It is often taught that studying the Bible and spending time in prayer and worship are the best ways to connect with God. While these activities are fruitful, they can also be overwhelming and intimidating, especially if you have ADHD, dyslexia, illiteracy, or a learning disability.
Despite how you learn, it’s important to remember that you should never feel guilt or shame because a method that works for someone else doesn’t work for you. God created us all uniquely, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach! God loves and understands you, and as Romans 8:1 says, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
We encourage you to not give up seeking after God and spending time with him, but rather to think of creative ways to connect with him. Our team has put together a list of suggestions to help you find your perfect way to connect with God.
Before you try any of these methods, consider saying this prayer:
Lord, you know my heart and you know my struggles. Send the Holy Spirit to help me as I dedicate this time to grow closer to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Are you a visual learner?
- Watch videos from The Bible Project.
- Watch the Verse of the Day story on the Bible App.
- Use highlighters and colored pencils to color code and annotate your Bible as you read.
- Follow Seacoast Church on social media for quick devotional videos.
Are you an auditory learner?
- Listen to an audio Bible. There are several free options:
- The Bible App
- Streetlights App
- Bible-reading podcasts
- Listen to worship music while you read the Bible and pray.
- Pray out loud.
- Read the Bible out loud.
- Listen to podcasts that discuss the Bible.
Do you have a hard time focusing?
- Listen to the Bible while doing a physical activity (walking, cleaning, crocheting, mowing the lawn).
- Take a walk around the block and pray while you walk.
- Use a guided app like Letio 365 or the One Minute Pause app.
- Keep a notepad next to you when you pray. When random thoughts pop into your head, write them down so you can release them and return to prayer.
- Worship, pray, or listen to the Bible while you drive.
- Increase the playback speed when listening to the Bible.
- Have a prayer journal and pray by actually writing your prayers down. It will help you stay present and focused, help you remember where you’ve been, and recognize how God is leading you.
- Create a dedicated study space and keep your Bible and study materials there.
- Read small amounts of Scripture at a time.
- Do topical studies on a topic that you are interested in to help hold your attention.
- Use things like fidget tools or stress balls to channel energy while you are reading, listening, or praying.
- Add in variety. If something isn’t working or is getting monotonous, change it up and try something new.
Do you have a hard time remembering to spend time with God?
- Set an alarm on your phone at a time of day when you tend to have less distractions. Label it “Watch the Verse of the Day.”
- Watch the Verse of the Day story every day on the Bible app. The story is a mix of video that often shares the meaning behind the verse, questions, written study, and guided prayer.
- If you have an app like The Bible app, turn notifications on for regular reminders.
- Set notifications to let you know when Seacoast has posted on Instagram or YouTube.
- Find the time of day that works best for you. It doesn’t have to be in the morning. If you’re more mentally active at night, set aside 15–30 minutes before bed to spend time with God.
- Try committing your commute to him. Spend time in worship, prayer, or listening to the Bible while you drive.
- If you have an iPhone, create a shortcut to automatically open the Bible app when your morning alarm goes off. Here’s how.
Do you have a hard time with reading, comprehension, and remembering?
- Listen to the audio Bible and read the text at the same time.
- Take notes on what you learn, so you don’t forget—whether that’s on your phone or in a notebook. If something keeps coming up, God may be shining a light on it. If that’s the case, write it on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you will see it regularly.
Experiencing the fullness of God isn’t confined to one way. Try a few of the ideas above and find out what works for you. Most importantly, consistency is key, no matter how you approach your time with God.
