The Bible and Our Reading
While the Bible holds the title for the most sold book of all time (estimated 5-7 billion copies around the world) mystery still abounds for many who hear it and read it on a regular basis. Filled with history, poetry, and other genres of literature rooted in cultures quite different from our own, the living and inspired word of God still shares with us the story of God and God’s people in ways that inspire hope, faith, and love. To be clear, we do not worship the Bible, but instead the God to whom the Bible bears witness. Through accounts of courageous faith, moments of deep despair, captivating love stories, and persistent teaching, the written word of God meets us and accompanies us wherever we might be.

Pastors often hear from folks how they wish they knew more of the Bible or how they’d like to be a part of a Bible study that worked for their schedule. This is true here at Hope even as many members already connect to study groups as a part of our women’s circles, renewal groups, lectionary BS on Tuesdays at noon, youth ministry, or pop-up Adult Ed series. Others gladly study with sibling congregations in our community or one on one with the good book. People are often surprised by how much they actually do know of scripture simply from being in worship or having attended Sunday school as a child.

Our strategic plan completed a few years ago identified, “Adult Education opportunities at times more convenient for all” as one of our focused proposals. One of the main challenges for existing opportunities was that they are scheduled during the workday. In response to this we are launching a new initiative this fall with the hope of providing some more focused opportunities offered consistently and during more accessible times. Coupled with this will be a year long emphasis in reading the bible together that we are calling, Reading the Bible Together, or RBT for short.

RBT (Reading the Bible Together)

This new study will begin in September and will meet on Monday evenings with Pastor Matt for an hour. Each week a reading guide with helpful insights, definitions, and questions will be provided as the group reads different books of the bible a chapter or two at a time. Short on time? No problem! Each reading can be completed in 15 minutes or less and portions of the readings will be read as a whole group. We will begin by reading the gospel of Mark, moving on to a different book when completed. Come each week, or only when you can. The reading guide will be provided electronically to accommodate each person’s availability to participate. I would recommend bringing a Study Bible with room in the margins for notes, though we have plenty to go around.

Read the Bible in a Year

Many have sparked a life-long love of scripture by reading the Bible, cover to cover, in one year. Multiple guides are available to do this but one of my favorites is produced by 1517 Media. The PDF of the reading plan is free, and so is the Log In to access accompanying videos from biblical scholar, Chad Bird. Keep posted for more information and sign on to Read the Bible in a Year!

Reading Regularly

In life we tend to follow through on things we make regular habits, and reading scripture is no different. Whether daily or weekly devotional practice, praying in the morning and evening, or brushing our teeth twice a day, rhythm and repetition help us remain on track. If these new opportunities don’t work for you, but you have an idea or would like to gather a group at a different time, please let me know so our community can support you in making it happen.

Pastor Matt