God chose to reveal himself in a book. The infinite, eternal God, who could have communicated in any way he desired, gave us a written Word. He did not rely solely on oral tradition or visions. Instead, he inspired human authors to write his truth down so that it could be preserved, studied, and passed down through generations.
This means that reading the Bible is not just a good spiritual habit. It is the primary way we hear God’s voice. The writer of Hebrews declares, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). It is not just ink on a page. When we engage with Scripture, we encounter the very breath of God.
Jesus repeatedly emphasized the importance of reading. How often do we see him ask, “Have you not read—?” He said it when correcting the Pharisees about the Sabbath (Mt 12:3), about marriage (Mt 19:4), and on many other occasions. The implication was clear: “If you had read and understood what God has already said, you would not be so confused.”
Reading Scripture is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It is about transformation.
From the very beginning, God’s people have been a people of the book. Moses did not just preach the Law; he wrote it down (Ex 24:4). Then, he read it publicly to Israel. It was not enough for him to receive God’s words. The people needed to hear them and know them too.
Later, in Deuteronomy, God commanded his people to take his words seriously:
These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Dt 6:6–9)
Do you hear the emphasis? Read them. Teach them. Write them. Keep them visible. Why? Because God’s people cannot follow what they do not know.
One of the most powerful moments in Israel’s history came during the time of Ezra. The people had returned from exile, spiritually dry and in desperate need of renewal. What did they do? They gathered in the square, and Ezra stood up and read the Book of the Law out loud for hours (Ne 8:1–8). The people listened. They wept. They repented.
It was not a sermon. It was not a conference. It was simply the reading of Scripture. And it changed them.
Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see the same pattern. Jesus himself modeled the public reading of Scripture. At the start of his ministry, he went into the synagogue, picked up the scroll of Isaiah, and read it aloud (Lk 4:16–21). Then he sat down and declared, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus did not merely paraphrase the passage. He read it. There is power in reading the Word of God.
Paul understood this, too. That is why he instructed the churches to read his letters publicly. “When this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans” (Col 4:16). “I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers” (1Th 5:27). And, of course, Paul exhorted Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1Ti 4:13). Not just preaching. Not just teaching. But reading.
Why? Because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Ro 10:17).
The early church took this seriously. They recognized that Scripture was inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2Ti 3:16). Even though literacy rates were low in the first century, they ensured that everyone had access to God’s Word by reading it aloud in their gatherings.
This is significant. Even when most people could not read for themselves, they did not use that as an excuse to neglect Scripture. They made sure it was heard. They cultivated a hunger for it. And for those who could read? They were expected to engage deeply with the text.
From the Old Testament to the New Testament to the early church, reading Scripture has always been central to the life of God’s people.
So what about us?
If reading and meditating on God’s Word was essential for Israel, for Jesus, for the apostles, and for the early church, why would we think it is any less important today?
Yet, in our digital age, we have become distracted. We skim, we scroll, and we move on. But Scripture is not meant to be skimmed. It is meant to be absorbed, wrestled with, and lived out.
That is why we need to reclaim the practice of intentional reading. When we immerse ourselves in God’s written Word, we immerse ourselves in his voice. And that is what shapes us into faithful disciples.
If you have ever held a Bible in your hands, in your own language, and read it for yourself, you are part of a rich tradition that spans thousands of years. The ability to read Scripture is something we often take for granted, but for most of history, literacy was not a given. It was something people fought for, sacrificed for, and even died for.
Christianity has always been deeply connected to the written word. From the earliest days of God’s people, reading and writing were not just academic skills but spiritual disciplines.
Consider ancient Israel. In a world where most cultures passed down knowledge through oral tradition, Israel was different. They were a people of the book. The Law was written down and meticulously preserved by scribes, guardians of God’s truth.
Synagogues, even in small villages, functioned as schools where children were taught to read the Torah. Imagine being a Jewish child and learning to read by tracing the words of Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy. Reading was about knowing God.
This reverence for the written Law carried straight into early Christianity. The first believers cherished Scripture. They copied it, studied it, and gathered to hear it read aloud.
Early Christians were among the first to embrace the codex, the book format, instead of scrolls. Why? Because scrolls were long, bulky, and difficult to navigate, while codices were compact, easier to flip through, and better for studying multiple passages at once. In other words, the early church prioritized access to Scripture in the most practical way possible.
But there was a challenge. Most people in the Roman world could not read. So, what did the church do? They made sure Scripture was read aloud in worship. Letters from Paul and other apostles were copied and passed from church to church, ensuring that even those who could not read for themselves could still hear and understand God’s Word.
Christians became known as a people who valued reading and writing because knowing God’s Word was essential for life and faith.
Fast forward a few centuries, and Europe entered what we often call the Dark Ages. Literacy rates plummeted. The vast majority of people could not read, and books, especially the Bible, were incredibly rare. If you wanted a copy of Scripture, it had to be handwritten, a painstaking process that could take months or even years.
Who preserved the Bible during these years? Monks.
Monasteries became centers of learning where scribes carefully copied Scripture by hand in a room called the scriptorium. Some of them dedicated their entire lives to this work, believing that the written Word of God was sacred and worth every effort.
More than copying the text, they illuminated it. If you have ever seen a medieval Bible with gold leaf and elaborate artwork, that was the work of monks who sought to make God’s Word beautiful and revered.
Think about that. At a time when most people could not read, the church still labored tirelessly to preserve and transmit the Scriptures.
Then, in the 1400s, everything changed. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. For the first time in history, books could be mass-produced. And what was the very first major book ever printed? The Bible.
Suddenly, Scripture was not just for monks and scholars. It could be placed in the hands of ordinary people. This explosion of printed Bibles came just in time for the Protestant Reformation.
Reformers like Martin Luther and William Tyndale were passionate about making Scripture accessible. Luther translated the Bible into German. Tyndale risked his life to put the Bible in English, so much so that he was executed for it. His last prayer before he died was, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” Not long after, the English Bible became widely available.
The Reformers believed that every believer should be able to read Scripture for themselves. This was not just about literacy. It was about spiritual survival.
In fact, literacy became so tied to Christian faith that in 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed the “Old Deluder Satan Act.” The idea was that if children could not read the Bible, they would be more vulnerable to deception. So, towns were required to establish schools. Christian education was not just about teaching kids their ABCs. It was about equipping them to know and obey God’s Word.
This emphasis on literacy did not stop with the Reformation. When Christian missionaries went into unreached areas, what was one of the first things they did? They created writing systems for languages that had never been written down before.
Why? So that people could have the Bible in their own language.
Missionaries built schools, taught reading, and translated Scripture to ensure that every person had direct access to God’s Word.
Even today, some of the world’s most widespread literacy programs are fueled by Christians who want to ensure that people can read the Bible for themselves.
From ancient Israel to the early church, from medieval monasteries to the Reformation, from missionary efforts to modern education, Christianity has always championed literacy. Not for the sake of knowledge alone, but so that every believer could know God’s Word personally.
And yet, we live in a time when literacy has never been higher, yet deep reading is in decline. We have more access to the Bible than any generation before us, yet we often struggle to engage with it meaningfully.
The question is: Will we continue the church’s long-standing legacy? Will we be people who take God’s written Word seriously? History shows that when God’s people are committed to reading Scripture, the church is strong. And when they neglect it, the church drifts.
We must remember that reading is not just an academic skill. It is a way of saying, “God, I want to know you.” And that is worth reclaiming.
We live in a world that bombards us with quick, bite-sized information. We scroll, we skim, we consume, but how often do we truly engage? Real reading is different. It requires focus. It forces us to slow down, process, and think deeply. And when we apply that discipline to Scripture and other rich, meaningful books, it transforms us spiritually.
First, let’s talk about Scripture. The Bible is not just a collection of stories or moral lessons. It is God’s Word, and reading it does something powerful in us.
Paul exhorts us in Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Ro 12:2). How does that renewal happen? Through engagement with God’s truth. When we read Scripture—not just casually, but intentionally—it changes the way we think, which changes the way we live.
The psalmist describes the godly person as one who “meditates on [God’s] law day and night” (Ps 1:2), but meditation does not mean emptying your mind. It means filling it with truth, chewing on it, letting it sink in. And that does not happen in a hurried, distracted state. It happens when we slow down and truly read.
David declared, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:11). The process of storing up God’s Word begins with reading, dwelling in it, and letting it take root in our hearts.
And it is not just the Bible. Thoughtful, theologically rich books can also help shape our spiritual growth. Christian classics, biographies of faithful believers, and even well-written fiction that stirs our affections toward God can supplement our study of Scripture and deepen our understanding of truth.
Another key benefit of reading is that it sharpens our discernment. We live in a world full of competing ideas. Every time we open our phones, we are hit with opinions, arguments, and persuasive messages. How do we filter what is true from what is false?
Luke describes the Bereans as people who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Ac 17:11). They did not just accept information at face value. They tested it against God’s Word. That is critical thinking.
Reading well helps us develop that same habit. Instead of passively absorbing ideas, we learn to test them (1Jn 4:1). We analyze arguments. We ask questions. We weigh everything against Scripture. This is how we grow in wisdom.
Interestingly, studies show that deep reading, the kind that requires concentration and reflection, strengthens the neural pathways involved in critical thinking. It is like weightlifting for your brain. The more we engage with books, the more equipped we become to think biblically in every area of life.
But reading does more than sharpen our minds. It also softens our hearts.
Research shows that reading, especially narratives, enhances our ability to understand and empathize with others. When we step into a story, we see the world through someone else’s eyes. We experience their struggles, their joys, and their fears.
For Christians, this matters. Jesus commanded, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (Jn 13:34). Love requires understanding. It requires seeing beyond ourselves.
When we read, we gain insight into the experiences of people across history—suffering saints, flawed but faithful leaders, even Christ himself in his humanity. And when we engage with books that reflect truth and beauty, we cultivate a heart that is more compassionate, more patient, and more Christlike.
But the benefits of reading extend beyond the spiritual and emotional. There are also other significant advantages.
Studies have shown that reading improves memory, enhances focus, and even helps prevent cognitive decline. In other words, reading keeps your mind sharp at every stage of life.
It also reduces stress. Researchers have found that just six minutes of reading can lower heart rate and tension levels. It is more effective than watching TV, scrolling on your phone, or even listening to music. Why? Because reading fully engages the mind in a way that calms it.
There is a difference between active and passive engagement. Watching a video or scrolling through social media is passive. You are simply absorbing whatever is in front of you. But reading requires active participation. Your brain has to interpret words, visualize scenes, and connect ideas. That kind of mental exercise is essential, especially in an age where attention spans are shrinking.
So, how do we apply all of this? One way is by making reading a spiritual discipline.
Journaling what you read in Scripture, praying through passages, and writing reflections on books that challenge and inspire you are practices that help deepen your engagement.
And reading does not have to be a solitary activity. Book discussions, Bible studies, and small groups are powerful ways to sharpen one another and grow together in wisdom.
Reading is not just an intellectual exercise. It is a tool for spiritual growth. It shapes how we think, how we love, how we discern truth, and how we engage with God.
In a culture that encourages skimming, scrolling, and distraction, reclaiming the habit of deep, meaningful reading is a countercultural act of faith. It is a way of saying, “I want to know God more. I want to grow in wisdom. I want to be transformed.”
So, my challenge to you is this: Make time for real reading. Not just for entertainment. Not just for information. But for the sake of knowing God, sharpening your mind, and shaping your heart. Because when we commit to that, we do not just become better readers—we become better disciples.
Again, we live in a world dominated by screens. From the moment we wake up, we are bombarded with digital notifications. We check emails, scroll through news feeds, and watch endless videos. It is the default way we engage with the world.
But have we stopped to consider what all of this constant screen time is doing to us? Have you ever struggled to focus on reading Scripture or even to sit in prayer without feeling distracted? You are not alone. There is a reason for that.
Our brains are being trained by digital media. Every notification, every short video, and every rapid-fire news update rewires us to crave quick bursts of information. We have been conditioned to expect content in bite-sized pieces—fast, engaging, and easy to skim.
But the deep things of God do not work like that.
Spiritual growth takes time. Wisdom requires meditation. The Bible is not a social media post you can skim in ten seconds. It requires reflection. But if we have trained our minds to jump from one thing to the next in a matter of seconds, we will struggle to slow down long enough to engage with Scripture in a meaningful way.
So, we need to ask ourselves: Are we able to focus? Or have we allowed screens to fragment our attention to the point that sitting with God’s Word for more than a few minutes feels impossible?
Another danger of excessive screen time is that it encourages passive consumption.
How often do we truly process the information we take in? Social media, YouTube, and even Christian content online feeds us, but do we ever slow down and digest it?
There is also the issue of misinformation and sensationalism. The internet is full of voices claiming to speak the truth, but not all of them are trustworthy. Without discernment, we can end up feeding on spiritual junk food, content that entertains or even inspires but does not nourish our souls.
Jesus did not say, “Scroll through the latest opinions.” He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). We need substance, not just snippets.
So ask yourself, “Am I just absorbing what’s in front of me, or am I truly engaging with truth?”
One of the most concerning effects of constant screen time is how it numbs our hunger for God.
Every spare moment can be filled with entertainment. Waiting in line? Check your phone. Sitting at a red light? Scroll through social media. A quiet evening? Time to binge-watch. We have lost the ability to sit in silence, but God commands, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). Stillness is nearly impossible when we fill every moment with noise.
If we drown out our spiritual hunger with constant digital input, we stop noticing that we are starving.
Are we truly seeking God, or are we just keeping ourselves entertained?
It is not only our spiritual lives that suffer from excessive screen time. Studies show clear links between heavy digital consumption and increased anxiety and depression. Why? Because screens keep our brains in a constant state of stimulation. Social media fuels comparison, news cycles fuel fear, and endless content leaves us feeling drained instead of refreshed.
Let’s not forget sleep disruption. Looking at a screen late at night, whether a phone, TV, or tablet, interferes with our ability to rest. The blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality.
Lack of sleep affects everything—our mood, our ability to focus, and even our spiritual discipline. When we are exhausted, we are less likely to wake up early for prayer, less likely to engage deeply in Scripture, and more likely to seek quick distractions instead of meaningful time with God.
If we are not careful, our screen habits can end up shaping us more than Scripture does. If we are consuming hours of worldly media every day and only minutes of Scripture, which one is truly shaping our minds?
Peter exhorts us to be sober-minded and watchful because the enemy prowls like a roaring lion (1Pe 5:8). But when we numb ourselves with constant digital distraction, we are anything but watchful.
This does not mean we need to throw away our phones and live in the woods. But it does mean we need discipline. We must be intentional about what we allow to shape us.
Take a hard look at your screen habits. Ask yourself:
Do I struggle to focus when reading Scripture?
Do I reach for my phone first thing in the morning instead of reaching for my Bible?
Do I fill every quiet moment with entertainment instead of making space to hear from God?
Do I feel spiritually dry, anxious, or distracted, and could my media habits be playing a role?
If we want to be spiritually strong, we need to be intentional. Without discipline, screen time can erode our spiritual life, dampen our appetite for Scripture, and weaken our discernment. But with discipline, we can reclaim our focus, our hunger for God, and our ability to be shaped by truth rather than distraction.
Let’s make a change. Let’s put God’s Word back at the center. Let’s break free from mindless consumption and rediscover the joy of deep, meaningful engagement with truth, with wisdom, and with God himself.
Knowing these things, of course, does not automatically change our habits. If we want to reclaim reading, especially reading Scripture, we need a plan. A strategy. Something we can put into practice.
One of the biggest reasons people say they don’t read? They “don’t have time.”
But the reality is, most of us do have time. We just fill it with something else. We spend hours on our phones, scrolling through content we will forget in ten minutes. We binge-watch entire seasons of shows. We let screens steal the small pockets of time that could be used for something much richer.
What if we started scheduling time for reading the same way we schedule meetings, workouts, or meals?
Here are some simple ways to make that happen:
Set a daily or weekly reading block. Even 15–20 minutes a day adds up quickly.
Limit phone usage. Turn off non-essential notifications. Set app limits. Consider deleting distracting apps altogether.
Try a “digital fast.” Set aside a few hours or even a whole day where you intentionally step away from screens and use that time for reading, reflection, and prayer.
You do not have to go extreme overnight. But small, intentional shifts in how we spend our time can make a huge difference.
If you are not used to reading regularly, do not start by committing to an hour a day. That is like deciding to run a marathon when you have not jogged in years.
Instead, start small. Read for 10–15 minutes a day. Once you are consistent, increase the time. Keep a reading list. Write down books you want to read. Seeing your progress can be motivating. Track your reading. Use a journal, an app, or even a simple checklist. Celebrate small wins. Finished a book? That’s worth celebrating. Reading is an investment, and every book you finish adds to your growth.
When it comes to Scripture, consider using a reading plan. Whether it is a one-year Bible plan, a chronological reading schedule, or a topical study, having a structured approach helps you stay consistent.
We live in a world overflowing with content. So how do we choose what’s worth reading?
For believers, the answer starts here: Scripture comes first. There is no book more important than the Word of God. If we are reading everything except the Bible, our priorities are off.
Beyond Scripture, many books can build us up in our faith:
Christian devotionals for daily encouragement.
Theology books to deepen our understanding.
Biographies of faithful believers who inspire us.
Well-curated fiction that stirs our imagination and helps us see truth in fresh ways.
The key is discernment. Paul reminds us, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure… think about these things” (Php 4:8). That applies to our reading as well.
Reading is powerful on its own, but when we read together, it can be even better. Consider joining or starting a:
Bible study group that reads Scripture together.
Book club focused on faith-building books.
Family reading time where you share Scripture or Christian books with your spouse and children.
Reading in community keeps us motivated, helps us process what we learn, and encourages accountability. Hebrews reminds us to spur one another on in faith (Heb 10:24–25), and reading together is a great way to do that.
Put aside distractions, spend more time reading, and be shaped by what truly matters.
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