DISCIPLESHIP (PART 2) | ANDY BOND
We are now a long way into lockdown and there may be beginning to be some light at the end of the tunnel with the very early stages of discussion about how and when things may be relaxed. However, it is unlikely things will be back to anything resembling ‘normal’ for a long time. It therefore gives many of us further time to continue deepening our faith both in our lives and understanding.
I'd like to give some more thoughts about how we can read the bible. If you have never seen the Alpha film series video on “Why and How Should we Read the Bible?”, it is definitely worth viewing (Email me for the link).
On my previous blog I wrote an introduction about resources to get us into a rhythm of reading the scriptures regularly. This week I would like to look at different ways to read it.
First of all, the way most of us think about reading the Bible is devotionally, which is where we read a little bit each day maybe with some bible notes or something like Lectio 365 and we are often looking for something for that day. This is vital as we believe that God’s word is living and active and He speaks to us through it. It is amazing how often things in a reading will connect, encourage and challenge us in a season.
However, if that is the only way in which we read it, we may never develop an understanding of the big story, biblical themes or major beliefs (doctrines), more about that in a future blog.
My first recommendation is a short book called “Women of the Word.” It is a book by a lady called Jen Wilkin and please ignore the title, there is nothing in this book that a man will not get good things from. One of my favourite writers Andrew Wilson said this is “not just the best book on Bible study for women that I have read; it is the best book on Bible study for anybody that I have read.” She writes about 5 P’s: purpose, perspective, patience, process and prayer that are all needed to read the bible well. The subtitle is “How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds.” and this is well worth the time. It is available to read on the app SCRIBD (free for 60 days) if you sign up using this link: https://www.scribd.com/g/8cd8n9
A third group of recommendations are books about the big story of the Bible - often we can see it as a disjointed set of different writings rather than a big story with a beginning and an end with a number of central themes all the way through.
“Storylines” by Andy Croft and Mike Pilavachi is written for young people and looks at a number of themes through the big story. Don’t let the youth tag put you off, this is an excellent, accessible book exploring some of the main themes in the Bible (again available on SCRIBD)
“God’s Big Picture” is written by Vaughan Roberts and the blurb says ‘ Vaughan Roberts paints the big picture, showing how the different parts of the Bible fit together under the theme of the kingdom of God. He offers us tools to read it with confidence, enthusiasm and understanding. Vaughan points us to the Bible's supreme subject, Jesus Christ, and the salvation God offers through him.’ (also available on SCRIBD)
“Understanding the Bible” is by one of the 20th Century’s most loved bible teachers, John Stott. “What is the Bible really all about? Why was it written and can it be trusted? Why should we read it? In this revised edition of a classic work, John Stott answers these questions. With his usual clarity and authority he spells out the Bible's purpose, examines the social, geographical and historical background, and outlines the Bible's storyline. He then guides readers to apply the Bible's teaching to their daily lives.” Available at Eden or Amazon
I often say before I preach to people who are new that we would love to give them a bible because we believe that reading it will change their lives. Can I encourage us to be people of both Word and Spirit, deeply invested in the things of the Spirit of God and people who love and know God through His revelation to us?
