At Lifeway, we have the immense privilege of working with the Bible in our everyday tasks. Whether we are encouraging church leaders on the phone, editing materials for Bible studies, or marketing books, God’s Word plays a central role in what we do. We know, though, it can sometimes be a struggle to read the Bible. We are always wanting to fall more in love with our heavenly Father by getting to know Him through His Word. We asked a few members of our team to contribute a piece about what helped them learn to love reading Scripture. We hope you’ll be encouraged by their stories.
My love for God’s Word developed in middle school, soon after God showed me my faith was not the faith of my parents, my camp counselors, or my church leaders. It was mine. I could talk to God and learn from God on my own. What an incredible concept! I remember reading chapters at night in my study Bible—after finishing my homework and before watching The Wonder Years—marking it up like crazy with pen and highlighter. I was enthralled by Jesus and convicted and changed by His Word. I knew my life would never be the same after that—and it hasn’t been—for He is faithful.
– Anna Sargeant, B&H Publishing
As a little girl, I fondly remember Sunday School at the Baptist church I was raised in. Each Sunday, we were given little cards with a teaching picture and Scripture on one side and a Bible story on the other. I was so excited to get mine each week. It filled me with such joy to read Scripture with teaching and correlate it to the art depicting various biblical heroes. Wednesday night services and VBS brought more of the same type of teaching tools. One summer during VBS, I gave my heart to Jesus and was baptized the following Sunday. I still recall the joy that filled my soul all because the Word of God planted a tiny seed that grew enormously.
– W. Diane Braden, Outbound Sales and Customer Solutions Representative
My love for God’s Word can be fully attributed to my parents. In our home growing up, the Scripture was read, taught, discussed, treasured, and lived out. It was applied to situations we were living through. The Bible wasn’t just a book we carried to church on Sunday, but we took to heart what Moses told the Israelites, “these instructions are not just empty words, they are your life” (NLT). It was a part of who we were as individuals and as a family. And it has consistently remained that way. In one of my last visits with my mom before she died of cancer, I took a picture of her reading and underlining in her Bible. She treasured it to the end. It is a precious and challenging memory to me. May I and those who come behind me find me as faithful.
– Mike Wakefield, Content Editor
When I became a believer, I fell in love with God in response to a God who loved me. So naturally I read His Word to hear from Him. For many years my Bible reading had meaning and purpose for my life. But it went to a whole different level following a New Testament seminary class. At each class the professor lectured about the life of Jesus. And each lecture opened my mind and my heart to a Jesus I never knew. Taking notes became impossible because of the many tears I cried. I had received a revelation: Jesus truly is real. And now when I read the Word of God, Jesus seems to rise from its pages and my heart fills with love and awe as the Spirit connects me with my very real Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
– Christina Zimmerman, YOU Content Editor
Click here to find tools to help you and your church dwell deeper in God’s Word.
