When it comes to engaging with Scripture, it’s important to understand the difference between Bible reading and Bible engagement. Although they may seem similar, they serve vastly different purposes. Here’s why Bible reading should never be confused with Bible engagement:
When Bible reading is strictly about gaining facts, studying the history of Israel, enjoying the stories, learning about how to behave, just reading it, or looking for guidance for one’s life, the outcome, at best, is that we get to be informed.
But God didn’t give us His Word to inform us. God gave us His Word to form and transform us.
A person can know all the stories, recite the Ten Commandments, say the Lord’s Prayer, hear the Gospels read every week in church, and even read the Bible personally every day – yet not engage with the Bible. That’s because God didn’t give us the Bible to tell us about Him. He gave us the Bible so we would meet with Him and be forever changed by the encounter.
Bible engagement is Jesus engagement. Bible engagement is entering the Word to get together with the One who is the Word. Something radical and life-changing happens when we meet the One who is the Word. Bible engagement always rocks our socks off! That’s because Bible engagement is getting up close and personal with the One who was dead and is now alive forever and ever! (Revelation 1:18).
Bible engagement isn’t for the faint of heart. When we engage with the Bible, we’re not safe! Bible engagement will turn us upside down and inside out.
Now, why do I say that? Because Bible reading per se is about us taking control of the text. When we take control of the text, we’re safe. But Bible engagement is about the text taking control of us. And when the Bible’s in control, things happen that are out of our control.
There should be a warning on the front cover of every Bible – “Dangerous Contents!” Unlike other books, “the word of God is alive and active” Hebrews 4:12. When we correctly engage with the Bible, the Word will read us! And when the Word reads us, we must watch out! Anything can happen (according to God’s will). And what will definitely happen is you’ll feel constrained to worship Him with every ounce of your strength, trust Him with your heart, give Him your mind, and live wholly and only for Him until you die.
Is Bible engagement risky? Absolutely! Bible engagement, correctly undertaken, is always hazardous. But, (to borrow a concept from C. S. Lewis) while Bible engagement isn’t safe, it’s always good!
Add your perspective. What are your thoughts about Bible reading and Bible engagement?
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Summary
Bible reading is often about gaining knowledge, such as learning facts, studying biblical history, or seeking guidance, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to transformation. In contrast, Bible engagement is about encountering God through His Word, which has the power to change us at the deepest level. Bible engagement isn’t controlled by us; it’s the text taking control of us, leading to a life-altering experience that may feel risky but is always good. Engaging with the Bible means meeting the living God, and this encounter will challenge and transform us in ways we cannot predict.
© Scripture Union Canada
