Fall in Love with God's Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women

By Brittany Ann

You want to read your Bible. You know it’s important. And yet, between the constant demands of work and home and the intimidation you feel when trying to read Scripture, you give up.

Don’t let an overflowing schedule and a lack of confidence rob you of the peace, joy, and purpose God offers you. In Fall in Love with God’s Word, Brittany Ann takes a “how to” approach to help you:

• Overcome seven common obstacles preventing you from spending time in Scripture
• Determine the personalized Bible-reading outline that works best for you
• Learn fifteen easy ways to make Bible reading more meaningful and enjoyable
• Use Scripture to conquer sin, false beliefs, and negative thought patterns
• Experience fresh spiritual growth and passion for God’s Word

• Language: English
• Publisher: David C Cook
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9780830781263

Book preview

What people are saying about …

Fall in Love with God’s Word

Does reading the Bible ever feel dry and boring? Not anymore! This book will inspire, encourage, and equip you to dig into God’s Word and experience its life-changing power like never before. This is not a book you’ll read once and then set aside. If you do the exercises in this book, it will change your life!

Alli Worthington, speaker, business coach, author of Standing Strong

I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact God’s Word can have on the lives of women who read it regularly. If something is holding you back from enjoying time in God’s Word but you’re not sure what, this book has the practical solutions you need to create a regular Bible-reading routine you’ll love.

Jill Savage, author of Real Moms … Real Jesus, No More Perfect Moms, and No More Perfect Marriages

"‘God’s Word doesn’t have an expiration date.’ Thank you, Brittany, for this one single statement. I will be borrowing it. Brittany Ann’s enthusiasm for God’s Word is infectious. She makes you believe it’s truly possible to study, understand, and apply the truths that have set her free. I’m not sure how you could read Fall in Love with God’s Word and not want to fall in love with God’s Word."

Wendy Pope, author, speaker, president of Word Up Ministries

"When I met Brittany Ann at a writer’s conference, I was blown away by her passion for God and His Word, so I’m delighted that she has written this book so that you can experience this passion for yourself. Let her take you deep into biblical truths about God’s character and nature, and don’t be surprised if you feel yourself getting giddy over His love letter to you. It’s the greatest love story ever told, so don’t miss it! Brittany Ann is a reliable guide for this great adventure."

Shannon Ethridge, M.A., life/relationship coach, author of twenty-two books including the million-copy bestselling Every Woman’s Battle series

"What if we stopped beating ourselves up for failing to meet someone else’s definition of the ‘perfect Christian’ and we finally gave ourselves permission to experience God in our own unique way? In Fall in Love with God’s Word, Brittany Ann helps women overcome guilt and shame to finally connect with God in the way that works best for them."

Holley Gerth, life coach, bestselling author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts

If you’re struggling to consistently enjoy time in God’s Word, this book is packed with practical tips for creating a regular Bible-reading routine you’ll love. You don’t have to go it alone—let Brittany Ann walk you step-by-step through finding an enjoyable, realistic way to get into God’s Word. You’ll be so glad you did!

Arabah Joy, founder of ArabahJoy.com

"If you’re ready for intentional spiritual growth, Fall in Love with God’s Word is your go-to guide. Like you, I’m a woman of many hats, including wife, mom to seven, author, and entrepreneur. Brittany’s words are practical advice for busy Christian women and ones that I wish I’d had many years ago."

Rachel Wojo, author, speaker, Speak Up Ministries growth groups director

"God’s Word is so vital to the Christian life. We simply cannot do without it, and yet, with the busyness of life, we often do just that. Brittany Ann offers practical solutions and challenges the readers to go deeper in their faith. The best part is that she speaks from a place of vulnerability and truth. No guilt or shame here, just love. A must-read for every Christian woman."

LaToya Edwards, Christian life coach, founder of Women Finding God

"No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve been through, God’s Word has the power to radically transform your life. In Fall in Love with God’s Word, Brittany Ann will show you how to experience God’s goodness for yourself. Encouraging, authentic, and so practical, this is one book you won’t want to miss."

Rebecca Bender, founder of the Rebecca Bender Initiative

"From chapter 1, I found Fall in Love with God’s Word to be relatable and full of powerful moments. Brittany Ann shares her story of faith while speaking with the authenticity that women need. Full of practical tips, loads of encouragement, and solid scriptural support, this book will help you not only read your Bible more regularly but get a lot more out of it. A must-read!"

Victoria Riollano, MS Psychology, professor of developmental and social psychology, author of The Victory Walk

For everyone who wants to want to study God’s Word, Brittany Ann cheers us on as she takes us through a guilt-free journey to fall in love with God’s Word. If seeing your Bible inspires guilt rather than excitement, learn how Scripture can come alive for you again. A practical, inspiring book to help us keep Jesus front and center and learn to experience everything God’s Word has for us.

Sheila Wray Gregoire, author, speaker, blogger at To Love, Honor and Vacuum

FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD’S WORD

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

Integrity Music Limited, a Division of David C Cook

Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2RE, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Details in some stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 1999, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers; KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain.)

The author has added italics or bold to Scripture quotations for emphasis.

Library of Congress Control Number 2020942548

ISBN 978-0-8307-8097-6

eISBN 978-0-8307-8126-3

© 2021 Equipping Godly Women Ministries, LLC

The Team: Susan McPherson, Alice Crider, Judy Gillispie, Renée Chavez, James Hershberger, Susan Murdock

Cover Photo: Getty Images

First Edition 2021

How happy is the man [or woman]

who does not follow the advice of the wicked

or take the path of sinners

or join a group of mockers!

Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction,

and he meditates on it day and night.

He is like a tree planted beside streams of water

that bears its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1–3 (HCSB)

To my mom, the only person I know who gets excited reading Old Testament genealogies. Thanks for setting an amazing example of what it looks like to truly love God’s Word.

Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Fall in Love with God’s Word

1. This Book Will Change Your Life

2. Five Perspectives Holding You Back

3. Get to Know God’s Word

4. Your Perfect Quiet Time Plan

5. Read and Understand God’s Word

6. Fall in Love with God’s Word

Part 2: Change Your Life Forever

7. Root Out the Sin That Holds You Captive

8. Recognize and Replace Incorrect Teaching

9. Take Control of Your Thought Life

10. Meet God Face to Face in His Word

11. Create a Plan for Spiritual Growth

Part 3: Overcome Obstacles to Growth

12. Seven Common Obstacles to Avoid

13. Guard against Spiritual Warfare

14. Cultivate Spiritual Community

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Notes

Introduction

Do you ever wish you could read your Bible more often, but you rarely have the time, energy, or motivation? And when you do read your Bible, is it because you truly enjoy it, look forward to it, and get a lot out of it? Or is it usually just to cross another item off your to-do list?

It’s not just you.

According to the State of the Bible 2020 report conducted by American Bible Society and Barna Group, Americans as a whole are not reading the Bible as much as we once did.

It’s not that we don’t want to read the Bible. Nearly three out of five Americans (59 percent) wish they used their Bibles more often.¹ And yet, between a lack of time, a lack of motivation, and simply not knowing where to start, many of us aren’t reading our Bibles as consistently as we’d like.

The statistics are clear: Despite the fact that 65 percent of Americans claim Christianity as their religion of choice,² only 31 percent read the Bible on their own (outside of church) at least once a week. Sixty percent of Americans read the Bible rarely, if at all.³

But what if we could change that?

What if we truly enjoyed and looked forward to time in the Word each day? What if we found God’s Word fascinating, relevant, helpful, and just what we needed, right when we needed it most? What if God’s Word gave us not only wisdom, encouragement, and direction for the situations we face each day but also an abundance of joy, peace, passion, and purpose?

And what if we didn’t simply enjoy reading God’s Word but we learned how to apply it for real life change? What if the simple act of reading and applying God’s Word could help us finally quit the sins and quiet the negative thoughts and emotions we feel powerless to control?

How consistently would you read God’s Word then?

Personally, I’m so inspired by the example in Psalm 119.

The unnamed psalmist who wrote this chapter didn’t merely enjoy God’s Word—he delighted in it. He uses the word delight nine times in one chapter—all in reference to God’s Word.

What if we truly enjoyed and looked forward to time in the Word each day?

In verse 16, he tells the Lord, I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. In verse 24, he says, Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. And in verse 47, he adds, for I delight in your commands because I love them. Surely, this was a man in love with God’s Word.

So, what’s stopping us from delighting in God’s Word today?

Friend, this is exactly why I wrote this book. To challenge, encourage, and equip you to go beyond reading the Bible out of duty, guilt, or obligation. To show you how to delight in God’s Word, and to teach you how to use it in real and powerful ways.

Here’s What You’ll Find in This Book

If you’re anything like me, you already know you should be reading (or at least hearing) Scripture on a regular basis. You don’t need a lecture to make you feel guilty or a fluffy, feel-good book that won’t make a difference.

You simply want to fall in love with God’s Word. You want to enjoy reading your Bible, and you want to learn how its words can change your life. You want practical tips, tricks, and advice you can use right now—no matter how busy you are—and you want a little encouragement to help you get started. And the good news is, that’s exactly what you’ll find in this book.

In part 1, you’ll learn how to cultivate a real love for God’s Word. You’ll learn what God’s Word is and what it is not. You’ll learn how to read it, how to understand it, and how to truly enjoy your time in God’s Word.

In part 2, you’ll learn how to use the Bible to change your life. You’ll learn how to break free from sin, recognize and replace incorrect teaching, take control of your thought life, and meet God face to face in His Word. I’ll also show you how to create your own personalized action plan for true spiritual growth.

Finally, in part 3, you’ll find tons of practical tips and suggestions you can use to help you overcome common spiritual obstacles and maintain your love of God’s Word over the long haul. In this section we’ll discuss the realities of spiritual warfare, why you need a community around you, and how to find one.

Full of compelling Scriptures, loads of encouragement, interesting stories, and practical action steps, this book will help you not only fall in love with God’s Word but learn how to use it in real and powerful ways.

About the Companion Workbook

A quick word to the wise: this book covers a lot of material and includes many exercises for you to complete on your own for best results. While you are welcome to take notes on any paper you have lying around, I’d love to invite you to check out the Fall in Love with God’s Word companion workbook as well. Full of thought-provoking questions, additional examples, and plenty of space to record your responses, the workbook will help you implement the exercises and strategies you’ll find in this book—so you don’t just read about the life-changing power of God’s Word, but you experience it in your own life as well.

You can find the Fall in Love with God’s Word companion workbook, along with a growing collection of free resources to help you read and enjoy the Bible more, at FallinLoveWithGodsWord.com.

Otherwise, if you’re ready and excited to fall in love with God’s Word and to learn how the Bible can help you create a life full of joy, peace, passion, and purpose, turn the page and let’s get started!

Part 1

Fall in Love with God’s Word

1

This Book Will Change Your Life

September 20, 2008, was a day that would change my life forever. Standing in the only bathroom of my boyfriend’s tiny studio apartment, I tried to remain calm as the kitchen timer slowly tick … tick … ticked down from three minutes.

Torn between wanting the ticks to speed up and wishing they would slow down, I glanced around the bathroom, trying to distract myself with anything other than the small white stick waiting patiently on the counter as though it had all the time in the world.

Three minutes turned to two. Then one. And finally, the moment of truth. The moment that would change the course of my entire life forever. Did I dare look? How would I handle the news?

I glanced down.

Pregnant.

The following months were a blur. Faced with the reality of a baby on the way, I quit my job, dropped out of college, and lost touch with old friends. I threw all my time and attention into planning a wedding, moving into a new apartment, choosing a hospital, and getting everything ready for the baby.

With the exception of my amazing boyfriend, who married me in a thrown-together shotgun wedding a measly two and a half months later (and who still makes all my dreams come true today), it felt like I had given up everything.

In fact, to this day I still think of my life in two very distinct and separate chunks: before I got pregnant and after. My life changed that quickly and that dramatically.

But why am I telling you this, dear reader?

Because I want you to understand that throughout this book, when I talk about real life change, I am not talking about making a few small tweaks here