting with Him at the most authentic source: His word.

Take your spiritual life to the next level by taking it seriously. We have to take action and make a commitment to grow in our lives. And I think that the most important thing that we should grow as Christians in this online space is our connection, communication, friendship, and closeness with God.

Finding the perfect plan or waiting until you have time to pick up the Bible is unnecessary and doesn’t help you. You just need to decide that today is the day you’re going to make this a priority. When we do that, it opens our eyes to other places that we may be idolizing in place of God’s Word. Then, all you need is the willpower and discipline to commit to just 10 minutes a day to get started.

I have recommitted, and I must say that over the past week or so, being fully recommitted has proven beneficial to me, just as it does every time I’m in God’s word. My day is different. My mind is different. The outcomes of my decisions are different. My parenting is more patient.

Everything in my life falls into place when I intentionally put God first and His word in my mind and heart. It’s a game-changer.

I pray this blesses you!

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