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Don’t you love a good buffet—one with lots of options, tastefully prepared, and ready to make it onto your plate and into your tummy? Such a buffet awaits all who would feast on the Bible. God’s Word contains a veritable smorgasbord of delights, pleasing every palate, and meeting every need.
Yet few take advantage of this offering. Why? It isn’t the monetary cost, for the food is free for the taking. Undoubtedly, many are hesitant to eat for a variety of reasons. But I think several key ones include (1) not knowing how, (2) not having a habit, and (3) not seeing the value. How do we help people get their plates filled? By meeting the hesitations head on!
How
Consider those who don’t know how to get into the Bible for personal enrichment and study. We live in an amazing electronic age that can make this easy. “There’s an app for that!” A great one is appropriately called The Bible App, and there are plenty more. This enables people to daily have a biblical reading that will engage and transform them.
Habit
Getting that daily reminder to read and engage, in bite-size portions initially, in
one’s inbox will soon help to develop a habit. The app that one uses should come in a variety that allows for a daily e-mail reminder to read.
Value
The value will be realized as the habit is developing. When one reads a passage, relates it to what is going on in one’s life, and begins to receive nourishment and direction, one will rapidly come back over and over
for more.
Beyond this initial suggestion on getting people to read, I believe getting people engaged to discuss the Word is also critical. Our churches need to be places where the text is explained and explored. The Bible needs to be seen as more than simply retelling the story of the walls of Jericho falling. The Bible is nuanced with various genres of literature, telling stories of love and betrayal, giving advice for the simple and wise, offering solace through laments, and expressing the full range of human emotions in a struggle to explain life, God, and purpose.
As those in charge of teaching in our churches engage Scripture in those terms, then those who are observing the buffet will begin to get in line and fill their plates. Too often, those teaching are themselves needing to get into a bit more depth to help those who follow. In our internet age, this is easier than you might think. I encourage all interested in delving deeper for teaching or personal growth to consider various sources, including our own that can be found at Biblical-Literacy.com.
