LIFE LONG LEARNERS 

 My bible has 1251 pages plus appendices (maps and useful information).

Almost every page has footnotes.

Mr Google tells me that the New International Version (NIV) has 727,969 words.

It constantly surprises me, encourages and challenges me.

In the ordination service last week I was reminded that the first declaration that the ordinands, soon to become Deacons, affirm is this:
Do you accept the Holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?
 cf Article VI

Ordinands   I do so accept them.

The Article VI is a reference to the 39 Articles of Religion that form part of the “historic formularies” that all ordained persons sign up to.

The Church of England came out of the years of reformation and upheaval resulting from King Henry VIII marriage woes as an essentially evangelical church. It is a word that is rooted in good news and proclaims a Gospel of repentance of sins for the receipt of unwarranted grace and redemption won for us on the cross by the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God to whom we cry out, like Bartimaeus who could not see, “have mercy”.

The Bible , Holy Scripture, is our best source of capturing the truth of that good news, with the help and guidance of God’s holy Spirit.
Yet many are joyfully sceptical. Claiming such things as:

• Too much sin
• Written by man with men’s biases
• Jesus came and that means we can ignore the Old Testament
• It contradicts itself and is full of errors

The authors of the Articles of Religion that underpin the faith and practice of the Church of England would beg to differ and would rely more on Paul’s assertion that “6 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
I was really excited therefore to hear the plans for our Discipleship Groups for the Autumn term. The Bible Society produced a course a few years ago designed to give good grounding in the big picture of the bible enabling readers to better understand the context for reading individual stories, writings, letters etc The Bible Course has been revamped to include more detail, new discussion points and testimonies.
It comes highly recommended.
I commend it to everyone who wants to press into Making Passionate Disciples for Christ as our mission. Because scripture is the reliable source as God’s Word to deepen our faith in him and guide our response to that faith.
The question came , what about those who might find an overview too simple? 
My answer was, ask yourself how you would answer someone who knew nothing about the bible that asked you “What is the Bible about? Why should I read it?”
What would you say?
If you truly can say that your answer could not be improved upon than , yes, this course probably isn’t for you. But as for me, that would not be my answer. I love talking about the bible with others. I am always learning from others and from resources available. God is constantly revealing new perspectives and angles and imperatives and links in his Word.
And I read/pray/listen to and share Morning Prayer 3-5 times a week. That is a Psalm, an Old Testament Reading and a new Testament reading every day during the week (plus whatever comes up on a Sunday).
We can be found in Foyer Monday to Wednesday by the way. Come and join. All welcome. 
Read, chat, pray. It’s a simple formula.
Anyway, that we as a church might go deeper in reading the bible and letting the Spirit guide us through that engagement is exciting. More Lord, we pray!
Our older youth were asked what question they would like to discuss in the Tuesday Youth Group. One of the topics was “how to read the Bible”. I gave some thought to what my answer would be and suggested some ideas to the team leading this group.
1. What is the Bible?
The first question might be to work out what they believe the Bible to be before exploring how to read it.

- many genres of writing (history, wisdom, story, allegory, poetry, song, prophecy etc)
- written over many centuries
- eye witness accounts
- capturing an oral tradition passed on faithfully over many generations
- inspired by God/God breathed - the Word of God (the Hebrew word for breath is same as Spirit)
- the revelation of Jesus - ie Jesus is on every page
- one book - both old and new testaments make up one story

2. Why read the Bible?
It’s important to establish what one’s own motivation is to determine different ways to read scripture.
 
A) for knowledge - in which case you might dig deeper by reading a commentary or even going to the original text in Greek or Hebrew
B) for inspiration - in which case reading the text prayerfully , asking the Holy Spirit to guide, might be the approach
C) for guidance - maybe following a book on the topic you want guidance on directing you to texts (eg how to make decisions prayerfully)
D) as a springboard for prayer - ie read text then pray as the text inspires you
 
3. How often to read the Bible?
A little bit often for its own sake is a good start. Every day. Even if it’s just a few verses.
Then on top of that will read it for one of the above reasons either using a reading plan, or looking up particular scriptures or reading through a book.
 
4. How to interpret the Bible?

Having established what trying to get out of it there is a three-part approach that can be taken with any text:

 1. Centre stage
A plain reading of the text- what does it say and what does it say to you?

2. Background
How would it be understood and received at the time it was written? What is the context?

 3. Foreground
 How might that apply today?

Eg “an eye for an eye”

Plain meaning - could be interpreted as about revenge for a wrong doing

Context - the law was that recompense should be no more than the loss/injury incurred - therefore this is not encouraging revenge, rather proportionate response

Application - in the context of wider scripture including NT teaching about turning the cheek, loving enemy and forgiveness (70x7) as well as OT teaching about vengeance being the Lord’s not ours means that our most effective response eg  to a derogatory online post is possibly silence? (Not sure if that’s a good example but hopefully it illustrates the point)

5. Resources available

There are many and each will appeal to different people and different objectives for reading.

A) just read prayerfully and ask God to speak to you!
B) read with others and discuss
C) Bible reading plans/apps such as Bible in One Year etc - provide a commentary
D) reading notes (old skool)
E) “The Bible Book” by Nick Page is brilliant - simple , funny, packed with contextual detail and honest about the head scratchers
F) a study bible has lots of background details ; Life Application Bible does what its name suggests and helps apply the text to life; Youth bibles of course do the same to a degree but particularly aimed at young people
F) commentaries - starting simple with say Tom Wrights “For Everyone” series or for more advanced maybe the NIV Application Commentary (one per book)
which has three sections for each passage - analysis, bridging context and application. Bit dated now but generally accessible and sound.
G) YouTube talks and videos - but treat with caution because there are all sorts of ideas out there; check with your pastor/team leader
H) write down thoughts and questions in a journal - write key prayer points from reading and note how things turned out; then share these with others in Bible study, prayer partners etc
I) best way to learn is to teach - offer to preach or lead a Bible study!

The Bible will provide you with a lifetime of inspiration, joy , challenge and questions.

I commend it to you, whatever resource and opportunity to dig deeper is available to you, take it. It is a life long process and as there is more of God, there is more to discover.
Put aside any scepticism you may have and let it, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,  guide and encourage, challenge and form you and prepare and equip you for every good work.
Enjoy!
Blessings
Doug