Finding it hard to focus during your Bible reading? You’re not the only one. Life is full of distractions, and even quiet moments can feel scattered. But don’t give up— The battle for focus is often the first step in meeting with God. Keep reading for practical, proven tips to help you stay engaged and present with Jesus.
Pray First
Anytime we are opening the Word, praying reminds us that reading the Bible is actually a conversation between us and Jesus. If your mind wanders during prayer, write your prayer out in your journal. The act of writing keeps the mind engaged. (Developing this habit has also proven to be a wonderful way to track your prayer and record when they are answered!)
Read Aloud to Stay Engaged
There are a couple perks to the practice of reading aloud. It helps keep the mind engaged. It also allows you to read the passage with expression. When reading aloud, people rarely read in a monotone. Reading aloud also aids in remembering what you read.
Keep a Mental Dump Notepad
Keep a notepad and pen close by. Often when we sit down to read the Word, the enemy of our souls wants to keep us in a distracted state of mind. When some totally unrelated “to-do” pops into your mind during your Bible reading, choose to not be sidetracked by it. Simply grab your pen and write it down. You can then realign your focus, knowing you wrote it down and won’t forget what you have to do later.
Struggling to stay focused during Bible reading is more common than you think. Whether it’s mental clutter or external chaos, the key is returning your heart to Jesus. Try one of these tips this week—and enjoy the gift of undistracted time in the Word.
What’s your biggest distraction during Bible study—and how do you refocus? Share with us in the comments, or tag us on Instagram @thelovedbibleproject. Let’s troubleshoot this together!