The Advent Lesson today reminds me that we are “people of the book.” We are people who form our collective identity around the greatest story ever told. Becoming a Christian means that our lineage becomes part of the cloud of witnesses who confess Jesus as Lord. I know sometimes that reading the bible can be difficult and intimidating but that is not what it was designed to do. As John reminds us “
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ”! That’s the ultimate purpose of the bible—faith in Jesus Christ.
So let’s just talk:
- Do you find reading the bible a challenge?
- What can the church do to help people better understand the bible?
Reading the bible became part of my life several years ago. I will never forget my sister in law gave me a bible for Christmas and my initial reaction was oh great—she’s trying to push this God thing on me again. It took 10 months for me to open it but when I did I was again reminded who Jesus is ant the love that God has for all of us. It was my best Christmas present ever! Today I am a part of the people of the book.
John went on to write “
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Oh but what a story there is to tell!
I recently started reading the Bible and have taken the approach to just READ it and not confuse myself with context and interpretation. That will come later. I would find it helpful for the new reader like myself if the Church offered a Bible orientation training which gave an overview understanding of the historical context and key messages of each book of the Bible.
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Like so many I have started the bible many times and run out of interest and desire for lack of understanding. I came across a bible reading plan that is designed for understanding, imagine that! So I followed it and since the Bible has become the Word of God to me and has changed my life. The reading plan can be found in Tim LaHaye's book, How to Study the Bible Yourself. You start by reading First John 7 times. Now that is reading for understanding!
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