scott stonehouse

Over my years as a Christian and as a pastor, one of the things I have heard from others many, many times is their desire to read the Bible more and their frustration that they don’t. They seem to have this sense that they should read the Bible more and that it would be good for them if they did, but they can’t seem to make it happen.

I agree and I understand.

I agree that we should read our Bibles regularly and that it would be good for us if we did. If the Bible is truly the Word of God — the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving creator of the universe — written for our good, what could be more important for us to read and know? What else could give us more wisdom? What else could give us more peace or comfort?

I also understand that it can be difficult to do it. There are so many things we need to do each day and so many shiny, sparkly distractions for any time left over. I had this same struggle for years. I overcame it in 5 minutes.

Well, in 5 minutes a day, to be more accurate.

Big goals are intimidating to me and I have a track record of failed goals to prove why. Small goals, however, don’t scare me. In fact, if I can make them small enough, they seem ridiculous not to do. And that is what I did with reading the Bible.

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. One for each day of the month. Each one can be read in 5 minutes or less. My plan was to read the chapter of Proverbs for whatever day of the month it was. If I missed a day, no big deal. I was never behind. My goal was always just to read that day’s chapter of Proverbs. It was easy. Ridiculously easy. So I did it. And I kept doing it. And it became a habit.

I have been reading a chapter of Proverbs each day for almost 20 years. It begins to sink in after a while. I do more than read a chapter of Proverbs each day now, but that is how it started.

Reading the Bible every day can change your life. You will learn wisdom. You will receive peace and comfort. You will see the character of God. You will read of the love of Jesus. You will see examples to emulate. Mistakes to avoid. It will change your life.

Start small. Read today’s chapter of Proverbs. Let that be your goal each day. 5 minutes a day can change your life.