9 Benefits of Daily Bible Reading, Plus How to Get Started
When I first started reading the Bible daily it felt like a chore. Sometimes it still does. But then something amazing happened–I started seeing all these amazing benefits in my life, and I began to want to look forward to spending time with God.
The benefits of reading the Bible every day include increased hope, a deeper understanding of the gospel, a reduction of stress, the discovery of meaning and purpose, a desire to serve, and guidance for everyday. This is because our faith and love in God grows the more we spend time with Him.
So, let’s see how your life can change for the better when you read your bible every day.
Increase in Hope
Recent studies show that the more engaged with Scripture a person is, the more hope they have to persevere through tough times. The study concludes, “Apparently those who read the Bible regularly, who live and think according to its teaching, find resources that keep them going, even in tough times.”
We see this reality in the Bible as well. Peter was writing to Christians who were being persecuted for their faith when he says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).”
Our ability to hope grows the more time we spend in God’s word. Because in God’s word we see His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. And as the author of Hebrews writes, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19).”
Increase in Happiness and Life Satisfaction
According to the same study above, practicing Christians who engage with Scripture consistently are more likely to report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. They sate, “Practicing Christians report a much higher level of Flourishing… than Non-Practicing Christians or Non-Christians.”
Life can be hard. That’s no surprise. But spending daily time in God’s word provides a constant reminder that we are not alone. God is with us. He has our best interest in mind. As John wrote, Jesus came so that we can have life, life to the fullest (John 10:10).
So even when we walk through dark valleys, we have nothing to fear. God is with us; we are not alone. His constant presence brings comfort and happiness as he leads us toward a full and satisfying life in Him. The Bible redefines happiness and life satisfaction to align with living with purpose for God.
Discovery of Meaning and Purpose
Consistent, daily Bible reading and study will renew our sense of meaning and purpose. The Bible lights the path that shows us how to walk with God. As we walk with God, he provides purpose for our lives.
Discover of meaning and purpose through Scripture and a relationship with God is directly tied to the benefit of happiness and life satisfaction. As the Psalmist writes, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11)”
Engaging with God’s word on a daily basis will renew our sense of meaning and purpose. I was given wise advice before relating to God’s will: If you don’t know what to do; do what you know. In other words, read the bible, pray, and trust God. His purpose for you will come.
Development of Character and Virtue
Another great benefit of daily Bible reading is the development of character and virtue. All throughout the Bible people are called to be holy as God is Holy (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter1:16).
It is the Bible that the Holy Spirit uses, in part, to sanctify us. The author of Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)”
The Bible is like a mirror, as we read it, it reflects back to us where we are. In other words, it reveals to us where we are dirty, our sin. Not to condemn us, but to purify us. So, the more we read the Bible, the more we grow in Christ-like character and virtue.
Enhanced Understanding
The more we read the Bible the more familiar we become with it. So, if we read the Bible every day our understanding of the text, its historical context, and even its relevance to contemporary issues will deepen.
Through regular Bible reading we can come to understand God, the gospel, life, and even ourselves better. It’s amazing to me how often a situation in life will remind me of a verse or story I read in the Bible. But that only happens because I try to read the Bible regularly.
An enhanced understanding of the Bible and what it contains will transform your way of life.
Leads to Salvation
The whole purpose of Scripture is to tell the story of God and humanity. The culmination of the Bible is the life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation. The story of the gospel is the story of the good news of the gospel.
John writes, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)”
Not only does regular bible reading lead us to salvation, but it will also daily remind us of the gospel. I don’t know about you, but I’ve come to realize a need in my life to be constantly reminded of what God has done for me through Jesus and what that means for my life.
Stress Reduction
Engaging with Scripture daily provides a sense of peace and comfort. Many people find solace in the words of Scripture with stress, grief, or uncertainty.
According to the American Bible society, there was an increase in Bible use during the pandemic. Why? Because people were dealing with unprecedented times of uncertainty and stress. So they turned to the Bible to find comfort and peace.
In my own life I’ve noticed that no matter how hard or stressful a day might be, reading the Bible is like a stress reset. It takes me out of the pigeon hole that is causing stress and helps me see the big picture and the meaning of life.
Guidance and Wisdom
Daily Bible reading can be a benefit in providing guidance and wisdom for our daily lives. The Bible has the answers to the biggest questions we face today.
Paul writes to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible provides all the guidance and wisdom we need to live a life pleasing to God. Wisdom comes from God. So, reading His word every day will result in learning more and more of that divine wisdom.
Increased Motivation to Serve Others
The last benefit of reading the Bible that we are going to look at today is the increased motivation to serve others. People are selfish and operate as if the world revolves around them. However, that’s not the case.
But we see in the Bible that people back then had the same attitude. People were selfish, greedy, corrupt. Does that sound familiar? Things were so bad God constantly sent people to remind them to follow his instructions, to care for the orphan, the poor, the widow.
In the New Testament we see many of what’s called “one another” commands. These are commands where a biblical author encourages his audience to love, pray, forgive, etc. one another.
In reading the bible everyday we are reminded to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Because we may be the only Jesus that some people see.
Getting Started Reading the Bible Every Day
Now that we’ve looked at some amazing and life-transforming benefits of reading the Bible every day, how do we get to the point where we have that habit?
Here are some tips for building the habit of reading the Bible every day:
- Use an easy to read translation: Please pick a translation of the Bible that is easy to read. It’s no fun reading a textbook everyday. So, don’t make bible reading more challenging by picking a translation you don’t understand. Start with a translation like the New Living Translaiton or New International Version.
- Start Small: No one says you have to read the entire Bible every day. I’m not even sure that’s possible. But a little here and a little there will add up quickly. God can still use one chapter or five verses to change your life.
- Use a Devotional: A Devotional will typically have one verse, a story or commentary relating to lessons from that verse. A great devotional is the New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.
- Use a BIble App: The YouVersion Bible app has hundreds of devotionals and studies that take as little as five minutes a day. Another great app is First 5 from Proverbs 31.
- Persevere: Pray for perseverance. I’ll be honest. I’m still not where I read the Bible every single day. But where I am now is better than I was a few years ago. The point is not to stress if you miss a day. Progress is progress.
