Reading opens our minds to worlds we never knew possible. It transports us into the thoughts, ideas and imaginations of others, until they become our own. It is no wonder, then, why the written word is one of the primary ways in which God has chosen to speak with us.
BIBLE READING
The Bible is not a textbook, a history book or an “owner’s manual for life,” but a library of 66 books, written over many centuries by many authors. Together these books tell the one story of the love of God for humanity, the climax of which is the life, death and resurrection Jesus Christ. We don’t read it just for information, but to encounter the presence of God in its pages. This may sound simple and inspiring, but at times the Bible can also be confusing and difficult to read. It can be hard to know where to start, what it means, or what to do with what we read.
That’s why we want to invite you into the regular practice of reading the Bible, and we want to provide you with several tools that might help in diving deeper in your reading.
Bible Reading Resource Bookmark
BIBLE READING PLANS
If you find it helpful to have daily readings laid out for you, check out one of these plans that we have worked through together as a community:
S.O.A.P.
S.O.A.P. is way of helping you read slowly, intentionally, and prayerfully. It’s an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application & Prayer. We have practiced this method several times as a community, and you can find a few examples here:
BIBLE STUDY
SPOKEN WORD
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
For further exploration into Spiritual Practices, we recommend:
Sacred Rhythms – Ruth Hayley Barton
Prayer: 40 Days of Practice – Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson
The Spirit of the Disciplines – Dallas Willard
Practicing the Way of Jesus – Mark Scandrette
The Eternal Current – Aaron Niequist
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook – Adele Ahlberg Calhoun