50. The Truth About Bible Reading and Spiritual Growth ft. Jen Wilkin

Bible teacher and author Jen Wilkin joins Hanna Seymour for a clarifying, freeing conversation about why Scripture matters—and how it actually changes us over time.
Known for her passion for biblical fluency, Jen challenges much of what modern Christians assume about Bible reading, including the pressure-filled expectations of “quiet time culture.” With honesty, wisdom, and humor, she reframes spiritual disciplines not as short-term emotional fixes, but as long-term practices that shape our love for God, deepen our understanding of His character, and form us into faithful disciples.
Together, Hanna and Jen unpack why so many believers feel shame around Bible reading, how devotional shortcuts have unintentionally weakened biblical literacy, and why repetitive, whole-book reading is one of the most overlooked and transformative practices available to us. They also explore how Scripture was meant to be received—not just individually, but communally—and why true growth requires patience, humility, and time.
If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or unsure how to engage the Bible in a way that fits your real life, this conversation will give you clarity and a renewed vision for God’s Word.
In This Episode:
• Why Bible reading is about transformation, not self-help
• The problem with modern “quiet time” culture
• How shame keeps believers from Scripture
• Bible literacy vs. Bible fluency
• Why repetitive reading builds real understanding
• How Scripture was meant to be learned in community
• Where to start if you feel overwhelmed or behind
Chapters
00:00:00 Welcome & Episode Introduction
00:03:00 Jen’s Story & Season of Life
00:06:50 Why Scripture Matters
00:08:45 Bible as Revelation, Not Self-Help
00:10:50 Shame and Bible Reading
00:14:50 The Problem with Quiet Time Culture
00:17:10 Discipline, Desire, and Long-Term Growth
00:20:00 What Real Bible Engagement Looks Like
00:23:00 Repetitive Reading Explained
00:25:45 Where to Start Reading Scripture
00:27:40 Old Testament & Bible Fluency
00:30:05 Scripture Interpretation Layers
00:33:10 Women, Theology, and Learning Tools
00:35:00 The Role of Bible Studies & Teachers
00:37:50 Final Encouragement & Closing
Key Quotes
“Change doesn’t begin with wanting to change—it begins with seeing God as He truly is.”
“We’ve confused short-term spiritual feelings with long-term spiritual formation.”
“A text can never mean something to you that it never meant to the original hearers.”
“The goal isn’t Bible literacy—it’s Bible fluency.”
📚 Connect with Jen
📖 Jen's books and studies → https://www.jenwilkin.net/books-and-studies
📸 Instagram: @jenwilkin
💬 Connect with Hanna
🌐 hannaeseymour.com
📸 Instagram: @Hannaeseymour
Pre-order Everyday Spiritual Habits https://hannaseymour.com/EVERYDAYSPIRITUALHABITS/
🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts
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