God’s Word is our spiritual food and the firm foundation for everything we do. Abiding in it sustains us and shows that we are true disciples of Christ (John 8:31). As you step into this new year, consider these ten practical ways to engage with Scripture to abide in it and grow in your delight for God’s truth.
1. Read the Word
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” – Matt 4:4.
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, but it is also a book that deserves to be read regularly in its entirety. A complete reading of the Bible offers a big-picture view of God’s redemptive story from beginning to end, and it helps us understand the overarching narrative of Scripture. Furthermore, frequently reading Scripture reinforces our remembrance of God’s story.
One popular way to achieve this is by following an annual Bible reading plan. Ligonier offers various plans that cater to different schedules and preferences, so you can find one that works best for you. I am reading through the Bible chronologically this year, but my usual go-to plan is the Legacy Bible reading plan. If you have never read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, now is the time to start!
2. Hear the Word
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” – Romans 10:17.
Hearing God’s Word is a powerful way to take in Scripture. Though this includes listening to an audio Bible, I specifically refer to hearing God’s Word preached. Before the canon of Scripture was finished, believers primarily heard God’s Word through public readings and preaching. Regularly hearing God’s Word preached is an excellent way to grow your knowledge of Scripture and remain in it.
The simplest way to do this is by being part of a biblical church where the whole counsel of God is faithfully preached. But you can go even further by listening to sermons from other trusted preachers. Thanks to the internet, we can access a wealth of sermons from godly men throughout history and worldwide. During the week, why not incorporate additional sermons into your routine? For example, some of my favorite preachers to listen to outside of my pastor are John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, Charles Spurgeon, and Alistair Begg.
3. Study the Word
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Studying Scripture differs from reading it. Reading provides breath, while studying offers depth. We need both since studying makes us dive deeper into God’s Word and grow in our understanding. Knowing how to study the Bible also helps us mature. It proves we have moved beyond solely relying on hearing the Word preached and feeding ourselves directly from Scripture.
You will need tools like cross-references, original language resources, and commentaries to study Scripture correctly and uncover its richness. If you’re looking for guidance, I’ve written several articles about Bible study tools and methods you can explore here.
4. Meditate on the Word
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” – Psalm 1:2.
You also want to meditate on God’s Word, which is distinct from studying it. While studying engages the mind, meditation engages the heart. It is pondering truths uncovered during your study, allowing them to sink into your soul and renew you.
Biblical meditation is one of the most effective ways to abide in God’s Word and delight in it. By meditating on Scripture, you not only grow in understanding but also love for His truth. If you want to learn more about biblical meditation, check out this article.
5. Memorize the Word
“Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart” – Proverbs 7:2–3.
One of the best ways to abide in God’s Word is to have it literally abide in you through Scripture memorization. The benefits of Scripture memorization are many—it equips you to fight sin, keeps God’s truth close at hand, and allows you to meditate on His Word throughout the day. I began memorizing Scripture about seven years ago, and no other discipline has affected my ability to know and reflect on God’s Word like it. Whether through my daily reviews or random moments, God’s Word is always within reach, cycling through my mind and shaping my thoughts.
If you’ve never tried memorizing Scripture, why not start this year? It’s easier than you might think, though it requires discipline. For tips and encouragement, check out my article: How to Memorize Scripture.
6. Write the Word
“And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them” – Deuteronomy 17:18–19.
Scripture writing is a fantastic way to engage with God’s Word. Writing Scripture by hand lets you slowly reflect on each verse, word by word and line by line. It also helps with retention, as studies have shown that writing by hand improves memory. I love writing Scripture, which has become a meaningful part of my morning devotional routine. It helps me focus on the words and appreciate each verse. Check out my guide here if you’d like to learn more about Scripture writing. If you are more artistic, you can incorporate drawings or illustrations of the words.
7. Pray the Word
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” – 1 John 5:14–15.
Praying God’s words back to Him is one of the most excellent ways to pray. It was a hallmark of the Puritans’ prayer life, and it is what made their prayers so stirring and moving. Praying Scripture also ensures we pray according to God’s will, as His Word is perfect and unchanging. To pray God’s Word, you can use written prayers found in Scripture, turn passages into personal prayers, or pray through the Psalms.
For further guidance, I recommend two excellent books: Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney, which offers practical tips on praying Scripture, and A Method of Prayer by Matthew Henry, a collection of prayers crafted entirely from Scripture.
8. Sing the Word
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” – Colossians 3:16.
Music is one of God’s greatest gifts, and it’s a beautiful means to help us abide in His Word. The Bible actually encourages us to sing the Word with hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). Singing God’s Word is also a powerful way to memorize Scripture effortlessly. Think about all the songs you’ve learned over the years that still linger in your memory without active rehearsal.
God values singing His Word so much that He provided us with a songbook in the Bible: the Psalms. And a great way to sing Scripture is by singing the Psalms. Many Psalters adapt the Psalms to familiar melodies, making them easy to sing. My church uses the Trinity Psalter from Crown and Covenant, but you can use any psalter. You can also put other parts of Scripture to music and sing them. Many artists create beautiful songs based on various Scripture passages, offering even more opportunities to sing God’s Word.
9. Teach the Word
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” – Deuteronomy 6:6–7.
Teaching deepens our understanding and helps us know His Word, as we must know it well before passing it on to others. Teaching God’s Word is a calling for all believers because we are all commissioned to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). You don’t need to teach in a formal setting—teaching can involve guiding someone younger in the faith, sharing biblical truths with a friend, or instructing your children. Seek to teach God’s Word in whatever capacity God places before you. As you do, you’ll grow in your knowledge of Scripture and ability to communicate it effectively.
10. Apply the Word
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves…the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” – James 1:22, 25.
Finally, apply the Word! It’s essential not just to learn God’s Word but to live it out. To truly abide by the Scripture, we must use it. The Bible can transform our minds, shape our hearts, and guide our actions. And as we apply Scripture and witness how it transforms us, we will grow to delight in it even more.
Every time you engage with God’s Word, ask yourself how to practice it. Look for opportunities to apply what you’re learning in your daily life. While some portions of Scripture lend themselves to practical application more readily than others, the Holy Spirit is always there to guide us.
Grace and peace to you!
