We all know that it would be best to wake up at 5am to get our Bible Study done before everyone in the house wakes up, but let’s admit it, this is just not always possible in certain stages of motherhood, or maybe ever. I am NOT a morning person, although I’m working on it.
Try having a meaningful Bible Study when you are prying your eyes apart because you were up with the baby all night. Theology before 3 cups of coffee? I don’t think so.
I have found a few creative things that help me to make sure that Bible Study is a top priority and makes the schedule each and every day.
1.) Break your Bible Study up during the day.
Try breaking your Bible Study up during the day into what fits best for your personal schedule. Do you fall asleep when you pray? Maybe Bible reading in the morning, prayer during the kids’ nap time, and journaling at night before bed would work for you.
2.) Post your memory verses around the home.
This does not have to be anything fancy. Use post it notes or index cards. Write your memory verse for that week and add it to different spots in the house where you happen to sit or stand often. This would be in front of the kitchen sink, above the stove, on the washing machine, at the computer, on the bathroom mirror, etc. Need peace? Grab this set of FREE printable scripture cards. Or try this set that is especially made for moms.
3.) Listen to sermon podcasts or stream a sermon online during daily activities.
If you need to multi-task, try listening to a sermon online. This is a great way to get in God’s word and also some housework, chores, or exercise. Try streaming it through your smart phone or iPod and listen to it with headphones to drown out the kids playing in the background if it’s a distraction to you.
4.) Do your daily devotions with your children.
Who said that your daily Bible study always has to be done alone and in complete silence? I don’t know about you, but complete silence and even alone time are pretty difficult to come by when you have a large family, or any kids really. Moms often don’t even get to go to the bathroom alone!
Where I do think it is good to try to find alone time for prayer and meditation, I also do not think it is an excuse to skip your daily Bible Study time when alone time is no where in sight.
I think that doing your daily devotion with your children is a great way to train a young child to practice sitting still for church and will be a lasting example to your children for their need to spend time with the Lord each day. Use this time to talk about Biblical things with your children. It is an open door to share the Gospel with them.
Here is a great list of Christian resources for the whole family, including devotional suggestions.
5.) Create quiet times during the day for your children, so that you can pray and study.
Sometimes we just need to carve out a portion of our day to do these things. There is nothing wrong with throwing on a movie for the kids to watch so that you can steal away for a few minutes to complete your Bible Study for the day. You could also have that quiet time be your child’s quiet time with the Lord as well. Depending on their age, they can read their Bible, pray, read or look at Bible story books (lift-the-flap ones are great for toddlers), or listen to an audio version of the Bible or Bible stories.
6.) Set an alarm to remind you to complete your Bible Study.
It is so important that we meet with the Lord each and every day, Ladies!
I know that I get so wrapped up in the day and I just forget sometimes, or other things seem more pressing. There is nothing more pressing than your spiritual food. So set an alarm to help remind you for those days when there is more to do than time to do it in. An accountability partner in this area would not hurt either.
What are some creative ways and strategies you have found to help fit Bible study into your day? Let us know in the comments below!
I really like the Scripture cards. That is a simple way to be able to memorize and meditate on God’s word.
I have written our verses of Scripture to be able to use through out the day.
I like to get up about an hour before my children get up and have my quiet time. It sure helps get my day started off right. If I don’t get my Bible study done in the morning, I find that I’m much more stressed and irritable with the children.
I enjoy getting up early while everyone is still sleeping and the house is quiet. It’s a joy to spend time alone with the Lord praying and reading His Word. Then when everyone else gets up, we have a time together for family morning devotions before we eat breakfast. My Mom always had Bible verses in every room of our house growing up so that is something I have done since we got married. Seeing God’s Word is comforting and encouraging. Our daughters have helped write out verses and draw pictures to go with them now that they are old enough. 🙂 May God’s Word comfort your hearts as well. He loves you very much and His love is everlasting! Jeremiah 31:3 Thanks Sarah for your monthly Scripture Copywork calendars – we just finished the one on Being Compassionate and decided this morning to o do the one on Being Kind for the month of May,.
I always get up early and Bible Study & devotions is my first priority. I like the calm of the early morning to focus on God.
My husband has gotten me into watching sermons on youtube. It’s something we like to do together.
This is really helpful – I was just talking about this very thing this morning. It can be really difficult to make space for Bible Study.
I think in general, that moms feel guilty making any time for themselves. It’s hard to balance all the things we must do each day-work, take care of the children, homeschool/help with homework, children’s activities etc. Often, if I sit still, (because I rarely do) I just may fall asleep. lol Sometimes, I imagine, that if I worked as hard doing one thing for myself, as I work doing all the other things I do, I’d actually be surprised at what I could accomplish. 😉
I’m always so amazed by moms like you that homeschool and blog. Thank you for your passion, support and sharing such wonderful wisdom and resources with others!
I don’t have any kids but these are such great ideas and tips
Thanks for this incredible post.
These are great ideas! Thank you so much!
Yes! I enjoy taking time for myself in the morning (getting up before the kids) or after they are asleep (if I can manage to stay up). I’ve realized I’m a better mom if I get that time in. Even if it’s a half hour. I’m amazed at homeschooling moms that find time to blog. I often feel there aren’t enough hours in a day.
Thank you for all the tips, I never thought of using an alarm.
Thank you for the information shared in this post!
I do part of my Bible reading before my kids get up with a cup of tea, and then we do a chapter of Bible reading together at the start of our school day.
I like the suggestions of posting memory verses on cards or post-it notes around the house and the suggestion to set alarms to remind you to study or take a prayer break. Small things like those can make a big difference. It’s better to do a little at a time than to be overwhelmed with things to do, and not get any studying done. Those little timeouts can help not just with Bible study, but with stress in general.
Consistency is key for me. Same area and same time builds the habit.
I so would love the extra helps in prioritizing my time with the Lord. My youngest aged out of AWANA and now I don’t have that as a help in memorization.
Thanks for the advice!
I love the ideas to grow my faith and knowledge of the Word. Thank you!
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful post. We always find the time to do waht we need !
Love the scripture cards. Perfect for teens & tweens.
Great resources!
Really enjoyed the suggestions! will be trying to implement some in our daily lives!
No children myself, but your tips are amazing.
Homeschool kids are amazing and super smart.
I love waking up early and reading my morning devotionals and reflecting on them outside with a cup of coffee as I sit on my back porch. My morning gets kicked off with waking up the grandchildren and they help me let the chickens out of their coop, we feed the bunnies and we let the dogs out. Then we come inside and we wake up my teen daughters and everyone makes breakfast and pulls out their books and start off their Homeschooling day. We might have some homeschool co-op meeting to attend but we are always home in time for prayer and dinnertime. After bath time for the little ones, I read a book to them, tuck them in and I sit reading my bible as they drift off to sleep. Keeping a routine helps me stay on track with my devotions, my prayers and my daily bible reading.
Love these ideas!! Great ways to connect with kiddos.
I haven’t been able to access the giveaway form for two days. It just shows that it is ‘spinning.’ It says ‘discovering the big giveaway theory’ with a spinning triangle?!?
I would suggest trying another browser or device. Everything is working on this end.
It’s great listening to podcasts. Early morning is the best time for me.