How to Read the Bible When You Don’t Have Time

Feb 4, 2019


I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word…
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart…
Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:15-16, 34, 105 (ESV)

Are you too busy to sit down and read your Bible because your plate always seems too full? Full from work, full from kids’ activities, full from your activities, full from house cleaning…

Listening to the Bible can help us to abide in Christ no matter how busy we are.

There have been some seasons in my life when I didn’t have time to get up early in the morning and was so exhausted by bedtime that trying to read the Bible then was hopeless, but I’ve found listening to the Bible allows me to connect with God during the spaces of my day.

Whether you’re driving to work, eating lunch, nursing a baby, folding laundry, washing dishes…we all have regular stretches in our day where our body is in motion but the task doesn’t require much thought. Those are great times to listen to the Bible and abide in Jesus.

You could listen straight through the whole Bible or just listen to one book and stop to think about what you’ve heard. You could begin to study with a spouse or friend as you listen separately during the day and discuss what you heard at night or over coffee once a week.

Even if you do have time for regular Bible study, try listening to the Bible today. Taking every opportunity to draw close and abide in Jesus helps us to hear his voice clearer and connects us to him deeper.

Listening is much easier than you think. Fifteen years ago my husband had to spend over $100 to purchase the whole Bible on CD. Now it’s free! Just download the YouVersion Bible app, find your favorite version, and enjoy listening. Most versions have a play button towards the bottom of the screen.

Today, I’m praying for you as you begin listening to the Bible and abiding in Jesus throughout the moments of your day. Those moments may seem small and insignificant at first, however, they will add up to so much more over time.

Abiding Alone

Download the Youversion App if you don’t have it already. The versions with the speaker symbol beside them have the audio included for free. Click on your favorite of those versions and begin listening. Good places to start are Genesis 1 or John 1.

What verses did you listen to today? What did you learn? Did you notice anything that you missed before?

Abiding with Kids

You can listen together with your kids, too! While you’re doing chores together, riding in the car, building with legos, trying to go to sleep… let your kids listen to some of the familiar Bible stories: the Gospels, Jonah, Esther, Ruth, Genesis. All of these would all be good places to start!

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