Though I don't know your particular situation, I will attempt to give a robust answer to this question that will have many applicational thoughts. You might struggle in your reading of the Word because of theological misperceptions, an inability to concentrate or because your workday starts at 4 a.m. For each of these situations, a different line of advice would follow. Because of this, I will try to cover as many contingencies as my feeble brain will allow.
A Personal Journey
Let me start by saying that Bible reading has been a foundational element of my Christian life. I do not -- and will not -- paint an overly rosy picture of rapturous joy during every moment of my Bible reading life, though. Nor will I, in an attempt to be relatable, act as if it is always a drudgerous experience. It's not. Instead, what I will say is that my Bible reading is difficult and slow-moving at times, but I have found great solace, comfort, guidance, and instruction during it.
A significant portion of my life is spent studying and writing about the Bible, but my personal Bible reading time bears little resemblance to my study methods. Looking back, it has been a great cornerstone of my life to spend some time each day reading and considering the Word of God for myself.
My first stint at reading the Bible daily was a one month (or so) stretch in middle school. I had tasted and seen God is good at a recent winter camp for kids my age, and after that wanted to read the Bible for myself. Though the habit didn't stick at that time, there was something enriching about the experience.
Years later, after surrendering to Christ, my daily Bible reading commitment began in earnest. I remember, in college, needing a bit of privacy to get my day started with God. For a long season, the only quiet place of solitude I could find in those early morning hours was the front seat of my maroon 1983 Volvo sedan. In the driver's seat, I read and thought and pondered God's word. I have not looked back. I pray the same for you and hope the tips below are helpful to your quest.
Set a Non-Negotiable Portion of Your Day Aside
For me, the first part of my day, a firstfruits sacrifice if you will, is the right part of the day to set myself apart to hear from God. Some people's work schedules legitimately prohibit this, while other people's work schedules fictionally prohibit this. Either way, find a portion of the day which works for you, a time you know you can generally count on for Bible reading.
Have a Way to Record Thoughts, Questions, and Prayers
Nothing fancy is required here. I've used pieces of paper, journals, and Evernote. You might want to write a long and flowy diatribe about God. I don't recommend it during Bible reading. Brief bullet points and sentences will likely cut it. Remember, this is a time to get his word in, not your words out.
Have One Trusty Study Bible or Commentary Resource for Reference
I think it's a good idea to have a good study Bible or commentary nearby. I don't think you should read it every day, but sometimes you'll come across a Bible passage which needs some help to understand. Study Bibles will often suffice at answering your initial questions about a given Bible passage, and a light commentary will often take things a little bit further. There are a few commentaries and Study Bibles I recommend further along in this article.
Don’t Be Too Discouraged with the Hard Days
Look, if you are anticipating a Bible reading life that feels as easy as watching Netflix, let me burst that bubble. The Bible is not a Harry Potter series. It takes some thought, study, and prayer to navigate. Dry moments will come. There will be moments you don't understand what you're reading. In a sense, this is a test of the human heart. Do you want to know God? Stick with it, ask questions, dig, and find him.
Commit to a Reasonable Amount of Reading Each Day
Reading the Bible through in one year is a noble venture, but many people find that tough sledding. My preference is to read the Bible through. A few times through it has taken me less than a year, but mostly it takes me a year or year and a half to get through. What I'm trying to say is, pace yourself in a way that you can keep up. It would be better to read the Bible in three years than never to read it at all. For starters, a plan like the F260 Bible Reading Plan, available on the YouVersion Bible App, could get the ball rolling.
Have a Group for Accountability
Especially when you first start, or when you walk away from Bible reading, a group can be of great help. When the group has a reading plan, you will more often stick with the reading plan. I have watched my middle-school-aged daughter stick with her Bible reading because she knows her discipleship group is going to talk about those passages the following week. Some sort of group like this can serve as a stimulant to staying in the word.
Try to Learn Something About God Every Day
The Bible will give you direction and guidance in life, but it is not about you. It's about God and his plan to redeem a broken world. With that in mind, see what each day teaches you about him. The blood of Christ gains us access to God, and the word he's given us helps us learn of him.
See the Word Through the Lens of Jesus Christ
Where in the passage do you see Jesus? Who in the passage reminds you of Christ? What problem in the passage did Jesus come to solve? How are the promises or predictions of this passage fulfilled in Jesus?
Read a Short Introduction to Each Book of the Bible Before You Start
The Bible is one book, yes, but it is unique in that forty authors communicated its one cohesive message in sixty-six books over a period of 2,000 years. Because of this, it is good to read some background material for each new book of the Bible as you read. Even the brief introductions found in most study bibles are enough to get you going. If you'd like something a little more robust, I would recommend Talk Thru The Bible by Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa. For something more in-depth, I would recommend Norman Geisler's Popular Survey of the Old Testament and Popular Survey of the New Testament.
Use the Bible Project, Enduring Word or Other Bible Study Websites (Like This One)
Here is a list of some free commentaries available online. Most of them are free because they are in the public domain, and are therefore older in nature. But since they give direct comments in connection to particular chapters and verses, they can be a great aid to Bible reading. Additionally, the videos produced by the Bible project can help you understand the flow and themes of different books or sections of the Bible. David Guzik's Enduring Word online commentary is an impressive resource and is ever-expanding. In it, David has given free research and explanations of every chapter in the Bible.
My own website is growing and expanding as well, and using the "search" function for various bible chapters might yield a few resources which would help you understand the passage more fully. My Through the Bible Studio Seriesis another helpful tool as well.
Attend a Bible-Teaching Church
I am unwilling to divide over a church methodology like expositional teaching, but I do prefer it. By interacting with the word in a line-by-line way, you will, over time, pick up skills which help you read the Bible for yourself. It is difficult to read the Bible topically, but when read like any other book, sequence after sequence, paragraph after paragraph, you will grow. And when your pastors do the same thing, they will model for you words to notice, phrases to consider, and rules of interpretation. You will grow from the teaching, but you will also grow from the method.
Think About What the Passage Says and Means Before You Think About What It Means for You
We often jump straight into application, but your best insights and applications will flow from first thinking about what it said and meant to the first hearers of the passage. For example, we don't like the idea of being lukewarm believers, but what did that mean to the church in Laodicea? This is where some background material, commentary, or a decent study Bible could be helpful. Often, however, one will not need additional study aides to ask the questions: What does this mean? What would the original readers think?
Ask Questions About the Passage
What does this passage tell me about God? Is there anything in this passage that I need to obey? Has God made a promise or vow in this passage, one that I should believe for my life today? Are there any attitudes or perspectives in this passage that I must put on? What do I learn of Christ and his redemptive plan from this passage? Are there any prayers in the passage that I can pray today? Are there any admirable habits in the passage that I must ask the Holy Spirit to help me grow into? What do I see of Christlike character in this passage? How might the Spirit want to grow me into that image?
Trust That God Knows What You Need Better Than You Do
While we often think we know what we need to hear about, God often has a different agenda. He sees the end from the beginning, and in his omniscient state, he knows what is of vital importance. So you might approach the word thinking, for instance, that you need guidance navigating a human relationship. God, however, might want you to hear more about, as an example, the atonement. But as the truth of God's words gets inside you, wisdom and discernment for relationships will be on the rise.
If You Have Kids (or Even If You Don’t) Read a Bible Made for Kids
Some modern translations target younger readers who don't yet have an excellent grasp on the language. In these versions, the entire Bible is included, but each verse is said in a more straightforward and simple way than in advanced translations. The Contemporary English Version is an example of a version like this. But I also recommend illustrated kids' bibles like The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Action Bible as ways to understand the Christ-centered focus of scripture and the overall flow of the Bible's story.
Get Started
Step out. Start reading. Get moving. A long journey requires a first step. With the knowledge that it won't always be an easy task, step out into a life of Bible reading. I think you'll find the results immensely rewarding, and your growth as a Christian and person will accelerate as you get into God's word.
