At the beginning of the sermon, a Bible church pastor said to raise your hand if you needed a Bible and you could keep it if you didn’t have one. No one raised his or her hand.
Every sermon Scripture was in a printed handout in the church bulletin, as well as on the screens at the front of the church. Why would anyone need a Bible?
[Tweet “Congregants are spoon-fed Scriptures with no reason to bring their Bibles to church!”]
This is becoming the norm in churches. Congregants are spoon-fed Scriptures with no reason to bring their Bibles to church!
- How many make a note somewhere when a particular Scripture pierces their heart?
- How many will remember the Scriptures flashing up on a screen?
- How many will throw away the bulletin handout when they get home?
- How many will go back and review and study the Scriptures the pastor chose for his sermon?
- How many open their Bibles during the week?
- How many know where the books of the Bible are located?
Can churches still be called “Bible churches” when no one opens a Bible, even the pastor?
[Tweet “Can churches still be called “Bible churches” when no one opens a Bible, even the pastor?”]
I’m sure many will counter that with tablets, IPads, and smart phones, the Scriptures are available online. What if a church doesn’t have internet service? And even if they did, I seldom see congregants interacting and taking notes on their electronic devices like you can do with a hard copy Bible.
Recently, I was told the next generation only wants to use electronic Bibles. “What if they don’t know where Habakkuk is?” I was asked. “In ‘search,’ it’s easy to find on an electronic Bible.”
This underscores my point. The next generation will not know how to find Habakkuk in a Bible because they’re not looking at the complete Bible on an electronic device. That’s like looking at one line in a book you’re reading, but never read the entire book. Every Bible has a Table of Contents.
[Tweet “The next generation will not know how to find Habakkuk, or any book of the Bible, because they’re not looking at the complete Bible.”]
My counter to what the next generation wants: What are we told to do in the Bible? Give them just what they want, the way they want it? Or are we to mentor them using God’s Word and teach them the value of knowing their Bible, God’s Word, and how to use it for their own personal relationship with the Lord.
[Tweet “We’re to mentor using God’s Word and teach the next generation the value of knowing their Bible”]
“When we want to find God’s will, it is essential that we know our Bible. After all, God will never lead one of His followers to do anything that is contrary to the Scriptures. That’s one reason Paul exhorted us believers to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). When we know Christ, are being led by His Spirit, and are abiding in His Word, we will be more sensitive to God’s guidance in our life. “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths” (Psalm 25:4). (The Believer’s Code, O. S. Hawkins, April 3).
There is absolutely a place for electronic Bibles for reaching those doing online studies or aren’t in an area where they can obtain a Bible, but reading and interacting with God’s Word is about a relationship, not research. It’s not just randomly looking up a Scripture; it’s interacting and interfacing with the entire Bible. If you have a close relationship with someone, would you be satisfied with one or two lines on social media, or would you want to get to know them personally?
[Tweet “Knowing your Bible isn’t just randomly looking up a Scripture; it’s interacting and interfacing with the entire Bible”]
I realize it’s important to reach the younger generation where they’re at, and some might accept Christ without a Bible in their hand because the Holy Spirit does not send out the Word of God void (Isaiah 55:11). But what about those of us called to mentor them into maturity in their faith? Shouldn’t we help them get to know their Bible? Help them learn how to go to God’s Word in context as a guide for living the Christian life so they can say, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
Let’s never portray the Bible as intimidating, but proclaim the Bible as inspiring!
[Tweet “Never portray the Bible as intimidating, proclaim the Bible as inspiring!”]
A note to parents: If you only read your Bible on an electronic device, how do your children know you’re not checking email, social media, or playing a game?
Taking our precious Bibles to church, looking up Scriptures, writing notes in our Bible, reading our Bibles . . . sets a godly role model for those watching us, as we grow in our maturity and relationship with the Lord.
[Tweet “I don’t see mature believers with their Bibles in church or even using an electronic Bible.”]
Honestly, I often don’t see mature believers with their Bibles in church or even using an electronic Bible. What kind of example does that set? We never reach a place in our faith, where we know it all. God’s Word is new every morning and every reading.
I was recently at the Billy Graham library where his Bibles were on display with all his notes in the margins. A legacy of interaction with the Word of God, and with God.
If we want to grow in our love for the Lord, we must draw near to Him through His Word. As we learn to know Him intimately, our love will increase and we’ll desire to obey. Unless we invest in Scripture, our fervor for the Lord will fall short of what it could be.
And if you ever feel disappointed that your love for Christ seems small, open the Word of God and obey whatever He says, He will abide with you and disclose Himself, thereby increasing your capacity to love and know Him more. Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Magazine, April 3, 2018 (emphasis added).
I’m fortunate to attend a church where people still bring their Bibles. The pastor puts the Scripture reference in the handout notes, but not the Scripture. He encourages everyone to look them up, and he waits to give them a chance. What a blessing to hear the pages of Bibles turning. What joy this must bring to the Lord. Yes, the Scriptures are also on the screens and some don’t look up the Scriptures in a Bible.
My point: If you want to hear God, you need to engage with Him through a vital way He communicates, His Word, the Holy Bible.
[Tweet “If you want God to speak, you need to engage with Him through His Word!”]
Flashing Scriptures on a screen, reading on an electronic device, or printing them in a handout that often gets tossed, will never replace knowing the written Word of God.
A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God’s Word— the witness of Jesus Christ!
3 How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!
Time is just about up. Revelation 1:1-3 The Message
After you pray and ask God what He thinks, let me know what He says to you.
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Preach it, sister! Love your words Janet. There’s a saying I learned years ago, “What you draw them with, you draw them to.” As long as churches continue to draw sheep with a rock concert and great donuts, their hope will be in those things—NOT the supernatural power of His Word. I’m sending you a fb message. Keep up the great writing my friend! xo
Thank you Joanne for the encouragement and confirmation. If churches would only focus on God’s Word as it is written and not try to embellish or make it entertaining. It’s sad to think they’re not convinced or convicted that God alone saves through His Word, not through man’s attempts to make it popular or conform to culture. Christians are supposed to influence culture, not be influenced by culture. Appreciate you and your ministry too!
Talking a favorite verse with a family member, with Strong’s Conc. next to us was fun last Sunday. Otherwise, it would’ve been business as usual, with some wasteful program on TV…. This was with a younger generation and a good opportunity to mentor the value of original language!
Nancy you are such a wonderful godly woman and mentor and family is our first mentoring responsibility. Thank for being such a wise woman of the Word!
I agree that reading and handling the Bible is the best way to learn about God. Psalms119:11 in your article is misprinted – “that I might not sin (not sing) against thee”. Big difference in meaning.
Thank you for the edit correction. It’s corrected. You’re right there is a huge difference. Often times we read right over words we know.
I mostly read Bible on smartphone and wrote heavy notes on it. I’m also able to finish the whole Bible every year and read daily Proverbs every morning and Psalms every night due to the practicality of reading Bible with my phone. When I need quick encouragement from Scriptures in the middle of commuting, I can read it on my phone. That being said, I also like reading chronological hard copy Bible for my daily read and sometimes I bring the classic hard copy Bible to church. For me, what matters is not the medium, but the content, and if Bible on the phone can make people start reading the Bible, it is good enough to make them interested in reading and writing notes the hardcopy one.
A blessing you have so many ways to read your Bible and that you use them!
Hi Janet,
I’m writting from Colombia South America. In my church they also turn off the lights, usually when you get in the temple it is all dark, when the service begin only few light is turned on. The worship group play their instrument in all in the dark. And during the Pastor’s sermon only where he is there’s light.
I’m part of the millenials, I am 30 years old. I don’t like dark churches and I don’t understand why they do it.
I think it is relevant to give more attention to this subject. I also ask myself, would Jesus come in this church like this? Does it matter to him? Am I wrong giving importance to this ? Lights off at churches is it a plan of God?
Raquel, discuss with your pastors your opinion on having the church dark. They should have the opportunity to hear your thoughts and they can share theirs also.
I’m blessed to have your reading my blogs in Columbia!!
THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH FOR THIS ARTICLE!! I used all caps because even these 3 years later it could not be MORE TIMELY! I got saved in 1987 and in all the time I attended abundant Life Christian center, a church that has grown to over 9,000 people, they ALWAYS HAD THE LIGHTS ON….
Unfortunately, although I LOVE ,y church, and know that I am called there, they insist on keeping us “in the dark”….I pray they read this article!”
Maybe you could share the article with your church or at least let them know how you feel about the lack of lighting.
I treasure my Bible. In it God speaks to me…
“My Bible”
My Bible is God’s Word spoken to the fathers by the prophets; (1)
And to those in the last days by His Son. (1)
It was preserved for me by men inspired of the Holy Spirit. (2,3)
It tells of the first covenant with Israel that failed, (4)
And of the new covenant written on the hearts of the people of God. (4)
It contains the experiences of the fathers as examples to the children. (5)
It tells me to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints; (6)
If I am faithful unto death, I will receive a crown of life; (7)
And by His grace, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (8)
(1) Hebrews 1:1-2
(2) 2 Timothy 3:16
(3) 2 Peter 1:21
(4) Hebrews 8:7-10
(5) 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
(6) Jude 3
(7) Revelation 2:10
(8) 3 John 4
~Compiled by Penny Mahlyn 2009
Our Bibles contain the Word of God and should be treasured, studied, and applied to our lives. You have a beautiful affirmation in your compilation here Penny, thank you for sharing.
God bless you, Janet, for giving us an outlet in which to share. 📖
Thank you for addressing this issue. It’s a phenomenon that’s very disturbing. I think we have too much of the Dark World in our churches. I think this creates more carnality and apostasy and the Christian faith. We should not be like the world, but be like Christ. My scriptures tells me that men (mankind) love darkness because their deeds are evil. There may be unseen spiritual motives that haven’t been exposed yet. We need to be careful where and why we attend church today. We may be heading to Baal worship instead of God worship. We need the leading of the Holy Spirit more than ever in these latter days.
Yes, we must let the Holy Spirit be our guiding Light as we worship in church and study our Bibles. Then we let our light shine brightly into a dark world.
I am so glad to read your article because this similar trend of showing the scripture on the screens in our church has been a very deep concern for me. I noticed that more and more people are coming to church without a Bible and a reading on the screens. I have raised this already Also I attended a friend ‘s church and I was totally shocked when the sanctuary lights were turned off. It was the most uncomfortable experience that I never want to experience again.
I take my Bible and tablet to church. I use the tablet mainly to take notes, for quick references and look at other versions during the preaching. My other question is for those who rely on their electronic device – what happens when we lose Wi-Fi or electricity? In addition think of how easy an antichrist government could defeat a church that depends on electronic devices. Thanks for your article.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Samuel. I agree with you about the importance of taking our Bible’s to church and also having well lit sanctuaries, which I wrote about in https://womantowomanmentoring.com/2018/06/why-is-the-church-going-dark/.
Such an encouraging and inspiring message to the church, pastors, leaders, parents and the next generations. For me I take it as a warning, as a wakeup call for Godly people.
Today we have to many electronics’ bible Apps. We even downloaded some of them in our phone. We can say, we are very close to the bible, but don’t take any initiative to read it. We can’t love God without love His words, first.
– John 1:1; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.”
I agree with you! Nothing can replace holding the pages of God’s Word in your hand and hiding it in your heart!