2 Reasons Why Devotion Books Are Killing Your Spiritual Growth

by ChaseSnyder | Oct 18, 2019 | Discipleship, How To Read The Bible

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Are you an impatient person who likes having access to things in an instant?

We can instantly stream movies without going to Blockbuster.
We have Instant Pots to cook our food quickly.
We even have mobile ordering so we can skip the lines.

We love having … but want to give little work and effort.

Somewhere along the way this mentality has skewed the way that we view our spiritual growth.

It is naive to think that growth of any kind can happen with little effort.

There have been plenty of times in my own life where I disengaged from God’s Word because I was over-engaged in other areas of life.

I felt like I couldn’t spend a ton of time in the Bible so I opted to dive into devotion books instead to get an instant dose of Bible content to sustain me as I went back into my busy schedule.

The problem? I spent more time reading other people’s thoughts about the Bible than I did actually reading the Bible.

The busyness of life can interfere with your spiritual growth. Practices, schoolwork, family time, and work demand your attention like a toddler who wants more gummy snacks.

As our schedules fill up with more to-dos, we can fail to prioritize the things that will fill us up. A full schedule can leave you feeling empty.

Bible study is one of the first things to fall through the cracks when our schedules become busy.

This happens to all of us.

The result: Our spiritual passions begin to burn out.

In a 2014 study by Lifway Research they found that 81% of church goers read the Bible less than once per week.

Less than once per week.

I don’t want you to over look this stat. 81% of the people who regularly attend church read their Bibles less than once per week.

Bible engagement is one of the primary spiritual disciplines that help us grow in our faith.

“Bible engagement is the number one spiritual discipline. It is number one because it impacts every other discipline. More than just “read your Bible more!”, Bible engagement is about applying what you’ve read to your daily life.”
Robby Gallaty

In a hope to spark some spiritual growth the church has encouraged people to grow in their spiritual lives by reading devotion books.

Devotion books are written by Christian leaders to encourage Jesus followers and to explain biblical passages in a conversational manner.

[READ: How To Study The Bible: 4 Tips For New Believers]

Devotion books are great tools for spiritual growth, but used incorrectly, will kill your spiritual growth.

How?

Here are 2 ways devotion books are killing your spiritual growth.

1. Devotion Books Are Supplements, Not Meal Replacements

There is no replacement for the Word of God.

The biblical authors wrote about the importance of learning from God’s Word and learning from teachers of God’s Word.

In Colossians 3:16 Paul wrote:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16

In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul instructed Timothy to:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

There is a necessity to be taught by Christian leaders and to engage with the Bible for yourself.

In today’s culture many Christians believe that streaming a sermon, listening to a 3-minute devotional podcast, or picking up a devotion book is enough to help them grow spiritually.

It isn’t.

Devotional content, sermons, and podcasts are supplemental. They are meant to be added to your daily discipline of Bible engagement.

Just like a vitamin, you can’t live on devotional content alone – you need a meal each day.

Jesus said it this way:

It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:4

Reading a devotion book gives you a false sense of spending time in God’s Word. Sure, there are a few Bible verses sprinkled into the devotion book, but what you are describing is more of a book study than a Bible study.

Nothing can replace the time you need to spend with Jesus by learning from the words of God, praying, and studying.

Failing to engage in the Bible is a recipe for never owning your own faith.

2. Devotion Books Don’t Teach You How To Read The Bible For Yourself

Surface-level Bible study develops surface-level Christians. It is impossible to dive deep into the Bible without opening up a copy of it.

If a devotion book inspires you to dive into God’s Word for yourself, then that book has fulfilled its purpose.

Maybe the content is so interesting that you find yourself opening your Bible to read the verses before and after the one listed in your daily devotional reading. Maybe your devotional walks through a specific method of Bible study so that you learn the tools you need to take your own Bible study deeper. If so, great!

But devotionals are limited in their ability to transform you — God’s Word isn’t.

Our ultimate trust is in the Word of God, not in the words of humans.

Devotionals are written by fallible, sinful people, God’s Word isn’t.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Devotionals may contain inspirational and motivational content, but they lack the power to divide soul and spirit, as Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word can.

If you are looking for a way to access God’s power, learn His will for your life, or grow closer to the Lord, then you have to go to God’s Word first and most.

That is one of the reasons I created a Bible reading journal along with my new book Doer. My aim is to help people apply the Bible to their lives but I know that can’t happen unless people know how to read the Bible.

Read It. Live It. is a 260-Day Bible Study Journal that walks you through each chapter in the New Testament to help you read, study, and apply God’s Word.

Check out Read It. Live It. and Doer below for special pre-order discounts.

Look for them both to launch on Amazon on March 26, 2019!

Chase Snyder

Writer, Pastor

Chase Snyder is an author and pastor in Metro Atlanta. Chase’s aim is to help people apply the Bible to their life by take their next step of faith in Jesus. He is the founder of Ministry Bubble – a content creation company that helps people turn their ideas into ministry to serve the local church. Chase writes, speaks, blogs, and hosts the Spiritual Conversations Podcast. He and his wife have two children.

Surface-Level Bible Study Creates Surface-Level Christians

by ChaseSnyder | Sep 14, 2018 | Discipleship, How To Read The Bible

Surface-level Bible study creates surface-level Christians.

Life is going to drain you. You need to remain in Jesus (John 15) and allow Jesus to produce spiritual fruit in your life.

How To Study The Bible | 5 Tips For Growing Christians

by ChaseSnyder | Aug 12, 2018 | Discipleship, How To Read The Bible

Are you reading the Bible but feel like you aren’t digging as deeply as you would like? Are you wondering how to study the Bible on another level without purchasing a ton of commentaries and Bible dictionaries?

Bible reading isn’t the only spiritual discipline God has commanded us to practice, but, in my opinion, it is one of the main avenues for Christians to know and experience the power of Jesus in their lives.

But reading the Bible can be intimidating with it’s long names, foreign places, and deep theological truths. In an attempt to help you read and apply the Bible to your daily life, I’m writing a series of blog posts to explain how to read the Bible.

[Read: How To Study The Bible | 4 Tips For New Christians]

[Read:Which Bible Plan is Best for Me?]

I believe that there are different levels of studying the Bible.

For new Jesus-followers who are beginning a new habit of reading the Bible, it is imperative for them to get into the Bible – even if that means reading only one verse per day.

But for those who are growing in their relationship with Jesus will notice that their affections for Jesus and God’s Word will also grow.

Spiritual Food

The words of God feed our souls much like food nourishes our bodies. As Satan tempted Jesus in the desert Jesus told him, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Our spiritual health is tied to our consumption and digestion of God’s Words.

Growing in our faith causes us to move from only reading a few verses here and there to savoring and obeying the Scripture.

John Piper talks about the concept of not only seeing the Scriptures, but savoring them.

“He wants our experience of the word to be such that we go beyond testing to tasting. Beyond knowing to loving. Beyond doctrine to delighting. Beyond seeing to savoring.” (Reading The Bible Supernaturally. p. 126)

There is more to Bible study than simply seeing the words – God uses the Scripture to transform lives.

Surface level Bible reading will create a surface level Christian.

[bctt tweet=”Surface level Bible reading will create a surface level Christian. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]

So, if you desire to dig deeper into the Bible, how do you study the Bible for all that it is worth?

Besides enrolling in a Christian University and earning a degree in Bible, here are five tips to help you dive deeper into the Bible.

How To Study The Bible | 5 Tips For Growing Christians

Read Through Chapters of the Bible

Context is key to understanding the Bible and diving deeper into your study of the Scripture. Taking one verse, without understanding the context, is dangerous to your understanding. The best way to understand the context of a verse is to study one book of the Bible at a time. It is time to move on from reading one verse here and there – you need to begin to piece the Bible together in a broader context of God’s Story.

The Bible wasn’t written with chapters and verses – it was written as historical books, poetry, and letters. With that said, I believe a great starting point is to at least read one chapter of the Bible per day. This will help you understand the context, setting, themes, and meaning of the verses you are reading.

Meditate on Biblical Passages

Many, in a desperate attempt to read more of the Bible, rush through Biblical passages. The goal isn’t how many minutes you spend in the Bible. The goal is to get more of the Bible in you. I’ve found that getting the Bible in me takes a slower and more thoughtful approach – meditation.

People have various definitions of what mediation is – yoga, humming, chanting phrases, and so on. But true biblical meditation means to allow God’s Word to steep in your mind so that it begins to transform you heart. Meditating can be as simple as having spiritual conversations, posting verses around your house, or setting your phone’s lock screen to a Bible verse.

[Read: What Does It Mean To Meditate On God’s Word?]

[bctt tweet=”The goal isn’t how many minutes you spend in the Bible. The goal is to get more of the Bible in you.” username=”chasesnyder12″]

Engage In Deeper Spiritual Conversations

As I wrote in the first post of this series, “How To Study The Bible | 4 Tips For New Christians,” the Bible wasn’t intended to be read in isolation. Deepening your understanding of the Bible cannot happen without deepening the spiritual conversations you have within your small group. Your group is the perfect place to ask difficult questions, seek answers through Bible study and prayer, then discuss what the Bible teaches about that subject.

Memorize Passages of the Bible

Sure, you have the Bible App on your phone, but how quickly can you reference Scripture when you are trying to make a decision? The best way to carry the Bible around is to memorize what it says. This is why the psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Meditating on God’s Word should lead to memorization of God’s Word. Some start with shorter verses at first, then memorize longer passages of Scripture. I would suggest that you begin to memorize passages that are directly encouraging you in your current season of life. Need encouragement, hope, or faith? Hide those verses in your heart so that you can walk in wisdom.

[bctt tweet=”Meditating on God’s Word should lead to memorization of God’s Word.” username=”chasesnyder12″]

Create Your Own Commentary

A Bible commentary is a reference book that provides insight and understanding on each verse in that book of the Bible. Some commentaries are scholarly while others are more devotional in nature. They are great tools to help you understand the background of passages.

Most likely, you aren’t a biblical scholar – most of us aren’t – but I think you should begin to create your own Bible commentary with a book of the Bible. How? Begin journalling through each Scripture. Your DIY Bible Commentary doesn’t need to be deep, nor will it ever be published.

This is a discipline I began several years ago. I write down the passage reference and simply write what is going on in that passage. I ask questions like, “Why is this passage in the Bible?” or “What does this passage show my about God’s heart, character, or attributes?” This way of journalling through books of the Bible helps me to retain the information more easily and forces me to slow down and study the Bible more deeply.

Now What?

I wanted to assist you in developing a deeper daily Bible study so I created some Bible study and prayer journals. These journals allow you the space and flexibility to follow your own Bible reading plan by answering three simple questions to help you apply that passage to your life. Answering these three questions will help you to slow down, meditate on a passage, and journal through the Bible.

How To Study The Bible | 4 Tips for New Christians

by ChaseSnyder | Jul 31, 2018 | Discipleship, How To Read The Bible

Rarely does a Sunday pass by without a pastor saying, “You need to read your Bible.” Unfortunately, those instructions aren’t always followed up with tips on how to study the Bible.

I’m a pastor and I’ve fallen into this trap before. I wrongly assume since I know how to read, study, and apply the Bible to my life that others know that as well. So, pastors can say, “don’t forget to read your Bible,” but people, especially new and young Christians, sit back with blank stares because they don’t know what it means to read the Bible.

If that is you, I’m sorry that the church hasn’t done the best job teaching people how to read the Bible.

This article will serve as an intro in a series of articles with tips on how to study the Bible.

[Read: How To Study The Bible | 5 Tips For Growing Christians]

[Read: Which Bible Plan is Best for Me?]

How To Study The Bible | 4 Tips for New Christians

Read With A Group Of Christians

You need accountability and encouragement to stay consistent and answer questions as you read God’s Word. From the accounts that were passed down through oral traditions to the letters written for local churches in the New Testament – the Bible was intended to be studied within the context of community. You won’t be able to meet with someone everyday and read the Bible together, but you need to be in a community of Jesus-followers that are pursuing Jesus and will check in on your spiritual growth.

Another option is to invite friends to read a specific Bible plan on the YouVersion Bible App. It is free, simple to use, and friends can see your daily reading and notes.

[bctt tweet=”The Bible was intended to be studied within the context of community.” username=”chasesnyder12″]

Jot Down Names, Words, And Concepts That You Don’t Understand

The Bible was written over thousands of years, in multiple languages, by a lot of people. There are plenty of names, locations, concepts, and words that are hard to understand. On the front end you need to recognize that some portions of the Bible will be difficult to read and understand without asking questions from those who are more mature in their faith. Passing by a hard word might make it easier to read. But ignoring words guarantees that you won’t learn new information. Try reading the Bible with a notepad open to jot down names, words, and concepts that you don’t understand. Then take that list to your weekly small group and ask if anyone can help you understand.

[bctt tweet=”Passing by a hard word might make it easier to read. But ignoring words guarantees that you won’t learn new information. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]

Have A Bible Reading Plan

“Where should I start reading the Bible?” That is a great question. I would suggest starting with one of the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. No matter where you start reading in the Bible, I think it is necessary for you to follow a Bible reading plan to keep you on track. The best plan is the one that you are going to follow. Once again, the YouVersion Bible App allows you to follow along with a topical, whole-Bible, or partial-Bible reading plans, set reminders, and share verses on your social media platforms.

[Read: Which Bible Plan is Best for Me?]

Set Aside A Specific Time And Space Each Day To Read The Bible

You will have to decide what time is best to read the Bible – in the morning, afternoon, or the evening. Like the Bible plans, my thought is that you need to read the Bible when it makes sense for you – but be consistent with the time and space. You need to protect that time and set it apart as a time to meet with Jesus.

Now What?

I hope those 4 tips help you as you develop a habit of daily Bible reading. You should check out the Bible study and prayer journals we have on the blog if you want to go a step further in your study and application of the Bible. These journals allow you the space and flexibility to follow your own Bible reading plan and answer 3 simple questions to apply that passage to your life.

Which Bible Reading Plan is Best for Me?

by ChaseSnyder | Jul 18, 2018 | Discipleship, How To Read The Bible

A question that I hear a lot is, “Which Bible reading plan is best for me?”

Honestly, I love hearing this question because it comes from people who are ready to take the next step in their own spiritual growth. There comes a point that we begin to realize that being spiritually fed at church on a Sunday morning or Wednesday evening isn’t enough for our souls to be filled.

Our souls, like our bodies, need to be fed in order to grow. If we are not feeding our souls by reading the Bible and practicing spiritual disciplines then we will begin to look for fulfillment in other areas (relationships, sins, identity) which leave us feeling empty.

The great news is that, according to a new Lifeway study, people who read the Bible consistently are those who have a Bible reading plan in place to guide them each day.

[Read: Why Do We Neglect The Bible? by Daniel Im]

That means that if you want to restart or begin reading the Bible for the first time, it would serve you well to find a Bible reading plan that you can follow.

It makes sense because we need plans to help us

Lose weight
Get a college degree
Accomplish goals
Or even shop at the store

The even better news is that The Bible App has changed the game for reading, applying, and studying the Bible!

[Read: How To Study The Bible | 5 Tips For Growing Christians]

[Read: How To Study The Bible | 4 Tips For New Believers]

It has never been easier to access the Bible and follow a Bible reading plan. Download the Bible App, select a reading plan, and schedule the plan to send you reminders each day — it is that simple.

You can use your bible if you prefer reading and underlining there but use the Bible app to keep you plan.

With all of the options on the app it can be confusing to know which plan is right for you.

My advice is to simply begin reading the Bible – regardless of which plan it is.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail” also applies to our spiritual growth.

[bctt tweet=”“Failing to plan is planning to fail” also applies to our spiritual growth.” username=”chasesnyder12″]

Some plans are 3 days long. Others cover the entire Bible in 3 years. Some instruct you to read one verse per day while others will have you read the entire Bible in 90 days.

If you aren’t in the habit of reading the Bible I would suggest that you start off slowly – reading a chapter or so per day. Find what fits for you and start somewhere. As you develop this discipline your affections and spiritual fire will be stoked and you will begin to dive deeper into Scripture each day.

Typically I will read my Bible, journal my prayers (more posts to come on journaling), and jot down some thoughts about the passage I read.The Bible reading plans listed below are wonderful resources for reading God’s Word. You should check out the Bible study and prayer journals we have on the blog if you want to go a step further in your study and application of the Bible. These journals allow you the space and flexibility to follow your own Bible reading plan and answer 3 simple questions to apply that passage to your life.

[Check Out: Bible Study and Prayer Journals]

So, which Bible reading plan is best for me? Here are 9 great plans.

The plans listed are shorter plans that have been selected to get your going with your daily Bible reading. If you are looking for some whole Bible plans, check out the Bible App’s “Through The Bible” plans.