How to Make Space for God in Bible Study  

My oldest nephew’s graduation was a few weeks away. My mom and I went to great lengths to make sure the day was spectacular for him. We assigned ourselves duties and made certain that every detail of his special day was covered. I had the responsibility of reserving the restaurant, decorating his room, and purchasing gifts for him. 

My first task involved googling restaurants, reading reviews, and going over online menus to see which restaurant even offered food my nephew would enjoy. Next on the list was visiting various stores to buy décor I knew he would enjoy based on his interests, hobbies, and personality. Finally, I put thought into gifts that would last beyond graduation day: one being a Christian book of life principles for high school graduates. Every action revolving around this special occasion was deliberately intentional.

All the planning made me think about something that had never crossed my mind before. Do we take the time to set the atmosphere this way when we’re preparing to meet the Lord, the one who proudly calls us friend, for quality time? How do we set the tone for creating intimacy with him when we are preparing for Bible study? The good thing about preparing for these moments is that it doesn’t take much, just a postured heart and a willing spirit. Here are three simple steps to making space for God in Bible study. 

Choose a Quiet and Comfortable Space

And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Mark 6:31 (ESV)

First, choose a quiet space with minimal distractions to spend time with God. If possible, select a space at home since public places can sometimes have a lot going on. Home is a place of familiarity, with limited interruptions and comfort. If home is not an option for you, other good locations are libraries, parks, and even break rooms at work. However, regardless of where you are, distractions may still arise. There are seasons when the kiddos are more needy, a family member or spouse may be sick and in need of care, or home renovations are underway. These are times in which we must adapt and adjust. But rest assured that no matter what is going on, God will still meet us right where we are.  

Second, if other people are in the home, politely ask them to give you a moment to be alone to spend time with the Lord. That way, they may be more considerate about giving you the space you need to study the Word and further develop your relationship with God. 

Lastly, ensure that you are comfortable. You have total control of the space where you will be encountering the Father. For example, you may want to pick a comfy chair, light a few candles or play some soft Gospel music or instrumentals. It may also be beneficial to silence your phone or enable “Do Not Disturb” mode. Doing these things in advance means you will not have to interrupt your study time.¹ Whatever creates the space to help you focus on God and his Word, do it. 

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Show up Prepared for Bible Study 

Preparation is key. The act of studying the Bible is no different than studying any other subject. Every student must come prepared to class. Be sure to have a notebook, pens, pencils, and highlighters. It is also helpful to have scholarly commentaries, a Bible dictionary, and previous notes from sermons or former Bible study sessions on the subject you will be studying. These tools provide support while we are studying. It also shows the Holy Spirit that we are creating the space for him to be an excellent teacher, and it shows the Lord that we are taking this time with him seriously. 

Related: 5 Must-Have Bible Study Resources for New Christians

Begin by Praying with Thanksgiving and An Alert Mind 

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

It is important to have an alert mind in this moment because the enemy will try everything in his power to cloud your mind with distractions, doubts, and disbelief. This can lead to low engagement and desire to complete your studies.

Next, a thankful heart reminds us that it is an honor and privilege to commune with God. Beginning Bible study with prayer shifts our focus from ourselves to God. It also reminds the enemy that he is not welcome into this time with God. 

Here are a few things you can pray for before studying the Bible: 

Pray for Forgiveness 

Asking for forgiveness gives us a clean slate before God. Repent of anything you may have done, said, or thought that has grieved God’s heart. This should be done sincerely and with the intent on changing the behavior, mindset, and language moving forward. This keeps sin from being an obstacle to our spiritual growth. For example, this is similar to when we speak to a friend for the first time after wronging them. The friendship cannot progress until a discussion about what went wrong and how it can be prevented in the future takes place. Though God understands our shortcomings, he expects us to strive to live righteously.

Related: How to Come Back to God After Backsliding

Pray for A Teachable Spirit

For believers in Christ, it is necessary to have humility as we learn about the Bible. Bible study teaches us about God and his plans for our lives. There is always something new to learn about our Creator, whether we have been in church our entire lives or whether we are just getting started in our journey with God. It is important that we desire to understand God more deeply and unlearn anything that we may have learned incorrectly. Ultimately, we must surrender our pride to the Lord so that we may know his perfect plans for our lives.

Pray for Revelation

As we study the Bible, we often receive answers to prayers, questions, and wisdom for various life situations. Praying for revelation is important because it gives us an opportunity to learn, grow, and receive direction from the Holy Spirit as we digest God’s word. Praying for revelation can also allow us to understand God’s will and be attuned to the plans he has for our lives.      

Completing these three simple steps will help you make space for God during your Bible study time. This atmosphere will be welcoming and inviting to God as you study his edifying Word. 

1.  A note: we want to reiterate that this may not apply to you if you have young children, family members to care for, or responsibilities in which you need to be available at any moment. Life can be full at times, and we know it is not always realistic to have Bible study time that is completely free of interruptions. 
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