---
title: Overcoming Fear and Perfectionism in Bible Reading (with Tara-Leigh Cobble)
canonical: "https://wordfirst.org/podcasts/deep-dish/fear-perfectionism-bible-reading/"
pubDate: "2026-08-20T00:04:57.000Z"
updatedDate: "2026-08-26T14:27:26.000Z"
description: "Courtney and Melissa talk to Tara-Leigh Cobble about how she got over her lack of desire to read the Bible and how, over time, reading the Bible made her fall in love with its Author."
categories: [The Deep Dish]
---

Courtney and Melissa talk to Tara-Leigh Cobble about how she got over her lack of desire to read the Bible and how, over time, reading the Bible made her fall in love with its Author.

They discuss the transformative effects that can come from giving just 20 minutes to Bible reading each day, and they recommend free tools to help readers understand difficult parts of the Bible.

---

**Resources Mentioned:**

- *[The Bible Recap](https://www.thebiblerecap.com/podcast)* (podcast)
- [*The Bible Recap*](https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Recap-One-Year-Reading-Understanding/dp/0764237039/?tag=thegospcoal-20) (book)
- [*ESV Study Bible*](https://www.amazon.com/ESV-Study-Bible-Bibles-Crossway/dp/1433502410/?tag=thegospcoal-20)
- Free tools for studying the Bible:
 - *[Faithlife Study Bible](https://faithlife.com/store/product/36338/faithlife-study-bible)*
 - [The Bible Project](https://bibleproject.com/)
 - [Blue Letter Bible](https://www.blueletterbible.org/)
 - [TGC Bible Commentary](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/)
 - [Desiring God Sermon Archive](https://www.desiringgod.org/messages)
 - [Look at the Book](https://www.desiringgod.org/labs)

**Related Resources:**

- [Read the Bible](https://readthebible.tgc.org/)
- [My Favorite Bible in a Year Reading Plan](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/melissa-kruger/my-favorite-bible-in-a-year-reading-plan-2/)
- [Easy Schedule for Bible-in-a-Year Rookies](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/schedule-bible-year-rookies/)

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What has your relationship with Bible reading looked like over the years? Has it changed in different seasons of life?

2. What would it look like to pursue consistency in Bible reading without making perfection the goal?

3. What habits, practices, or resources have helped you stay engaged in God’s Word?

4. What benefits of reading and studying God’s Word with other believers have you experienced?

5. Can you remember a time when God’s Word met you in a particular need? What did you learn about him?

6. How does remembering that the Bible reveals God’s character (not just information) change the way you approach difficult passages?

7. What is one practical step you want to take toward spending more meaningful time in God’s Word this week?