Building a Spiritual Appetite: How Much of the Bible Should You Read?

We need to increase our capacity to read God's Word.

In today's world, where surface-level spirituality is often the norm, many people only manage a verse or perhaps a chapter of the Bible each day. But how much of God's word should we truly be absorbing? This question and its implications are not only foundational to our spiritual health but also essential for deepening our relationship with the divine.

I’m Travis Maxey, and I make it a practice to read through the Bible once a month, studying it verse by verse. My notes are freely available on my website, immersedisiple.com, for those who wish to delve deeper.

Free Weekly Commentary Notes

How Much is Enough?

So, how much of the Bible should you read? Is there such a thing as reading too much? The answer, quite simply, is to read as much as you can manage today. The key is to engage with God’s word regularly and in quantities that challenge your current capacity.

The Purpose of God's Word Eternal life, as stated in John 17:3, is knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ.

This profound relationship with Christ, the living word, highlights why our engagement with scripture is so crucial. Reading the Bible is not just an academic exercise but an encounter with God—a way to understand His character, His works, past, present, and future. If there’s resistance to engaging with God now through His word, you must ponder whether you desire to be with Him in eternity. Eternity is about glorifying and dwelling with Christ—the essence of the living word.

So, how much should you read? As much as you can consume, much like how one should eat vegetables for nourishment.

Developing a Spiritual Appetite

Initially, reading lots of the Bible might seem challenging, much like starting a healthy diet, but it’s essential for spiritual well-being. I relate it to my personal journey with eating vegetables.

After five spinal fusions and other health challenges, I adopted a diet rich in vegetables to avoid negative health responses. At first, it was hard, but over time, I began to crave them.

Similarly, we must cultivate an appetite for God's word. We tend to worship what we crave and crave what we consume. So, consume more of God's word and let your capacity grow. Start from wherever you are—if it’s one verse today, aim for a paragraph tomorrow, and continue increasing it. The more you consume, the more you’ll find yourself craving it, and as we see Christ, our likeness to Him grows.

Reading Vs. Studying

There’s a distinction between merely reading and studying to know God. Engage with the Bible to understand His character and work. Read in large quantities, not only individually but with your family too. Let it inspire worship and breathe life into your soul. Meditation is equally important. Chew on the scriptures over and over again, allowing them to nourish your soul. Do a verse-by-verse study, much like consuming your spiritual nutrition, and let it transform you.

Conclusion

Jesus is the bread of life—consume His word today and repeat the process tomorrow. Don’t rely on yesterday’s sustenance. Integral to our spiritual journey is the daily gathering of this manna, seeking a fresh encounter with the divine through His eternal word.