Best Time To Read the Bible, Plus Finding Time in A Pinch
Growing up with school and now work, it’s hard to find time to study the bible, and when I do, I don’t feel like it. That was until I discovered the best time to have a bible study routine.
As a general rule, the best time of day to study the bible is in the morning or evening. Times when most people are able to focus and engage with Scripture. However, the most suitable time will vary from person to person and depend on factors such as mood, schedule, and goals for bible study.
There are benefits to reading the Bible in the morning and at night. Let’s see what they are and discover some tips to find more time throughout the day to spend in God’s word.
Morning Vs. Nighttime: What’s Best For Bible Study
To answer the question of what is the best time to study the bible, I took a survey. Respondents were given three times of day (morning, noon, and evening) and asked, “When do you study the Bible and why then?” Most respondents replied with morning or evening, with morning being slightly more favored.
Though, the consensus seems to be that the overall best time for Bible study is highly individualized and dependent on factors such as life routines and personal dispositions.
This is the case in my own life. I am a morning person, but I have to get up and get ready for work. So, even though I’m more awake in the morning, I find it best for me to have my Bible study time at night. Because then I’m unwinding from my day and I find I can better focus on what I’m studying then.
Overall, when choosing a time to study the Bible that works best for you, pick a time where you can set aside distractions and focus on engaging Scripture. After all, what matters most is intentional engagement with the Bible and finding value in it for your unique circumstances.
Why Morning May Be The Best Time to Study The Bible
Several people practice and recommend the morning as the best time to study the Bible. They say that the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the early morning allows for reflection and meditation.
People who enjoy doing a morning Bible study routine typically get up before or at dawn (or at least before everyone else in the household) to spend time with God. Why? Because there are a lot fewer distractions and disturbances.
Getting up and spending time with God first thing in the morning allows you to start your day off on a positive note. If circumstances or things happen throughout the day that frustrate you, you can always look back at the time you spent with God in the morning.
Morning Bible study times are typically favored by those who value a calm and focused environment to engage with Scripture and start their day off on a spiritual high note.
Why Nighttime May Be The Best Time to Study The Bible
Other individuals practice and recommend the best time to study the Bible is in the evening or at night. This time gives them ample freedom for deep thinking and reflection.
Typically, people who study the Bible at night use it as a period to not only study the Bible, but make connections from the Bible to their personal life throughout the day. One respondent said, “I can usually go deeper into the Word at night, and make connections to my life, areas I need to improve, things to pray about, etc.”
Overall, studying the Bible at night can provide a sense of culmination to the day. Like wrapping a bow on a present, it provides a restful time to enjoy God’s presence and spend time with Him without worrying about the cares of the day.
Evening or Nighttime Bible study is typically chosen by those who feel more mentally engaged and reflective during that time of day. People who study the Bible then found that evening was more helpful in making connections to their life and deepening their understanding of the Bible.
Why Varying Times May Be The Best Way To Study The Bible
It’s clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to when one should study the Bible. Flexibility is essential in determining what time to study the Bible is best for you.
Schedules change and throughout your life you may need to adapt your Bible study time to those changing schedules with work, school, and family routines. It is entirely possible that the best time to study the Bible for you right now may be at night, but years from now it may be morning.
So, remember to be flexible. Try starting a Bible study routine in the morning (even if that means getting up a little earlier). Try it for a week, see how it goes. Then the next week try an evening Bible study routine. This trial and error is going to be the best way to find a time that works best for you.
9 Ways to Find More Time In A Pinch
According to the 2023 American Bible Society State of the Bible Report, one of the most common reasons people mention being frustrated with the Bible is a lack of time. So here are 9 ways that you can find more time throughout the day to study the Bible.
- Use a Bible App: Using a Bible app can help you spend more time in the Bible throughout your day. It provides easy access to Scripture. You can just pick up your phone and read or listen to Scripture on your commute, during your workout, etc.
- Utilize Breaks: All throughout the day there are little breaks you can use to pick up and read a couple chapters or verses. During a lunch break, waiting in line, or between tasks. These little breaks add up and can end in a significant amount of time in God’s word.
- Set a Schedule: We prioritize what we value. So, set aside time to spend in God’s word, even if it’s just five minutes before bed. It’s five minutes you didn’t have the day before.
- Create goals: Goals give us something to strive for. Setting a goal to spend two days this week in the Bible, is two more days than we might have had before. Start small and grow your goals.
- Evaluate your time: Chances are you spend a surprising amount of time doom scrolling on social media or watching YouTube or TV. Take some of that time and give it back to God.
- Set Reminders: Set a reminder to take a break and spend time with God. We can get so caught up with our routines, it’s easy to put a Bible study on the back burner. But setting a reminder helps us remember to keep an eye on our relationship with God.
- Join a Bible Study Group: Get together with a friend or a group at your church. Doing a Bible study with someone is a great accountability to helping you stay connected to God’s word.
- Combine Activities: Sometimes the best way to start a new habit is to connect it with an old one. So, perhaps while you are at your kids sports activities, you take a bible with you and spend some time with God.
- Designate a Bible Study Space: Sometimes all we need is a designated space for a specific activity. Creating a Bible study place with all your journals, resources, and Bibles can be a visual reminder to spend more time in Bible Study.
Hopefully these tips will help you find more time to spend with God in Bible study throughout your day. Whether you choose morning or evening as the best time for Bible study, be sure to choose a time where you are in a good mood, free of distractions, and ready to hear from God.
