I'm not sure if it's a trend or not. I have no scientific data. I haven't taken an official poll. But my "feeling" is (pastors get "feelings" every now and then) too many people do not bring their Bibles when they come to church events. Primarily I'm thinking about worship services. If they do bring them, it seems that too many aren't looking at them during the message time. As I read from the Scriptures I will occasionally look up at the congregation and I see far too many people looking at me and not at their Bible.
There is much to be said for putting your own eyes on the text. For one thing, simply reading along helps you remember. We forget almost all of what we hear. But when we add seeing to hearing our retention gets much better. After all, what is the message about anyway? It's about God's word.
I'm convinced this is not a minor issue. We need to be Bible totin' Christ-followers. Not just for show, but because the Bible is the very word of God. What better companion could you have with you? Get in the habit of carrying your Bible with you, especially to any and all church functions (worship services, committee meetings, small group, fellowships, etc.). I also recommend taking it with you to other places as well (like work). In the least it can be a great conversation starter.
If you're wondering about what translation, I can recommend the English Standard Version (or ESV for short). It's the version that I use to study and preach from. It's very reliable and faithful to the original manuscripts. (Remember that when the Bible was first written down it was not written in King James English.)
We Baptists claim to be "people of the Book." Let's be just that. Let's be Bible totin' folk. And even more importantly, let's be Bible believing and Bible obeying folk.
There is much to be said for putting your own eyes on the text. For one thing, simply reading along helps you remember. We forget almost all of what we hear. But when we add seeing to hearing our retention gets much better. After all, what is the message about anyway? It's about God's word.
I'm convinced this is not a minor issue. We need to be Bible totin' Christ-followers. Not just for show, but because the Bible is the very word of God. What better companion could you have with you? Get in the habit of carrying your Bible with you, especially to any and all church functions (worship services, committee meetings, small group, fellowships, etc.). I also recommend taking it with you to other places as well (like work). In the least it can be a great conversation starter.
If you're wondering about what translation, I can recommend the English Standard Version (or ESV for short). It's the version that I use to study and preach from. It's very reliable and faithful to the original manuscripts. (Remember that when the Bible was first written down it was not written in King James English.)
We Baptists claim to be "people of the Book." Let's be just that. Let's be Bible totin' folk. And even more importantly, let's be Bible believing and Bible obeying folk.
Brother Jay,
ReplyDeleteOne of the churches I used to attend had a bookshelf in the foyer area with extra Bibles on it that folks could pick up on their way in. Some may have forgotten theirs, or some may not have one... Just a thought.
I have heard of pew Bibles, but not a bookshelf. Thanks for reading and passing along ideas.
ReplyDeleteWith all of the wonderful Media equpt.why not use these tools to project the verses and important points. Most people are visual and that would help greatly. Besides it would make the non-typical attender feel more apart of the "church" group and not a visitor or someone who is not in there "club". Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought. We have projected passages of Scripture, message points, and the like in the past and I'm sure we will again. These kinds of things can be helpful aids. But while I'm sure I did a poor job of communicating it, the primary point of my blog entry is to encourage people to get in the habit of bringing their Bible to church, and almost everywhere else they go as well. Thanks again for reading and taking time to comment.
ReplyDeleteI agree about toting our bibles, and being of the book. Also, you are right, what a great way to start an eternally important conversation: haul your bible around with you, particularly to work. I am going to start doing that.
ReplyDeleteTo continue the digression: I agree with anonymous that the media stuff helps communicate the message, keeps people engaged, and "feels" modern. I have thought before that you may have abandoned the media to punish me for not bringing my bible! :) PF