At Lifeway, we love the Bible. It’s our favorite book. We treasure the opportunity we have to work with the Word of God each and every day in our jobs. We’re so grateful!
As we read Scripture, there are times when one book of the Bible stands out for one reason or another. Perhaps it speaks to our current phase of life, or maybe it provides an example of wisdom we can apply to our situation. Perhaps we just love the poetry of the Psalms or the stories of Jesus in the Gospels. We wanted to share what the Bible is currently teaching us by asking the question, “What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?” We hope you enjoy hearing the answers to that question from our teammates.
My favorite book of the Bible is 1 Samuel. I like the stories about the period in David’s life when he was faithful to God. A person can ponder the contrast between King Saul, who was afraid of his own people (15:24), and the shepherd boy David, who trusted God and wasn’t even afraid of an enemy giant (17:45). We can learn a lot from David when, even though he could see that Saul was not a good ruler, he refused to lift his hand against the one whom God had anointed king (24:6; 26:11). And of course, in David’s finest moments he was one of those who foreshadowed Jesus, the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King.
– Dave Stabnow, Bible and reference book editor
My favorite book of the Bible can change from season to season based on where God has me at that time. Currently I’m loving the lessons that God has taught me in the book of Ruth.
This summer I felt God directing me to study the book of Judges. I found it a hard book to swallow, especially given the world headlines of late. Judges ends with the statement “everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” It just felt like such a low point to end on, so after I read that last line, I asked God to show me the good news; I needed some encouragement. So He led me right into the book of Ruth. Ruth starts out with letting us know that what we are about to read happened to a family during the time of the judges. Ruth shines a light on God’s provision during a hard time in history, a time when everyone was thinking of themselves, but God was in the process of showing us His plan for redemption. God used Boaz as a picture of Christ to show us how He drew Naomi and Ruth under His wings, providing them with a kinsman redeemer. Neither of these two women had much of a future ahead of them, but God stepped in and showed us what His loving compassion looks like. He took them under His wings, which is a reminder to me that this where I want to constantly live.
– Leigh Ann Dans, designer
Since I was a little girl, I have been drawn to the Psalms and their poetic and musical brilliance. In kindergarten, one of the first Bible passages I memorized was Psalm 23, and those comforting, familiar verses have stayed with me to this day. I love the Psalms for their beauty, and I love the Psalms for their utility. When I am feeling fearful, happy, lonely, or grateful, I can open God’s Word and easily connect with the book of Psalms through the emotional honesty of the psalmists and how the Lord speaks to the deepest parts of our hearts through His inspired Word. Whether it’s through a song of praise or a psalm of lament, the Psalms can show us how to openly communicate with God in prayer about anything we desire to tell Him.
– Erin Franklin, production editor
I love the letter of Paul to the Philippians. The personal relationship of the apostle and the people of the church is evident. The heart-felt communication of love, hope, and gratitude by Paul and his response to their gifts and continuing support remains a model for the relationship between pastoral leaders and the congregation they serve. Some of my favorite verses in the Bible come from Philippians:
- I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you — Philippians 1:3
- I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6
- For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21
- Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, — Philippians 2:2-5
- But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ — Philippians 3:7-8
- My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, — Philippians 3:10
- But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14
- Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7
- Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. — Philippians 4:8
- I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 1 — Philippians 4:11-12
- I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13
- And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19
– Chris Johnson, content editor
