Is it Okay to Listen to the Bible?

Many Christians tell me they listen to the Bible more than they read it. Some listen because they are auditory learners, some because they struggle with reading on some level, but most listen over reading due to busyness. Since time is tight they listen to the Bible while they drive to work, carpool with the kids, or do household chores.

A few of them ask me what I think about that. Is listening to God’s Word as good as reading it?

In the big scope of history, ready access to a printed Bible is relatively new. Before the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, only the wealthiest, scholarly, and most privileged individuals had a hand-written copy. Although Gutenberg printed the first Bibles in 1455 it was still decades before supply and affordability made it possible for the average Christian to own one.

Before individuals had personal copies, most reading and study of the Bible was done in groups. Like the ancient Israelites went to temple or synagogue to hear God’s Word, Christians went to church. Together they read, studied, and discussed the Scriptures. It was communal, but also deeply personal. In contrast, in many ways today the participants in modern worship services and even many small group Bible studies are simply spoon fed God’s Word. We attend and we hear, but our interaction with Scripture is limited.

Today, we have easy access to God’s Word – print, digital, and audio. We can compare translations and look up the original language. Sadly, it seems the easier it is to read the Bible, the less we actually do it. (Also see “Resources to Study the Bible’s Greek and Hebrew Word” and “Top Two Reasons We Don’t Read the Bible.“)

But to adequately answer our primary question we should consider the type of relationship God wants us to have with His Word.

How a Christian Should Relate to God’s Word

God’s Word has a lot to say about itself. Just this morning I spent a few minutes looking through Psalm 119. This psalm, the longest chapter in the Bible, focuses on the vital importance of God’s Word in the life of His children. The psalmist beautifully expresses how we should all feel about God’s Word. Although the following list is not exhaustive, I saw the things below repeatedly. God wants us to:

• Delight in His Word (vs 16)
• Understand it (vs 27, 34)
• Meditate on it (vs 15)
• Internalize it (vs 11)
• Obey it (vs 10, 34, 60)
• Live by it (vs 32, 35)
• Trust in it (vs 42)
• Love it (vs 47, 167)
• Commit to keep it (vs 57)
• Remember it (vs 61)
• Believe in it (vs 66)
• Value it over material things (vs 72)
• Hope in it (vs 74)
• Long for it (vs 131)
• Seek it (vs 156)
• Stand in awe of it (vs 161)
• Choose it (vs 173)

Can we say we relate to God’s Word like that?? That we feel like that about it?? I do feel that way to a degree and it’s growing. But honestly, not to the depth of the psalmist. If it’s been a while since you read Psalm 119, I encourage you to read it today. (Also see “5 Tips to Help You Understand the Psalms.“)

Why is it so important that we relate to God’s Word like this? Because Scripture reveals God to us. God speaks to us through His Word. He makes known His character, will, and ways. God’s Word guides us to eternal salvation (2 Timothy 3:14-17), renews and refines us (Romans 12:2, Hebrews 4:12), gives a firm foundation for this life (Matthew 7:24-27), guides (Psalm 119:105), gives wisdom and understanding (Psalm 119:98-99), provides spiritual vitality and fosters fruit for God’s Kingdom (Psalm 1:3). Finally, in a world of lies and deception, God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).

Three Considerations if You Choose to Listen to the Bible

My concern about listening to the Bible as the primary way we take in God’s Word is that it is limited in its ability to foster the right kind of relationship we need with Scripture. If we listen while we do other things, God’s Word does not have our full attention. No matter how mundane the other activity is our mind is divided. This divided attention hinders at least the following three things:

1. Focus – God’s Word is so full of glorious truth. I miss things even in a careful reading. Without full focus what we see/hear will be greatly limited.
2. Meditation – God calls us to meditate on His Word. This means to ponder, contemplate, and think deeply about it. We need to slow down, pause, and take time to digest each morsel. We may need to return to the previous verse and rethink it in light of the one we just read.
3. Respond – God speaks to us through His Word. It’s His primary way of communicating with us. And He expects a response. As we take in God’s Word, we need to pray, ask Him questions, commit to obedience, and so much more. Yes, we can hit “pause” on the audio. But it’s not the same.

For most people, if we only or predominately listen to the Bible it cannot foster the type of relationship God wants us to have with His Word. However, I do think using both reading and listening could make a powerful combination. In fact, I was just talking with someone the other day about this. I’d love to listen to the Bible in large chunks to hear the whole Bible in a short period of time. But, also continuing my daily Bible reading/study of shorter passages of Scripture. (Also see “What My Quiet Time Looks like.”)

Listening to the Bible provides great supplemental intake of Scripture. But, I think listening to Scripture alone is insufficient.

So, what do you think? Did I make my case? Do you listen to the Bible, read, or both? What are some ways you can supplement your Bible intake with listening.