I spent this last weekend at an English teacher’s conference. While at this conference, I will receive many books for my classroom library and my own personal library. I haven’t been an English teacher all my life, but when I was returning to the classroom, it makes sense that I am teaching my passions…reading and writing. I have always devoured books my entire life. I may not read what is always popular or what others believe is spectacular literature, but I read broadly and deeply.
Books have influenced my life. They have informed my decisions. For example, I have read Christian literature that made me think about my own choices in life with relationships. I have read and taught Frankenstein so much that I often wonder who or what is a true monster in life. That book also opened my eyes to how some people may view God. I have read nonfiction books that are in the Christian genre for growth and understanding of the Bible. I have read nonfiction business books that are also self-improvement books. I have made better decisions in my life because of those nonfiction books.
I have read novels in which I have resonated with the main character. Some of the historical novels that I am currently reading have opened my eyes to the understanding of true history because I have been able to research the events. I also have a love for history, so I am the one buying the historical books on sale. With all of my reading, there is one book that has made the most impact on my life.
I have read the Bible, more than once. Even as a child, I tried to read the entire Bible, although I got stuck around 1 and 2 Kings. For a kid, those books are a bit heavy. Then, when I joined my church’s Bible quiz team, I was memorizing and soaking in God’s Word everyday as a highschooler. The Bible impacted my decisions and my view of the world. I resonate with many of the characters in the Bible, especially those who were overlooked.
As I continue to study the Bible, I realized that even though I had memorized it or had read it before, it still speaks into my life. With my Bible reading, I have discovered the love Jesus has for me and for everyone in the world. I also realized that many of the ideologies that were taught to me in the church were not Biblical but were created by human beings to monitor the lives of people in the church. That thought made me ask a question of wonder. I wondered how many people in the church, including the leaders, read the Bible for their own understanding?
Here's my confession: I have been more consistent with reading the Bible since I left youth ministry than when I was in youth ministry. Sure, I read the Bible to prepare lessons and presentations, but my own consistent time in God’s Word was lackluster. I knew God’s Word, but instead of reading it for how God could work in my life, I only read it for how it could work in the lives of my students. With that method, I sounded great, but I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching. Once I left youth ministry, I began to practice what I preached.
When I left youth ministry, I fell in love with God’s Word again. I began to devour it and started to read all those Christian books that I had purchased while in youth ministry. My attitude toward other people changed. I realized I cannot fix or change anyone. I can only fix or change myself. Jesus can change people. Jesus does change people. It is up to us to lead people to Jesus, not our version of who he is with our understanding of the Bible.
If we claim to have Biblical values, we must open the Bible and read it. We must read it for how it is written and not with our blinders of our own agendas or views. We must find commentaries, dictionaries, and other helps that explain the context, so we understand what it actually says and not with our own blinders of what we have been taught all our lives.
We must stop quoting passages or a verse here and there and then believe it ends the conversation. We must quote a passage or a verse to start the conversation. A conversation includes questions. Instead of getting frustrated when people ask us questions about the Bible, especially when it is about the confusing parts, we must answer with love. If we don’t have the answer, we let them know that we will do everything we can to find the answer.
We must stop using the Bible as a stick to strike upon someone’s head. The Bible is a sword. It is an offensive weapon. The battle is between unseen things, not human beings to whom we are supposed to show love. As an offensive weapon, it can only be used to start and bring people into the winning side, not to defeat and just walk away with pride. When we defeat people using the Bible on social media and walk away with pride, we do not represent Jesus. we represent the Pharisees, as that is exactly how they behaved.
Taking time to read the Bible is a process. First, we must stop with the guilt shaming. If you miss a day, then pick it up the next day. If you miss a week, pick it up the next week. The goal is not just to read it, but to infuse it into your life and allow God to speak directly to you. So, set a time that is best for you. It could be first thing in the morning, or when you get home from work, or before you go to bed, or after dinner. Whatever time that you have as natural down time in your life, use that time to meet with God in his Word.
Where should you start? Start where you need to be. Search on Google for passages that connect with the areas in your life of which you are struggling, even with doubts in your faith. Then start with that passage or book. You can continue with that or read the books around the one that you just finished.
Use devotionals or readings set in the Bible Apps. There are several devotionals that are free on the Internet. We don’t have room for all of the excuses. There are even guides if you want to read through the Bible on the Internet. I don’t have a problem with reading through the Bible, but if we want to dive deep into God’s Word, you must be intentional of your reading. Be intentional to read to understand.
The more people in the church that are taking the time to read the Bible will create stronger connections with those who are outside of the church. Instead of just throwing out “Biblical thoughts,” we will have answers that God has given us. In this time of Thanksgiving, take the time to show gratefulness and begin a conversation with God by reading and listening to what he has to say. It will open your mind and heart to what you have to say to him.
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