Book Review: One To One Bible Reading
As a committed Christian, I read the Bible regularly. Most days. I’m not going to claim to read it every day without fail because I am sinful and I fail. I try to read the Bible by myself and then on weekdays I read the Bible with our children in the morning. On weekends we read a different passage as a family. We also hear God’s word read out at Church.
Although I read the Bible a lot I confess that I don’t always know what to “do” with it other than read it aloud. I know that we need to apply God’s word to our lives, but I sometimes struggle with how to encourage my children in this as we read the Bible, so I was excited when I learnt that Matthias Media were offering free copies of some of their books to bloggers (or those who can review books in their Church) in exchange for a review. I requested a copy of One To One Bible Reading by David Helm.
It’s hard to know whether to call One To One Bible Reading a book, or a booklet. The text covers less than seventy pages (plus extensive appendicies) and is set out in brief, easy to read chapters. Part of the book’s brevity is because the author truly believes that the Bible is accessible, and doesn’t need any special talents, study or extensive preparation to read. It is a book and can be read like a book, albeit the most important and valuable book.
David Helm takes the seemingly-daunting task of reading the Bible with someone you know, and makes it seem easy. Because, really, it should be easy. Not every part of the Bible is simple to read and understand, but reading the Bible, and chatting with someone else about what the passage is saying, that’s not hard.
I found the book encouraging. It has given me some simple tools to use with my children when reading the Bible, which will (hopefully) enrich our Bible reading time. It has also encouraged me to consider other adults in my life who I could read the Bible with.
Even if you a not a “reader”, I encourage you to take a look at this accessible and inexpensive book. It won’t take long to read and will hopefully encourage to you read the Bible more, especially with other people in your life.
