BEYOND BB

Written by Danny Roberts, Youth & Schools Outreach Co-ordinator at LMI.

The Bible is a fascinating yet daunting book when you first encounter it. It’s filled with pages upon pages of history spanning thousands of years, covering everything from the beginning of life to family trees, society, wars, love, death, hope, and everything in between. It can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially because the Bible doesn’t read like an ordinary book! In fact, the Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by over 40 different people. Each book tells its own story, either from that specific time in history or from the author’s personal perspective on what they witnessed. So, how do we navigate a book like that?

I remember trying to read the Bible in my teenage years. I would randomly open a passage, read it, and then put it down. Most of the time, it had little impact on my life—other than taking time away from playing Xbox! But was that because the Bible wasn’t relevant to me, or was it because I wasn’t engaging with it in the right way?

I don’t know if you have children, but I have three of my own, and it’s always amusing to watch them play together. My middle child, Jonah (8), has recently developed a love for LEGO. He follows the instructions carefully and builds amazing designs. He really enjoys it! Then there’s my youngest, Charlotte (4), who comes along and sticks the pieces together however she likes. As long as they fit and she can make a tower, she’s happy. Jonah gets frustrated because she’s not using the LEGO as it’s “meant” to be used. For him, the instructions are essential to enjoying the LEGO. But there’s a third dynamic: my eldest, Annabelle (10), doesn’t just follow the instructions. Instead, she uses her imagination to create something entirely new. She sees the pieces not just for what they are, but for all the possibilities they offer. I wonder, which of them do you relate to?

This same illustration can be applied to how we engage with the Bible. For some of us, when we pick it up, we simply read a few verses, put it down, and move on with our day. We’re content knowing we’ve done the minimum required. For others, we treat the Bible more like a history book. We believe it, follow its teachings, but it doesn’t deeply affect us. Once we’ve read it, we set it aside until the next time. However, what we should aspire to is being like my daughter, Annabelle—the person who sees past the words on the page and understands that the Bible is much more than just a collection of ancient texts. It’s a living, breathing book filled with life, hope, love, and assurance. It’s just as relevant for our lives today as it was for the people who first read it.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This reminds us that the Bible isn’t just a historical artifact. It’s a guidebook for our lives. It’s not just about following rules; it’s a powerful story of how the God of this universe set out to bridge the gap between us and Him— a gap we created.

To truly understand the Bible, we need to remember three key things:

1. The Bible is relevant. The people in it were real people, with flaws and struggles just like us. Don’t treat it as a story to pass the time. Invest in a good reading plan that helps you dig deeper and relate to these historical figures.
2. Context is important. Always dig deeper and ask questions. Why did this happen? Why did they do that? Understanding the context helps us grasp the true depth of the passage.
3. We need to pray. God promises that if we call on Him, He will show us great and mighty things that we don’t know (Jeremiah 33:3). Before you read, speak to God. Ask Him to reveal the meaning behind the passage and guide your understanding.

The Bible is an incredible story filled with amazing people, unexpected twists, and most importantly, a continuous narrative of how God pursues us, pours out His grace, and works tirelessly to bring us back to Him. It’s not a book to just glance over. It’s a book that has changed countless lives throughout history and continues to do so today.

Read it. Let it ignite a passion in you, and share that passion with the young people you work with. If you’re excited about digging into the Bible, they will be too.