Clarifying the Bible and Reading It for Life: Two Recommended Tools

George Guthrie writes:

More than 50 percent of people who come through our [church] doors on a regular basis only read their Bibles occasionally, perhaps one or two times per month, if at all. Even more sobering, only 37 percent of those who attend church regularly say that reading and studying the Bible has made a significant difference in the way they live their lives. Only 37 percent.

Guthrie continues:

As a professor at one of the top Christian universities in the country, I have seen the effects of this trend on my students. They are exceptionally smart and deeply committed to Christ and the church. Yet, many fail very basic biblical literacy tests, neither knowing the Bible's stories, nor grasping how the grand story of the Bible fits together. Fewer than one in 10 of them have received any training from their churches in how to read and/or study the Bible effectively. And if these cream-of-the-crop kids are in that situation, where are the folks who sit in our pews?

To strengthen biblical literacy, here are two recommended resources to consider:

Clarifying the Bible: A DVD Presentation to Make Sense of It All .

Here's a description:

Clarifying The Bible is a DVD presentation with an accompanying study book. In less time than it takes to watch the average movie you will be introduced to the Bible like never before. Each copy of Clarifying The Bible includes a one hour and 45 minute DVD presentation that takes viewers on an exciting journey from Genesis all the way to Revelation.

The study book is divided into two major sections, Section I: DVD Notes and Section II: Notes for Further Study. Use Section I for your first viewing of the DVD presentation. Pop in the DVD, watch at our own pace, and use this section to take your initial set of notes. Then use Section II for further study. This section contains much more information related to each portion of the presentation. You can work through this section of the book either with or without the DVD presentation.

Each copy of Clarifying The Bible includes:

A DVD presentation taking viewers on a one hour and 45 minute journey through the Bible.
A helpful study book detailing information about the DVD presentation and notes for further study.

This is something worth considering for a Sunday School class, small groups, individuals, or families.

George Guthrie's Read the Bible for Life: Your Guide to Understanding and Living God's Word (B&H, 2011).

In the style of Lee Strobel's interviews with various scholars, Guthrie traveled around the country to sit down with experts on how to read biblical history, biblical narrative, wisdom literature, the gospels, the letters, etc. It's a down-to-earth approach filled with great content.

They are also producing resources for a whole-church campaign to read through the Bible together with help from Guthrie and friends. More info here.

These resources are gifts to the church. Combined, I think they could help a lot of folks get oriented to the storyline of Scripture and become equipped to read the Bible better, for life.