Help! I love God, but the Bible is Boring! (Post #75)

“Don’t get me wrong. I know the Bible is essential, and I know I need it to grow in my faith. However, if I’m being all the way honest, I have to admit that sometimes, the Bible seems boring.”

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As a minister, I know the importance of having a very intimate relationship with the Word of God.  I understand the power of allocating a portion of your day to read and meditate on the Scriptures. The Word of God is the power of our salvation, our guidance in trouble, the fuel of our faith, and the reminder of God’s trustworthiness. The decline of the human race has been the result of our increased separation from God, and the Bible is God’s blessed Gift, designed to bring us back into the Light.  

As I minister, I strive to promote a judgment-free zone with the people God has called me to lead. The goal of this zone is to create an environment where individuals can openly admit their struggles without fear of criticism or denigration. In this space, believers feel safe to reveal truths that they otherwise would not.  
 
One of the lighter admissions that I hear is also one of, the more embarrassing. Still, in the space of welcomed honest, I’ve listened to many people say something that sounds a little bit like this…
 
“Don’t get me wrong. I know the Bible is essential, and I know I need it to grow in my faith. However, if I’m being all the way honest, I have to admit that sometimes, the Bible seems boring.”
 
When I hear that, my first response is a bit shocking to the listener. I lean back and kindly say, “I understand why you’d say that.” However, my second response is the one that brings us back to order. I then say, “However, that doesn’t change the Bible’s importance for your life.”  

"When I hear that, my first response is a bit shocking to the listener. I lean back and kindly say, “I understand why you’d say that.”

The actual fact, fitness is hardly my best friend. Bad right?  Well, let me make it a bit worse.
 
While fitness is hardly my best friend, delicious food feels like my soul mate. When my romance with food encounters my cold shoulder toward fitness, the impact on my body is horrible. So, fitness isn’t my first love; however, it doesn’t negate the importance that fitness has on my life. And if I ride the fitness “hate wave,” my health will undoubtedly be impacted detrimentally.  
 
So, if I need fitness, I’m going to have to find a way to change it from BORING to BETTER.

Make sense?

"So, if I need fitness, I’m going to have to find a way to change it from BORING to BETTER."

​There are a few things that we can do to transform the climate of our Bible reading, here are a few items that can aid us in our Bible appreciation…
 

• Join a Bible Study Group: The Bible was absolutely right when it said the following: “Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done.” (Ephesians 4:9 - ERV).  Joining a run group is crucial because it allows the motivation of the masses to encourage the individual.  Take the time to connect with people who’re already passionate about and engaged in the Word of God. Things become fun when we work in meaningful groups.
• Regularly attend a Bible Class: This allows you to progress in your study, make relationships with fellow students, and take advantage of the guidance of an energetic Bible teacher (praying you have one.)  Establish your congregation’s Bible study time as a recurring appointment on your calendar. It will provide you with something to look forward to as you grow in your passion for the Word.
• Download the “YouVersion” Bible App: The “YouVersion” app is GOLDEN (more on that soon). However, one of the best things about this app is its availability. We are a generation of people who are connected to our phones.  We may forget our physical Bibles; however, we’ll never leave our phones. By adding the “YouVersion” Bible App (click here) to your phone, you’ll always have an available copy of the Word of God ready and accessible. This will enable you to take advantage of Bible time, at any time. 
• Select Bible Plans that Minister to Your Needs: So, one of the many things that makes the “YouVersion” app golden is your ability to select plans that minister to your needs. There is hardly a better way to grow in the Word of God than to allow your meditation to give you immediate benefits. If you’re dealing with anxiety, a Bible plan that targets this issue makes the reading more meaningful. Not to mention, you have the option to select and read plans within your friend groups.  In the past two years, every person I’ve counseled, I’ve also added them to a partner plan. Community undoubtedly adds excellent benefits to the study experience.  
• Pray for a Transformed Heart that “Treasures” the Word: Prayer changes things. For a season, I would fast and pray to develop a heart that loved the Word. Sometimes the only barrier in your Bible growth is neglecting to ask for a change of mind.  
• Use Bible Study Curriculum: Visit your local Bible bookstore or engage an online Bible outlet. Find their Bible curriculum and purchase some Bible study aids.  These are excellent tools, all designed to build your passion for the Word. However, it’s crucial never to allow the curriculum to become the center of your study. Always remember that the book is the resource, and the Bible is The Source.  

 
So, what do you think? What are your thoughts on Bible reading? How has it impacted you? Are you bored? If so, how did you overcome it? Let me know in the comments below. Subscribe on the home page, share this post, and thanks for your support.
 
Imperfectly,

Kevin D. Jones, Sr.

Author and Publisher of Perfectly Imperfect Perfectionist
(@kevindjonessr)
(@imperfection360)