The Most Important Bible Habit You Need This Year
There’s something about the start of a new season that makes many of us reflect on our spiritual lives. We think about what we want to grow in, what we want to change, and the habits we hope to build.
For many believers, this often includes new goals for Bible study.
“Read the Bible from cover to cover.”
“Keep a perfect 365-day streak on the YouVersion app.”
And the list goes on.
Yet, if you’re like most people, few weeks into the year, you are probably already slacking on those goals and finding them hard to keep. Life gets busy, motivation fades, and the excitement of January slowly gives way to routine.
I can relate. I also set a few personal Bible study goals for this season.
Recently, I began Bible college, and one of the very first things I’ve learned is a principle of Bible interpretation that feels simple, yet deeply meaningful: Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit when studying the Bible.
At first, it sounded like a no-brainer; something everyone already does. But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized how often this step is quietly overlooked.
Sometimes our personal Bible study becomes another task on our daily to-do list. We read, highlight, and move on, without pausing to pray or inviting the Holy Spirit to teach us and reveal the beauty and truth woven throughout Scripture.
So what if, instead of trying harder or adding more goals, we simply began differently?
Inviting the Holy Spirit doesn’t replace structure; it gives it meaning. Study methods are not meant to take His place, but to give us a simple way to slow down and engage with God’s Word. When the Spirit leads, even the most basic technique can become a powerful moment of connection.
One method that pairs beautifully with this posture of prayer is the SOAP Bible Study Technique.
The SOAP Bible Study Technique
The SOAP method of studying the bible is quite popular. It is also easy and straightforward. SOAP is an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer
Scripture: It involves reading your desired scripture of study out loud and also writing it down.
Observation: this involves making a note of things and elements of the scripture that stood out to you as well as valuable lessons that you learned from the bible text. You may also consider the context in which it was written and the group of people it was originally written to.
Application: The word of God is not only a book that we casually read or study but the message therein is for practical life application. After writing down key observations, you begin to ponder on questions like “what is God saying to me through this text today?” “How is this portion of scripture applicable to my life situation?
Prayer which is the final step allows you to talk to God about the words that you have read and also ask that that they take root in your heart and transform you. You are also able to ask God for grace to walk in obedience to whatever he ministered to you while reading the bible text.
How the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Bible Study
The Bible is Spirit-inspired and God-breathed, which means it cannot be fully understood through human reasoning alone. While study, research, and knowledge are valuable, true understanding comes when the Holy Spirit helps illuminate what we read. He reveals the heart and intention behind each verse and chapter, allowing Scripture to move from information to revelation.
Jesus Himself described the Holy Spirit as the One who teaches us all things and reminds us of His words. Often, it is the Holy Spirit who brings certain verses back to our minds long after we have read them, especially in moments when we need wisdom, comfort, or direction. What once felt like a simple reading becomes a living word, speaking directly into our real-life situations.
The Word of God is also one of the Holy Spirit’s primary tools for transforming us. As we spend time in Scripture, we are not only gaining knowledge; our minds are being renewed. Our thoughts, perspectives, and attitudes slowly begin to align with God’s truth. Through this process, the Holy Spirit shapes our hearts, helping us grow into the people God desires us to be.
As you move forward in your Bible study this year, remember that God is not looking for perfection; instead, He is inviting you into a relationship. Beyond finishing Bible plans or keeping streaks, what if, before opening your Bible, you pause, even for a few seconds, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Each time you open Scripture, let it begin with a simple prayer and a quiet invitation. The Holy Spirit is always ready to meet you there, He desires your heart and your attention.