Our invitation to join us on a life changing journey:
Exploring God’s Library
Beginning on Saturday, October 6, 2018 and ending on Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Background. Elizabeth and I, James Stephens have profited greatly over the past thirty four years through reading the Bible and from sitting under excellent expository preaching from gifted teachers. Over the past three years we have done a significant amount of research and experimentation looking at various Bible reading programs and studying the history of the Bible in the English language.
We have also experimented using online programs as well and while various assets are quite helpful, we felt we were slowly losing touch with our own Bible. While we were disciplined in reading the One Year Bible for our morning devotions, we recognized that we had lost the opportunity for grasping the order of the Word by using our own personal Bible on a daily basis. We missed that familiarity as one experiences with an old friend who knows many of our fears, trials and joys. Indeed, a well-marked book signifies a relationship with its author.
Some nights, I ask my wife Elizabeth what she’s reading and she will say, “my favorite passages” whether it’s the Word of God or a novel like Ben Hur or Jane Eyre. I do the same with many of my marked books where I underline and mark passages that I want to savor once again. They are a source of encouragement whenever I’m discouraged, perplexed or need a dose of inspiration. Their authors have become our historical mentors. But we still miss many elements in our daily reading either because our mind gets distracted with the tasks of the day or because we don’t take time to study the passage in its context.
Elizabeth related to me that when she was growing up without access to a Bible, she found one in the school library and checked it out, but soon returned it because she couldn’t understand it. Her situation parallels that of the Ethiopian eunuch who was sitting in his chariot reading from the Prophet Isaiah and found himself at a loss. God knowing his need called on the Apostle Philip who, “ran to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, do you understand what you are reading?”
The Ethiopian eunuch replied, “How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me? So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” Then Philip guided him through the Scriptures. (Acts 8:26-40).
Several years ago, while I was taking my morning walk, I was admiring a beautiful flowering crape myrtle and a man who I never had met came up behind me and asked me what I was looking at. I replied, “I’m admiring God’s wonderful creation.” He then asked, “Would you like to walk with me?” I replied, “Sure.”
It turned out he had been the Minister of Education in Nepal and was directly responsible to the King of Nepal. For the next nine months, during his stay in California while his wife recuperated from a surgery, we would walk together three times a week. Each day we would talk about a wide range of things from California to Nepal. He also was quite interested in the proverbs, stories of creation, family stories of Abraham and Jacob, and Joseph and Jesus. At the end of nine months shortly before his departure back to Nepal, we were able to find him a copy of a Nepali Bible which he had requested. During that time we developed a friendship as we exchanged ideas and stories on various topics.
Recently, I spent time with three old friends who all came from various religious backgrounds and each told how they were reading the Bible prior to becoming believers. One took a course on the Bible and had many questions. Another friend who worked in Mongolia, was told by an administrator who had been under Soviet rule for years and although he had given him a rough time about his Christian faith, that he was so impressed by his joyful attitude that he secretly read the entire Bible.
Others say that they would like to read the Bible, but are too busy, but have time during their morning and evening commute to listen. But they desire to find a way to do so.
How Much Time Will It Take Me a Day?
Elizabeth estimates that you are able to read the entire Bible by reading proscribed passages each day in about twenty minutes. So, it doesn’t take that much time, but it does take personal discipline. The passages are laid out like this: 1) One short passage from the Torah (first five books of the Bible written by Moses); 2) A passage from the Prophets also from the Old Testament; 3) A Chapter from the New Testament Letters; 4) A Daily Psalm which the Jewish community reads each day, followed by another Psalm; and 5) A short Proverb.
Why is it called Explore God’s Library?
The Bible is not just one book, but rather composed of 66 different books written by a number of different authors moved by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Some have called it the Bibliotheca, or Library.
Guide on the Side. We are not theologians, but followers of Jesus Christ and have a desire to read His Word and introduce others to the most influential and perhaps controversial book in all of human history. This in some ways is like a literary group except that we are reading and studying 66 books in a year (The Bible). It is for people who want to read through the Bible and would like to join others in the process. We are not the sage on the stage, but are simply guides on the side to help guide you through the process.
Markers. Our method of facilitating this exploration of the Word is by the application of what we call “Markers” which point out aspects of a passage. The idea parallels an exercise I would give to my students when visiting a religious site where I would assign each of them some observation lesson such as “look how hands are used.” This heightens their awareness and assists them in discovering new insights which might otherwise be overlooked. Likewise, we will highlight various passages within a particular reading which may tie into a prophecy or other marker. For example, while reading Genesis 12, we would call attention to the third verse by providing a Marker #27-Prophecy which points out-that through Abraham’s seed, God will bless all nations.
Resources. Over the years we have discovered many wonderful teachers, films, links and resources which have contributed to our understanding of the Scriptures, and while there may be some disagreement, they all help us understand the precious Word of God and the breadth of resources which are available. We hope to be able to procure major films such as The Passion, The Nativity, Joseph, The Ten Commandments and other films for private screenings for those who are local and links for those who live at a distance.
Recordings. We have also procured the right to use the recordings of Alexander Scoursby so that you may listen to the proper pronunciation of each term by a master reader.
What’s required of me?
The only cost would be to purchase a Bible. We do recommend the MacArthur Study Bible, New King James Version because of its copious and excellent study notes written by a pastor teacher who has faithfully taught and studied the Scriptures for over 50 years. The choice again is up to you. We have no membership fees.
At the same time, we will recommend the best commentaries and other resources, which you may want to purchase or not, depending on your own goals. The year does provide an opportunity for a small church or pastor or Bible Study or individual to build their own library for a lifetime of study.
Ground rules. We do ask for an open heart and consideration of others who may want a place or opportunity to study God’s word. It is designed to encourage those reading the Bible for the first time as well. So while we are in group sessions each Tuesday evening via Facebook Live or on conference call.com, we ask it not be a place for evangelism or sharing our own particular view of Scripture or personal philosophy. We are not suggesting that there is no place or time for that type of interchange, but that should be done at other times individually.
One of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin hosted a group called the Junto which met weekly with an eye upon self-improvement. One of their standards states, “Do you love truth for truth’s sake, and will you endeavor impartially to find and receive it yourself, and communicate it to others?”
Different perspectives will arise as a matter of course, but please recognize that the diversity of this group necessitates a certain set of ground rules for it to run smoothly so that everyone feels supported in freely exploring God’s Word. We realize that it is a personal discipline and want it to be a place where others feel free to share various helpful links to resources for us to understand the Word of God. It is a time and place to share the discoveries from the reading and study of God’s Word and encouraging one another along the way.
When Do We Start?
We begin on Saturday, October 6, 2018. We will be sharing via Facebook Live on Exploring God’s Library Group at 4:00 P.M. We have attached the Bible Reading Guide for the first month for your convenience.
If you have a Facebook Account you can join Exploring God’s Library. It is a closed group so that no one from the outside may see who is a member of the group or what they post unless they have been invited. You may post anytime. Please post according to the readings assigned that week. Logistical questions of course are welcome.
Facebook Live session Tuesdays 6PM-7PM Pacific Standard Time.
Free Conference Call is being set up for those who wish to call in on Tuesday 6PM-7PM PST.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploringgodslibrary/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GodLibrary
Email: exploringgodslibrary@gmail.com. Please email us your email and we will send you a Daily reading chart for each period. We will also be sending out a form which you may want to print out with the “Markers” and also a form for taking daily notes.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
