I Didn’t Meet My Bible Study Goal of 2025
It is New Year’s Eve and I know folks are reflecting on their goals and accomplishments. Of course I did the same and NOPE!
My Bible study goal was to read a spread a day. I have never set a goal for my Bible studies but this seemed do-able to me. Well I didn’t make it and I am really sad about that but I couldn’t be sad for long because I looked back on how much I studied this year in comparison to all the previous years in my life and I was excited. Setting that goal helped me study more than ever this year. I will set the same goal for 2026 and try even harder to reach it! I also understand that it takes much longer to study the Bible than to simply read through it. Grace!
I did however reach the goal of studying through half of my Bible this year!!!! I celebrated with a Potbelly’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookie YES!
Do you have a Bible study goal this year? If so please share!
#biblestudygoal #biblestudywithme #biblejournalingcommunity #biblestudynotes #chronologicalstudybible
Building on my journey of trying to study the Bible more deeply this year, I've realized that truly engaging with God's Word goes beyond just reading. It's about letting it speak to your heart and mind, chapter by chapter. While I didn't hit my exact 'spread a day' goal, the breakthrough came when I started asking myself deeper 'reflection questions' after each reading. This approach truly transformed my daily quiet time. If you're looking to dive deeper into each chapter of the Bible, here are some reflection questions I've found incredibly helpful. You can use them for any passage, whether it's a historical account like the reign of King MANASSEH and his cycles of rebellion and repentance in Judah, or powerful Messages of Hope for God's People from the prophets. Reflection Questions for Deeper Chapter Study: What is the main message or theme of this chapter? Are there any characters or figures that stand out? What can I learn from their actions or words (e.g., the transformation of JOSIAH after Manasseh)? What does this chapter reveal about God's character, His nature, or His will? Is there a command to obey, a promise to claim, a warning to heed, or an example to follow? How does this chapter connect to other parts of the Bible I've read? How does this chapter apply to my life today? What feelings or thoughts did it stir in me? Is there anything here that challenges my current beliefs or understanding? What is one thing I want to remember from this chapter, and how can I BE BOLD in applying it? Beyond asking these questions, I've found that having a structured approach to studying each chapter makes a huge difference. I usually start by Preading the chapter once for general understanding, then go back and read it again more slowly, highlighting key verses or phrases. Understanding the historical DATES and context is also crucial; knowing when events like the fall of Jerusalem (e.g., 586 BC) occurred helps paint a clearer picture. For those of us looking for a little extra help, there are fantastic platform or app or site options out there that can enhance your chapter-by-chapter study. I've personally explored a few and found them invaluable: YouVersion Bible App: Not only does it offer countless translations, but it also has reading plans and devotionals that guide you through specific books or themes, often providing prompts for reflection. Bible Gateway: An excellent online resource where you can easily search for verses, compare translations, and access commentaries or dictionaries to understand difficult passages. Blue Letter Bible: This one is a goldmine for in-depth study. It allows you to look up original Hebrew and Greek words, access concordances, and dive into various commentaries, which really helps when you're trying to grasp the nuances of THEM (the original text). These tools, combined with a commitment to asking reflective questions, have made my Bible study journey so much richer. It's not about being perfect, it's about being persistent and allowing grace for the days when life gets in the way. Just like I celebrated reaching my goal of studying half my Bible with some delicious COOKIES, remember to celebrate your small wins too! What tools or questions help you with your chapter studies?
Just jeep going from where you left off. Keep Pushing Forward