We have all been there: studying the Bible, only to lose focus at some point. Rather than taking in the knowledge of God’s Word, our minds were bombarded with other things. Did I put the dishes in the dishwasher? Did I take my medicine this morning? What am I cooking for dinner tonight?
When we encounter these types of stressors, we need to take a deep breath and look to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Many things can distract us from the Lord, but we must fight against these things. Even good things can become distractions if we let them. Rather than busying yourself with worries, concerns, and preparations, challenge yourself to be like Mary.
Luke 10:38-42 teaches us, “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
1. Am I Genuinely Focused?
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones” (Proverbs 2:6-8).
When studying the Bible, we need to ask ourselves, “Am I genuinely focused?” With so many distractions in the world, it is easy to lose sight of Christ while we are reading the Bible. Sadly, for many of us, reading the Bible becomes another task to check off our “to-do list.” Challenge this habit by truly engaging with the text, staying focused, and removing any distractions.
What is currently distracting you? It may be the constant notifications of your phone or the television in the background. Put your phone on silent and turn on the television. Pray to the Lord; ask Him to help you stay focused. With time, practice, and dedication, you will be able to stay focused while you study the Bible — make sure you remove any distractions before you study the Word.
2. What is God Trying to Tell Me?
“Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Before we open the Bible, we should always be praying to God. A sample prayer could be, “Dear God, I want to learn more about You. Please help me to see what you want me to see. Bring my heart to a greater understanding of Your love, grace, mercy, and power. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Throughout our Bible reading, we must ask ourselves, “What is God trying to tell me?” The main way God speaks to us is through the Bible. Therefore, if we never read the Bible or we rush through it, we will never obtain the message He is sending us. This is why we must slow down and truly search for what God is trying to tell us.
You may be surprised as to what the Lord is trying to convey to you. It could be He is encouraging you to forgive by turning your heart back to Ephesians 4:31-32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Or maybe Christ keeps pulling you back to the Golden Rule, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). Listen closely to the Word of God and discern what He is trying to tell you.
3. How Can I Apply This to My Life?
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22-25).
As we read the Bible, we need to consider how we will apply it to our lives seriously. For example, the Bible tells us to be strong and courageous, for the Lord is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9). How can we actively apply this to our lives? A few ideas could be cultivating trust in God, challenging ourselves to think about God when we are afraid, and knowing we are not alone, for God is always with us.
It can be challenging to apply the Bible to our daily lives, but God can help us. Pray to the Lord, “Dear Jesus, it can be tough to apply the Bible in my life. Please help me to apply the lessons and teachings within Your Word in my life today. Give me success when I challenge the sinful nature. I trust in You, Lord. Thank You for always hearing my prayers. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
4. What is the Surrounding Context?
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20).
Reading the Bible without understanding its surrounding context will only lead us to misinterpret it. This is why it is vitally important to understand the surrounding context of a passage. For example, if you are reading a passage, such as Psalm 23:4, read the rest of Psalm 23 too. This can help you get a good overview of the entire passage, not just one verse.
In the same way, if you are studying a specific book, such as Jeremiah, Isaiah, or 1 Kings, it would be helpful to understand what is going on in Israel’s history. Research online on trustworthy websites and consult commentaries and Bible guides. Biblically accurate resources will help you learn more about God as you study the Bible.
5. What Does this Mean for My Walk with Jesus?
“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people’” (Matthew 4:19).
As we are studying the Bible, we must always ask ourselves, “What does this mean for my walk with Jesus?” Challenge any pre-existing views against the Bible. The Bible should naturally change how we live. Rather than living for the flesh, we will live for Christ (Galatians 2:20).
As you are studying the Bible, jot down a few ideas of how this new knowledge changes your life. If you ever struggle with your walk with Christ, talk with the Lord, humble yourself under His mighty hand, and allow Him to lift you (1 Peter 5:6). With time, you will grow in your walk with Jesus and glorify Him in your daily actions.
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