Welcome to Christ Episcopal Church

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that I’m a big “Bible person.” There are some books I enjoy more than others – Acts and Genesis and Luke are my favorite books (for now) – and I struggle with Leviticus and Numbers and a lot of the prophets. Those of you who have sat with me through a Vestry or a Worship Committee meeting or in an adult education forum will also know that I’m a fan of a practice called “Dwelling in the Word.” Sometimes people ask me why I do this. The answer is that Dwelling in the Word (and related practices, like Gospel Based Discipleship) breaks us of a bad habit – of treating the Bible like any other book. Something we read simply for information. Something we pick up and treat as an object we hold at arm’s length, instead of as a subject that speaks to us. The Book of Common Prayer teaches that we call the Bible the Word of God “because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible.” In other words, we see the Bible’s origins as a human response to God’s presence and God’s actions, rather than as divine dictation. And just as those original writers’ and hearers’ interpretation of the Biblical texts was inspired by God, we continue to believe that the Holy Spirit helps us to hear God’s voice in new and relevant ways in these ancient books.

In my experience, two disciplines change people’s walk with Christ: regular prayer and Bible reading. They are the foundation of our interior life in God. So – my question for you is: are you reading the Bible regularly? Not just for information, but to be inspired?

The reality is that reading the Bible is hard. It requires dealing with existential questions and deeply held beliefs. It’s often difficult to interpret when we are so far removed from the cultures who wrote it. And it can be daunting to pick up that huge book. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help! You can buy a “Bible in a Year”, Google a Bible reading plan, or simply follow the Daily Office Lectionary (page 934 in the Prayer Book), which will take you through nearly all the Bible over the course of two years. And if you’re looking for some guides, I recommend “The Bible Project” (which has free educational resources – including some animated videos – to help people understand the Bible), or Luther Seminary’s Enter the Bible series. I also recommend considering the questions Dwelling in the Word or Gospel Based Discipleship ask as you read. They’re exactly what you and I need to change us from “consumers” of Scripture to “engagers” with the Word of God as we invite the Spirit into our reading and wondering. And of course, you’re always welcome to join our Bible Study group when we start meeting again in the fall!

Whether you read a lot of Scripture or just a little each day, my hope is that you’re reading it – and doing so in ways that support your own journey of discipleship.

Thank you for sharing your worship with us. 

May the peace of God fill your heart and mind, and the Blessing of God Almighty—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—be with you, and remain with you, always.