By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

Hot take: Bible study is hard. I know, I know, I’ve upset some people with that statement. There are Christians who would never even think such a thing. But there are a lot who struggle with reading the Bible and doing so consistently. This is for you, my friends!

Where do you even begin? Have you searched for resources only to feel totally overwhelmed by all the ways to read the Bible? I have! It’s too much sometimes, and honestly, it can feel like more trouble than it’s worth.

Reading the Word shouldn’t feel like that. It should be something to look forward to every day, something that fills you up and gives you peace and insight and all manner of good things. Instead, you feel guilty because you haven’t looked at your Bible in weeks. Get ready to let go of that guilt and let’s dive into some creative options that might make Bible study a little easier.

Try Something New

Option one: Join a Facebook group. It’s a great way to connect with other Christians and study the Bible together. You can make friends all over the world! This is a solid option if you have a non-traditional schedule that keeps you from meeting with others in-person. Some groups will meet live but you can find a time zone that works for you, or you can pop in and read and type in discussions when it works with your schedule.

Option two: Bible journal. If you’re the kind of person who needs physical activity, journaling could be good for you. It gives your hands something to do while also engaging your mind. You can adapt Bible journaling to what works best for you. Doodle in the margins, jot down notes, color code verses, it’s your journal so you can do whatever you want!

Option three: Use a study guide or devotional. These can be handy resources to help you navigate God’s Word. Often, they have a theme, which is a great way to dive into the Bible if you aren’t sure where to start. Study guides can help you pose questions and think about how God’s Word applies to your life. Devotionals are good if you don’t have a lot of time because it can give you a quick dose of the Word.

Watch and Listen

When it comes to Bible study, it took me a while to find my groove. I tried various methods until I finally found what works for me- podcasts! That may not be the right way to approach Bible study for you and that’s okay. We all learn differently. For me, though, a daily podcast where the host reads that day’s verses, says a prayer, and provides a bit of commentary and context is perfect.

Podcasts can be great if you are limited on time because you can listen while you jog or run errands or clean the house. If you are a visual learner, several Bible study podcasts are also available on YouTube if you want to see a person and follow along in their Bible. Personally, I enjoy the YouTube option because if I want it to be audio-only I can simply ignore the video but if I want to see the verses we’re studying that day I can sit down and watch the video.

There are two in particular I recommend: The Bible in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz and Heart Dive with Kanoe Gibson. Both offer online communities you can connect with as well.

You Should be Studying

How you study the Bible is a personal choice. What helps one person may not make sense for someone else. That’s okay! We all receive and analyze information differently. We’re all on different paths with unique, personal relationships with God. Of course Bible study will be different for everyone.

Find what works for you and give yourself time to try various methods. Be open to trying something new if your Bible study feels stagnant. I’ve provided a couple examples but there are so many other options. It’s worth it to research what’s out there and give it a go. No Bible study, even the ones you don’t vibe with, is a waste.