Sometimes the issue isn't a lack of Bible study. Sometimes it's too much. Often, we end up in several different groups, chasing several topics. It doesn't take long before ideas and discussion threads run together and we can't keep up with what we studied, when or with whom. For example, I'm reading the New Testament for myself, reading Psalms for a group I'm leading, and studying a book on sin with my Sunday morning group, and studying Revelation with my Wednesday night kids. How can we keep it all straight, and get something out of every study?
Break the rules.
Well, not exactly 'break' them. Don't allow an artificial "system" to rob your study time of the maximum benefits.
My daily Bible readings are designed to be done daily (That's why they're called…). It's just reading, and not studying, so I do stick with that one.
My Kay Arthur Psalms study is designed for daily study. First of all, my study group decided we'd rather take the study more slowly than the book says. We'd rather discuss more in depth, than stick to the "schedule". So rather than spread them out, doing a little snippet each day, I do a longer more focused study. I only study with Kay on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays (Tuesdays, too, if I need an extra day.)
For my Wednesday group, I spend that afternoon getting ready for them.
My Sunday morning group- I study that one on Saturday morning.
Getting focused time alone with God in His word is far more important than sticking to someone else's schedule or system. Consider how and when you study and learn best:
- First thing in the morning? Before bed? Over lunch?
- A little at a time, with lots of in-between time to think it over? An intense hour-long session?
- Alone or in a group?
- Right before the group meets? Right after the group meets?
- Multiple studies or just one? (Drop out of a Bible study? Is that allowed??)
- Verse-by-verse book studies or topical ones?
We are uniquely designed by God, and our most effective study methods reflect that.