Let’s play a game! How ’bout a good, ole, trusty classic? Two Truths and a Lie. I’ll give three statements, and you tell me which one is the lie.

  1. The Word of God is alive, active, and applicable.
  2. Every student struggles with regularly and actively reading the Word of God.
  3. Every student must accept defeat and know reading the Word of God will always be an insurmountable challenge.

I know… “super” hard to find the lie. But if we’re honest, that is exactly how many of our students are feeling right now — not only about reading the Bible, but about spiritual disciplines as a whole. Many teens are simply giving up on devotions altogether, or they’re creating their own legalistic standard that inevitably ends in failure and disappointment. But there is a better way.

In Colossians 2:7, Paul urges the church at Colossae to be rooted and established in the faith. This means Christian believers are not to be unstable, easily misguided, or defeated whenever trials, temptations, or objections come their way. Instead, they remain rooted in their foundation and growing in an upward trajectory. Our student ministries need that same root system.

Every student already knows they need to read their Bible and pray every day. What many of them don’t know — or simply forget — is both the why and the how of devotions. Let’s break both parts down.

The Why

Stop just saying they need to read their Bible and pray every day. They already know that. Start including the why. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 lays it out perfectly:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Profitable. Perfect. Thoroughly furnished. These aren’t ambiguous uncertainties — they’re positive declarations. The Word of God is applicable, sufficient, and exactly what we need to solve the problems both the world and our students face. And the research backs it up.

The Center for Bible Engagement surveyed over 100,000 people and uncovered something called the “Power of 4.” Students who read their Bible at least four times a week were:

  • 225% more likely to share their faith
  • 407% more likely to memorize Scripture
  • 231% more likely to disciple another person
  • 14% to 60% less likely to engage in sinful and detrimental behaviors (fits of anger, pornography, overeating, hopelessness, etc.)

Wait — you mean to tell me reading the Word of God actually changes and transforms you?! (insert mind-blown emoji here)

Don’t let the students, the leaders, or even yourself forget: God’s inerrant, infallible, inspired Word still works. That’s why we read it daily.

And with the why firmly established, let’s look at making the how happen.

The How

In my years of student ministry (which aren’t really that many… but it sounds fancy to say), I’ve found the questions below to be the most helpful in laying the groundwork — the root system — for making the Word of God a habit in a student’s life. And the best part? It’s simple.

A few Wednesdays ago, I laid these out in a sermon and had teens write out their own answers on the spot. If students can answer these five questions, they’ll be fully equipped to begin the habit of Bible reading.

1. The Where: Choosing a Location

Choose a place free from distractions — that means no electronic devices.

2. The When: Choosing a Time

Choose a regular time, and set the rest of your schedule around it.

3. The What: Choosing a Plan

A pastor once said, “The best Bible reading plan is the one you’ll actually do.” A few options to consider:

  • NT260 Plan by Replicate Ministries — takes a student through the whole New Testament
  • YouVersion Bible Reading Plans — incredibly user-friendly, but requires discernment when picking a plan
  • BibleGateway Reading Plans — chronological, Bible-in-a-Year, and more
  • Start in Matthew and go forward

4. The Who: Choosing a Partner

We were not meant to do the Christian life alone, and that includes Bible reading. Find a person to keep you accountable — someone who actually checks up on you when you miss a day.

5. The How: Choosing a Process

Beginner Level: 7 Minutes with God

  • 1 minute — Pray (open your heart, remove distractions, ask for wisdom)
  • 5 minutes — Read (follow your chosen plan)
  • 1 minute — Pray (apply the passage)

Intermediate Level: HEAR Journal

  • H — Highlight a verse from the passage
  • E — Explain the verse using context from the passage
  • A — Apply the verse to your everyday life
  • R — Respond to the application of the verse

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

There are so many systems, plans, programs, opinions, and options out there. But let’s keep the main thing the main thing: students need to read their Bible. Not because the youth pastor said so, but because the habit of reading the Bible is the catalyst that fosters spiritual growth, sparks revival, and initiates a great awakening. It all starts with the one who takes the time to be still, seek God, and hear what His Word has to say.

This is perhaps the greatest comfort in the ever-crazy, ever-changing world of teenagers and student ministry: God’s Word still works. Hebrews 4:12 proves it:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Focus on building the root system, and you’ll see growth continue far beyond graduation.