If you've ever wanted to know God more deeply but struggled to stay consistent in His Word, this conversation is for you. I sit down with Bible teacher Bethany Lauren (Simply Bible on Instagram)—pastor's wife, mom of two, and classical high school literature and philosophy teacher—to talk about why Bible study matters, the mistakes that keep us stuck, and simple, practical ways to make Scripture a real part of daily life. Bethany shares her own story of coming to the Word as a grieving seven-year-old who lost her mom, and how a leather-bound Bible from her grandparents became her lifeline. We get honest about distraction, the tension between the intellect and the heart, and why no amount of Christian content can replace time alone with Jesus in the "prayer closet."
Bethany's story: finding God in the Word after loss
The two biggest distractions from Bible study—phone addiction and the to-do list—and how to fight them
"Bible first, work second": protecting time in the Word when ministry is your job
Why enjoying Scripture matters more than performing it, and how to romanticize your time in the Word
Reading fluency, easier translations, and letting go of the shame around both
The two big Bible study mistakes: cherry-picking verses vs. worshiping perfect interpretation
Why loving the Bible isn't the same as knowing Christ—and the danger of "outsourced discipleship"
Holding intellect and heart together without losing either
Faith as a community project: why the quiet time should propel us outward
A simple three-stage framework for overwhelmed readers
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bible study and its significance 02:12 Bethany's personal journey and passion for scripture 06:47 Common distractions and how to overcome them 14:49 Different approaches to engaging with the Bible 20:07 The importance of reading the Bible as a letter or novel 24:58 Practical tips for starting and maintaining Bible study 30:13 Avoiding cherry-picking verses and misinterpretation 35:04 The role of grace and humility in Bible study 40:13 The importance of community and sharing faith experiences 44:57 Practical steps for creating a dedicated space for prayer and study 50:05 The balance between study, prayer, and service 54:47 Encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed or distracted 01:00:04 The significance of grace and God's faithfulness in our journey
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Justine Cheri Ordway. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Justine Cheri Ordway och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
