Let no obstacle prevent you from having your personal study (15 mins.) Analysis with the audience.
We all want to maintain a good personal study routine, but we face many obstacles. Imagine you want to encourage a brother who is finding it difficult to maintain his personal study and read the Bible every day, and he raises the objections listed below. For each one, write a suggestion, a Bible principle, or a reference to our publications that might help him.
“I can’t read well.”
The Bible shows that Jehovah values heartfelt effort, not human perfection. You can use audio Bible recordings available on our website, jw.org, or in the JW Library app. Listening while following along helps improve. In addition, there are publications such as “Enjoy Life,” with simple language and illustrations. A brother or pioneer could read with him for a while each week.
“I don’t like to study.”
No one is born loving to study. Ask Jehovah to help you change your attitude, as Psalm 119:34 shows. Start with just 5 minutes of Bible reading each day, using a topic that interests you, such as prophecy or examples of courage. The brochure “Why Study the Bible?”, chapter 1, explains that study is a hidden treasure. In time, the habit brings joy, as Psalm 1:2 indicates.
“I don’t know where to start reading the Bible or how much to read each day.”
You can start with the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, to get to know Jesus. Read a short chapter a day, for example, 5 to 10 verses. Use the booklet “Enjoy Life,” lesson 1, which includes short-term goals. Reading plans, such as “The Bible in 1 Year,” are available on jw.org. It’s better to read a little at a time, but consistently. “The person faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).
“Every week I ask myself what I’m going to study. There’s just so much information!”
I used the Theocratic Ministry School program and the weekly Watchtower reading. Follow a simple plan: one day the daily text, another day the Watchtower study. You can read the Bible chapter that will be used at the meeting. Proverbs 14:15 says: “The prudent one weighs all his steps.” The JW Library app has organized sections: Meetings, Bible, and Publications. You don’t need to cover everything.
“I’m so busy that I don’t know where to find the time to study.”
Evaluate your routine honestly, as Ephesians 5:15, 16 shows. Many brothers and sisters study while eating, traveling on public transportation, or spending 10 minutes before bed. Use audio recordings while performing simple tasks. Jesus would withdraw, even when busy, as Mark 6:31 shows. The book Keep Yourselves in God’s Love, chapter 11, suggests cutting down on optional activities. Ask yourself: “Would I exchange 20 minutes of TV for eternal life?” (John 17:3).
“I find it very difficult to concentrate and sometimes I don’t remember what I just read.”
Don’t get discouraged. Use simple techniques: read silently, make one or two notes, or underline a key idea. When you finish, repeat the main idea to yourself. Proverbs 2:1, 2 says that we should “incline our hearts to discernment.” You can read with a purpose: look for the answer to a question, for example, “What do I learn about Jehovah here?” Use the notes feature in JW Library, and remember: “Though the righteous one falls seven times, he will rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16)
Play the video "How to Study the Bible and Benefit From It." Then ask:
Which suggestions for improving your personal study did you find most useful?
The suggestions I found most helpful for improving personal study are, first, to pray before starting and ask Jehovah for help in understanding and applying what you learn. It is also very practical to choose a good time to study, avoiding times when you are tired, which demonstrates self-discipline.
Another valuable idea is to use methods that make studying more active, such as color-coding the Bible according to topics or examples. Furthermore, don't just read; meditate on what you are studying, asking yourself questions that help you better understand the context and meaning.
We must remember that studying and meditating go hand in hand, and that talking with others about what we have learned strengthens our understanding and love for Jehovah.
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