3 Bible Study Mistakes That Keep Christians Spiritually Stuck (And How to Fix Them)
Jun 23, 2025
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Have you ever sat down with your Bible, full of good intentions… and still walked away feeling confused, uninspired, or even guilty that you didn’t “get anything out of it”?
You're not alone.
As a Bible study mentor and spiritual formation teacher, I’ve worked with hundreds of Christians—pastors, small group leaders, and everyday believers alike—and I hear the same frustration again and again:
“I want to study the Bible deeply. I just don’t know how.”
👉 That’s why I’m hosting a live, 90-minute workshop on Monday, June 30 called From Text to Truth.
You’ll learn a simple, spiritually grounded method that helps you understand Scripture with clarity, structure, and depth.
Click here to register for the workshop »
The truth is, most Christians who feel stuck in their Bible study aren’t lazy or unspiritual. They’re simply missing a few key elements that unlock consistent, transformative time in God’s Word.
So in this post, I want to walk you through 3 of the most common Bible study mistakes Christians make—and how to start fixing them today.
Mistake #1: Starting with a Devotional Instead of the Bible Itself
Let me be clear: I’m not anti-devotional. I use them myself, and I often recommend devotional resources from trusted voices.
But here’s the problem…
A devotional is someone else’s reflection.
And when a devotional becomes our starting point, we risk filtering every encounter with Scripture through another person’s interpretation—before we’ve given the Holy Spirit a chance to speak to us directly.
What the Bible Says:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Notice what the psalmist says: your word—not someone else’s summary of it. God’s Word itself is the source of clarity, direction, and spiritual light.
What to Do Instead:
Start your study with the Bible itself.
Open a passage. Sit with it. Ask questions. Wrestle with it.
Then, and only then, supplement your time with devotionals, commentaries, or podcasts.
That single shift can completely transform the way you hear God’s voice through His Word.
Mistake #2: Looking for a “Quick Word” Instead of Deep Understanding
This one is sneaky—because it can feel very spiritual.
You open your Bible, hoping to find a verse that “speaks to you.” Maybe something motivational, comforting, or timely. And yes, God can absolutely meet us that way.
But if our entire approach to Scripture is flipping pages to find an inspirational verse of the day, we’re short-circuiting the very process God designed for deep spiritual growth.
The Bible isn’t a sourcebook of Christian quotes—it’s a unified, God-breathed revelation of His character, His promises, and His redemptive plan.
What the Bible Says:
“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding... then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” — Proverbs 2:3–5
God calls us to seek wisdom intentionally, to pursue it like hidden treasure. That kind of pursuit takes time, patience, and structure—not skimming for quick hits of inspiration.
What to Do Instead:
Build a Bible study rhythm that honors the depth of the text.
Learn how to:
- Read in context
- Understand biblical structure
- Trace themes across passages
- Ask the right interpretive questions
If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. That’s exactly what I’ll walk you through in the From Text to Truth workshop.
Click here to save your seat now »
Mistake #3: Studying Without a Clear Process
In my opinion, this is the #1 reason most Christians feel stuck or inconsistent in their Bible study life.
Here’s how it usually plays out:
Someone wants to go deeper.
They open their Bible… maybe read a chapter… maybe highlight a few verses…
But then they hit a wall.
They’re not sure what to do next. So the notebook closes. The guilt builds. And the next day, the same cycle repeats—until they eventually stop trying.
What the Bible Says:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved... who correctly handles the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15
The phrase “correctly handles” implies skill, training, and structure. It means we’re not meant to approach Scripture casually or randomly—we’re called to approach it with care, clarity, and method.
What to Do Instead:
You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to go deeper.
But you do need a reliable method—a step-by-step process that helps you:
- Observe what’s happening in the passage
- Interpret what it means (not just emotionally, but biblically)
- Apply it to your life in meaningful, Spirit-led ways
That’s exactly what you’ll learn in my upcoming workshop…
You’re Invited: From Text to Truth – A Live Bible Study Workshop
📅 Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM CST
📍 Location: Live on Zoom
📩 Includes: Replay access + downloadable PDF guide
💬 Plus: Time for live Q&A
💵 Investment: Only $47
If you’re tired of random reading plans, devotional overload, or shallow understanding—this is for you.
You’ll walk away with:
- ✅ A repeatable method for studying any passage
- ✅ A deeper, more consistent rhythm in the Word
- ✅ More clarity, more structure, and more confidence in your spiritual growth
