The Most Important Spiritual Discipline for a Lifetime of Growth

Are you committed to growing in your faith? Do you love studying the Bible? Do you know that there’s still a lifetime of spiritual growth ahead of you? If so, you’re in the right place.

My goal is simple: to ignite in you a passion for in-depth Bible study that fuels your lifelong spiritual growth. I’m not here to teach Bible study methods—I do that on my YouTube channel—but to share the results of deep, consistent Bible study and how it strengthens our faith.

A Foundational Claim

Here’s the foundational claim that I stand by:

In-depth Bible study done consistently over time is the most important spiritual discipline you can develop to maintain a lifetime of spiritual growth.

This is a bold statement, but I believe it wholeheartedly. Let’s break it down.

What is In-Depth Bible Study?

Not all Bible reading is the same. Devotional reading, where you reflect on a verse or passage, has value—but in-depth Bible study is different. It involves:

• Wrestling with the text to understand what it meant to its original audience.
• Discovering its relevance for today.
• Digging into context, language, and theology.
• Making it your Bible study—not just relying on devotionals or commentaries.

The depth of your study will look different depending on where you are in your faith journey, and that’s okay. The key is to keep striving to grow.

Consistency Over Time Produces Growth

“In-depth Bible study done consistently over time” means two things:

1. Consistency – Define what it means for you. Maybe that’s daily, three times a week, or five days a week. What matters is that you commit to a sustainable habit.
2. Over time – Spiritual growth isn’t instant. Just like physical training, the results of Bible study compound over months and years. The key is longevity.

When I set my own standard for Bible study, I decided: I want to study the Bible every single day for the rest of my life. I don’t always hit that goal, but it remains my target.

Why Is This the Most Important Spiritual Discipline?

Some might ask, What about prayer? Worship? Fasting? Evangelism? Aren’t they just as important?

All spiritual disciplines are valuable, but here’s why I argue that Bible study is the most important:

• We wouldn’t know about any other spiritual discipline without the Bible. Scripture teaches us how to pray, who to worship, why we should fast, and how to share our faith.
• Bible study equips us to live faithfully. When you engage deeply with Scripture, you’re continually renewed, transformed, and prepared for whatever comes your way.

Bible Study Is a Skill You Can Develop

No one is born a Bible scholar. It’s a skill that anyone can develop over time with practice, guidance, and commitment. Just as you wouldn’t expect to master a musical instrument overnight, don’t expect to become a Bible study expert in a week.

John Maxwell’s Law of Process states: Leaders develop daily, not in a day. The same applies to Bible students: Spiritual growth happens daily, not in a day.

A Lifetime of Growth

There’s no finish line in spiritual growth. God will never say, “Okay, you’ve learned enough, you’re done.” As long as you’re engaged in Bible study, you’re growing. The moment you stop, your growth stalls.

I believe with every fiber of my being that God designed us for unlimited spiritual growth. As we stay consistent in studying His Word, He rewards us with transformation, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with Him.

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to take your spiritual growth to the next level, I’d love to help. Here’s how:

• Subscribe to my podcast, Your Bible Study Mentor, for ongoing insights from my personal Bible study. You can find it on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube
• Join my email list to receive updates whenever I release new Bible study resources. When you join, you’ll receive a free training that will help take your Bible study to the next level. Sign up here: https://www.marioescobedo.org/free-bible-study-tools-training.
  
  
• Check out my YouTube channel for practical how-to guides on studying the Bible in depth: https://www.youtube.com/@drmarioescobedo.

You can also access the audio/video version of this article on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WWuEwmLAflI. Or, find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by searching for Your Bible Study Mentor.

God gave you His Word to study and grow from. Dive deeper, understand more, and watch your spiritual life transform.

I’d love to hear from you! Reach out to me via email at [email protected].