Learn how these 3 simple bible study tips can help you study your Bible as a busy mom consistently, with practical tips and encouragement.
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If you’re wondering how to make time for Bible study while raising children, you’re not alone. Between diapers, dishes, homeschooling, meals, and sleepless nights, finding quiet time with God can feel impossible. But Bible study for busy moms doesn’t require hours of uninterrupted silence. With a simple plan and the right tools, you can build a meaningful daily habit—even in the busiest seasons.
Does this sound like you? You try to wake up before the kids but as your feet hit the carpet, “Mom! What is for breakfast? I’m hungry!”
Noon. The kids are fed and tired so maybe now that it is naptime you will get some quiet minutes to read your bible…but the baby spiked a fever so there goes that.
Ahhh, the kids are in bed and now I can sit…and read…my…Bib…zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Does any of that sound familiar? You try for a bible study routine and it just seems like you have a few good days and then something derails it.
You find yourself thinking that maybe when the kids are older you can have consistent time studying the bible.
I hate to break it to you, but there will always be something fighting against you when it comes to time in the Word. Schedules, sickness, chaos, exhaustion, and whatever else you encounter. You just have to MAKE time for it. It’s worth it, I promise!
WHY BIBLE STUDY MATTERS FOR BUSY MOMS
It matters because it is our daily bread.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13
But {Jesus} answered him saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4 – Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 against the enemy trying to tempt Him)
We need our daily bread, our daily dose of scripture to sustain us. It is part of our Christian’s armor, it is good for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
So how do I make sure I get into it every day? Bible study for busy moms is possible with these 3 things.
CHOOSE A BIBLE YOU WILL ACTUALLY READ
It begins with having a good Bible. One that you can read and understand. We have so many translations to choose from today, and they all have varying benefits depending on what you are needing. My favorites are the NIV, ESV, and HCSB.
And in case you aren’t overwhelmed but just the choices in translations, there are even different styles to choose; devotional, journaling, inductive, and study. But to maybe help you narrow it down, I use my Interleaved ESV Journaling Bible and my HCSB Study Bible the most.
FOLLOW A SIMPLE BIBLE READING PLAN
You could absolutely read your Bible without a “plan” but I would strongly encourage you to avoid the “open my Bible and read whatever page it opens up to.” The reason for this is when you only get little sections of scripture here and there, you don’t get to build on your Bible literacy or comprehension. Rather, when you read through a book of the Bible, you will notice repeated themes and phrases and understand more of what you are reading as you continue through the book.
Reading through the Bible one book at a time is my favorite. Slow and steady, working through the text and praying through what the Word is saying. This doesn’t have to be in hour-long intense study sessions. 5, 10, 20 minute increments can offer a lot when done intentionally. You could even listen to the Bible now with the YouVersion Bible App. This is a wonderful tool I use in my own study time while I follow along in my paper Bible!
You could stop right here with these 2 simple Bible study tips – a Bible and a plan – and have some amazing Bible study as a busy mom. But I am going to give you a few more resources to look at and maybe add to your daily reading time.
The Bible Recap has been an amazing experience. Reading through the Bible chronologically and then listening in on the Recap with the podcast has brought a lot of spiritual growth in the Word. I encourage you, implore you, if you have not read through the entire Bible yet, you have to check out Tara Leigh Cobble and The Bible Recap.
LISTEN TO BIBLICAL PODCASTS THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY
As a busy mom, your sit down windows are probably short. However, you can consume some great theology and teaching through podcasts and audiobooks!
Risen Motherhood offers a blog, podcast, and a book! Emily and Lauren are sweet and funny as they deliver truth through the Gospel into your everyday life. They also have a ton of study resources on their website to help you in your own study of God’s Word!
The Daily Grace Co. is another fantastic blog and podcast. They offer beautiful publications, bible studies, scripture cards, a Bible Handbook and more. And they are frequently offering $5 Sales!!
The Sword & The Trowel for some meatier theology. These guys help think through different topics, historical and current, with a biblical worldview and Scripture.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO USE ALL OF THIS FOR STUDY TIME IF I STRUGGLE TO EVEN FIND THE TIME?!
I am so glad you asked!
MY TIPS FOR A SIMPLE DAILY BIBLE STUDY ROUTINE
It starts with setting and committing to a time of day. First thing in the morning truly is the best because you can control when you wake up. Once the day starts and all the balls start rolling, it is harder to not let other things slide into a time slot that you may try to allocate for Bible study. Wake up 15-20 minutes earlier if you need to, but set a time and commit to it!
All you really need is your Bible, a pencil or pen, and the Holy Spirit. Adding devotionals and books and all the things can quickly distract from your time. With all the resources available to us, we have quickly become dependent on other people telling us what they know from the Bible instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to teach us and give us understanding. Pick your book of the Bible and begin. (I recommend a gospel or one of the epistles; Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, or Colossians.)
Pray before you read and ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal things to you that you haven’t before seen. It is recommended and beneficial for you to read through the whole book at least once so you get the entire voice of the author in your mind as you read slowly through each passage/chapter. As you read, look for where you see God in the text.
Our nature wants to see ourselves in the scriptures, what does it say about us. But scripture points us to God and our application is how we respond BECAUSE of who God is.
With your pencil, underline repeated words, words you want to look up in the dictionary, people, places, and themes. Investigate the footnotes at the bottom of your Bible. Write down any questions that you have as you read through the chapter/passage.
Then meditate on what you read as you go about your day. Try to tell it back to yourself in your own words. Tell it to your kids, your dog! Being able to share what you read is a great way to see what you comprehended from the text!
If the passage had you asking questions, plan to read it again the next morning. New things will jump out and may make more sense the next time through.
Try to save commentaries or extra resources for the end, when you have finished the book. This way you are relying on your own mind and the Holy Spirit’s teaching to reveal things to you, not what other people learned and studied. Commentaries are excellent! Just exercise your own study muscles first.
With the exception of The Bible Recap, the other resources are like a bonus snack for me.
MY SIMPLE MORNING BIBLE STUDY ROUTINE
Here is what a typical day looks like for me.
Wake up between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. Make coffee and start the laundry.
Grab my coffee, Bible, and ear buds and head out to our front porch. Greet God and pray. Then I open up the The Bible App and press play on the day’s reading. I follow along in my Bible underlining and jotting notes down as we go, pausing if I need to. Then I listen to the Recap in my podcast app. This entire portion of my morning takes about 20-25 minutes.
I especially loved that even if our boys would wake up earlier, they would just come and snuggle next to me until I finished with my reading. Now that they are older they give me a kiss and let me finish my Bible study time.
We then start our normal day with chores, homeschooling and whatever else.
Throughout the day, while I am folding laundry or cleaning around the house, I will pop my ear buds back in and listen to a podcast or sermon. Or even keep my Bible cracked open to the day’s reading so I can re-read verses and ponder them.
Extra Study Time…
I like to spend Sunday afternoons doing some deeper study, or meditating on the sermon from that morning. And when I find an extra 15-30 minutes here and there throughout the week, I like to crack open a commentary to add to my studying.
By keeping a rich and simple approach to Bible study, it doesn’t become overwhelming or boring. The Word of God is unchanging, yet new each time I encounter it because I am growing. And God is faithful to bring the understanding as I seek Him. He is faithful for you too! Busy moms can study the Bible!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long should a busy mom study the Bible?
Even 10-15 intentional minutes done consistently will build your biblical literacy and intimacy with God. You will know Him more and love Him deeper with just that.
What book of the Bible should I start with?
The Gospel of John is the most recommended. Mark is also a great place to begin. For an epistle I recommend Ephesians, Philippians, or Colossians.
Is listening to the Bible the same as reading it?
I wouldn’t say it’s the same, but it is acceptable and has its place. I like to listen WHILE I follow along in my Bible. The main reason being that it is easier for repeated words and phrases to jump out at me.
Remember this: God isn’t asking you for perfection. He is inviting you into a deeper relationship with Him. Whether it’s 30 minutes uninterrupted or a few verses with a crying toddler on your hip. Both are beautiful opportunities to connect with Him.
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to daily Bible study? Share it in the comments so we can encourage one another.
Wonderful! That makes my heart happy to be able to encourage you in this way. I hope you enjoy it and the Lord blesses your time in the Word to grow closer and more steadfast in Him! ❤️
This is great wisdom! I use many of these same resources, but I have never heard of the Bible Recap. I looked it up and started following them, and I’m excited to add this into my day. I may add it in the afternoon while doing chores to remind me of what I went over in the morning. I am so grateful for all you shared in this!