“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” ~ John 14:21

Most Christians agree that the Bible is important. Few read it consistently (actually around 40% according to Barna). Even fewer live out its teachings everyday (research shows that only 9% live with a Biblical Worldview). Some never will because other things will always be more important. Others desire to, but struggle with literacy, understanding types of literature found in the Bible, and just where to get started. “I tried to read the Bible” is becoming a more prevalent statement from my generation. This fall at Bridge Church we’re doing a couple of things to increase people’s understanding of the Bible’s message and make Bible reading not such a daunting task.

• One Story: the Bible in Four Acts. In August we started our One Story message series. Looking at each acts of God’s story: Creation, Corruption, Redemption, and Restoration. Now we’re working through each major section of Bible literature -History, Law, Prophets, Wisdom, Gospels, Epistles, Prophecy – picking out the One Story. The Bible is 66 book, written in 3 languages, over a period of more than 1,000 years, by more than 30 authors, but it’s One Story of God’s work to bring salvation to humanity.
• How to Get a Grip on the Bible – Today we start a series of short workshops on the How to’s of the Christian life, beginning with How to read and study the Bible. It will be posted at http//:bridgenorthshore.com later this week. And I’ll share some of the info here as well.

It was Ghandi who said, “If Christians really lived by the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.” Everyone recognizes the transformational affect of God’s word. Men and women touched by God living out his word everyday are the events that God wants to use to bring transformation. Hoping for more people to get a grip on the Bible and allow it’s truths to get a grip on us bringing transformation to lives and communities.