Bible Study Tips & Tools for a Busy Momma: Introduction

Bible study?
I barely have time to brush my teeth in the morning and yet I'm suppose to somehow squeeze in a personal Bible study to my day?!

Sweet Momma of lots of Littles, if this is your cry, take heart. You are not alone. Each year, I hear from countless women from all over the globe that echo this same plea. 

Mommas from all walks of life.

From all stages on the journey of faith.

And while their circumstances are all remarkably different, their desires are always the same-to carve out time each day to press hard into Jesus. 

To take hold of truth.

To cling to the comfort that comes only from His Word.

But like yours, their days are long. They are filled. They are full.

It is sometimes hard to even imagine cramming one.more.thing. into the day, let alone something that often requires solitude and dare I say it?...QUIET.

In the coming days, I hope to encourage them and you and every momma in between as we, all, seek to study God's Word more deeply and know Him more fully.

In the meantime, I want you to remember a few simple truths.

There is no one "right way" to do a personal Bible study.

Your relationship with Christ is personal. It is unique. In the same way, your time spent with Him will be unique. Some women like to read through the Bible from cover-to-cover while others like to use devotional guides and study helps. Some sing praise and worship songs to start, others prefer meditative prayer. All are right and all are good, because there is no secret equation...secret formula that must be followed. God's Word is Rhema and so your time spent with Him will be singularly special.

If you've never done a personal Bible study before, don't get hung up on the HOWs. Just begin and God will meet you there.

"I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me, shall find me."  Proverbs 8:17 ESV

There are seasons for snacking and there are seasons for feasting.

In the crazy-chaos of having babies and toddlers, I was lucky to eke out a few minutes of study and prayer throughout random pockets in my day. That was a season of life that demanded much of my time and an extraordinary amount of physical energy. Those were the snacking days-the days when I only had enough time to enjoy nuggets of Truth. God somehow multiplied those small loaves and two fish and I learned much. But, that's the kind of God He is. He's been known for making something out of nothing.

I'm now in a different season, one which affords me more time to feast on the Word-to unpack it at length. I can savor larger quantities of Scripture and enjoy the IMPORTANT not just the URGENT.

Neither season is better or best. They are just the result of natural rhythms and changes of the journey. So, if you are in the grab-and-go snack season and feel pressed by the guilt of not being able to linger at the table, be encouraged. The feast isn't going anywhere. Nibble as you can and know that the bounty is comin'!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is no condemnation in Christ.

If there ends up being large gaps between your moments of quiet with the Lord...days, weeks, or even months, don't let the Accuser whisper His lies of judgement and self-loathing. While Satan stands armed with pointed fingers and harsh criticisms, God spreads open arms. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Don't ever feel crushed under the weight of shame. Rest in Him and know that He is always FOR YOU.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

One final word...

When you are feeling engulfed in the chaos and clutter of life- deafened by the noise of the routine, Sweet Momma, remember this...

El Roi is the God who sees.

Just as He saw Hagar crying in the wilderness...the mother who felt hopeless and lost...He sees you. He sees your busy days, your full plate, your mounting list of "to do's". But, He also sees your desire for more of Him. When you choose to purposefully plant yourself in His Word-to root yourself deep even if for a brief moment-you will begin to see the sacred in the mundane, to find miracles in the monotony of mothering. His Word provides more meaning. It provides more clarity. It provides MORE.

I invite you to join me in the coming days as I share some tips and tools for Bible study.

5 Days of Bible Study Tips & Tools for the Busy Momma

Introduction
On-line Tools and Studies
Top Devotionals and Studies
Going-Deeper Resources
Helpful Tips and a Peek into My Bible Study Routine