Reading the Bible is an important part of a person’s Christian faith journey. Though we may never fully understand God’s plan and guidance for us, I believe we can better understand those things by reading the very guidebook he provided for us. I remember as a teen, being taught that God communicates with us in several ways, through prayer and spending time in quiet meditation; through what we see in the world and people that God has put in our lives; and in the Bible—God speaking through others in the bible to tell us his plan.
When I was six years old, I remember clearly, asking my mom about what it meant to be “saved”. I had heard that language at church along with stories about Jesus that included becoming a Christian, having a sinful heart, but also having the grace of forgiveness and being a child of God. Though my understanding was rudimentary and child-like, what is vivid in my mind was my mom reaching for our family bible with its whisper thin pages and worn black leather cover and she found several verses that had been underlined and highlighted that helped me understand my questions of faith. We read Romans 3:23, ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” and Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Finally, she shared John 3:16—“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I remember her reading these verses, but truly these were verses that she could quote from memory as easily as I could quote my phone number or address. Soon after that time praying and reading the bible, I professed my faith and was baptized in my home church in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
I was so excited and happy that I wanted to share with my friends at school about this amazing experience. The best way to do that, I decided was to make a small bible that I could share with them. As a kid that loved art and crafting, I worked with paper and pen, cutting and stapling pages together and drawing a cross on the front—just like my family bible. Then I filled it with the few stories and verses that I knew were a part of the bible and that to me were important. There was a partial story from Genesis about creation and then a little about Noah and the ark I even drew pictures of the ark and the animals. There was a bit about a good Samaritan (poorly spelled I might add). However, there was one verse that was particularly important, accurately transcribed and attributed and that was John 3:16. The next day I took my “bible” to school and shared it with my friend Karen, and I enthusiastically told of my faith and baptism. I don’t remember a lot about what happened next, whether she listened with eagerness accepting my story with the same fervor I was sure to be delivering it or whether she laughed or just nodded and moved on as kids tend to do. All I know is that the moment brought me joy and comfort and an opportunity to share who I was with someone else. It was also planted the seed in my life about the importance of the Bible in my life. I knew that little homemade Bible was precious and meaningful—even as a child.
I have read the Bible through several times in my life. I have memorized verses and learned passages that bring me comfort, understanding, encouragement, direction and joy in my life. I can still recite Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2 and John 3:16—but I can’t wait to read through again, and perhaps tuck away several verses I missed or need a reminder about.
I’m glad my mom had a family bible to reach for and share with me, one that was marked up with notes and special attention on verses she could share. This might be the perfect year for you to start reading through as well—you can help create a treasure for you and others in your life.
-Lori Hall, Executive Director of Missions
