Pool parties, vacations, and VBS.
Slow mornings, less traffic, and beach trips. It’s summertime!
Over the summer months, our rhythms often change. This is generally a welcomed adjustment after the hustle and bustle of the year. We eagerly take vacations and joyfully enjoy breaks from our regular commitments.
But while summer can be a sweet relief from the school-year busyness, it can also be difficult to keep up with our Bible reading plans through these ebbs and flows. As our routines change, it’s hard to adapt to new rhythms.
No matter the season, we’re here to encourage you in your Bible reading time because being in God’s Word is always worth it! The Bible keeps us grounded, whether we’re enjoying slow summer days or we’re in the hustle and bustle of back-to-school shopping. God’s Word encourages us and helps us; it challenges us and convicts us. It is always worth prioritizing, not only for our own spiritual health, but also for those around us. For we know that the Lord uses His Word to help us know Him more and to shape us in godliness.
In light of that, you may have the desire to be in the Word over the summer, but still be wondering, What would it look like to practically grow in this discipline? Here are a few ideas!
Create a plan
If you’re struggling with your Bible study rhythms this summer, make a plan! Having a plan ahead of time can help us to avoid decision paralysis and guard our time.
Sometimes, we give up on our Bible study desires simply because we don’t know what to do. We wake up with the best of intentions, but are quickly overcome with decision fatigue and have a hard time deciding what to read in the moment. Or, we wake up with good intentions but get distracted by other activities. Before we know it, the day has gotten ahead of us, and we never found time to be in the Word.
To help create a plan, think through your ideal Bible study time, place, and content. For many, it can be helpful to read the Bible first thing in the morning. Just as you would prepare when taking a trip or gathering with friends, you can plan your Bible reading by setting your alarm clock a little bit earlier. Not only this, but it can also be helpful to plan the other details of your Bible reading time, including the content of what you’d like to read, and even where you’d like to sit!
If you don’t have a Bible study or reading plan you’re working through, consider some of the following resources:
Utilize digital Bible studies
If you’re traveling a lot this summer, consider using digital resources to stay on track. Digital studies, like epubs or apps, are easy to use when you’re visiting family or traveling to new places. Just be sure to guard against distractions from notifications or other apps!
On the Daily Grace App, we have many digital resources available for free when you purchase a physical copy of a study to help you on your summer travels.
Give yourself grace
Even with the best plans, there will be times when we fall short. We may miss a day or two of Bible study in the midst of schedule changes, or forget about our Bible study in the midst of vacations. In these moments, we might be tempted to give up altogether. I’ve already missed a few days, we rationalize. What’s a few more?
If you fall off your Bible reading plan, don’t give into the temptation to spiral in shame. Instead, remember the grace of the Lord, and get back to your Bible study reading as soon as possible.
Even if you miss a few days, take heart: today is a new day! As the famous quote goes, whatever is worth doing is worth doing poorly. Even if we miss a few days, we have a new opportunity today to choose to savor God’s Word. We can rest in the grace of the Lord, while striving to grow in this spiritual discipline. When we view Bible reading as an opportunity to know and love God more, and it’s always a good day to start—even if we’ve missed a few days.
In our Bible study rhythms, there will inevitably be ebbs and flows. Some seasons of Bible reading will come more naturally, and the Scriptures will feel like water to our thirsty souls. Other seasons are more difficult or require more planning. But in every situation, prioritizing God’s Word is always worth it. His Word is sweet, and it never returns void. We can grow in our love for God and His Word, even as seasons change, because the Lord is faithful. He can help you to prioritize time in the Word this summer, making it the best summer yet!
From your friends at the Daily Grace Co., we hope and pray that this summer, God’s Word encourages, challenges, and nourishes your soul as you rest in Him.
