When I think about Bible study, it’s easy to get caught in the “shoulds.” I should wake up early. I should read a chapter a day. I should know more Scripture by heart. But when I met Keith Ferrin—author, speaker, and Bible coach—he flipped the script for me. Keith doesn’t just teach the Bible; he invites us into a relationship with it. He makes the living Word feel truly alive.
On our Living the Reclaimed Life Podcast, I introduced listeners to Keith, a friend and personal inspiration when it comes to falling in love with Scripture. Here’s a recap of our powerful conversation and the key takeaways that will change the way you approach your Bible.
The Day The Bible Came Alive
Keith shared the moment everything shifted for him: April 18, 1993. Although he’d been a youth and worship pastor who loved Jesus and ministry, his relationship with the Bible still felt more like a chore than a joy. That all changed after seeing Bruce Kuhn, a former Broadway actor, perform the entire Gospel of Luke—no props, no costumes, just Scripture, word-for-word, passionately told.
Keith said, “That was the day the phrase ‘the living Word of God’ became a reality.”
A New Way To Approach Scripture
After that experience, Keith began asking new questions:
- What if we soaked in a book of the Bible until we truly knew it?
- What if we treated the Bible less like a textbook and more like a friend?
- What if instead of memorizing verses, we internalized them?
So he started with the book of Philippians. Every day for two to three months, Keith read it cover to cover—60 to 90 times in total. He didn’t try to memorize it. He just spent time with it. By the end, he knew the book by heart—without trying.
“Memorization” vs. “Internalization”
Keith explains the difference like this: “You can memorize words and still miss the meaning. But when you internalize Scripture, you’re hiding it in your heart in a way that the Holy Spirit can use it to transform you to be more like Jesus.”
And it doesn’t stop with one book. Since then, Keith has internalized and presented 12 books of the Bible, including John and Romans. And get this—he’s never acted in a play! His storytelling is rooted not in performance but in passion.
Read The Bible Relationally, Not Just Informationally
One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was this truth: We’ve been trained to read the Bible to learn—but what if we read it to connect?
“God doesn’t have something to teach you every day,” Keith said. “But He does have something for you every day. Sometimes, it’s simply to be with Him.”
When we approach Scripture relationally, we give God space to speak, comfort, or even just sit with us.
How To Start Internalizing Scripture
Keith offers these practical steps to move from “should” to “want” when reading your Bible:
- Pick a Short Book You Love
Start with something like Philippians or 2 Timothy—books that take under 20 minutes to read. - Read the Whole Book Repeatedly
Read it daily for 30 days. The repetition builds context, familiarity, and connection. - Use a Physical Bible
Your brain remembers what it sees and where. Digital scrolling doesn’t reinforce memory the same way. - Read Out Loud with Emotion
Read like you’re telling a story. Emotion helps cement memory. - Shift from Learning to Being
Some days, just be with Jesus in the Word. Enjoy it like a great movie or a favorite meal. - Let It Sink In Before You Analyze
Watch the “movie” (read the whole book) before you break it down scene by scene.
The Foundation, The Framing, The Finish Work
Keith uses the analogy of building a house to describe Bible study:
- Foundation = Big-picture reading to understand the tone, theme, and heart of the book.
- Framing = Breaking it down paragraph by paragraph to explore meaning.
- Finish Work = Deep dives, word studies, and application.
Just like you wouldn’t start painting walls before the foundation is laid, don’t start dissecting verses without first soaking in the whole story.
Resources To Dive Deeper
Keith has created resources to guide you in this journey:
- 📘 Books: How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible and a growing series of 40-day Scripture Journey Bible studies.
- 💻 Courses: Relational Bible Study and The Simplest Way to Internalize the Bible.
- 📱 YouTube: Search “Keith Ferrin” or “Your Bible Coach” and subscribe for tips, encouragement, and fresh insights.
- 📲 YouVersion App: Follow Keith for Bible reading plans, videos, and verse devotionals.
If you’re looking to grow in your love for God’s Word, Keith is truly your Bible coach.
Reclaiming Our Joy For Reading the Bible Together,
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