Selecting a Spiritual Growth Method: Daily Devotional or Bible Study

Have you been thinking you need to study your Bible more?  Or were you feeling you need to learn to pray or worship better?  Either one may be leading you in the direction of a personal journey towards spiritual growth.  If this is the case, how might you get started? You should consider doing either a daily devotional or a Bible study to begin your new spiritual journey.

Daily devotional may be the best choice if you are new to the idea of regular study or do not have a lot of time right now.  Different daily devotionals are designed for 10-30 minutes of personal time spent reading and reflecting upon a particular scripture (or short set of verses) and communicating with God through prayer or praise time.  There are various types of devotionals that you can get in print or electronic forms.  Print forms include small books, calendars, journals, pamphlets, or downloadable PDF.  These may also include a comment or concept from the person who designed the devotional. Electronic devotionals are typically done over the internet on a computer, phone, or tablet.  These may come to you daily via an email/text sign-up, free website links, or you may log-in to do them at a time that is convenient for you.

"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." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

Bible studies are typically more in depth than a devotional and includes making personal notes as you move through them.  A Bible study often is a print book or e-book covering a specific topic area or particular books of the Bible.  However, a "Read the Bible in One Year" study sheet also fall into this category as multiple verses will be covered in each day of reading.  There are also on-line Bible studies, many of which are free.  Bible study can be done alone or in a group.  Studying with a group gives you different perspectives from other participants and will provide a leader to help keep you on track.  If studying alone, you may want to utilize two or more Bible versions or consider Bible commentaries to gain those different perspectives.

Hopefully the above will help you to decide whether to do a daily devotional or follow a Bible study plan to continue your spiritual journey.