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Essential reading on engaging with the Bible
1) A walk through the Bible, Lesslie Newbigin, Triangle
Lesslie Newbigin takes the reader on a journey through the story of the Bible in 80 pages. Newbigin writes with a lightness of touch and theological awareness that makes some deep truths of the Bible available to a casual reader. This is a wonderful little book that could help us all to get a clear grasp of the plotline of the entire bible story.
2) Essential 100, Your way into the heart of the Bible, by Whitney T. Kuniholm, Scripture Union
The Bible broken down into the 100 key readings. I saw this book has been used effectively at London School of Theology where the whole college, staff and students alike would read the same reading each day and then have opportunities to discuss it on a group email or meet up in small groups each week and process their reading together. The criticism that could be levelled against this book is that it is encouraging a canon within the canon - that we are being very selective in our Bible reading. But the idea behind this book is instead to provide a catalyst to help people get the big picture of the Bible story. It could be a useful tool for your church.
3) Topical Memory System: Life Issues, Navigators
This resource from the navigators tries to help Christians to memorise and internalise the Bible. It provides a short article and then a memory verse on life issues such as dealing with anger, depression, love, knowing God's will, handling money etc. Authors of the articles include Jerry Bridges, Calvin Miller, Ted Engstrom. You get a little card to stick in your wallet to carry around with you for the day and you can chose which version of the Bible you want to use (NIV, KJV, NKJV and NASB). The danger is ofcourse that we learn the Bible in an atomistic way that encourages a proof texting approach to the Bible. The strength of the course is it really does help us get the Bible into our hearts and minds - to have a passage of the Bible ready as we face challenges in life. As the Psalmist says: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11
4) The Street Bible, Rob Lacey
Rob Lacey had a real gift with words. This is more of a series of meditations on the Bible than a translation per se. The author himself said: "No way is this the proper Bible. It's a trailer for, an intro to, an overview of the Bible (capital "B"). For those who've never read it, and those who've read it so much it's gone stale on them". Rob's use of language is very powerful and can help people give the Bible a fresh hearing.
5) Bible Experience, Zondervan Publishing
This is a brilliant recording of the Bible. With a purpose-made score and a top quality list of voice actors, this set of CDs or MP3s can bring the bible alive for a new audience. The cast include: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Cuba Gooding Jr. My favourite part was to hear Samuel L. Jackson as John the Baptist - he brings his customary brilliance and attitude to the part. Stick the CD into your car and experience the Bible on the way to work or download the mp3s onto your ipod and enjoy the Bible as you work out.
For more essential reading on engaging with the Bible, including Bible resources for young people, visit Krish's blog.
