Scripture
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
In our Little Victories series, we’ve been exploring how God shapes our lives through everyday moments. Instead of waiting for big, dramatic breakthroughs, Scripture shows us that lasting transformation happens through small, consistent steps of faith—little victories that add up to big impact.
This week, we’re focusing on one of the most important little victories you can cultivate: the daily habit of reading Scripture.
Why Bible Reading Feels Hard
A LifeWay Research study found that only 32% of churchgoers read their Bible every day. Most of us struggle not because the Bible is boring or impossible to understand, but because it takes effort. As R.C. Sproul said, “We fail in our duty to study God's Word…because it is work.”
Opening your Bible can feel intimidating. Where do you start? How do you understand what you’re reading? What if nothing jumps out to you? These questions often leave us discouraged or guilty. But here’s the good news: even the smallest effort to read God’s Word is a victory.
The Power of Scripture in Everyday Life
Matthew 4:1–11 shows us how Jesus responded to temptation in the wilderness. Three times Satan tried to distract Him with shortcuts to satisfaction, identity, and power. And three times Jesus answered the same way: “It is written.”
Jesus didn’t rely on superhuman strength. He relied on the same tool available to us today: the Word of God. Scripture is a weapon against temptation, a source of truth when lies creep in, and a foundation that steadies us when life feels overwhelming.
When you read the Bible, you’re not just checking off a religious box—you’re deepening your relationship with God. Just like spending time with a close friend, not every conversation is life-changing, but over time, those moments build something strong and lasting.
A Simple Method: SOAP
One practical way to approach Scripture is the SOAP method:
Scripture – Read the passage.
Observation – Note what stands out.
Application – Ask how it applies to your life.
Prayer – Pray about what you’ve read.
This approach takes Bible reading from overwhelming to doable, helping you absorb truth in a meaningful way.
Building a Sustainable Habit
Here are a few tips to get started:
Start with one chapter a day in Luke, John, or James.
Don’t give up if you miss a day—just pick it back up.
Explore unfamiliar parts of the Bible to spark curiosity.
Remember, even when nothing “big” happens, God is planting seeds in your heart.
Why Little Victories Matter
When we posture our hearts in Scripture, we align ourselves with God before all other voices. It’s like pulling back an arrow—there’s tension and effort, but when released, it has power and direction for the day ahead.
Reading the Bible doesn’t have to be dramatic to be transformative. Every time you open God’s Word, you win a little victory. And those little victories are shaping you into the person God designed you to be.
Reflection Question:
What step can you take this week to build a daily rhythm of reading Scripture?