How are you growing your faith? While teachers and mentors are valuable gifts to the body of Christ, they are meant to supplement your faith, not substitute for it. Consider these tips to help you cultivate a culture that will help you grow spiritually.

1.Own your outcome

Paul in Philippians 2:12 commands us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This verse challenges us to take personal ownership of our relationship with the Creator.  Building a consistent daily reading /study habit is the most effective way to reclaim this personal connection. You can use a Bible reading guide to help you gain a structure.

2.Quality over Quantity

Instead of rushing through multiple chapters just to check a box, focus on a single passage and ask the Holy Spirit for insight. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that His word is a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” To let that light guide you, try the S.O.A.P. method: Identify a Scripture, record your Observations, determine the Application to your life, and close with a Prayer. Even fifteen minutes of focused, personal engagement is more transformative than an hour of passive listening.

3. Use a “Friendly” Bible Translation

If you are struggling with “thees” and “thous,” your brain is working too hard to translate before it can transform. For study, consider a version that is easy for you to understand e.g. Good News Bible, New Living Translation, English Standard version etc.

4.Change the Delivery

Reading isn’t the only way to consume the Word. If you’re a commuter or a multitasker, try listening to Audio Bibles, use apps like You Version to listen to the Word read by professional voices or listen to songs that are Scripture based. That way you can engage with the word wherever you are.

5 .Walk the talk

Ultimately, the goal of daily engagement with Scripture is to become “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Consistency beats intensity every time. Choose a specific time and a quiet “secret place” to meet with God, treating it with the same level of commitment you would a vital business meeting. Connect directly with the source – God Himself and develop a spiritual discernment that cannot be shaken by the opinions of the world.

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to prioritize my daily walk with you and to study your word daily, so that I may have a lasting relationship with you. Amen.