Many Christians know the routine well. You open the Bible, read the assigned passage, close the cover and move on with your day. Yet by the time you’re finished, little to nothing stands out. The words were read, but they didn’t linger. For countless believers, Scripture can begin to feel more like a spiritual obligation than a living source of nourishment.
That tension is the focus of a recent teaching by Vlad Savchuk, pastor of HungryGen Ministries.
In his message, Savchuk argues the problem is not the Bible itself or even a lack of discipline, but the way many believers approach God’s Word. His solution centers on five practical shifts that move Scripture from something we skim into something that actually feeds the soul.
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Five reasons you read the Bible and remember nothing
- Start with hunger, not habit
Savchuk teaches that Bible reading begins in the heart, not with tools or techniques. He emphasizes that Scripture is described as spiritual food, not a task to complete. Reading without hunger is like sitting down to a meal without an appetite. Before opening the Bible, he encourages believers to pause and invite the Holy Spirit, praying simply, “Holy Spirit, I am here. I am hungry. Open my eyes to see what you are saying.” - Build a simple, sustainable routine
According to Savchuk, most people don’t struggle to understand Scripture as much as they struggle to show up consistently. He urges believers to remove friction by choosing a specific time, a regular place and basic tools. Treating Bible reading as a non-negotiable appointment helps establish a rhythm in which Scripture becomes part of daily life rather than something squeezed in when convenient. - Slow down with the SOAP method
Savchuk points to the SOAP method as a practical way to move from reading to remembering. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Instead of rushing through large portions, he encourages focusing on short passages, writing them out, noting what stands out, applying the truth personally and then responding to God in prayer. He stresses that transformation happens not by gathering information but by applying what is read to everyday life. - Read in context and let Scripture interpret Scripture
One reason people misunderstand or misuse the Bible, Savchuk explains, is that verses are often pulled out of context. He warns against imposing personal ideas on the text and instead encourages reading passages within their broader biblical context. Letting Scripture explain Scripture through cross-references and related passages protects believers from error and deepens understanding. - Grow in community and obey what you already know
Savchuk emphasizes that spiritual growth was never designed to happen in isolation. While personal Bible study is essential, believers are also called to learn with others in the church. He adds that the greatest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge but a lack of obedience. Scripture shapes lives only when it is lived out, not merely studied.
Savchuk’s message echoes a consistent theme found throughout Scripture. God’s Word is repeatedly described as bread, light and life, not as information to be collected but as truth meant to be embodied.
When we approach the Bible with hunger, humility and obedience, it becomes more than words on a page. It becomes our daily bread, shaping hearts, renewing minds and drawing us into deeper fellowship with God, just as Scripture was always intended to do.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
