God invites us to feast on his Word, but we often refuse to eat. Explore the barriers that prevent us from enjoying the gift of God's Word and how to overcome them.
God invites us to feast on his Word, and yet we often refuse to eat. What prevents us from enjoying the gift of God's Word?
To identify and overcome the barriers that prevent us from engaging with Scripture, so that we might experience the transforming power of God's Word in our lives.
As Christians, we frequently hear messages about the importance of the Scriptures. Yet practically, we find it difficult to maintain a consistent routine of reading the Bible.
In a research study, Lifeway found that only 32% of Protestant churchgoers read their Bible daily; only 12% read it multiple times a week. Instead, the most common response is that they read the Bible "once a month or less" (27%).
Listen to the prophet Jeremiah, "Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart, for I bear your name, LORD God of Armies" (Jeremiah 15:16).
Yet if God has been providing a feast for us to eat, why do we so often refuse to eat it?
In Scripture, we see many models of people who have a hard time engaging with God's Word. Whether it is the hard hearts of the Pharisees, the forgetfulness of the disciples, or the dullness of the crowds, nearly everyone who has a chance to engage with God's word finds a reason to ignore it.
Every week, I watch YouTube videos for hours that I'll never remember, but when the time comes to watch a fifteen-minute sermon or listen to a short devotional, I'm not interested. I've noticed that I can spend my entire life filling myself up on 'junk food' and never get around to eating.
And I'm not the only one. Here are the top reasons that the Lifeway Research Group found that people don't read the Bible:
So, 27% of people admit that it's not a priority—and the rest of the responses all sound like slightly different ways of saying the same thing!
If we pay attention to how Jesus addresses these barriers in the parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-8), we can see ourselves in the story:
Some of us have hard hearts, and God's Word doesn't penetrate our lives. Some of us receive the word with joy, but then hardship or persecution comes, and we immediately give up. Or we get choked up by the cares of the world, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things.
Let's think about some of the barriers that prevent us from enjoying God's Word.
**Busyness**
We tell ourselves that we'll read the Bible when things slow down. But the truth is, things never slow down. Busyness is often a symptom of misplaced priorities rather than a schedule problem. When we're honest, we find time for what matters to us—Netflix, social media, hobbies. The question isn't whether we have time, but what we choose to do with it.
**Guilt**
Sometimes, we avoid the Bible because we feel guilty. We've failed to read it consistently in the past, we've broken promises to God and ourselves, and now the Bible feels like a reminder of our failures. But this creates a vicious cycle: the less we read, the more guilty we feel, and the more we avoid it.
**Confusion**
The Bible can be genuinely difficult to understand. Ancient contexts, unfamiliar genres, challenging passages—it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. But confusion doesn't have to be a stopping point. Study Bibles, commentaries, and trusted teachers can help us grow in understanding.
**Doubt**
If we're wrestling with questions about God's existence, goodness, or relevance to our lives, then it's hard to keep pushing those down. While God invites us to wrestle with him and offers to hear our complaints and objections, we might not have the resources, mentors, or capacity to find a satisfying resolution. As these doubts linger, we feel ambivalent about drawing close to God.
**Overfamiliarity**
After reading through the Bible year after year, studying it in formal academic programs, and teaching it as a vocation, I can start to feel like I already know it all. It's hard to maintain curiosity when I already feel like I know it all. How many times can we read the same passage of the Bible with an open heart to hear from God?
**Self-love**
It's another word for pride, but it bears repeating. The greatest competitor to the love of God and the love of neighbor is our love for ourselves. When we primarily desire to gratify our selfish impulses, then we lack the motivation to grow in our spiritual fervor for the Lord and his purposes.
When I was a freshman in college, my Bible reading routines were undeveloped. I only realized this when I saw another Christian reading his Bible at the same table outside the cafeteria every morning. I was filled with jealousy: "Hey, there's someone doing a better job following Jesus than me!" It wasn't the purest of motives, but it prompted me to start regularly reading my Bible because I wanted to have the same solidity, confidence, and joy that he demonstrated in his walk with Jesus.
In our Paradoxes groups, we want to create a safe environment to discuss our challenges and help each other learn to enjoy God's word. Let's acknowledge that the battle to read the Bible is not merely pragmatic. This is spiritual warfare. Instead of weighing each other down with legalism, shame, and guilt, we want to encourage, support, and strengthen one another to draw close to God.
Let's consider how God helps us to engage with him through the Scriptures.
**God's Grace**
Sometimes, Bible reading is positioned like a ladder: you need to work hard to climb it to get into God's good graces. But the Bible itself gives a different message: God got down into the muck of our lives because he loves us. As Romans 5:8 says, "But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
God warmly invites us to approach him, not as bad boys and girls trying to avoid getting another demerit, but as his beloved children, coming to eat a delicious family meal together.
**God's Presence**
We also don't have to read the Bible "by ourselves." Why? Because God is already and always with us. Even as he was preparing to leave them physically, Jesus encouraged his disciples, "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you" (John 14:26).
Our Triune God doesn't expect us to find him; he has already pursued us with his uncommon love.
**Humility**
James 4:6 reminds us, "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." When we "draw near to God, he will draw near to us" (James 4:8). The very decision to go to God is a humble one. By opening our Bible, asking God to nourish us, and meditating on even a single verse, we have opened ourselves to experience God's care.
**Confession**
Sometimes, our avoidance of the Bible is an avoidance of God. Through confession, we release the burdens of guilt and shame, experience the forgiveness that God has already provided to us, and move forward with a clean heart. Confession unlocks the door to knowing grace. As 1 John 1:9 teaches, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
**Preparation**
It's reasonable to feel perplexed by the Bible. Whether it is through Academy courses, a study Bible, a church small group, or another resource, find a way to approach the Bible with the resources you need to understand and apply it to your life. For instance, you might try the CSB Study Bible, or a similar study guide, to help you understand what you are reading. In addition to this, make a realistic, sustainable plan for daily Bible reading.
**Wisdom**
Over time, the Holy Spirit works through our engagement with the Bible to change us to be like Christ. As we are transformed into Christlikeness, we will see new lessons in the Scriptures. Even if the Bible is difficult to read right now, trust that as you grow as a Christian, you will gain the wisdom to understand more and more of what God has revealed to us.
Break Thou the Bread of Life (by Mary Lathbury, 1877)
1 Break now the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, > as once you broke the loaves beside the sea. > Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord; > my spirit waits for you, O living Word. > > 2 Bless your own word of truth, dear Lord, to me, > as when you blessed the bread by Galilee. > Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall; > and I shall find my peace, my All in all! > > 3 You are the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, > your holy word the truth that rescues me. > Give me to eat and live with you above; > teach me to love your truth, for you are love. > > 4 O send your Spirit now, dear Lord, to me, > that he may touch my eyes and make me see. > Show me the truth made plain within your Word, > for in your book revealed I see you, Lord.
When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the LORD had given Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, "Amen, Amen!" Then they knelt low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read. Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength." And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, since today is holy. Don't grieve." Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.
What role do the people play in this story?
What attitudes and emotions do they express towards God?
How does their communal engagement with God affect their experience?
How does their example motivate you to overcome one barrier in your approach to the Bible?
Father, thank you for the incredible gift of your Word. You revealed your identity, purpose, and care for us through these stories. Forgive us for the times we turn away from this life-giving bread. Deepen our desire to know, worship, and love you as we meditate on your words.
Jesus, you are the Living Word, the truth that makes us wise for salvation. Help us to see you on every page and to welcome your transforming work in our lives.
Holy Spirit, open our eyes to behold wonderful things in the Bible. Overcome our reluctance and cultivate in us a deep hunger and thirst for the nourishment only you can provide through Scripture.
Discuss how God was at work in your lives this week.
Discuss Nehemiah 7:73-8:12 together.
Discuss how the Scriptures have helped you grow in your faith—and the challenges you face in reading the Bible.
What did you learn about the Bible in this lesson?
What did you learn about yourself?
Take one step to prepare yourself to read the Bible every day this week.
Ask one friend to send you Bible verses each morning, and commit to doing the same for them.
What role do the Scriptures play in your plan to grow as a disciple of Jesus?
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