I’m struggling with reading the Bible with excitement and anticipation. I’m going through Luke again, and I’m just not stoked about it. I’m passively reading, I’m bored, and I feel convicted about my boredom. Is this normal? Anyone else experience this? How do I get out of this apathy?
Discussion
51 comments
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faithcomesbyhearing.com
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Yes its normal, I read the bible before bed to fall asleep and i used to get pretty convicted that it was because the bible was boring but turns out it was my fortress of peace.
The devil likes to trick us into thinking were doing Christianity wrong but as long as you’re showing peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance, and self control(the fruits of the spirit) you’re doing great brutha!!!! -
Try a different version. Or get a good study Bible and take a look at the notes in the passage to learn more. And of course pray that God would give you excitement. There’s also just looking for a few things in each chapter to write down too-that you hadn’t noticed before or do a word study of something in the passage.
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Pray for enlightenment before you read.
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Don’t read it just to be religious. Talk to Jesus get real & pray he will speak through the word .
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Attention and interest can come and go. Sometimes seasons in our life do that. Generally if you are doing a study it will produce more focus, just reading sometimes can be more difficult. It is normal. Find a topic and do some cross referencing. Get a good commentary and and follow up by reading it for clarity. Don’t let it steal your joy!
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Brayden Smith….read it aloud, and let the Bible read you.
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Yea it happens, but the good thing is God isnt your feelings so just keep reading
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Read a study guide along with it. Insights from a respected Theologian might help you see how it all fits together, which is kind of exciting.
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Consider using a study Bible to guide you in complementary Scripture to reaffirm the meaning and origin of the concepts brought about in the section of the Bible you are currently reading in. Using the guidance of a study Bible can point you in so many areas of the Bible while reading one chapter, that it could bring a passion of excitement, seeing everything in all of Scripture connecting afresh
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I say make sure you have a version that is readable, even if it isn’t the most accurate. Even a paraphrase like “The Message.” And then just plow through!
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we all struggle
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I find it is best to have a particular focus when you study through again. You could try looking at how to read the Gospel accounts Chronologically, that often opens up some new insight. Another great way is to be stoked or encouraged by other believers, like a group Bible study so that there is discussion and give and take.
Ultimately, Scripture reading must become an act of worship. Worship always entails getting our mind off of ourselves and on the Lord.
Hope that helps
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been there many times, sure I will again. Thank God our feelings do not dictate our position in Christ. I use Bible Hub commentaries and ill compare different ones and compare their explanations that always makes more interesting and exciting! Blessings don’t be discouraged. Marriages go through a similar pattern after being married for so long…ebbs and flows ?
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Biblegateway.com allows you to also listen to the bible instead of read it. I am more of an auditory person. That was helpful to me.
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God loves you and you should stand firm on that knowledge. You don’t have to prove to Him, anything. You surrendered your whole life to Him! Don’t fret. 🙂
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Yes, bud, we all go through dry times.
My humble suggestion, pray a simple prayer.
As God, to reviel homself more.
I also have trouble praying. Always have. God’s word, even in my dry times just seems to hit the spot.
He is a multiBlessing GOD.
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The best way is to first pray that GOD give you the desire to search and know.
Then look at Luke’s gospel and have this “just got to know what happened” attitude.
Be the detective and examine every bit and see how it falls- piece by piece. -
Let God know about your boredom. Jesus’ disciples couldn’t stay awake and pray when they were with him in person.
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The very fact that you are sensitive to the issue, you have awareness, you want to do better = desire and hunger to know God and consume the Word. Good for you! Now just put one foot in front of the other, keep reading and God will meet you in His word…
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The Bible is not what you just pick up to read like any other (secular) book. The experience won’t be different from the normal books, in fact it could be dangerous without the Holy Spirit’s guidance “… for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” 2 Corinthians 3:6
You want to get illuminated by the power of the Holy Spirit? Worship God in prayer and songs. There is no better way to access God. Worship breaks barriers of naturalness, flesh, carnality and sinfulness.
Psalms 100:4 says
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name -
The Bible is the only book whose Author is present when it is being read. Trying talking to the Author as you study it. Things WILL change for the better.
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Maybe try reading and praying through the s Psalms with a good study Bible. Write down and try to memorize a verse a day that means something to you. Ask God to wake up your soul. Praying!
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You can experience apathy if you cant understand what is in it,
I think you forgot to pray first before reading5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:56 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 -
Well try studying a specific topic such as Covenant, or all the names for Christ in the Old and New testament! The results will amaze you! Oh a little hint one of the names for Christ hasn’t been revealed yet! But is has something to do with mercy!!!
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Before you start to read pray. Maybe something like this. Or word it your own way.
“Lord, I offer this time to you. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
While I read your word, fill me with Your supernatural power, wisdom, understaning, Love and Your Truth.
Pour Your Blood over me.
I want to be close to You.
In Jesus’ name Amen. -
John Piper Wrote a book called When I dont desire God. Great quote: “I may not want to pray, or read the Bible, but I can pray for the want to”
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This is when you pick up a book on an area of life you need to work on. Might I suggest “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn or “the meaning of marriage”
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Does TV sound more interesting and entertaining? David had that problem too. He said , “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within praise His holy Name. Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not His benefits. He had to tell his soul to get up and get going to do the right thing. You do the same.
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Yes it is. We all go through these waters. Thank goodness you are convicted about it. Your honesty is noble. May God direct you in this season….
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Being faithful is key!!Heck, I get tired of my hubby ? I’m sure he gets tired of me too.
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:24, 25
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Also, it could be that a translation closer to your everyday language would be helpful. I absolutely love the NIV. Yes, it gets panned by some scholars and snubbed by denominations; but, guess what, I have a masters and read the Greek for a couple years and I STILL love the NIV!
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If you are not emotionally excited about what Jesus has done for you, at least you can appreciated your salvation intellectually until your mood lightens a bit. One thing that shakes me out of a low point is to imagine in my mind for a moment what the future would look like if there were no Jesus! The gloom of that imagined thought should bolt anyone back to heartfelt, grateful, enthusiastic love of our wonderful savior!!
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If you get a study Bible like a John MacArthur study Bible it takes it line by line giving you insight and understanding like you never would get from just reading. It’s great you will want to study
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This is normal and it happens. Just keep reading. We must keep following the Lord even when we don’t feel like it. It’s in those times something that you have read a million times will jump out and grab you. Don’t give up. Know it’s normal and keep going.
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I understand…this is one reason I enjoy debating with the atheist…it challenges me to defend my faith and seek the Scriptures resulting in learning that I don’t acquire by simply “reading.”
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Braydon Smith, No matter what anybody tells you, The Bible does not exist for your constant entertainment. Maybe you’ve be en led to think that, and the devil will tell you that you’re a loser if youre you’re not in happy-clappy mode when you read it. May i I suggest breaking it up into parts? Maybe one chapter a day, (or more) .. maybe two 20 minute segment a day, etc. Remember that we are not told to speed read it, we are told things like che Chew, digest, hide in the heart (which presupposes some memorization, I think). You’ll get there. If you had a foreign wife, you’d learn her language some. Same here. It wont won’t always feel like you’re Superman. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. you can spend a couple days on one verse sometimes, so don’t worry about going slow. Its It’s like money……its all about how much you keep and use properly, not about how much you make.
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Make sure you are praying while you read.
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You can ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive to you
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Oh my goodness yes! I’ve been in the same rut. At the moment I’m reading John Piper’s book called “When I Don’t Desire God”. Its really good, so far. Its helped me realize the condition my heart towards my relationship with God and how I can get out of spiritual complacency! It is a must read!
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I suggest watch The Gospel of Luke movie. Seeing a reenactment adds to grasping the realities in the gospels. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3900196/
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For me when I read the bible, I have to pray first to God that His Holy Spirit guide me through the word and to every though that comes my way to oppose to me reading an studying the word will be rebuke in the name of Jesus. Also I begin with acknowledging my needs an looking for scriptures to apply to those needs. Ej : I need peace so I read passages that ralk about peace etc. Msybe this will be helpful to you. God bless ?
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Repent! Acts 17:30. Jesus is coming soon.
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I go through seasons of dryness too. What’s worked for me in the past is telling God I’m nailing my flesh to the cross and burying it with Jesus. Then I ask Him to make His Word real to me again. But watch out. This is a dangerous prayer in that it may hurt/God will most likely prune your dead branches a little but in the end it will have been worth it.
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Pray for the guidance of the Holly Spirit first. Find a stronger reason as why you want to read the Holly Bible.
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I also went through a similarly dry season when my bible reading felt obligatory, mechanical and less than enthusiastic. Then, I was introduced to Alistair Begg and began listening to his expository sermons on the gospels and through him the Holy Spirit breathed new life and vitality into my reading and understanding of the scriptures. They truly came alive to me. I heartily recommend that you go to TruthForLife.org and listen to pastor Begg’s series called “The Gospel of Luke”.
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Try reading with a purpose. It’s called systematic theology. Start with a topic you want to explore than read the relevant biblical text. Randomly reading the Bible is sometimes difficult for me as well.
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If there was a girl who was one of the most beautiful girls in the world. She’s wealthy beyond measure and very popular. She’s known to new a funny person with great morals. You guys meet one day and she says she is VERY interested in you. How interested would you be in getting to know her? You would be excited. When you love God, it will intice you even more than that. If you’re not that interested, you will feel bored. If you really want to know God, then read his story. Pray if you need help. Talk to a trusted pastor. If you really want a relationship with God, you will find it.
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