Here’s a confession that might make some gasp. I absolutely—passionately—do not like read-the-Bible-in-a-year plans.
Maybe it’s because they feel like the hamster wheel of reading plans. Even in my most disciplined seasons, I struggle to read every single day indefinitely.
If I fall behind, then Bible reading turns into an anxiety-inducing event. Check off every box for two weeks straight? I’m a model Bible reader. Miss three days in a row? Total failure. Or at least, that’s how I treated myself.
As my faith has grown in my 20s, I finally accept that my value doesn’t come from checking boxes and highlighting verses.
I have value because I am a creation in God’s image. I am a Christian, sanctified—set apart for holy work—by God, and I continue to be sanctified by Him.
Once I let go of the idea that I had to read a certain amount of chapters (or do anything enough) to win God’s approval, Bible reading became a joyful experience.
Today, I love and crave the Bible, and I’m a firm believer that every Christian woman needs to spend time in God’s Word.
After my own heart struggles, it’s my mission to help every Christian girl discover the purpose behind Bible reading:
We read the Bible to hear what God says.
The more we read the Bible, the more in tune our hearts are with what God has to say. And I have discovered a secret spiritual weapon that helps.
And bonus: it’s not a scary reading plan and it’s not something that requires you to find an uninterrupted 45 minute time block.
My Secret Weapon? An Audio Bible.
This secret weapon has helped me read the entire Bible in 36 days. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. It’s so crazy that I did it again—in 28 days (WITH a one year old who rebelled at nighttime, I might add).
What is the secret weapon that helped me read the entire Bible in 28 days?!
Listening to an audio Bible.
If you just wrinkled your nose, then we had the same initial reaction. I was super opposed to an audio Bible at first. “President of the no audio Bibles allowed” club level of opposed.
Are you serious? I thought. I don’t need an audio Bible. If I want to read the Bible, I’ll just read it. I don’t need to cheat. That was college Nat’s attitude…cringe.
I had time as a college student to read whenever I wanted. But I often treated that time like the spare change in the bottom of my purse……kinda noticed, not greatly valued, assumed it would always be there. I had flexibility then that I don’t have now, and I took that for granted.
Now, as a mom of two, quiet reading time is limited. And complete alone time? *Almost* nonexistent.
But when I finally surrendered to the idea of an audio Bible in 2023, I experienced a great transformation.
Over the past three years, I have bathed myself in more Scripture than ever before. I’ve kept His words written on my heart and in front of my eyes, like Deuteronomy 6 describes.
I’ve traded anxiety, restlessness, and frustration for peace, groundedness, and contentment.
My eyes were opened to what I was capable of doing. I’d always assumed I just wasn’t good at reading the Bible. What I realized was that, with discipline and focus, I could do something I’d previously thought was impossible. And the audio Bible was the tool that helped me get there.
Scripture Can Become Part of Your Everyday Life
To read so much Bible in so little time, I had to reallocate some time.
I stopped listening to podcasts. I stopped watching TV. I rarely scrolled social media. Instead of listening to music on my drive, I’d listen to my audio Bible.
Any moment that was quiet enough to be spent consuming something, I chose to consume the Word of God (I’m not talking exclusively about kid-free, noise free moments. Sometimes my son would sing and play with toys. Other times I’d unload the dishwasher).
As I listened through the whole Bible, I noticed how peaceful I felt. I was more rooted in my relationship with the Lord. And certain things that used to make me anxious? Not even on the radar anymore.
Could it be that the media I had been consuming, while not inherently bad, wasn’t necessarily helpful? Could it be that I hadn’t been laser focused on things that weren’t pure, honorable, or true (Philippians 4:8)?
I think we all fall into that trap at times (you can read more about that idea in this article next).
Listening to an audio Bible is now a normal part of my routine.
It doesn’t replace opening my physical Bible. But it adds another layer to my Christian life.
I hear the Word of God during all the ordinary parts of my day. And my children hear the Word of God being read aloud, too. I pray they’ll be inspired by seeing their mama regularly commune with the Lord.
Most of all, my audio Bible is the secret weapon for my studies.
If we read the Bible to hear what God says, we study the Bible to know what God means.
My mind is already primed to sit and dig into the Scriptures after listening to them over and over. There’s less of a brain-foggy warm-up when I sit down during my unpredictable 13 minutes when both kids happen to nap at the same time. When I’m already warmed up from listening, I can instantly sit and feast on those nourishing words.
Want to Give an Audio Bible a Try?
If you’ve never tried an audio Bible before because you’ve had the same attitude I did—that it’s for cheaters or wimps—I encourage you to reconsider. The YouVersion Bible app is an easy, accessible option.
An audio Bible is simply a tool to help you spend more time in the Word. It can help you make the most of your little pockets of time. You might become more familiar with Scripture than ever, even in a season when sitting down in utter silence is a rare event.
If a traditional read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan works for you, then you go, girl! But if you’ve struggled with that, or you’re not even sure where to start, I have something that might help.
It’s my 30-Day Gospels Reading Guide.
I call it a guide, not a plan, because I don’t want to give you the same fear those read-the-Bible-in-a-year plans have given me!
This is a gentle approach to reading the Scriptures. You’ll read through God’s Word at a pace that is consistent and realistic for your busy life.
You can find it by clicking this link and entering your email address so I know where to send it to you.
And before you go, I’d love to hear from you!
Do you struggle to keep up with a Bible reading plan? Do you feel guilty or discouraged when you fall behind? Or do you have a way of spending time in God’s Word that works for the season of life you’re in?
Leave a comment below and tell me about it. I’d love for this to be a place where we can share what’s working, ask our questions, and remind each other that spiritual growth doesn’t look the exact same for everyone.
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