What Makes The Bible Boring?

This is BibleStudyMinistry.com with you co-host, Minister Koko; do you ever feel like the Bible is boring. What makes the Bible boring?

The Excitement of the New… Until It’s Not

Have you ever started a new TV series, a book, or even a hobby and been completely captivated by it? Every episode, every chapter, every moment feels fresh and exciting—until it doesn’t. The moment you “get it,” the novelty wears off. The thrill fades, and if it’s not something that deeply interests you, you move on, satisfied with just knowing the gist of it or the overall story.

The same thing happens with the Bible. When we first open its pages, it’s fascinating—we read about creation, the flood, the plagues of Egypt, David slaying Goliath, the wisdom of Solomon, and of course, Jesus walking on water.

But then, something shifts.

We start encountering long genealogies. Laws. Repetitions. The same parables we’ve heard since childhood. Before we know it, we start skipping sections, then entire books, until we become “gisters”—people who settle for the highlights, the gist of the Bible, without ever going deeper.

Genealogies, History, and Principles—The Slow Death of Interest

The Bible is filled with genealogies—long lists of names tracing who begat whom. To many readers, it feels like the ancient version of a family tree project they didn’t sign up for. The history sections of the Bible are detailed and dense, filled with battles, laws, and records that often seem disconnected from our daily lives. The principles of wisdom, while undeniably valuable, can start feeling repetitive—after all, how many different ways can you be told to love your neighbor?

For the gister, this content quickly becomes stale. If you’ve read it once, you’ve read it a thousand times. The thrill of discovery is gone, and there’s no desire to reread what feels like “old news.”

Many fall into this trap and think: “I know what’s in the Bible. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. Love God. Love people. Got it. I’ll just try to be a good person and move on.”

And in doing so, they miss the depth, the connections, and the ongoing relevance of scripture.

The Bigger Problem: Prophecy and the Fear of Change

If genealogies, history, and principles make the Bible feel boring, prophecy makes it feel unbearable. Why? Because prophecy demands change.

Prophecy isn’t just future-telling; it’s a warning, a promise, and a call to action. But people don’t like change. We like stability, predictability, and, if we’re being honest, we like the idea that things can just stay the way they are.

Prophecy shatters that illusion. It forces us to look at a world that is shifting, a world that will not remain as it is. Prophecy tells us that nations will fall, rulers will be judged, and people will be divided. It speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it also speaks of tribulation, judgment, and a refining fire that many will not endure.

And that’s uncomfortable.

Most people are not interested in history because history has a way of repeating itself, and most people are not interested in prophecy because it is often harsh, unsettling, and demanding.

When confronted with biblical prophecy, people start asking questions:

“Will the Kingdom of God still have the things I love; my skittles, my beef steak, my Jack Daniels, and my jollof rice?”
“Will I still be able to enjoy life as I do now?”
“What if my loved ones don’t make it? How great can Heaven really be if the people I love most aren’t there?”

These thoughts lead many to dismiss prophecy altogether. It’s easier to not think about it, to just “live a good life” and hope everything works out in the end. This avoidance of prophecy, however, leaves people spiritually unprepared—much like ignoring the realities of aging until one day, out of nowhere, their back starts hurting for no reason.

So, What Should You Do If the Bible Has Become Boring?

If you’ve found yourself bored with scripture, feeling like you can’t bear another day of reading about David and Solomon, or you’ve memorized Jesus’ teachings so well that they’re less exciting than the hook to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”…

…don’t give up. Here’s what you do:

Live the Word, Don’t Just Read It.
- The Bible wasn’t meant to be just read—it was meant to be lived. The teachings of Jesus are not just wise sayings; they are a way of life. Start applying His principles in real-time—love your neighbor, serve others, forgive those who wrong you, and practice real humility.
Read Seven Verses a Day, from Genesis to Revelation.
- This may seem slow, but over time, it imprints scripture into your heart in a natural, effortless way. Even a small daily intake of scripture will keep you engaged and deepen your understanding over time.
Study Prophecy.
- Whether we like it or not, the future is coming—and the Bible has already told us how it will unfold. If you don’t want to be caught off guard, start learning what to expect. Knowing biblical prophecy is like preparing for old age—it’s better to brace for it than to be shocked when it happens.
Embrace the Kingdom Mindset.
- The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t about what you will lose; it’s about what you will gain. Instead of fearing what won’t be there, start seeking why the Kingdom is so glorious. Don’t let attachment to this world make you resistant to the eternal inheritance promised by the Almighty.

Final Thought

The Bible only becomes boring when we become detached from its reality. If you just want the gist, you will lose the depth. Also, if you avoid history, you will fail to see prophecy unfold. If you resist change, you will fear the Kingdom that is coming.