It is more crucial than ever to get stuck into the word of God. To hear him speak to us through his pages, to find comfort and love in the midst of anxiety and fear. But sometimes we can feel stuck in a rut with our daily devotionals – just merely going through the motions. At times it can feel more of a chore than a pleasure and it can help to mix things up a little, so I have put together a few suggestions of ways to delve down deep into God’s word during this difficult time.
Bible apps on your phone:
There are many many to choose from, in many different translations to meet your preferences. Most apps have the option for reading plans and devotionals and to set reminders to read the Bible. Some offer ‘Bible in a year’ plans too.
Bible.com is arguably the largest bible app available today, with thousands of Bible plans categorised into themes including love, fear, anxiety, devotionals for young people, parents and plenty of others. The app is free to download and use, with daily reminders and goals. You can even invite friends to join you with one of the plans, giving you the opportunity to work through something specific together with friends and family. I found a few plans which you may find particularly helpful during this time below:
- Upside Down – Kingdom Living: Jesus taught us that to follow him, we must often live opposite to our culture; he turned the rules upside down. This 12 day devotional dives into what it means to live Upside Down in a kingdom that isn’t defined by race, status, circumstance, gender, or geography, but by a love of Christ. Can we really live a life surrendered to the prayer “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? Publisher: Youth For Christ USA
- Covid-19 | Faith Over Fear: Jesus lived in a time when there was a constant state of fear. It was not an easy time to be living in Roman occupied Israel. They had many of the same emotions that we face today with the uncertainty of the Covid-19, Coronavirus pandemic. The guests on this seven-day audio devotional will help you gain some insight into how Jesus helps us live when surrounded by fear. Publisher: Steve Douglass, the Making Your Life Count
- Coronavirus: Find Peace In Troubled Times: In this time of extreme anxiety because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we need the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. In this 7-day reading plan, Eric Célérier reveals how we can enter into God’s perfect peace in the midst of this war that’s changing our world. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will show you how to receive His supernatural peace and confidence. Publisher: Jesus.net
- Battlefield of the Mind Devotional: When war starts to wage in your mind, the enemy will use every tool in his arsenal to weaken your relationship with God. This devotional will equip you with inspirations of hope to conquer anger, confusion, condemnation, fear, doubt. These insights will help you uncover the enemy’s plot to confuse you and confront destructive thought patterns. Gain strength, encouragement and victory over every battle in your mind. Publisher: Joyce Meyer Ministries
- Fear Is A Liar Devotional By Zach Williams: The song “Fear Is a Liar” talks about many fears that the enemy tells us and how they are lies meant to keep us away from a relationship with God. The Fear is a Liar Devotional walks through seven different fears that we’re told and how the word of God disproves those and helps us combat them. Thank you for joining me. -Zach Williams
Exploring the Bible visually
If you have not heard of the Bible project before, they create animated videos that explore the books and themes of the Bible. All their videos and resources are free and you can explore by book, theme, or series. They also have a Bible in a year plan, which you can sign up to here:
Why not start a Bible book club?
The Bible Society have free downloadable reading guides for every book in the Bible, with plenty of information about the author, the time it was written and loads of other really helpful information to help bring the Bible alive. There are also tips on how to get started and how to run a book club. What a great way to spend our isolation time, by delving deep into the greatest book ever written.
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/bible-book-club
Videos on Fear and Anxiety for your young people:
Youth for Christ are putting together a series on Fear and Anxiety for ages 7-11 and 11-18, with short 5 minute videos which you can have sent directly to your e-mail in box every day. You can check this out here:
https://yfc.co.uk/youthworkonline/
I hope you found something here to help you in your Bible study, and let us know if you have any Bible plans or devotionals which you love.
Naomi Ackland – Office Coordinator, Swindon Youth for Christ.