Hi, Mentor Mama Ellen here. Throughout my life, I have struggled with reading—often wondering How to Study the Bible with ADHD—yet I have a house full of books. I simply can’t resist perusing thrift store shelves for historical fiction, art books, and Christian literature. I have various stacks of books throughout the house, with bookmarks placed a chapter or two into each book.
Nearly every time I read something, I reach the bottom of the page and realize I didn’t have a clue what I just read. So, I would read it again and again, desperately trying to concentrate, hoping to retain the most important thoughts. This problem bled over into my faith routines, wreaking havoc on my quiet time and Bible studies.
For a long time, I was able to wrestle with these symptoms and make the best of it. Until I couldn’t any longer.
Hormonal shifts due to menopause threw my ADHD symptoms into overdrive, and I reached a breaking point. Not only was my faith life suffering, but I was also unable to perform my job in corporate America and manage my household. My life seemed to be crumbling before me.
Fortunately, I received excellent care and was officially diagnosed with ADHD in my fifties. I came to understand that my brain works differently, and that’s ok. Strengthened by an ADHD coach and medication, my world turned from black and white into color, commanding the exit of chaos to be replaced with new routines and improved self-esteem.
Be encouraged if you can relate to what I have described. Books I never thought I would finish (many, not all 😊) have been fully read and passed on to friends. And I have read the entire Bible several times, which I never thought would be possible.
Understanding ADHD in the Context of Bible Study
Does any of this sound familiar to you? You open your Bible, wanting to meet with God, but your mind starts to drift. Maybe you reread the same verse three times and still can’t remember what it said. You long to focus, to stay present, yet distractions and mental noise seem louder than your quiet time.
If that’s you, you’re not alone. Experts estimate that around 4 million adult women in the U.S. have ADHD — and many more go undiagnosed until adulthood. That’s roughly 1 in 30 women aged 18 to 65 who experience symptoms like forgetfulness, overstimulation, or difficulty with sustained attention. These challenges can show up even in areas we care about deeply — like prayer, journaling, or reading Scripture.
But take heart. God’s Word is for every woman, whether her thoughts are calm or chaotic. He is not measuring your worth by how long you can sit still or how perfectly you follow a reading plan. The same God who made your mind knows exactly how it works.
When we talk about faith and mental health, it’s easy to assume that spiritual struggle means weakness. Yet, God meets His daughters right in the middle of their mess and confusion. He sees past distraction and into devotion. He understands when your focus slips and still whispers truth into the fragments of your attention.
You are seen. You are loved. And your journey with Scripture — even if it looks different — is no less sacred.
Five Practical Tips on How to Study the Bible with ADHD
1) Create a Suitable Study Environment
When living with ADHD, your surroundings can make or break your focus. A peaceful, intentional space helps quiet the noise and invite calm before opening God’s Word.
Start by choosing a spot that feels comfortable but not distracting — somewhere you associate with peace, not multitasking. I have enjoyed the same spot in our living room for years. In fact, one of my cats joins me faithfully. Should I be running late, he turns into a meowing alarm clock with opinions.
Next, I keep my cozy blanket, Bible, highlighters, erasable pens, and prayer binder in a tote bag next to the sofa so that I can easily find everything I need and put it away quickly at the end. This helps so you don’t have to constantly get up for supplies. I also put on gentle background music and a candle to help my mind settle.
For Christian women with ADHD, structure brings freedom.
Most of all, remember that your study space doesn’t have to be perfect — just purposeful. When your environment supports stillness, your heart becomes more open to what God wants to teach you.
2) Combine Bible Reading with Bible Listening
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received—and quickly put into practice—is immersed reading: combining the practice of visually reading Scripture while audibly hearing it. Try Audible.
This approach transforms Bible time into a multi-sensory experience, perfect for those who struggle with focus or Bible study with ADHD.
When you read and listen at the same time, your brain stays engaged on multiple levels, improving comprehension and reducing mental drift.
Audio Bibles such as Dwell or YouVersion allow you to follow along with your eyes while your ears absorb the rhythm and dramatization of God’s Word. For many Christian women, this blend of sight and sound turns quiet time into something alive and memorable. It’s less about speed and more about immersion—letting truth sink deep through repeated pathways of hearing and seeing.
3) Keep it Short and Steady
Overwhelm can quickly set in during Bible study with ADHD if I’m not intentional. Shorter sessions often lead to deeper growth. Setting a timer ⏱️ for just 10–15 minutes keeps things manageable and focused. These small bursts of attention build rhythm and confidence over time.
When the timer goes off, stop—even if you’re “in the zone.” It may feel counterintuitive, but stopping while focused helps your brain associate Bible study with success, not exhaustion.
This simple boundary turns consistency into a sustainable habit rather than a draining goal. Whether you read one passage, write one reflection, or pray one verse, that time counts.
God values presence over performance.
Over weeks, these brief yet faithful moments add up, forming a steady cadence of connection that anchors your heart to His Word and helps you grow in both focus and faith.
4) Discover how The EASY Bible Study Method Helps Christian Women with ADHD Thrive in God’s Word
Written by my two daughters and myself, who personally experience ADHD symptoms, The EASY Bible Study Method was created to help others engage with Scripture in a way that feels doable, focused, and life-giving.
For women navigating Bible study with ADHD, this approach offers structure without rigidity—a rhythm that helps calm mental clutter while keeping the heart centered on God’s truth. Each step—Enter the Story, Assess the Main Idea, Seek God and His Character, and Yearn for a Heart Change—guides you through Scripture one clear movement at a time.
It’s simple enough to follow yet deep enough to stir lasting transformation. Visual learners can highlight, paraphrase, or journal along the way, turning scattered thoughts into sacred focus. Instead of battling distraction, you’ll discover peace and purpose in God’s Word—proof that focus and faith can thrive beautifully together.
We have a free excerpt available here!
5) Study in Community
Small groups, podcasts, and online Bible studies can be powerful tools for anyone studying the Bible with ADHD. These forms of community bring gentle accountability and renewed focus through conversation and connection.
When attention drifts, a friend’s insight or a group discussion often brings your thoughts back to the heart of Scripture.
Listening to Christian podcasts or joining a virtual women’s Bible study allows you to engage with God’s Word in ways that feel interactive and alive.
I’ve spent over twenty years in women’s groups doing Bible studies. We asked good questions, shared discoveries, and prayed over the joys and frustrations of life, which grounded and motivated us.
For women with ADHD, community helps replace isolation with belonging and transforms study time from a solo challenge into a shared journey of growth. God often speaks through others—and sometimes, the encouragement of a faithful friend is exactly what keeps you coming back to His Word with fresh energy and focus.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Studying the Bible with ADHD isn’t about forcing focus or fitting into someone else’s routine. It’s about discovering how you best meet with God — in short bursts, through sound, color, community, or quiet reflection.
He’s not frustrated by your distractions; He delights in your desire to know Him.
Each time you open your Bible, even for a few minutes, you’re saying, “Lord, I’m here.” That simple act of showing up matters more than a perfect system. Over time, His Word reshapes your thoughts, calms your mind, and reminds you that grace is stronger than scattered attention. So, take a breath, pick up your Bible, and trust that God will meet you right where you are — every single time.
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