3 Different Bible Reflections You Can do in Just 15 Minutes a Day
A simple Bible Reading Plan for Beginners- 3 different ways you can read the Bible in just 15 minutes a day
Is reading the Bible one of the things you really want to do regularly but haven’t done yet? Does it seem like it will take F-O-R-E-V-E-R (as a toddler might say) to read and reflect on the Bible each day? You want to read your Bible more often, but you just can’t seem to find the time. If you can spare just 15 minutes a day, there is a solution. Follow one of these three easy ideas to start a simple Bible reading plan for beginners.
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Get ready to read the Bible in just 15 minutes a day.
The first thing you need to do is get ready. You want to set yourself up for success. Get out your Bible, have a timer handy, and track down a notebook and a pen if you would like to write down any notes when you read. Keep all these together in one place. That way, when you are ready to read your Bible, you don’t have to track everything down. It is all in one place and ready to go. A nightstand, a drawer, or a bookshelf are ideas of where you can keep your Bible, timer, notebook, and pen.
The second thing you need to do is to decide when you will read your Bible. Will you get up 15 minutes early to read? Will you read at lunchtime, when your child is napping, or before you go to bed? Plan when you will read your Bible and think of this time as an appointment you have made with yourself and God.
Here are 3 different ways you can read the Bible in just 15 minutes a day.
Set a timer for 15 minutes and read for that length of time. When the timer goes off, you are done for the day. It is that simple.
Resource: If you are unsure where to begin reading in the Bible, you may want to read Create A Simple Catholic Bible Reading Plan.
1. Read the Bible and reflect on the readings.
That sounds super simple, right? It is. Read the Bible and think about the passage you just read. That is it. You don’t need to write anything down. If you want to, you can, but it is not necessary.
Think of what was going on at the time the passage was written, who it was written to, and what message is being given. Think of what God is telling you in this passage. Ask Him to enlighten your heart so that you will know and understand what He wants for you to know and understand.
Action: Spend time in God’s Word, reading what He has to say and thinking about it.
Resources: Prayer Before Reading the Bible.
If you want to have a Bible where you can write directly in your Bible, The Catholic Journaling Bible (NAB-RE version) by Blessed is She has wide margins and space to write down your reflections. It may be just what you are looking for.
2. Keep a Bible journal for your reflections.
Keeping a notebook for reflections is a simple as reading God’s Word and writing down things that stand out to you. Maybe you read a great verse that you want to remember. A passage may have stood out to you that directly addresses something you are going through in your life right now. Perhaps you learned something new that you want to research more at some point. Use your notebook to keep track of your personal reflections and the things that you want to remember.
Action: Keep a simple spiral notebook with you as you read your Bible so you can jot down any reflections, thoughts, and ideas that you want to remember.
Resources: One particular style of reading and reflecting on the Bible is called Lectio Divina. You can learn more about it in the post Learning How to Pray: Lectio Divina.
If you want to write directly in your Bible, The Catholic Journaling Bible (NAB-RE version) by Blessed is She has space for writing your reflections directly in your Bible.
3. Keep a Bible journal using your e-mail.
It may sound strange at first, but this is a way that is simple to use!
I’ll explain how I implement this easy method.
I signed up for the daily Mass readings to be delivered to my e-mail every day from the US Conference of Bishops‘ website.
When I sit down each day to read the Mass readings, I set my timer for 15 minutes and open up my e-mail with the daily Mass readings. I click forward e-mail and put in my own e-mail address so I can send my reflection to myself after I finish.
I say a Prayer before Reading the Bible and then I begin reading the daily Mass readings. As I read, if something stands out to me, I type my thoughts right there in the text in ALL CAPS so my reflections stand out against the Bible text. I begin typing each of my reflections on a new line below the text.
Here is an example of what it may look like. (The words in ALL CAPS are my reflections.):
A note: you don’t need to write as much as in the example! Remember, this is your personal reflection, so it needs to be personal to you. Write as many or as few words as necessary.
Responsorial Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
BE UPRIGHT.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
WOW. A QUESTION THAT GETS RIGHT TO THE POINT: NO PUNCHED PULLED!
BE OBEDIENT TO GOD.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
GOD SEES AND KNOWS ALL-INTO OUR HEARTS, NOT JUST WHAT WE DO.
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
OH, NO! WE SHOULD NOT PRESUME THAT.
IT IS AN INTERESTING POINT GOD MAKES. OF COURSE, HE IS NOT LIKE US, YET HOW OFTEN DO WE ASSUME SO, HOW OFTEN DO WE DO SOMETHING WE KNOW WE SHOULD NOT DO AND THEN THINK HE WILL NOT NOTICE? NOT GOOD AT ALL! GOD KNOWS ALL AND SEES ALL.
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
A PROMISE OF GOD. ❤️
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
AMEN.
As you can see, this technique is very easy. You don’t need to write a lot when it comes to your reflection. Some Bible readings may not draw a response from you and others may only inspire a few words. That is fine. This is your personal time with God to read and reflect on is Word. Some of my first reflections were simply one remark at the end of all the readings.
After you are done with your reflection, send the e-mail to yourself so you have a copy of your reflection. You can create a folder in your e-mail to place these reflections so you can have them all in one place. After I send myself the e-mail, I delete the original e-mail from USCCB.
Action: Sign up to receive the daily Mass readings via e-mail. Forward the e-mail to yourself and write your personal reflections in ALL CAPS right in the text.
Use one of these 3 different ways to read the Bible in just 15 minutes a day and grow in your faith.
There you have it: three different ways that you can read your Bible in just 15 minutes a day. These are each a simple, easy Bible plan for beginners and non-beginners alike that you can use to daily grow in faith as you study scripture. Read and reflect on Bible readings, keep a Bible journal for your reflections, keep a Bible journal using your e-mail, or find a different way that works for you.
The goal is to grow in your faith. These three different ways to read your Bible are tools for you to use to help you grow in faith. If the first one you try does not work, it may not be the right one for you; try another way. Remember, the purpose of reading your Bible is to grow in your understanding of God and His Word.
If you have any questions or if you have a great Bible reading plan that you would like to share, drop them in the comment box below.
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