The Danger of 10-Minute Devotions

Have you ever tried to find biblical references to support that 5, 10, 15, or even 20 minutes is enough time to devote to God’s Word?  If you see something, please let me know.  Despite lacking a firm foundation, countless books and online resources are designed to be read in short amounts of time, often with Scripture, an impactful message, and even a prayer.  We even teach this concept in our churches, small groups, and one-on-one discussions to help those young or still young in the faith.

This is a prime example of something that seems like a good idea on paper that leaves the door open for twisting.  Anything we add or teach that is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture must be watched.  Satan will use our good ideas against us.

What is the Danger of 10-Minute Devotions?

Time-saving convenience is being marketed all around us.  We are told we can change habits in 30 days, prepare 20-minute meals, have 10-minute abs.  What if I am accidentally telling you that you can fit a bit of God into your life in only 10-20 minutes a day with an hour or two on Sunday?  It might seem like an infomercial:

You can get a Hellfire insurance policy for just 10 minutes a day, and we will throw in the Heavenly Estates retirement package for the next 500 orders.

In the US, we have fostered a culture of 'fast-food Christianity' because churches are eager to increase their numbers. The quickest way to do this is to dilute or conceal the sacrificial aspect of being a Christian.  If they were to speak the biblical truth, the less committed might seek out a church with an easier Christianity plan. After all, it is their time and money, and they have the right to choose where to spend it.

I remember the story of a pastor asking his congregation to read a passage of Scripture before the following Sunday. After the service, a member approached the pastor and scolded him for giving homework. They left the church because they were told, “It wasn’t that kind of church.” 

The danger of 10-minute devotions, if we are not careful, is that it adds to the easy Christianity problem.  Easy Christianity cheats people from a real relationship

The other problem is that some spiritual leaders are so frustrated trying to get Christians to do any learning during the week that we might be scared to tell someone willing to do the devotions that it is only the first step.   I have failed so often trying to motivate people to crack their Bibles after Sunday I feel their pain.  However, we can’t shy away from the truth.

Many of these devotions are designed to be read in the morning and give you a little pep in your Christian step.  That is awesome, but the Bible also needs to challenge you.  You need to be exposed to truths that you find uncomfortable or inconvenient.

What am I hoping for when I suggest you try a pre-written devotional?

When I encourage you to begin a daily devotion, I am taking you to the pool's shallow end to grow accustomed to the water and swimming.  I want you to form a habit and, more importantly, a longing for more. As you improve your swimming, I am anxious for you to head to the deeper end of the pool.  However, I want you to explore more than swimming pools.  I want you to explore rivers, lakes, and the ocean.  I hope that by starting, you will have an entirely new and fascinating world opened up to you.

I want the first 10 minutes you spend on that devotion to result in much more time to think about it during the rest of the day. I want it to give you truths that push out lies you once believed. I also want it to occasionally prompt questions about what you are reading that make you do deeper dives, either by yourself or with a spiritually mature Christian or a small group.

When you become good at swimming in the pool, you can begin to teach others. The danger of 10-minute devotions is that you don’t move out of the shallow end; you always rely on others.

I want to start you on your journey of discipleship and maturity.  Eventually, you need to be able to answer such questions as:

• What are the biblical foundations of what I believe or what I am told to believe by the church I attend? A mature Christian should be able to explain their beliefs with Scripture to anyone who asks.

• Who is God? Time should be spent learning about God's different attributes. God is beyond human comprehension, but the Bible takes that into account.

• Who am I to God? The further you are from understanding this concept, the more dysfunctional your relationship with God will be. 

• What are God’s promises?

• What is the next question I should ask? The more you read and meditate on the Bible, the more you want to know.

Devotional books can get you started and be a handy supplement to anyone’s day, but you mustn't grow dependent on them.

I am reading a daily devotion now. Where do I go from here?

• If you have been reading devotions for a couple of months and you are ready to dig in, here are some suggestions:

• Look at the Scripture they are using.  Read it and ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything else you can learn besides what has been written for you.  If there is, write it down and try to verify it.  This will help you to start distinguishing your thoughts from what the Holy Spirit gives you.

• Look up the source Scripture and read the chapter. Often, the Scripture before and after the verses they use should provide context for how they use them.  If you are at the top of a chapter, you may need to look at the chapter before.  You will not usually get much context if they use a verse from Proverbs.

• Perhaps after you do the above two, you might consider exchanging your devotional book or media with something that will help you study a book of the Bible.  If you haven’t read it or studied it yet, I suggest John.  Do a little research on the person who wrote it or is teaching the study to ensure their beliefs match yours.  Try not to race through it. Regardless of the number of segments of your chosen guide, stretch it to at least 30 days.

• After this, I strongly suggest attending a Bible study with other Christians.  Allow yourself to be new and ask questions.  Let them help you.

Bottom Line

I am not suggesting that pre-written daily devotions are not a good place to start or even a nice supplement to a person’s discipleship. I am saying that they aren’t enough.

Also, If you go to Helpful Info > What We Believe, you will discover what I believe.

The danger of 10-minute devotions by RD Montgomery references or has considered the following verses:

Genesis 3:1-5, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 91, Psalm 119, Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 7:21-27, John 8:32, John 8:44, Ephesians 4:13-15, Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:3-4

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