Autumn greetings!

We are in the midst of autumn, but Advent, Christmas, and the rest of winter is quickly on their way! If you ordered Fall Living the Word materials or if you are just now considering joining in, check out our Winter materials for Living the Word (Narrative Lectionary), which cover the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We even have a specially packaged Cross+Gen Worship materials for Advent & Christmas, if you want to do something unique during that time. If you still haven’t decided on the faith formation resources you are going to use in 2016-2017, please check out our sample lessons and testimonials to see if we have the right tools for you!

Even if you have already decided on your curricula for this year (including your Christmas program), then please just check out this month’s reflection on reading the Bible and our Ministry Partner this month!

To Read the Bible

By Gregory Rawn, Publisher

The Bible is central to who we are as Christians. So central, you could say it doesn’t have a title. Our word for it, “bible” comes to us from the Greek word for “books” (biblia). So, we call this special volume The Holy Books (Bible), or the Holy Writings (Scripture), or the Word. Because of its centrality to our faith, it doesn’t need a special title. We take these general terms and we all know what they mean.

But, while we agree on the centrality of the Bible, how much of the Bible do we actually read? And, (let’s be honest), how much do we really understand?

 Much of the time we organize things into categories, we’re oversimplifying. This is true when we categorize ways to read the Bible, but it can be useful anyway. Here, I divide Bible reading into three main groups: devotional reading, “reference” reading, and educational reading (the last two being my own terms).

Devotional Reading

Most people who read the Bible do so devotionally. Reading devotionally means to read as a faith practice, to use reading Scripture as a means of spending time with God, often listening for God’s will for their lives. A devotional reader of Scripture doesn’t need an academic background in the Bible, they just need a general understanding of the language, a prayerful method (like Lectio Divina or just informally reading with the intent to hear God), and sometimes the guidance of the devotional reflections of others.

“Reference” Reading

Probably the second most common way people read the Bible is to look up a verse or a passage for a specific reason. Often this is to find a verse that deals with a certain issue, an answer to a specific question. This can be done for yourself, usually as a moral guide (e.g. Should I do this particular action or behavior?), or it can be done on behalf of others (which can unfortunately be used as a weapon). Generally the purpose is to pluck a piece out of Scripture that can stand on its own, that can tell us God’s will or rules without a need for its context in Scripture or history.

Educational Reading

The third type of reading, I call “educational reading,” but is often called exegetical reading or studying the Bible. Studying the Bible is indeed an important faith practice, but is distinguished from devotional reading. While devotional reading often ignores the literary and historical context of the passage read in favor of what God is saying to you now, educational reading requires understanding this context. It can be as simple as reading through a whole book (or the whole Bible) at a fairly rapid pace in order to get a rough sketch of the book or Bible as a whole. The Bible in 90 Days is a great way to do this. Or, you can learn from the work of others, either by taking a class (in an academic or congregational setting), reading a book by a trusted Bible scholar, or going through a curriculum of some sort. But, often educational reading of the Bible is a slow process that involves reading carefully and finding resources that teach about the history, culture, language, and other types of context that the original audience would have understood, but to us are foreign concepts (check out our Ministry Partner of the Month, Enter the Bible for a great resource!). Educational reading should help us understand the details of each passage, but also the story arc of the Bible (how all of the Bible works together, and where the story is going even today). Understanding the contexts of the Bible helps us to interpret the Bible, to understand what it meant and what it means today.

Personal Thoughts

Now, I am a self-described Bible nerd (not a Bible expert, I’ll leave that to the Ph.Ds), so I naturally gravitate toward an educational reading of Scripture. It is probably the most complex method, as it requires outside resources and time spent outside of Scripture learning about Scripture. I have an issue with “reference reading” of the Bible, as I think that trying to take a verse or passage out of context is dangerous and can be very misleading. Add to this that many then use these “Bible bullets” against others, so this becomes an abuse of Scripture (and often of those whom the Bible is used against). Key verses can certainly be pulled from various Scripture passages and stories that help us remember the meaning that comes from the context, but to me, context is pretty much everything.

Devotional reading of Scripture can be an important faith practice, but I do have a couple of notes. First, without understanding the historical contexts of these ancient texts, we run the risk of misunderstanding their meaning and drawing very different conclusions than what was originally intended by the author. The second is related: any insight or inspiration that is gained through devotional reading is by nature personal (the Holy Spirit speaking to you in your current situation), and should not be considered universal or necessarily applicable to anyone else. This goes for both private reading and small group reading (often called “Bible Studies” but are often more focused on devotional than educational reading). With these caveats, devotional reading can be a valuable and life-giving practice.

Do you regularly read the Bible, and if so, what method describes your practice? What method(s) are being taught in your congregation?

Product Announcements

THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
If you are thinking about Christmas programs, it’s not too late! Consider the unique option from our Spirit and Truth: Teaching Kids the Heart of Worship series. Although the Spirit and Truth: Christmas Program is designed to fit seamlessly into that full year curriculum, it is easily used alone. What makes it unique? Instead of putting on a “show” (as great as that can be), this product gives your congregation a tool to help the students (of all ages) plan a special worship service to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord!  Let students write the prayers, figure out how to tell the story, and put on a skit! Check out a sample and learn more!

COMING EARLY 2017!
Check out our newest product, Chosen Together: A Cross+Gen Confirmation Experience. Reply to this email if you would like to receive information as it comes out!

We are also hard at work on our Living the Word (Year 4, 2017-2018) materials. Look for pre-orders starting in January!

NOW READY FOR DOWNLOAD!
All Living the Word: (Year 3, 2016-2017) materials!

Event Announcements

• Sticky Worship– Do you live in or near South Dakota? Gregory Rawn, owner of Spirit and Truth Publishing, will be leading a retreat at Joy Ranch, South Dakota on November 10-11, 2016, sponsored by the South Dakota Synod of the ELCA. The topic will be Sticky Worship: Worship as Cross+Generational Faith Formation. Sign up through the link above!
• Do you know of any other faith formation events going on this fall? Let us know!

Promotions

Receive 10% Off ALL Living the Word: (Year 3) Winter Products using code: 2016WINT10

Receive 10% Off your order of ANY Spirit & Truth: Teaching Kids the Heart of Worship materials using code: STNOV2016

Coupon codes valid until November 30, 2016. Not valid with other promotions.

Product Review

Faith Formation Partner Links

Enter the Bible is Luther Seminary’s free resource that helps you grow in your faith, add depth to your Bible studies and truly discover the people, places and events of the Bible. Think of Enter the Bible as your guide, a helpful reference tool to accompany you in your reading of the Bible.

Visit often! We hope you Enter the Bible every time you open the Word.

WHY ENTER THE BIBLE?

Do any of these sound familiar?

• “The Bible can really be tough to understand.”
• “I don’t know enough about the Bible to talk about it. I don’t want to look dumb!”
• “I don’t think the Bible is that relevant to my day-to-day life.”

Enter the Bible is for you! It was designed to help you to understand what you read and explore the stories, people and places in the Bible. And because it was written by Luther Seminary faculty you can trust what you read!

Whether it’s for personal devotions, exploring the Bible or participating in a group study, you’ll dig deeper into the Word with summaries, outlines, background and videos.

We believe Luther Seminary is called to serve the church by teaching the Bible and teaching how to better teach the Bible. We are happy to share this resource with you!

WHO IS ENTER THE BIBLE FOR?

If you want to grow in your faith, add depth to your Bible study or truly discover the people, places and events in the Bible? This resource is for you. You may have studied the Bible for years. Or you may a new reader. Either way you’ll find information that will deepen your understanding of the Bible.

This resource is

• Designed to help you to understand more about the Bible and how it relates to your faith and life.
• Written by Luther Seminary faculty. It’s information you can trust.
• Contains information and context for your group study or personal devotions.

 

If you are looking for great, creative coloring resources for church or home, check out Illustrated Children’s Ministry for some high-quality materials!

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Do you want to read our previous newsletters? Find them in our archive here!