Being easily distracted can be a Christian’s hardest battle. One of Jesus’ most used sayings in the Gospels is a version of this: “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:23). If we are wise we would take this saying in consideration. Further considering verse 24, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4:24–25)
What is Jesus saying? This in fact is a warning itself that illustrates his points to listen and ponder carefully, if you don’t, you will not understand, and if you don’t understand, you will lose whatever capacity to understand you do have.
Everything hangs on how well you hear what God is saying, commonly known as The Word of God. And hearing God requires close attention. Are you paying attention? If you aren’t paying attention to his words you would miss the kingdom and that’s a costly distraction.
“If you aren’t paying attention to his words you would miss the kingdom and that’s a costly distraction.”
As a Christian blogger, you may be surprised to know that I too get easily distracted. With that said, here are a few hacks I want to share with you that helps prevent you from being easily distracted during your Bible study times.
Table of Contents
Hack #1 Create a “Study Zone”
The first hack of how to prevent yourself from being easily distracted is by creating a study zone.
Isolate yourself in a quite room/corner. Place your phone on airplane mode and out of site (setting it out of site will keep you from being tempted to look at it). Grab your Bible(s), note pad (for thoughts), highlighters, and pens for Bible observations.
A comfortable way to get focused is by setting up a diffuser. You may diffuse any of the following essential oils that increase focus:
- peppermint essential oil.
- sweet orange essential oil.
- spearmint essential oil.
- rosemary essential oil.
- lemon essential oil.
Most importantly, be comfortable in your study zone. In other words, it should be a place that is distraction free and enables you to focus on the Word.
Hack #2 Pomodoro Timing
The pomodoro technique is a time management method based on your timing stretches of focused work broken by a break(s). In my opinion can be the best for the easily distracted.
For instance, start with a 30 minute stretch, after 15 minutes take a 5 minute break to scribble and take a breather (drink water, eat a cookie). After your break come back and get back in your zone.
If you have ADHD, like I, you may want to start in smaller intervals and work your way up each week and this will help train your mind in staying focused and getting distracted.
Hack #3 Listen to the Bible on Audio
Listening to the Bible on audio is a great way to get engaged with the Word of God. It’s actually one of my favorite ways to get God’s word into my heart throughout the day. This too is a great hack for your Bible study moments and prevention from getting distracted. Listen to the Bible on audio for the first interval of your Pomodoro. Upon your return from your break, begin to read the passage/verses on your own. Start to observe the contexts and how it applies.
Below are links to my favorite Bible app for listening to the Word:
Dwell App
App Store
Google Play
Hack #4: Commit to a Bible Study Group
Now the fourth hack is consistent accountability. Consistent accountability has been a means of God’s protection in my life. Though your Bible study group is not a “life” accountability. It is a form of accountability to keeping you to study the Word of God.
In other words, you may not have a Bible study group meeting every day. However, most Bible study groups meet once a week. This is a great source to get motivated on focusing on the Word in your private Bible study moments. And prepare yourself for the group meetings.
A group accountability will keep you from getting distracted from the Word in your private Bible study moments. Ultimately accountability can be a means in which God draws us, through the friendship and fellowship of others, to himself.
“Ultimately accountability can be a means in which God draws us, through the friendship and fellowship of others, to himself.”
Hack #5 Create a Routine
Hack 5, when setting up Bible study moments I believe it’s extremely usefully to have a routine. I admire the way Intervarsity teaches to do Bible studies.
Read/Listen – Audio listening to the passage/verses and/or read them.
Observe – During observation, take a look at the context, before and after the passage, who wrote it, culture differences, etc.
Interpret -Interpretation can be taken out of context if you aren’t properly observing correcting. Do this by arranging questions, create a list of observations and thoughts on the interpretation. Take advantage of commentaries and or connect with your Bible study leaders.
Apply– Paraphrase the passages/verses and reflect on the heart of the passage. After the fact, transition to how it applies to you and your culture.
Click here to check out theologian resources for Bible commentaries.
Vessels, these hacks have helped me tremendously from being easily distracted in my Bible study moments. Give them a try and let me know how you it worked for you and what didn’t work for you. Use the hashtag #avesselforgod on Twitter and Instagram. I pray for each of you that God gives us a desire and hungry for His Word with intense focus given by the Holy Spirit.
God with you, always.