The Bible says to study the Word to show yourself approved to God. It doesn’t say it’s how to develop a stronger relationship with Him. It says it is useful for teaching, correction and training in righteousness. Jesus says if we keep his teaching he and the father will dwell in us. We don’t keep his teaching by merely reading the Bible. The Bible is for correction, not intimacy. It is for training in what to do in real life choices, that is, obedience.
Faith increases when we obey what God tells us to do either directly or through His Word and we see what happens.