Growing with God This Summer
- Sarah May
- May 14
- 3 min read
Growing with God This Summer
Summer can be a busy time for all of us. From sports to work to musical endeavors, it can feel like summer is over in the blink of an eye. So, how is it possible to grow your relationship with the Lord during such a busy time of year? There are several great ways to do so and one in particular is reading Scripture with intentionality.
One of the most important ways of growing your relationship with the Lord is by spending time in His word daily. We’ve all heard the common saying, “you’ll starve if you only eat on Sunday” but take a moment to reflect on how true that is. Spending time consistently in the Word will benefit you in numerous ways. The Australian Christians organization shared a stat on people who read their Bible at least four times a week:
“They were 60% less likely to feel spiritually stagnant, 228% more likely to share their faith with others, and 407% more likely to memorize Scripture.”
Other positive effects included improvements in mental health, relationships, and behavior.
So now what? How do we make time in our busy schedules to read the Word consistently-- and how do we read with purpose?
One thing that has helped me is by setting a specific time each day that is dedicated to reading Scripture and praying. When you create a daily rhythm, it becomes a natural part of your routine. Whether you choose to read in the morning, at night, or during a lunch break, the key is consistency.
Personally, I’ve found mornings to be the most effective. Instead of reaching for my phone right away, I reach for my Bible. Starting the day with God sets the tone and helps me navigate challenges more calmly and wisely.
For the not-so-morning people, spending time with the Lord at night might be a better move. Try writing down a few takeaways on a note card and hanging it on a mirror or somewhere where you will see it the next morning. This can help you carry what you learned into the next day.
Once you set aside some time to read the Word, let’s make it intentional. Pick a book of the Bible that you would like to focus on for the next few weeks. Spending time each day reading just one chapter (or more if you’d like!) and reflecting on that chapter will help you grow tremendously. One tool I like is the acronym SOAP, created by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro:
S – Scripture: Write out the verse or passage that stood out to you.
O – Observation: Note what you observe and what it might mean.
A – Application: Think about how you can apply this truth in your life today.
P – Prayer: End with a personal prayer related to the passage or anything on your heart.
Once you’ve finished that book of the Bible, go back and reflect on your notes. What stood out to you? Were any of your prayers answered? Did you see a difference in your actions because of your intentional application?
Though summer can be busy, let’s not lose sight of what matters most—spending time with Jesus. Let’s not just move through summer—let’s grow through it.
Extra resources to fuel your growth this summer: