🕊️ How to Read the Bible (When You Actually Want to Know God)
Don’t overthink it. Just start—and stay until He speaks.
At 22 years old, I begged God to help me know Him more. I was tired of chasing the world and coming up empty. Knowledge about God didn’t satisfy, and church answers didn’t carry me through the week anymore (and never did if I am honest).
That’s when He made me a reader.
📖 Not just of books—but of His Word.
And not to become an overnight theologian, but a son. A student. A zealous seeker.
He made me joyfully committed! I didn’t get up from reading until the Holy Spirit revealed something to me—something about God. Not just a fact or a verse, but His heart.
I was done reading for information. I wanted transformation.
I read to have a relationship.
✍️ Then I Started Journaling
Journaling about God has been life-altering. It slowed me down. It helped me see Him—and hear Him.
(For context: today I’m still told to take ADHD meds, mushrooms or weed for PTSD, and to “learn something new every year” because of the two dead spots in my brain—one from a stroke, one from a TBI in combat. And I’m not anti-medicine. I’m just not on anything at the moment. By God’s grace, I live a very active lifestyle: I eat clean, take over-the-counter vitamins, and stay physically moving. I say all that to say—this process of reading and journaling has become essential, not optional.)
From 23 to 27, I filled five or six journals.
Real handwriting. Genuine prayers. Honest thoughts. And a lot of misspelled words.
At 27, I shifted to journaling on my phone—partly to edit, reflect, and revisit more easily. But the heart stayed the same:
🙏 God, I want to know You more today.
📚 Three Anchors That Shape My Time with God:
What? The Word of God.
When? First thing in the morning—my “firstfruits.” A tithe of time and day.
Where? In the same seat. Quiet place. Worship music in the background, ever day.
My posture matters. Not just physically—but spiritually.
I come as a son. He is the Father.
I come as a student. He is the Master.
I come with open hands—ready to receive grace and believe His Word.
And from that place, I’m strengthened to obey and walk it out.
A caveat: after doing this for twenty or so days in a row it becomes a habit, and you’ll find you do it without thinking. Also, pray that God would make this a priority!
🧼 SOAP: Not for your hands—for your heart.
Here’s the structure I’ve followed for years:
Scripture – Whatever stands out after you read a chapter. Sometimes it’s one verse, sometimes more.
Observation – What’s the original meaning? Who was this written to? Who is the author? What’s the context?
Application – “God, how do You want me to live this out today?”
Prayer – I focus on adoration here. I used to write full prayers, but they started sounding like I was writing them for my accountability group, not to God. Now I keep it simple: “God, I praise You because…”
That’s it.
Nothing fancy.
Just consistent.
Just real.
A powerful journey to become a man after God’s own heart!
🧠 What Science Says About Journaling
Even modern research backs this up:
Lowers anxiety & depression: Expressive writing can reduce anxiety by 9%, PTSD by 6%, and depression by 2% (PMID: 35213167).
Boosts emotional health: Just 15 minutes of writing a few days a week improves well-being and emotional clarity (JMIR Mental Health, 2018).
Enhances memory & focus: Handwriting strengthens memory and cognitive function (PubMed; Scientific American).
Improves physical health: Writing about honest emotions can actually strengthen your immune system (Child Mind Institute).
God made your brain. He designed your soul.
So it’s no surprise that something as sacred as journaling with Him could actually heal you.
🛤️ This Isn’t The Way. It’s Just A Way.
If you read differently—great.
If you connect with God on long walks or in stillness—go for it.
🎧 Listening to Scripture? Awesome.
Whatever method encourages and empowers your relationship with God in His word and world—do that.
But if you’re looking for a place to start...
➡️ If you’re new to faith, begin in Genesis.
You need to know how it all started.
You need to know where you came from.
And Who wrote your name into the story.
➡️ If you’ve walked with God a while, start in Psalms.
Pour out your heart.
Journal what you see.
Let God meet you there.
❤️ Try This:
Open to Psalm 27 or 51.
Read slowly.
Write down what stands out.
Observe the heart behind it—Who’s writing? Who’s listening? What’s the context?
Ask: “God, how do You want me to apply this today?”
Finish with adoration: “God, I praise You because…”
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up.
Don’t feel guilty about reading plans or unrealistic goals, but if you have committed, I encourage you to finish!
You don’t have to read the Bible in a year (though I do recommend reading the whole thing—front to back. The Old and New Testaments are powerfully woven together.)
But stay in it.
🕯️ Stay until God speaks.
Because He still does.
He still speaks.
And He’s not hiding from you.
You might just hear Him best…
when you slow down long enough to listen.
**Thank you, Rob Thompson for the encouragement and inspiration.