Bible Reading vs. Scripture “Engagement”
Have you been “just reading” your Bible lately, or getting experiencing “Scripture engagement”? There is an unmistakable difference. While reading the Bible makes for an informed congregation, getting engaged in the Word of God creates transformed churches, homes and communities. There is nothing more exciting than to see the people you serve or your family becoming powerfully engaged with God’s Word; to see it come alive among them.
Consider the contrasts of “reading” versus “engagement” of Scripture:
The Bible & New Technology: My CT Article
Here is a link to an article I wrote that just came out in the June issue of Christianity Today. It is entitled, “The Social Network Gospel” and is a look at the changes taking place in Bible reading and study worldwide. It also includes interviews and insights from the people at YouVersion, the Glo Bible, American Bible Society and Facebook-the Bible Page. This link requires a subscription to CT, but it gives you a good intro to the article. I had a great time interviewing for, research and writing this article.
Gracelessness.
Graceless moments. They have a way of sucking the life right out of us. They put the clamps on our spirits and keep us from breathing. Inconsiderate. Disrespectful. Out to hurt. Graceless moments always come at the most inopportune times. They snatch all notions of faith, hope, and love right out of us and replace them with doubt, suspicion, and anger.
Graciousness. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
Gracious moments. We can’t live without them. When we extend grace to others, despite our flaws and weaknesses, we reflect something of the very nature and character of Christ.
With grace, sin becomes the enemy, not people. What was it that enabled Paul to endure such sinful opposition and rotten attitudes from a group of people he risked his life to reach for Christ? What was it that kept him coming back and writing, instructing, and teaching, even when it seemed that none of it was sinking in?
