How to Have a Consistent Devotional Time
Practical Tips for Starting and Maintaining Priority 1
Why do you want to start a devotional time? What is your goal? Be specific.
It’s easier to stay committed to something if you know why you’re doing it. Remember the why.
Write down your biggest obstacles? Be specific.
When? And How Long? Find a Time
The key is consistency. The morning is recommended because it allows you to start the day focused on God. If you cannot do the same time every day, create a weekly schedule instead. Most often we fail to stay committed because we’re “too tired”, “too busy”, or forget. Don’t let that happen. Decide how long you want to commit, and commit: 15 minutes? 1 hour?
Where? Find a Place
Place matters. Choose a place without distractions or temptations: your room, outside somewhere, campus, or a coffee shop. Wherever it is, commit to being there. Be consistent.
What? Find a Plan
The YouVersion app is full of Bible reading plans. Choose one, or read through a book of the Bible, 1–3 chapters per day. If you’ve never read the Bible before, start with the gospel of Mark.
You could also begin by reading one chapter from each, the Old and New Testament, every day (Day 1: Genesis 1, Matthew 1…) to get a more complete understanding of the Bible.
Tips
- Pray: Ask for God to guide you through His Word and to change you.
- Use the SOAP method to guide your reading time.
- Journal and underline things while you read. Write down interesting verses, questions, feelings, and prayers.
- Remember, the goal is to spend time with God, not to accomplish a task.
- Choose a long reading plan. You’re most likely to quit your routine at the end of a plan because you don’t know what to read next.
