If you are anything like me you have a difficult time coming up with Christmas gift ideas for the people in your life. We all know that Christmas is not about the gifts, but is about Christ. Christ is the ultimate giver, and we are called to imitate Him. Giving is a generous sacrifice and it is still such a blessing to get to be generous to the people in our lives.
Again, Christmas is not about stuff or gifts, but I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can be generous and bless those in your life this year. I have come up with some fun gift ideas to help inspire generosity and encourage you to bless your loved ones this year in some way.
35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
I would love to hear what you plan to get or even make for your loved ones this year! Share with us in the comments how you will give generously to the people in your life.
I never in my life thought I would be called to design planners, but over the last couple of years, God has taken me through the creative and faith process of prayerfully designing a planner for Christians that encourages us to live orderly lives that are centered on Him. Enter, Orderly Life Christian Planner.
I have loved planners for a long time, but I have always found the different options on the market overwhelming, or just flat out not right for me. They either have too much or not enough, are too crowded or too blank. Not to say they're bad planners, but none I have found have pinpointed what I was looking for. I wanted a planner that would help me bring my faith into every aspect of my life, and help strengthen my faith and relationship with God.
After designing, trying, scrapping, redesigning, retrying...rinse and repeat a few times...the Orderly Life Christian Planner is now a balanced planner designed for Christians who want to realistically plan and bring their faith and relationship with God into the center focus of it all.
What is the Orderly Life Christian Planner?
The Orderly Life Christian Planner is designed to help believers establish a habit of aligning plans, preparations, task lists, to-dos, and all the in-betweens with our Heavenly Father and letting Him establish each step. Scripture teaches us that we are to do all things “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) and as followers of Jesus we should “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:27).
But everything is to be done decently and in order.
The Orderly Life Christian Planner targets this mission and strives to make it easier for Christians to realistically focus on growing in faith every day in the midst of the busyness of life. We achieve this by flowing prayer and Bible study into every week's pages. It is incorporated into the design in ways that make it convenient and realistic to plan out your Bible studies and record your prayers every day. Offering this Christian planner in a printable format also allows you to print as many pages as you need, giving your planner some flexibility and less overwhelm.
With the Orderly Life Christian Planner, you can easily bring prayer, scripture, and planning together to help you focus on God first and foremost in all you do, prayerfully, intentionally, decently and orderly. Each week's prayer pages include prompts to guide you into deeper relationships and stronger communication with God.
These prompts have been helping and guiding me to pray more comfortably, consistently and confidently within my relationship with God and have really helped strengthen my overall faith and prayer life because they are helping me to pray deeply, to address more specific areas of life and the world in my prayers, and to reflect also on where God has been working and answering prayers, or leading me in different ways.
Designed to bring planning, daily tasks, Bible study, prayer, and health and wellness into one strategically designed space to help Christians live an orderly life and keep God at the center of it all.
The Orderly Life Christian Planner is designed for easy double-sided printing to be used in your favorite method of binding, such as Happy Planner, Cinch spiral binding, and more, as well as in digital planners and annotated digital planners where PDFs can be used.
1 page month overview for important reminders and tasks
2 page month calendar spread with space for notes
1 page for word of the month and space for art, journaling, or verses
2 page weekly spread with room for notes, to-do lists, Bible reading plan, and nutrition plan + goals
2 page weekly spread for specific and intentional prayer
1 page weekly Bible study notes
Each month includes 3 strategic pages to organize your calendar, tasks, goals, reminders, and other notes. Each week includes 6 pages to track and plan your tasks, meals, exercise, Bible studies, scripture readings, and record prayers.
How do you use the Orderly Life Christian Planner?
I absolutely love the freedom and flexibility of a DIY planner and journal. For me, this was one of the most important aspects because I hate wasting paper, but appreciate being able to switch things up as needed. The planners I have used in the past were not helpful to keep me coming back. With this planner that doubles as my prayer journal and Bible study planner, I am in it every day for those reasons and therefore am planning my day-to-day better, and more prayerfully as well.
For each month, I like to take a look back at my past month and figure out what I didn't end up getting done, carry it over to the new month's overview, and start from there. This helps me to get a real feel for what I can get done in a month. Filling out my monthly overview sets the priorities up for the month and guides my weekly planning as well.
Every week on Monday morning, sometimes on Fridays before the weekend, I begin my week by getting my planner set up. I begin each week by recording the following on my weekly overview page:
What are my priority tasks for this week?
What do I want to get done throughout this week?
What passage has been placed on my heart this week?
Notes & reminders for the week
After this, I flip over to the daily planner pages. I plan my content and blog tasks, family to-dos, community lists, as well as my personal items in this space. The space is strategically designed to discourage overloading a given day with unrealistically long to-do lists (but sometimes I do add a nice sticky note if I need some more space).
I plan my daily to-dos based on what I put on my overviews, scheduling those tasks for a given day depending on when it needs to get done. I add in my family schedule, things like meal planning and grocery shopping, and of course, I plan out my studies for the week. One aspect I am really glad to have as well as the nutrition planner.
This may seem silly to make so prominent, but in today's culture, it is too easy to get so caught up in the to-do lists that we forget to take care of our bodies that are the temple of God. Part of what God has convicted me of in leading an orderly life is to create space to properly care for my health and wellness as well, as a normal aspect of each day. So, I plan my and my family's meals every week, and I plan for exercise as well, again striving for realistic goals.
I begin every day in the prayer journal pages and then jump into scripture. I use Bible reading plans as a launching point and let the Lord take me through His Word wherever He leads me that day, but having a starting point helps me get going and so often I find that it was exactly where I needed to be that day. When I need more space or I am doing deeper studies I also like to use pages from my Study Through the Word Journal.
I have tried many methods of DIY planners and journals and by far my favorite has been disc binding. With disc binding, you can fully customize your planner or journal on the fly. The disc binding doesn't restrict you like traditional book-binding or spiral-binding does.
You can move, add or remove pages with ease at any moment. This is a huge factor for me as life is always evolving and my needs change, plus then I don't have to keep bulky pages from past months if I don't want to and I can arrange it exactly how works best for me.
I use a thicker 28 lb paper Hammermill paper that has been my absolute favorite. I don't have any issues with bleeding through pages, the printer ink doesn't show through much on the other side either. This brand is also Climate Pledge Friendly!
Happy Planner offers a whole disc binding system that I have fallen in love with. The discs come in all kinds of colors and a couple of different materials, and you can grab your own disc-binding punch as well. This is well worth the investment as they can be used long-term, reused, and you can switch up colors depending on the season or just because you feel like a little change!
I also really love this beautiful pack of faith-based scrapbook paper, which I cut and punch to make covers and dividers. It is important to note that the Happy Planner punch is not made to punch through laminated scrapbook paper, but unlaminated paper has been holding up really well in my used-daily planner and journal.
Amazing and colorful pilot pens that are fun for notes and art journaling
Sticky notes and lined sticky notes for extended notes to save in my Bible. Margins can only fit so much! And great for when I go back and study something again. Add a sticky note with your new notes on it!
I gravitate to these tools to use with my Orderly Life Christian Planner as well as my Pray Through the Word Prayer Journal. I use them for Bible Study, journaling, and planning collectively. Having the right tools for each occasion is really important to me and these have been tested and used and repurchased many times over now.
I'd love to invite you to grab your own Orderly Life Christian Planner and see how it can help and encourage you to live an orderly life, focused first and foremost on the Lord. This planner has helped me immensely and I truly hope and pray it is a blessing and help to you as well.
I personally LOVE to read a plethora of books. As a mom, I love to find all kinds of great books for my kiddo to read, which as a Christian family can be very difficult. I enjoy finding books I can read with my family, as well as look for books I can read on my own, but I especially look for books that honor God. Today I want to tell you aboutmy top 5 Christian books to read as a family.
Some of my favorite books have been those I can read with my family. My kiddo is getting older, as they do, and she is also an avid reader herself. We love to read together at bedtime every night and need books that we can all understand as well as that we can all learn from. I would love to share my top 5 Christian books that I have read with my family.
#1 Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado
Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado has quickly become one of my favorite reads. I enjoyed it so much that we have started going through a 12-week study with it in our Vineyard Women's Group. The way the world is right now, the state of our economy, the effects of the pandemic, all added on top of everything else we were already facing have caused so much panic, a shaking of hope and faith. This book was so helpful to my family and I am loving the study with the ladies as well.
Nothing lifts us out of fear and weariness like hope. An anchor through life's storms, hope buoys our spirits and seeks to make a way when we face tough times. After 40 years of ministry and speaking to hurt hearts, Max Lucado has learned that the promises of God will give you the strength you need. Each chapter in Unshakable Hope explores one Biblical promise that will help equip you to face every day with courage. Includes reflection questions for individual or group study.
#2 The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I read the entire series of the Chronicles of Narnia this past year and my kiddo has also read it. We didn't read this one together, yet, but I loved it so much I plan to reread the whole series as a family before long. It is such a wonderful 7-book series by an acclaimed Christian author, C.S. Lewis, that truly gets you thinking about the Bible story. I highly encourage this series to adults and children. It is a pretty easy read but incredibly enjoyable no matter your age.
Once your children have followed Lucy through the back of a magic wardrobe - and met Aslan, the Christlike lion - they'll never be the same! Kids adore these classics for their imaginative story lines and adults appreciate the rich Christian symbolism. This softcover set is perfect for young children and families that are on the go.
Each volume in this 7 book softcover set includesstunning new cover art by Cliff Nielsen. The individual books include approximately 200 pages and measure 4.25" by 7.25". This set also includes an attractive slipcase in which the books can be safely stored and attractively displayed.
#3 How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado
How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado is actually what we are currently reading as a family, and we are enjoying it immensely. Max Lucado has become one of my favorite authors to read with my family as his books are so thorough, yet written in such a way that the whole family can grasp easily and be edified and encouraged by. This one is definitely toward the top of my list of books I recommend for everyone to read.
We live in a world that teaches all kinds of things about happiness, but through How Happiness Happens Max Lucado walks us through practical applications of Biblical teachings and principles for the true meaning of happiness.
In a world searching for happiness, bestselling author Max Lucado provides a personal plan for a life filled with lasting and fulfilling joy, supported by Jesus' teaching and modern research.
Do you feel happy?
How long has it been since you felt a level of contagious, infectious, unflappable, unstoppable happiness? Maybe your answer is, "All the time." If so, God bless you! (And consider suggesting this book to someone who needs it.) For many of us the answer is, "Well, it's been a while. I used to be happy, but then life took its toll."
Only one-third of Americans surveyed said they were happy. How can this be? Education is accessible to most. We've made advancements in everything from medicine to technology, yet 66 percent of us can't find an adequate reason to check the "yes" box on the happiness questionnaire.
Worldwide, people profess that happiness is their most cherished goal. Marketers get this. "Want to be happy?" they ask. Eat at this restaurant, drive this car, wear this dress. Happiness happens when you lose the weight, get the date, find the mate, or discover your fate. It's wide, this way to happiness. Yet, for all its promise, it delivers a fragile joy; here one day, tomorrow scattered by the winds of comparison, disappointment, or unmet expectations.
Max writes, "There is another option. It requires no credit card, monthly mortgage, or stroke of fortune. Age and ethnicity aren't factors...an unexpected door to joy."
In this book Max shares the unexpected path to a lasting happiness, one that produces reliable joy in any season of life. Based on the teachings of Jesus and backed by modern research, How Happiness Happens presents a surprising but practical way of living that will change you from the inside out.
#4 Grace by Max Lucado
Grace by Max Lucado was definitely one of my favorites because Max Lucado really puts grace into real perspective and applicable examples. My family and I definitely had a fire as well as a better understanding of the grace of God after reading this book and encouraged me to learn how to display grace and even explain grace better to others.
In Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine, Max Lucado calls readers back to consider the abundant richness of God's offer. It's an offer to live a changed life, a call to genuine transformation and the courage to see it through. Don't let grace pass you by. When you let it in, it will rock your world, and change your heart.
As believers in Christ, we claim to understand grace. From Sunday school to adulthood we've been taught that we're saved by grace. We know the Bible verses and the sinner's prayer, but have we really taken hold of it? Or rather, has it taken hold of us?
Grace isn't a nice idea. It's not a song lyric, or a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's the radical life of Christ lived in you. Grace gives you the freedom to love the unlovable, and forgive the unforgivable, because you know how much you're loved, and know how much you've been forgiven. Softcover.
#5 God Will Carry Your Through by Max Lucado
God Will Carry You Through by Max Lucado was one of the first books we read as a family. It ignited the desire to make it a nightly routine, and it also helped us in a stressful point in this crazy pandemic. With so much happening around us this was such an encouraging read for us to go through together.
Looking for answers to replace your tears? Running low on hope for the future? Spending more time with discouragement than joy?
Sooner or later, life turns us upside down. Sooner or later, we all encounter the pain and disappointments of life. When life gets hard, the road to peace may not be painless. It may not be quick. But God will use your struggle for good. Trust him. God will carry you through.
Includes a presentation page for gift-giving. Hardcover.
How do we read as a family?
We love to read as a family. I also love to use my Kindle Oasis while my kiddo uses her kid's Kindle or reads along on my phone using the Kindle app. This lets us read along together better, or gives us the flexibility to trade off reading turns. Sometimes I read, other times my husband or child read, but having multiple devices has been really helpful for us to allow whoever wants to read to do so while the rest follow along.
For those who have Amazon Prime, you may not know that it includes Prime Reading which allows you to basically "check out" books for free like you would from a library. There is also Kindle Unlimited which is a monthly subscription that unlocks tons more books and can be incredibly cost-effective for a nightly family reading routine. And of course there is also Audible which is awesome for those who prefer to be read to.
Whatever you love to read, and whether you prefer digital or physical books, I hope you will find these recommendations helpful for your family. I would love to invite you to share what your favorite books to read are, whether with your family or on your own.
What encouragement would you like to share with fellow parents looking for Christian books for our kids?
What recommendations would you make in looking for books to read on your own?
What authors do you love to read that encourage you in your faith and relationship with Jesus?
As a mom, finding appropriate Bibles for my kiddo is really important. Each age group and reading level requires something different, and different kids are engaged with the Bible in unique ways. The NASB Adventure Bible is a fantastic Bible for helping answer the many questions kids have about the Bible and for inspiring a genuine interest to learn about scripture.
Table of Content
NASB Translation
Features and Layout of NASB Adventure Bible
NASB Adventure Bible Extras
In the Back
Do I recommend the NASB Adventure Bible?
I'd say it is great for elementary to middle-school-aged kids, depending on the reading level of your kiddos and I want to highlight a few specific points about this Bible that may help others determine whether this may be the right Bible for the kids in their lives.
I received a complimentary copy of the NASB Adventure Bible as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid in exchange for an honest review of this Bible. You can find even more information about this Bible here, and I'd love for you to check out the Bible for sale here. #BibleGatewayPartner
NASB Translation
I have taken some time to read through a lot of the material and dive into the offerings, layout, and translation. I did a study of the NASB translation a while back and it is said to be one of the "most literal" translations of the Bible in modern English. The NASB was updated in 2020, and it is important to note that this NASB Adventure Bible is in the 1995 version of the translation.
I think translation is one of the most important questions we should explore when choosing a Bible for ourselves as well as our kids. The 1995 NASB seems easy for kids to read and understand, making it a more fruitful experience for them when reading the Bible.
Features and Layout of NASB Adventure Bible
I am really impressed with all that this kid's Bible has to offer. It starts off with an explanation of how your kids will use it which is an immediate encouragement for an endeavor that can feel really intimidating to young Bible readers. It explains to them where to find key items and what they are, such as the page number, book name, chapter, section headers, verse numbers, and footnotes. For any new Bible reader, this can be incredibly helpful!
The very next page is a "How to know you are a Christian" page. I love this! This is such a wonderful explanation that is written at a level children will be able to easily grasp. Considering who this Bible is for it is perfectly simple yet concise. Its inclusion of Bible verses to explain and back up each point is stellar and very important. If it is going to explain this vital question I want my kiddo to be directed to the scripture that the point stems from.
Moving on, it includes the typical Contents page with the list of all the books of the Bible and their page numbers, as well as an alphabetized list, and then a section explaining the different special features exclusive to this children's Bible.
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NASB Adventure Bible Extras
One thing I look for in a kid's Bible is whether they really help break things down at the level my child needs while obviously keeping the Bible itself the focus and adhering to strict accuracy of the Word. This Bible does an excellent job of this balance. The pages are not overtaken by the "extras", but the whole book is scattered with helpful information to help explain different things at a child's level of understanding.
The categories of extras include:
Words of Treasure
Did You Know?
Life in Bible Times
People in Bible Times
Live It!
Book Introductions
These break down just as they sound, and are well written and helpful for the kids in our lives to better understand what they are reading and how to apply it to themselves. It also helps teach them the importance of culture in Bible times and different aspects of self-application early on which is fantastic.
The NASB Adventure Bible includes Book Overviews you would expect to find in a lot of Bibles geared toward older readers but in a format that is intriguing to kids. (My own kiddo was REALLY excited about this part. She told me she wished her other Bibles had such great introductions. We've since done a couple of overview studies together and she used this Bible).
There are so many incredible resources within the pages of this Bible. It maintains the focus on the Word itself and helping guide kids through the Bible. I am truly pleased with the balance they present. The helpful explanations and articles are not overly worded risking losing kid's attention.
In the Back
I am thrilled at this children's Bible inclusion of a topical index and a dictionary concordance in the back! This is truly impressive to have in a children's Bible and another aspect my kiddo was extremely excited about.
Maps in full-color glossy pages are also included. These can help give your kids an idea of the geography of Bible times.
Do I recommend the NASB Adventure Bible?
Overall I am incredibly impressed with this Bible. I can't say that enough, to be honest. It feels like a Bible geared for older readers but designed with kids in mind. It can definitely help encourage, inspire and motivate kids to read, understand, and apply scripture early in their lives.
Book overviews, maps, concordance, index, and articles about Bible times and self-application will truly help kids get excited about scripture. This children's Bible can help your kids grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible earlier in their lives.
As a parent, I definitely highly recommend the NASB Adventure Bible for the kids in your life. Add the NASB Adventure Bible to your gift ideas for kids.
I have a serious allergy to metal (I know, the list is quite long) and my husband and I had a lot of conversations about wedding rings before deciding what to get. My husband works with his hands every day and, well, I’m a mom...do I need any more explanation? We looked into so many options from platinum that is said to be “allergy proof” but horrifyingly expensive all the way down to silicone and everything in between
Silicone rings are becoming a new trend these days and let me tell ya… I understand why! They are inexpensive, flexible, and easily replaceable if they break or get lost. Not all silicone rings are the same, though. We have tried a few different types. A couple of name brands, and some off brands as well. I can tell you hands down that what we have settled on as our favorite by far is one we love so much I can’t help but tell you about it.
What are my favorite wedding rings?
Groove Life is a Christian company that, according to their website, "exists to serve people, inspire adventure, and reflect God." We read this and it definitely grabbed our attention! There are not many companies out there that will boldly proclaim their faith like this and openly found their business on the Lord. I am all for supporting businesses that are unashamed about the Lord and operate under Biblical principles. Groove Life really does an excellent job from our experience so far.
What I love about these wedding rings
The silicone their weddings rings are made from is un-mazing, breathable, flexible, comfortable, and strong. Others I have tried were too firm, trapped water underneath badly, and stretched out incredibly easily. I have had NONE of these issues with my Groove Life ring. I've been wearing the same ring for a long while now and it feels the same as the day I put it on and I barely even feel it. It doesn't slip or trap much water underneath, is really easy to clean, and it doesn't have any weird smells that happened a lot with my other silicone signs.
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Selection
They also come in a ton of fun colors and patterns for both men and women. There are flat colors, NFL styles, Marvel designs, and tons of fun patterns. The bands themselves even have a few different styles and sizes which makes finding the right ring a personal process for each person. I also REALLY loved being able to make custom rings through their website! I made my husband a ring for Christmas that allowed me to pick the colors, add an emblem, and even words - so he now sports a ring that reminds him to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13).
What's included?
Each ring comes with a little tin keepsake box, and all the fun patterns make it easy to change your ring to match your outfit or occasion. I can't recommend this brand enough! I am loving everything about it so far. Not only do they have incredible products, but they are a Godly company and not afraid to proclaim it. Sounds like a double win for Christians looking at wedding ring options, or rings for any occasion!
Where can I find these wedding rings?
Shop for your wedding rings, day-to-day rings, and their line of watch bands on their website or on Amazon. They are well worth trying out! This is a company and product I definitely love to support.
Whether you're married, have kids, living with your parents or other family members you know that it can be tough to find meaningful things you can do together, that you all enjoy. For us, the go-to for a long time was watching movies or playing a videogame together, but it's still tough to create time daily to focus on one another in a meaningful way. We recently began to read the Bible as a family, It took some doing to make it a habit but I am so glad we did.
During the pandemic, you would think it would have been easier to do, but honestly, I think that we spend so much time together that we tend to spend a lot less quality time with one another. It hit me like a brick house a few months ago that I was getting far too distracted and not focusing enough on my family. I knew I needed to fix this asap so we started getting intentional about being in scripture together every day, even if only in little doses.
We all love to spend time together, but our hobbies are all different so it is really challenging to find common ground on activities we will all enjoy doing together. I prayed over how to get us together every day even just for a few minutes, and God has worked on us to create a nice little routine that all of us enjoy and I can see already is easily evolving as we grow. Every day we do three things that have helped all of us so much, and our home feels much closer and more peaceful.
Read a Passage a Day
One of the most beautiful things you can do is read the Bible as a family. It honestly took us a long while to get into this habit, but a few months ago the kiddo and I first started reading a Psalm a day in the mornings before she starts school and I start my work for the day around the house and community.
Reading a passage a day with my kiddo has been amazing. It gets us both in the Word every morning, and also gives her the chance to read with me and ask questions about what we are reading. Sometimes we have long conversations about what the passage means, and sometimes it's quick. Either way, we have set our focus on God for the day.
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I can say without a doubt this has helped us both a lot to have this time together with God. Whatever stage your family is at, I encourage you to read a passage as a family every day. You can use a reading plan, or just open to wherever you're feeling led that day. Let God lead the way and the passage every day and watch as He works in you and your family through the shared experience of being in scripture together on a regular basis.
Read a Devotional or Study Together
At the time we began to read the Bible as a family I was reading an amazing book with our Vineyard Women's group, called Battle Plan for Prayer. I was loving this study so much, and my kiddo and I had also just started a prayer journaling routine in the mornings, so I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to share with my kiddo and help her learn more about prayer as well. We started reading together at bedtime, and now my husband (who is not a reader) also joins us and we make it a family bedtime story routine.
This has been so amazing, and we have gone through several devotionals by now. Sometimes we take turns reading and its been a great way to focus on one another while we learn more about God and His Word together right before bed. Some are super short, some have been really long, and we just dive in where the Lord leads.
So far for our family, we have loved Max Lucado's books. We've gone through several by now and for us, it's been perfect. Our kiddo is still young and in early stages of learning ab0ut faith, and it's been awesome to have a nice devotional style for my husband and me every day as well.
How do you choose the right study or devotional?
Choosing the right devotionals for your family should be done prayerfully, and remember it's okay if you start one and realize it's a bit too advanced for all family members. That's happened a couple of times for us. (I was a bit too excited to get into C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity only to find out it will be one I read on my own, which, hey, no complaints here!! I love to read!) We ended up saving that for later and grabbing one that is at a more appropriate level for us.
My husband and I also have a Small Group study we do together every week which has been amazing and gives us lots to pray, think and talk about all week long. Studying with my husband has also meant so much to me, as we get to be in the Word together with a couple of friends and learn more about one another and first and foremost about God. I highly recommend this for every couple.
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Pray Together Daily
As well as read the Bible as a family, we pray together as a family. This is definitely the most vital part. Praying together as a family is imperative. Not only is it necessary for us to be daily communicating with God, but we can also set an example for those in our family who are newer in faith, and praying with and for them every day helps to strengthen our relationships with our family as well as with God. (Remembering you are talking to God, not your family.)Praying as a family is powerful.
We pray before every meal, even little snacks, and pray constantly throughout the day. My family has set the precedent that when someone is praying nearby, all of us stop what we are doing and pray as well. We hold prayer to a high level of importance in our home. It took quite a while for us to get into this habit, and it took an especially long while and lots of patience to teach our kiddo the importance of prayer, but diligence has paid off and we are now a household that constantly stops to pray together often every day, and I can tell you this is such an incredible blessing.
How has it helped to read the Bible as a family?
Being in the Word on a regular basis, making time consistently to pray and study together, has been really helping all of us to grow in faith, in relationship with God, and with one another. We have had so many more meaningful conversations about faith, God and scripture, our home feels so much more peace, and we are teaching our kiddo to be unafraid of asking questions, value scripture and prayer, and grow in her own faith. It's been such a beautiful journey so far and I know we have so much ahead of us.
I cannot recommend highly enough that all families, whatever your family's dynamic, read, study and pray together constantly in intentional and meaningful ways. Remember, you have time, and you choose how you spend your time. Will you choose to prioritize God and His Word in your home and family?
My entire life I have been a night owl. I had never been a morning person. Even being a mom, waking up early happened only when it was necessary for the kiddo or for work, but never voluntary. With that, though, my day always started really late, and then I was up late. Unfortunately, I was opposite my family’s schedule, and enjoyed my time at night playing games, reading, and hanging out with friends online. I didn't have much of a morning routine.
This made me realize a few things that I now see was without question God letting me know I needed to make some changes. What I thought was for my family was even more so for my faith and my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and has, in turn, benefited my family and my relationship with them.
I am no longer a night owl, but I’m not even upset about it. Honestly, I don’t miss it (often). Sometimes, very rarely, I stay up late (which is now only about 10 pm where it used to be like 2 am), but usually we are all early to bed and early to rise. Why is that? Why would I change this habit I loved of staying up late and sleeping late into the morning?
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Last year I revisited Proverbs 31 and God renewed my desire and mission to be the woman He has called me to be. I am a wife and mother, and first and foremost daughter of the One True King, my Heavenly Father. He has placed me here to tend to my family, including to rise early to care for them, which begins with caring for my relationship with God.
This struck me. As time went on God led me to create a morning routine that centers me on Him each day and equips me to better serve Him and care for my family.
Now, if you don't have a family or others to care for, this still applies - we are all the bride of Christ. This is the way a Christian should live; not grudgingly, but gratefully because we have a Heavenly Father whom we are called to serve out of love for Him, and also serve those He places in our care, whomever that might be. But it begins with us, and our personal relationship with God. In order to serve God well, we must grow with Him daily.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
We must all remember that everyone’s relationship with God is unique, but that some things are the same. We will be called to the same great mission in our own unique ways in which God equips us. For me, this morning routine is what helps me start my day growing with God and I pray this will encourage and inspire you to grow with God daily as well.
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Prayer in your morning routine
At the beginning of this year, I was feeling incredibly convicted about prayer. When I had started streaming on Twitch we eventually began to pray together every day, live and on camera, and I started to learn more about prayer. I studied prayer deeply in scripture, began praying with and for others daily, and learned a bit more about praying for myself as well. But let me tell you, building a prayer routine? That was a tough one, but something God put on my heart to do - and I am so grateful He did.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
When I had felt this draw to be more intentional and strategic with my prayers I didn’t know what I was in for. I really didn’t like the idea of a prayer journal; that felt too personal - what if someone else saw it?? But the idea of just keeping a list felt far too impersonal.
I searched and searched for some different books and journals online, though, to see what other people were doing. I scoured Pinterest, asked a couple of friends to pray with me about it, and eventually, I saw where God was taking me.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words
What I needed to learn first is what I believe we all need to learn first - prayer is supposed to be about your personal and intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father. It is not about you, nor others, it is about God. It is to grow with God, grow in faith, build and strengthen your relationship with Him through intentional and constant communication with Him.
What that means is there is no “one size fits all”, but there are certainly practices we can all benefit from in our prayer lives. So, while I would like to share what has worked for me, I would like to encourage you to prayerfully consider how God may be guiding you to a stronger prayer routine to be more intentional about your time with Him.
Recommended for learning more about and diving deeper in prayer:
Writing prayers is so powerful. It helps me to focus more on my prayers, be more intentional, and also be able to go back through old prayers to see answered ones and pray over older ones again. I prayer journal directly to God. It is like a letter I am writing to God, or like passing notes as if He is right next to me. Prayer journaling has been a huge blessing for me and allows me to connect with God in an intimate and personal way.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Some people love bullet journaling, some write novels every day, some love to doodle or downright paint the whole page. Whatever God leads you to with your journaling, go for it! Rock it out and pray for God to reveal Himself and draw you closer to Him in the personal and intimate ways He wants you to grow in a relationship with Him.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
If writing them down on paper is not your thing for whatever reason, there are some really incredible online tools that can remain private. My favorite is through the YouVersion Bible App. They have so much to offer, and one thing is their digital prayer list which can be kept privately in the palm of your hand. This may be a good toe-in-the-water to help you feel out writing your prayers down in some private format.
Creating a prayer list is also really helpful if you aren't much for writing. Having a list of names or things you are praying over can help you set your mind and heart on those things and people in your prayer time.
Make time for prayer
I know - your day is just SO busy! How could you possibly make time for anything else?
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If God is truly a priority in your life you will prioritize Him in your day by making time for Him first thing and throughout. I have started getting up at about 5:00am before my kiddo gets up to have some quiet time with God before I start my day. I grab my morning coffee, get comfy in my dedicated spot to pray and read my Bible, and start my day with God. I even invested in a really cool over the bed table that I set up with a bookshelf for my Bibles and journals, and a set of drawers for pens, highlighters and sticky notes.
This changed my whole morning routine to make sure I have quiet time to spend with God every day. I hold to a principle that I will not say “I don’t have time” - I have time, and it is my choice how I spend my time.
When I do wake up later, I still make sure I take my time to spend with God, and I let my kiddo see it. She now has her own prayer journal and spends time in prayer, building her own morning routine with God. I've enjoyed watching her grow in faith and prayer, and develop a better routine with God as well.
You have time - how are you choosing to spend it?
That is not to say you should create unhealthy habits in order to make time for prayer. We should all prayerfully consider how and when God would like us to shape out a part of every day to spend specifically with Him. How can we expect a relationship to grow, to strengthen, to be healthy if we don’t prioritize it and make time to have meaningful and intimate time and conversations within that relationship? The same is true with our relationship with God, and our relationship with God should be placed as #1 in our lives, above all other relationships.
If we make time for friends and family, even ourselves, how much more important should it be to make time for God?
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I tried so many different prayer journals and I could not find any that allowed me to really make my prayer time personal. They all felt very fill-in-the-blank and check-the-box, but I needed intimate, personal, creative, and expressive. I wanted space that helped me intentionally and strategically pray, but that gave me the freedom to pray intimately. I then created my own prayer journal and fine-tuned it through many trials, errors, prayers, and studies. You can grab a printable copy of my prayer journal as well to help you get more out of your prayer life.
Read the Bible in your morning routine
After I have prayed for as long as I need and feel led to, I whip open my Bible. I love to have a variety of Bibles. Sometimes I crack open a study Bible, sometimes one with lighter devotionals, sometimes a journaling Bible, sometimes just a raw Bible with no commentary or extras. I use whatever I am feeling led to that morning. I've loved using reading plans and have started creating my own for the books and topics I feel led to specifically study and read through.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
I also particularly love a newer routine of reading a Psalm a day with my kiddo before we jump into the day's activities. We both have an NLT Inspire Art Journaling Bible that we can get artsy in worship to God while we study a Psalm together - bond together as we bond with God. It's been a beautiful way to begin every day.
Afterward, she gets started on schoolwork while I jump into a personal study. I am in love with the new NIV Verse Mapping Bible (even if you're not an NIV fan, check this one out...for real. I expect to write a post dedicated to it before long it is that amazing!), and I am also just starting a study on Elijah by Priscilla Shirer with our women's fellowship group, the Vineyard. It is amazing and I highly recommend it. You're also welcome to join us if you haven't already!
Use a Bible plan
I love being in the Word of God every morning for as long as God leads, and in whatever way or place He calls me to. I let Him lead the way every morning and prayerfully dive in deep to learn whatever He is revealing to me that day.
Planning out a scripture reading plan ahead, though, helps me be more intentional about spending this time with God every morning. I have a special place in my planner to include what I plan to read each day. Sometimes I stick with it, sometimes I'm led elsewhere, but having a plan helps me get organized and be more dedicated to reading my Bible every day. I have found the Orderly Life Planner to be so insanely helpful in not just planning life stuff in general, but helping me build, follow and keep up with my morning routine with God.
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Whatever else you do each day, begin your day with the Lord. Pray intentionally. Make time for Him, spend time in His Word, and let Him reveal to you whatever He has waiting for you. Beginning my day not-so-bright but very early has been an immense blessing for this life-long night owl and I am so grateful He led me here. Don't be afraid to make your own morning routine with God.
For those who are like I was, not ready to rise early, to sacrifice sleep, or to put time with God ahead of the to-do list - I encourage you to surrender all of it to Him and let Him lead you where He knows you need to go and where only He can take you. Trust your Heavenly Father to help you, guide you, and strengthen you. Trust that in prioritizing time with Him, He will guide you in rightly prioritizing the rest of your time and tasks as well.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Grow in your faith with a morning routine with God
All of these tools have helped me to dive deeper as I grow in my faith, but I want to stress that all you need is time - and trust me, God has given you plenty of it, no matter what the world teaches you. Choose to spend time with God every day however He calls you to. He earnestly seeks intimate time with you every day and He should be rightly prioritized every single day.
When God placed it on my heart to get more intentional about making time for Him every day I began the journey of developing the right tools to help me. Over time and with the help and guidance of the Lord I have put together three tools that have been game-changers for me. With them, I have been able to get my routine in order, be realistic about my time and priorities, plan out my studies, be intentional and strategic about prayer and Bible study, all of which have helped me grow in my personal faith and relationship with God.
If you're here reading this, you likely are looking for some inspiration and maybe a bit of help getting your own routine or life in general in order. If that is you, I pray you would be blessed by prayerfully considering these faith-focused printables that have helped me so much in my own morning routine and relationship with God.
I invite you to tell us how we can pray for you, and what you are studying. We're here to grow with God as we grow with one another as the Body of Christ. Come back and watch for future studies, reading plans, and more as well. There's always more to study and learn!
My entire life I have been a night owl. I had never been a morning person. Even being a mom, waking up early happened only when it was necessary for the kiddo or for work, but never voluntary. With that, though, my day always started really late, and then I was up late. Unfortunately, I was opposite my family’s schedule, and enjoyed my time at night playing games, reading, and hanging out with friends online. I didn't have much of a morning routine.
This made me realize a few things that I now see was without question God letting me know I needed to make some changes. What I thought was for my family was even more so for my faith and my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and has, in turn, benefited my family and my relationship with them.
I am no longer a night owl, but I’m not even upset about it. Honestly, I don’t miss it (often). Sometimes, very rarely, I stay up late (which is now only about 10pm where it used to be like 2 am), but usually we are all early to bed and early to rise. Why is that? Why would I change this habit I loved of staying up late and sleeping late into the morning?
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Last year I revisitedProverbs 31 and God renewed my desire and mission to be the woman He has called me to be. I am a wife and mother, and first and foremost daughter of the One True King, my Heavenly Father. He has placed me here to tend to my family, including to rise early to care for them, which begins with caring for my relationship with God.
This struck me. As time went on God led me to create a morning routine that centers me on Him each day and equips me to better serve Him and care for my family.
Now, if you don't have a family or others to care for, this still applies -we are all the bride of Christ. This is the way a Christian should live; not grudgingly, but gratefully because we have a Heavenly Father whom we are called to serve out of love for Him, and also serve those He places in our care, whomever that might be. But it begins with us, and our personal relationship with God. In order to serve God well, we must grow with Him daily.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
We must all remember that everyone’s relationship with God is unique, but that some things are the same. We will be called to the same great missionin our own unique ways in which God equips us. For me, this morning routine is what helps me start my day growing with God and I pray this will encourage and inspire you to grow with God daily as well.
Prayer in your morning routine
At the beginning of this year, I was feeling incredibly convicted aboutprayer. When I had started streaming on Twitch we eventually began to pray together every day, live and on camera, and I started to learn more about prayer. Istudied prayer deeply in scripture, began praying with and for others daily, and learned a bit more about praying for myself as well. But let me tell you,building a prayer routine? That was a tough one, but something God put on my heart to do - and I am so grateful He did.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
When I had felt this draw to be more intentional and strategic with my prayers I didn’t know what I was in for. I really didn’t like the idea of aprayer journal; that felt too personal - what if someone else saw it?? But the idea of just keeping a list felt far too impersonal.
I searched and searched for some different books and journals online, though, to see what other people were doing. I scoured Pinterest, asked a couple of friends to pray with me about it, and eventually, I saw where God was taking me.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words
What I needed to learn first is what I believe we all need to learn first - prayer is supposed to be about your personal and intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father. It is not about you, nor others, it is about God. It is to grow with God, grow in faith, build and strengthen your relationship with Him throughintentional andconstant communication with Him.
What that means is there is no “one size fits all”, but there are certainly practices we can all benefit from in our prayer lives. So, while I would like to share what has worked for me, I would like to encourage you to prayerfully consider how God may be guiding you to a stronger prayer routine to be more intentional about your time with Him.
Write your prayers
Writing prayers is so powerful. It helps me to focus more on my prayers, be more intentional, and also be able to go back through old prayers to see answered ones and pray over older ones again. Iprayer journal directly to God. It is like a letter I am writing to God, or like passing notes as if He is right next to me.Prayer journaling has been a huge blessing for me and allows me to connect with God in an intimate and personal way.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Some people love bullet journaling, some write novels every day, some love to doodle or downright paint the whole page. Whatever God leads you to with your journaling, go for it! Rock it out and pray for God to reveal Himself and draw you closer to Him in the personal and intimate ways He wants you to grow in a relationship with Him.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
If writing them down on paper is not your thing for whatever reason, there are some really incredible online tools that can remain private. My favorite is through theYouVersion Bible App. They have so much to offer, and one thing is their digital prayer list which can be kept privately in the palm of your hand. This may be a good toe-in-the-water to help you feel out writing your prayers down in some private format.
Creating a prayer list is also really helpful if you aren't much for writing. Having a list of names or things you are praying over can help you set your mind and heart on those things and people in your prayer time.
Make time for prayer
I know - your day is just SO busy! How could you possibly make time for anything else?
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If God is truly a priority in your life you will prioritize Him in your day by making time for Him first thing and throughout. I have started getting up at about 5:00am before my kiddo gets up to have some quiet time with God before I start my day. I grab my morning coffee, get comfy in my dedicated spot to pray and read my Bible, and start my day with God. I even invested in a really cool over the bed table that I set up with a bookshelf for my Bibles and journals, and a set of drawers for pens, highlighters and sticky notes.
This changed my whole morning routine to make sure I have quiet time to spend with God every day. I hold to a principle that I will not say “I don’t have time” - I have time, and it is my choice how I spend my time.
When I do wake up later, I still make sure I take my time to spend with God, and I let my kiddo see it. She now hasher own prayer journal and spends time in prayer, building her own morning routine with God. I've enjoyed watching her grow in faith and prayer, and develop a better routine with God as well.
You have time - how are you choosing to spend it?
That is not to say you should create unhealthy habits in order tomake time for prayer. We should all prayerfully consider how and when God would like us to shape out a part of every day to spend specifically with Him. How can we expect arelationship to grow, to strengthen, to be healthy if we don’t prioritize it and make time to have meaningful and intimate time and conversations within that relationship? The same is true with our relationship with God, and our relationship with God should be placed as #1 in our lives, above all other relationships.
If we make time for friends and family, even ourselves, how much more important should it be to make time for God?
I tried so many differentprayer journals and I could not find any that allowed me to really make my prayer time personal. They all felt very fill-in-the-blank and check-the-box, but I needed intimate, personal, creative, and expressive. I wanted space that helped me intentionally and strategically pray, but that gave me the freedom to pray intimately. I then created my ownprayer journal and fine-tuned it through many trials, errors, prayers, and studies. You can grab aprintable copy of my prayer journal as well to help you get more out of your prayer life.
Read the Bible in your morning routine
After I have prayed for as long as I need and feel led to, I whip open my Bible.I love to have a variety of Bibles. Sometimes I crack open a study Bible, sometimes one with lighter devotionals, sometimes a journaling Bible, sometimes just a raw Bible with no commentary or extras. I use whatever I am feeling led to that morning. I've loved usingreading plans and have started creating my own for the books and topics I feel led to specifically study and read through.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
I also particularly love a newer routine of reading a Psalm a day with my kiddo before we jump into the day's activities. We both have anNLT Inspire Art Journaling Bible that we can get artsy in worship to God while we study a Psalm together - bond together as we bond with God. It's been a beautiful way to begin every day.
Afterward, she gets started on schoolwork while I jump into a personal study. I am in love with the newNIV Verse Mapping Bible (even if you're not an NIV fan, check this one out...for real. I expect to write a post dedicated to it before long it is that amazing!), and I am also just starting a study onElijah by Priscilla Shirer with our women's fellowship group,the Vineyard. It is amazing and I highly recommend it. You're also welcome to join us if you haven't already!
Use a Bible plan
I love being in the Word of God every morning for as long as God leads, and in whatever way or place He calls me to. I let Him lead the way every morning and prayerfully dive in deep to learn whatever He is revealing to me that day.
Planning out a scripture reading plan ahead, though, helps me be more intentional about spending this time with God every morning. I have aspecial place in my planner to include what I plan to read each day. Sometimes I stick with it, sometimes I'm led elsewhere, but having a plan helps me get organized and be more dedicated to reading my Bible every day. I have found theOrderly Life Planner to be so insanely helpful in not just planning life stuff in general, but helping me build, follow and keep up with my morning routine with God.
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Whatever else you do each day, begin your day with the Lord.Pray intentionally. Make time for Him, spend time in His Word, and let Him reveal to you whatever He has waiting for you. Beginning my day not-so-bright but very early has been an immense blessing for this life-long night owl and I am so grateful He led me here. Don't be afraid to make your own morning routine with God.
For those who are like I was, not ready to rise early, to sacrifice sleep, or to put time with God ahead of the to-do list - I encourage you to surrender all of it to Him and let Him lead you where He knows you need to go and where only He can take you. Trust your Heavenly Father to help you, guide you, and strengthen you. Trust that in prioritizing time with Him, He will guide you in rightly prioritizing the rest of your time and tasks as well.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Grow in your faith with a morning routine with God
All of these tools have helped me to dive deeper as Igrow in my faith, but I want to stress that all you need is time - and trust me, God has given you plenty of it, no matter what the world teaches you. Choose to spend time with God every day however He calls you to. He earnestly seeks intimate time with you every day and He should be rightly prioritized every single day.
When God placed it on my heart to get more intentional about making time for Him every day I began the journey of developing the right tools to help me. Over time and with the help and guidance of the Lord I have put together three tools that have been game-changers for me. With them, I have been able to get my routine in order, be realistic about my time and priorities, plan out my studies, be intentional and strategic about prayer and Bible study, all of which have helped me grow in my personal faith and relationship with God.
If you're here reading this, you likely are looking for some inspiration and maybe a bit of help getting your own routine or life in general in order. If that is you, I pray you would be blessed by prayerfully considering these faith-focused printables that have helped me so much in my own morning routine and relationship with God.
I invite you to tell us how we canpray for you, and what you are studying. We're here to grow with God as we grow with one another as the Body of Christ. Come back and watch for future studies,reading plans, and more as well. There's always more to study and learn!
When I started reading the Bible I honestly had no idea what I was in for. I didn't grow up reading, let alone studying, the Bible and did not pick out my first Bible until I was in my twenties. I remember looking through so many options of Bibles and I was incredibly unsure of what the translations meant, why anyone would ever need a study Bible, and how or where I should even begin.
I finally built up the courage to pick out and purchase my first Bible and would sit in bed late at night after my daughter was asleep and read it. As someone with a terrible memory, I naturally began taking notes, marking up words and phrases that confused or intrigued me, and the stress I had felt when building up to that point melted away as I learned to spend time with God for the first time in my life.
Everyone starts somewhere, at some point in time. How I started likely looks a lot different than your own journey, and that's part of the beauty of it. Reading God's Word is your quality time with your Heavenly Father and is unique to your personal relationship with Him. There are many things I wish I'd known when I began reading the Bible, and that's what I'd like to share with you. I had no Christians in my life and am grateful looking back that I didn't have someone to ask how to start reading my Bible, so this post likely isn't going to be what you're expecting.
There's no "right" order to read the Bible
One of the first questions I hear from those who are new to reading scripture is where they should begin. Nearly every Christian has their idea of the perfect book, chapter or passage to begin with. Personally, I'm grateful I didn't have anyone to make suggestions to me. The guidance I always love to give is to pray over where God would have you begin.
For me, God led me to two places; Job and 1 Peter. For me, God knew this was exactly what I needed, but these are never on the lists of recommended passages to start with that I have heard. Remember, your relationship with the Lord is your own - let Him guide you from the very beginning. He knows what you need, and where you will find it.
Once you've gotten started, let Him continue to guide your reading and study. I definitely recommend eventually reading the entire Bible cover to cover, but how you do that, in what order, the depth and time you take to get there should all be unique to your needs in your time with God.
You're not going to learn everything the first time through
I can't even tell you how many times I've read certain books and passages in the Bible and every time I read them again I learn something new. God is continuously revealing to me what He knows I'm ready for in His timing. There is no such thing as reading any of scripture enough or too many times. We should be seeking to constantly learn and grow in our relationship with and knowledge of God through His Word, wherever He guides us to read and study. Always be ready and willing to learn from God's Word no matter how many or few times you've ready any given passages.
The translation does matter...but maybe not how you think
You'll hear all kinds of opinions about translations, and all kinds of reasoning behind these preferences. I've learned over several years in scripture and studying the backgrounds of many common translations that yet again this is something each believer should choose prayerfully.
My first Bible was an ESV. I loved it! Over time I ended up using a variety of others, some I liked and some I didn't. What I've come down to is that when I learn the origins and purpose of a translation (who translated it and why), as well as the type of translation it is, I am able to better choose the translations I use, which ones I like to companion together, and which ones will help me with different types of studies. It also helps me understand why there are so many different translations and lead me to make a more educated decision about my primary translations.
I'm a firm believer that we should be diligent in researching the backgrounds of translations before choosing to use (or not use) any of them. I have loved studying a variety of translations and plan to study more as I discover them. We have a whole category devoted to studies on Bible translations if you'd like to use our studies as a launching point to help in your own investigation!
Study Bibles are not scary...but choose wisely
My first Bible was a cut-and-dry Bible. Nothing fancy, no commentary, no notes, just God's Word. It was enough, and it IS enough. You'll likely find people who are adamantly for or against Study Bibles (and Bible studies, for that matter). The thing about study Bibles is that we should always have discernment when choosing and using them. There are so many different kinds out there, but again choosing any Bible, as well as study Bibles, prayerfully is essential.
Study Bibles provide some additional insight about what you're reading. This can be extremely helpful for some, and can also be a stumbling block as well if we're not careful and prayerful. Remember that God's Word is enough - all things should be filtered through the Word of God and we must ensure any commentary we are using in our studies line up and are Biblically accurate. We must also be careful not to put whoever's name is on the binding on a pedestal and let them, or their interpretations, become idols and stumbling blocks.
That said, when approached with appropriate discernment and prayer, study Bibles are incredible tools. I absolutely love having a variety of different study Bibles to help me in a multitude of study types and topics. We should be sure we're focusing on the Word of God itself first and foremost and using the study notes to aid us in our study. Commentary is not scripture; it is like having a theological study buddy on hand to help you dive deeper into the Word.
Marking in your Bible is perfectly okay, and totally optional
From the get-go I wrote in my Bible. It felt a little strange, but not all at the same time. I was embarrassed about it at first but I knew it was helping me and that I needed it. Writing in your Bible certainly isn't for everyone, but there's nothing wrong with doing so. For me, I see it as a way to more intimately connect with God while in His Word. This is my time to talk with Him and for Him to speak to me through His Word. Writing notes on the pages helps what God is revealing sink in, to remember it better, and to remind me when I come back to it again. It's amazing to get to go back to some of my old notes from years ago when I first started reading scripture and reread my notes on the pages. Its helped me a lot in my journey.
There is nothing wrong with writing in the pages to help you absorb what God is telling you through His Word. One worry I have always had is that I don't want to feel like I am destroying the pages because of using the wrong pens and highlighters. I have tested so many to find pens and highlighters that don't bleed through the pages and have come to love these pens and these highlighters hands down above any other for writing in my Bible. A lot of people love color coding but I just love having all the fun colors for whatever is on my heart to use at the time.
Always have pens and a notebook (and sticky notes) handy
Like I said, writing in your Bible is perfectly acceptable. I also wish I'd been better about writing notes in a keepsake notebook dedicated to study notes. I didn't start this habit until years later but truly wish I had done this from the start. Even if you're not a notetaker, having a notebook handy to write down questions, key phrases or verses you want to remember, prayers as you study, or whatever else God puts on your heart is so valuable, and again, a way to get more intimate and intentional in your study time with God.
I always have a notebook, sticky notes and lots of colorful pens handy. I often use sticky notes to carefully stick on the Bible pages to keep a lot of my notes within its pages, but heavily use my notebooks as well. It's been a game changer for me.
Amazing and colorful pilot pens that are fun for notes and art journaling
Sticky notes and lined sticky notes for extended notes to save in my Bible. Margins can only fit so much! And great for when I go back and study something again. Add a sticky note with your new notes on it!
There's not really a right or wrong way to get started reading the Bible, but I remember the daunting feeling before I did actually get started. Over the years I have met a lot of Christians who have asked questions about how to get started and truly, these are the words of wisdom I wish to impart on them. What I would say it all really boils down to is that your time in the Word is personal time for you to spend with God. Spend intentional, personal, intimate time with Him daily and let Him lead the way every time.
If you have any other tips you wish you'd known, or would like others to consider when starting out please feel free to share below in the comments!
Welcome!
I am a wife, mom, writer, crafter, and above all, a Child of God. I love to study the Bible, fellowship with other Christians, and serve God. I am thrilled to invite you to join me in seeking to satisfy our thirsty souls with the Living Water of Christ, which is what Water On Thirsty Land is here to do.
