What to say to people about Bible reading?

[Jari]

One thing that bothers me is that when it comes to point when I would encourage some one to read the Bible he/she may say that there is some problem like the text is too small, he doesnt have a Bible or in worst case he cannot read. What should I say to them?

Peace you all.

In Christ,
Jari.

[Soldier4Christ]

There are many Bibles available that come in large print and for those that cannot see or cannot read there are Bibles available in either Braille or on audio tapes. For those that don't have one there are many ways available for them to get one. Some of the Dollar Stores carry a good simple Bible for only a dollar.

Personally I get those Bibles from the dollar Store and give them to the ones that say they don't have one. If it is because they are blind or can't read they do cost a bit more but I offer to help them get one anyway.

There are many excuses that people come up with as to why they can't read the Bible but it actually boils down to them just not wanting to read it instead of "can't" reading it. I do what I can to take those reasons away.



And if they have a computer there are many free Bibles available on the internet. e-Sword is one of them and the print size can be changed to make it large enough to read.

[Pizza_Mahal]

Can't read, huh how about hear! Like a
http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm
You can listen or download mp3 each chapter. I hope this help.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

I'm glad to come across this thread. If one has a computer, there are all kinds of completely FREE programs that address just about every kind of problem there is except "I don't want to read the Bible."

Pizza_Al, you made an excellent point about many excellent recordings of people reading the Holy Bible for those who can't read or can't see. Many of them are also FREE.

Pastor Roger, you made an excellent point about larger fonts in the excellent, FREE e-Sword Bible study package. One can make the fonts pretty large. Someone would almost be blind if they couldn't read the large fonts in e-Sword.

There's something else that I want to check out one of these days soon. There is a computer generated voice that is already installed on most fairly recent computers. It will read just about any plain text. I did try one on my computer not too long ago. It was pretty robotic sounding, but you could understand it. I read something about other voices being available that sound much more natural. I'm almost sure there are more FREE voices available and some sold in various packages. There are also various Bible packages with robotic voices - some free and some commercial. I can't mention the brand because I would be advertising, but I found a commercial program the other day that is specifically able to read e-Sword materials. It was only $15, so I don't know if the voice is better than the voices already installed on many computers. If I was blind, I think that I would greatly prefer to listen to a real human reading the Bible, and there are many like this FREE for the download.

BUT, I agree with what's already been said - most people don't read the Bible because they don't want to. MANY Christian organizations with big hearts have made sure that Bibles are available for any circumstance that you can think of. AND, if anyone lacks the money to buy a Bible in book form, this will be taken care of. It probably won't be a super fancy and expensive study Bible, but it will be a Bible.

I give thanks every day for the sweet Christians who make sure that GOD'S WORD is distributed and made available for anyone who wants or needs it, regardless of whether the person has money or not. We already have GOD'S Promise that HIS WORD will never return void, so think about what a precious investment this would be in distributing GOD'S WORD.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 2:1-2 NASB  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

[Jari]

Thank you all for the replies! Just wanted to say that, I think this is a good thread, thanks to Jesus for that.

In Christ,
Jari.

[ibTina]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth... if  there is some problem ... I would make it my priority ( to provide ) to make sure that person had whatever means they needed to be able to read/hear the Bible.

[Soldier4Christ]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth... if  there is some problem ... I would make it my priority ( to provide ) to make sure that person had whatever means they needed to be able to read/hear the Bible.

Amen sister and that is something that we all should do.

[pk]

Let me say first, if someone has a true eyesight or reading problem then by all means we should help the new convert get into the scriptures (audio or large text - online, program or hardcopy -whatever they need). If I'm understanding your post correctly - it seems that the "reasons" you posted why people are not reading the Bible are more like excuses.
You've heard the saying - you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink..... Well, how about if you salt his oats? The horse will become thirsty for the water (from eating the salty oats) and drink it in.
My suggestion would be to 'salt the oats' ... Make sure they know WHY they/we should read the Bible - to Know God and to know what he expects from us. Everything we hear, see or read about God should be filtered thru the Holy Scriptures for verification. As a Born Again/Evangelical Christian The Bible is the sole authority of how we know God – this is called solo scriptura.  If you won't read your Bible then you probably don't have the desire to know God. I heard a good saying about Bible reading....Reading your Bible will help keep you from sinning, but sin will keep you from reading your Bible. If someone won't read their Bible, it could be because they are protecting a sin in their life.

[nChrist]

AMEN PK!

You are completely correct. GOD has a huge pharmacy of VERY STRONG MEDICINE in the Holy Bible that addresses a host of things that result in misery for mankind. The Holy Bible also leads to an absolute knowledge of sin in our lives and many times enough guilt to soften our hearts and seek JESUS CHRIST as our Lord and Saviour forever.

I see this is your first post, so WELCOME!

I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite. We have many sweet Christians here who love the LORD as the core of their lives. I look forward to reading your posts and having fellowship with you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 4:7-8 NASB  "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.  "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

[pk]

Forgot to mention in my previous post that the Bible can be very confusing for the new convert. I always advise in witnessing encounters to start with reading the book of John. Then read the other Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline letters. Bible studies are also great-there are many online and in you community/local church. Also find an Elder to help you understand some of the concepts & verses that will be confusing.

[airIam2worship]

Some people who are too older or frail to read the Bible enjoy it when someone reads portions of the Bible to them. I remember when my mom had the first stroke, she couldn't read, that was her favorite thing reading the Bible. I would read to her some of her favorite Scriptures everytime I went to see her, after that her caregiver was reading to her.

There is always as way to hear God's Word.

[nChrist]

Forgot to mention in my previous post that the Bible can be very confusing for the new convert. I always advise in witnessing encounters to start with reading the book of John. Then read the other Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline letters. Bible studies are also great-there are many online and in you community/local church. Also find an Elder to help you understand some of the concepts & verses that will be confusing.

Hello PK,

It's very sad that many babes in Christ are left to fend for themselves. This is just one reason why I believe that churches should have ongoing study sessions for people of various maturity levels. Babes in Christ are vulnerable for believing false doctrines if they don't grow in strength and have willing people to help them along in their Bible study. They really need someone to give them milk, teach them, and prepare them for the meat of GOD'S WORD.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

[pk]

Tom,

Thanks for your reply. I agree the duty of the Church is to make Disciples. The first step of that process is to witness and make converts (I can't be a Disciple until I’m a Christian). The new convert really needs to plug into a Bible preaching church, to get a solid 'foundation' for his/her  new 'Christian house' they are living in. I believe that all true believers live in the 'Christian house'. The ‘Christian House' is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ‘Christian House’ is what everyone needs to be saved. The ones that don't put a solid foundation under the house are more likely to fall away when the stormy seasons come (and the storms will come). I believe ‘The Foundation’ is solid Biblical theology & doctrine. We can only learn Biblical theology & doctrine, you know it – from the Bible. I do get help from more senior Christians than me (Pastor, Elders, Brothers, and study groups), but their help/teaching must always be Bible based.

Maria,

Thanks for your post. That’s a great idea. You got to spend some time with your Mom & your Mom got to hear God’s word – that’s a win-win. I’ve even heard of people that go to nursing homes and read scriptures to/for the elderly – what a great service to provide.

[airIam2worship]

Amen PK, God's Word never returns void. Anyone who hears the Word being read to them or to someone else benefits from it just as much. The seed is sown