How to Fall In Love with Scripture: Bible Study Secrets with Bethany Lauren

If you've ever wanted to know God more deeply but struggled to stay consistent in His Word, this conversation is for you. I sit down with Bible teacher Bethany Lauren (Simply Bible on Instagram)—pastor's wife, mom of two, and classical high school literature and philosophy teacher—to talk about why Bible study matters, the mistakes that keep us stuck, and simple, practical ways to make Scripture a real part of daily life. Bethany shares her own story of coming to the Word as a grieving seven-year-old who lost her mom, and how a leather-bound Bible from her grandparents became her lifeline. We get honest about distraction, the tension between the intellect and the heart, and why no amount of Christian content can replace time alone with Jesus in the "prayer closet."

Follow Bethany:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply_bible/

Substack: https://substack.com/@simplybible/

Join her book club here. 

In this episode:

• Bethany's story: finding God in the Word after loss
• The two biggest distractions from Bible study—phone addiction and the to-do list—and how to fight them
• "Bible first, work second": protecting time in the Word when ministry is your job
• Why enjoying Scripture matters more than performing it, and how to romanticize your time in the Word
• Reading fluency, easier translations, and letting go of the shame around both
• The two big Bible study mistakes: cherry-picking verses vs. worshiping perfect interpretation
• Why loving the Bible isn't the same as knowing Christ—and the danger of "outsourced discipleship"
• Holding intellect and heart together without losing either
• Faith as a community project: why the quiet time should propel us outward
• A simple three-stage framework for overwhelmed readers

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bible study and its significance
02:12 Bethany's personal journey and passion for scripture
06:47 Common distractions and how to overcome them
14:49 Different approaches to engaging with the Bible
20:07 The importance of reading the Bible as a letter or novel
24:58 Practical tips for starting and maintaining Bible study
30:13 Avoiding cherry-picking verses and misinterpretation
35:04 The role of grace and humility in Bible study
40:13 The importance of community and sharing faith experiences
44:57 Practical steps for creating a dedicated space for prayer and study
50:05 The balance between study, prayer, and service
54:47 Encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed or distracted
01:00:04 The significance of grace and God's faithfulness in our journey