Biblefresh: it could change your world

Please tell us about a time in your life when God spoke to you most vividly and personally through the Bible. Which passage was it and what did it mean to you at the time?

One of the most memorable occurred when I was 19. I had just become a Christian and been introduced to Daily Bible Reading using Scripture Union’s Daily Guide (African publication). That morning I wrote down my answers to the five questions on the passage asked by the Bible Reading Guide. Afterwards I compared my answers with a standard one volume commentary. To my complete surprise my thoughts reflected in general the entry in the commentary. I was thrilled to discover that God could speak to me through his word in much the same way that he had spoken to the learned people who had written the commentary. That experience gave me a deep love for study of the Scriptures which continues to this day. Unfortunately I cannot now remember the passage I read that morning.

In recent years what has helped to keep the Bible fresh for you?

The knowledge that God speaks through his word and the personal expectation that when I read or hear or study or meditate on God’s word, he will speak something that will challenge, encourage or transform me into the likeness of Christ.

What does your regular practice of Bible reading look like?

I use a variation of the Robert Murray McCheyne system of four chapters a day starting at the beginning of the year with Genesis, Job, Matthew and Acts (read three and do some in-depth study on the fourth)

What would you say to a Christian who is struggling to read the Bible?

Do not give up on reading and studying the Word (although occasionally it may be necessary to suspend Bible reading for a short period to avoid it becoming a duty rather than a joy). Expect God to speak to you personally through your reading and avoid legalism – doing devotions for devotions’ sake. These moments are meant to draw us closer to God in a dynamic relationship.

What is your prayer for the Biblefresh initiative?

‘Please God use this initiative to make your people in your Church to fall in love with your word all over again and may your word transform lives in our communities and release many form their addictions, unbelief and lethargy and spur us on to great mission to fulfil the Great Commandment’.