Building a Bible reading habit is really difficult for us moms. When I try to sit down and the read the Bible, I’m often distracted by toy throwing, “mom, can I have…” requests, or my own busy brain that won’t let me focus on anything but my to-do list.
There is nothing more important that our relationship with God, so why do we skip studying his Word? It’s God’s living, active word (Hebrews 4:12) speaking directly to us. It’s the one and only parenting book that gives us infallible instructions. It is our glimpse into what God is really like – a God that sent his only son as a sacrifice for our sin, so God did’t have to do heaven without us. (John 3:16)
There is nothing more important that our relationship with God, so why do we skip studying his Word? Read 6 Reasons Why Moms Can't Skip Personal Bible Study Click To TweetIf I happen to wake up before my kids (which is rare), I open the Bible while still laying in bed. I can also try to grab some time during those 10-15 minute stretches when the kids are playing together nicely to sit on the couch with my Bible. I recently heard a friend say that she put the Bible app on her phone where the Facebook app used to be. Now instead of mindlessly scrolling facebook, she reads the Bible!
Reading the Bible is awesome. Studying it is even better. To really dive deep into what God is saying to our hearts will draw us into his presence like nothing else. Praying over scripture while learning more about the original text, corresponding verses, and scholarly commentary really brings God’s word into action in our mom lives. It’s hard to find time, but will you join me in trying to find 30 minutes once or twice a week to study the Word?
I’ve been studying Psalm 119 using my new CSB The Study Bible For Women (more on that below). Here’s what the longest chapter in the Bible has to say about why we need to be studying the Bible.
Why Moms Can’t Skip Personal Bible Study
Personal Bible Study Keeps Us From Temptation
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
I also love the CSB translation, which reads, “I have treasured your word in my heart.” Our heart is able to treasure God’s Word when we studying it. We commit it to memory (even if not perfectly), so we can recall it when we’re tempted to sin. Personally, this happens to me all the time as a mom and wife. I usually get mad that a scripture pops into my head when I’m in the thick of sin. I want to continue being selfish and angry with my husband and kids! Yet, God’s Word continues to be the consistent voice that reprimands, redirects, and disciplines in my life. I will continue to sin, as will you. But having God Word’s treasured in our heart during those moments of sin allows God to move and teach in us, making us more like him.
Having God Word's treasured in our heart during those moments of sin allows God to move and teach in us, making us more like him. Click To TweetPersonal Bible Study Provides Comfort and Life
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
God’s promise preserves my life. What powerful words. Mom life is filled with incredible joy, but also a lot of heartache. Our kids hurt, and we hurt. Our kids sin and we grieve. Our kids hurt us, and our heart suffers. There is only one thing that can bring us through any and all suffering we will face in our lives, the promise of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial love. What would all of the heartache and suffering mean if we did not have that hope?
There is only one thing that can bring us through any and all suffering we will face in our lives, the promise of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial love. What would all of the heartache and suffering mean if we did not have that hope? Click To TweetPersonal Bible Study Makes Us Wise
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Meditating on God’s Word doesn’t have to mean you sit in a quiet room and chant it over and over again. There are lots of creative ways to abide in God’s Word throughout your busy mom day. Post scripture throughout the house and read it when you see it. Sing songs that use scripture for lyrics. Work on memorizing verses by writing them on post-it notes and sticking them around the house. When you see one, say it out loud.
Whatever way works for you, meditate on God’s Word and it will always be with you. You’ll have more insight and more understanding to obey God in the mundane and the chaotic. His Words will be sweeter than honey to you. I’ve found that the more I study God’s word, the more I want to study! His Word and presence are irresistible.
Personal Bible Study Lights Our Way
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Have you ever bit the dust because you stepped on a toy? I recently stepped on a light-up ball and seriously injured my foot while trying not to send my daughter flying. (I was holding her and she was not harmed!) This verse made me chuckle today because it’s a popular verse but in the context of motherhood it really shines. God’s word lights up the dark places in this world and in our lives so that we don’t have to worry about getting caught off guard by something that might hurt us – just like those toys we dodge every day. That doesn’t mean that we won’t still trip up and stumble occasionally, but our standing-right-side-up success rate is a lot higher with God lighting the way.
Personal Bible Study Gives Us Hope
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
There are many things that I love about motherhood. But on those days when I can’t wit for bedtime, the reminder of the hope I have in God’s Word reminds me to think bigger than what’s right in front of me. Eternity with God is my reward. And guiding my children to know and understand that hope is my goal in motherhood.
Guiding my children to know and understand the hope we have in Christ is my goal in motherhood. Click To TweetPersonal Bible Study Guides Us In Praising God
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
God’s decrees, his Word, will inspire praise. Our lips will overflow and our tongue will sing his Word. The more time we spend in his Word, the more we can’t help but praise him.
I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Psalm 119, study it, and pray over it. It’s a long chapter, so break it into chunks. Try spending an entire month reading nothing but this chapter. Go over it as many times as you need to really hear what God is trying to speak to you through the verses. May it bring discernment, comfort, wisdom, light, hope and praise to your life, momma!
CSB The Study Bible For Women
I was given this Bible to review for B&H Publishing by FrontGate Media. While I was given the Bible for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am really enjoying my new CSB The Study Bible For Women. My favorite part is that it puts so much useful information right where I need it – on the pages of scripture! As a busy mom who’s hands are always full, I love having everything I need to do a comprehensive Bible study in one book. It’s easy to find and easy to read. This particular Bible includes:
- Detailed book introductions
- Hard questions and answers (Ex: How could Esther hide her Jewish heritage and faith?)
- Word study (deep dive into specific words or verses)
- Character profiles of all of the women in the Bible
- Concordance
- Devotional application at the end of each book
- Extensive study notes
- Historical timeline of what happens when within the scripture
- Doctrine explanations
- Biblical womanhood topic discussions
- maps and diagrams
And this isn’t even everything! This is one of the most comprehensive study Bibles that I have ever had and I’m excited to use it (when I can)!
For my Psalm 119 study, The Study Bible For Women provided two Word Studies, providing a closer look into several of the original Hebrew words used, study notes, and pulled out eight key words that are found throughout the chapter into a nice table for deeper study. I love the cross references that reveal the continuation and consistency of God’s story in the Bible.
Enter to win your own copy of The Study Bible For Women!
If you’d like to buy your very own CSB The Study Bible For Women, click here.
MORE RESOURCES FOR THE GOSPEL-CENTERED MOMMA
Check out our resources page for even more game-changing resources for the gospel-centered momma. All of the resources have been or are personally used by me (Kristina) and are among the best of the best: resources to dive deeper into your faith, children’s books and bibles, and parenting books.
Welcome to Messy Tired Love! The devotionals you'll find here aim to connect your everyday mom moments to the truth of the gospel. I hold nothing back as I share my story that's filled with lots of messy, tired, but oh-so-filled-with-love moments. I have three little blessings, that together with God's Word are the inspiration for these devotionals. I hope you will be encouraged, and maybe even get a good laugh, while exploring these devotionals. Much love!
I’m not a mom (just busy, heavy sigh!), but this was such a great post. It reminded me of what Martin Luther said: “I have so much to do today, I must go spend more time in prayer!” It is so tempting to let the busy and distracted take over and neglect taking care of the most important relationship (and the one that equips us to handle all the others!). I try to remind myself to set small goals and try to be faithful and do a little more…and no guilt when it falls apart, just get back up and try again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Joy! Thanks for stopping by.