Life Lessons with Risa: Better Study Habit Help

A reader writes: I really want to read my Bible more. Every Sunday I tell myself this week I’m going to do it, but I never get around to actually doing it. I feel so bad about this.

Here’s some good news for you. We have the knowledge of how people form new habits down to a science. So, let’s put that to good use for you. The first step will be to ask yourself why you want to read the Bible often. Make a long list of all the reasons you would like to do it. Aim for at least 25 reasons. Yes, I know that’s a lot, but we want your brain to dig deep and convince you of the value of doing this.

From then on you follow the 3-step-process that works so effectively in forming new habits.

1. Start really small

Do something so ridiculously easy there is no way you won’t do it.  For instance, for a whole week all you do is just read a single verse from the Bible every day. It can even be the same one if that makes it easier.You want to trick your brain into realizing excuses won’t work, because the task you set out to do, is so do-able.

2. Do it very regularly

Decide beforehand when, where and you’re going to read your Bible. Decide on the when. First thing in the morning? Just before bed? During your lunch break? Where will you read it? At home? In the kitchen? In your bedroom? At work? And how will you read it? From the small Bible on your nightstand? Or from the large one downstairs? Will you use the app on your phone? And then do that small easy thing at the time, place and in the way you’ve decided before.

3. Reward yourself

You want to motivate yourself by rewarding yourself. This is a vital part of establishing your new habit. It needn’t be something big. It doesn’t even have to be something tangible. You can just pat yourself on the shoulder and tell yourself: I did what I set out to do today. I read that single verse just like I decided I would. For the reward part it would also be a good time to take out your list of reasons why you want to read your Bible more. Remind yourself of all the benefits. From then on, you slowly increase the task. Say, for the second week, you read two verses and the next week three. Keep it up for six weeks by making the reading time slightly longer every week. What you are achieving here is a shift in the way you look at yourself. Soon you’ll start thinking of yourself as someone who regularly reads their Bible. Spending time in God’s Word daily has now become part of your identity.

Just to motivate you to establish this new habit let me offer this wonderful verse from Psalm 119: 14 where it explains that to follow God’s rules is as enjoyable as great riches. It’s because Scripture will nourish, inspire and comfort you like no other book will. Teach yourself the habit of spending time in God’s Word. It’ll be worth your while.