Five Things We've Learnt
In the past twenty years we’ve had time to make (many) mistakes. But along the way, a few lessons have surfaced over and over.
1. People Are Often More Open Than We Think
One of the biggest surprises has been how willing people often are to read the Bible. The people we expect to be interested sometimes aren't, but others we assume would never engage turned out to be eager to explore. We've learnt not to make too many assumptions about what is happening in someone's life. God is often at work long before we arrive in the conversation, and a simple invitation can uncover questions that have been sitting beneath the surface for years.
2. Courage Grows Through Action
Sharing the Bible often feels intimidating. Most Christians know the hesitation that comes before asking someone to read with them, the uncertainty about how they might respond, or the fear of saying the wrong thing. Those feelings don't necessarily disappear with experience. What we've noticed, however, is that confidence usually follows obedience rather than preceding it. The courage to take a first step is often enough, and over time confidence grows as we see God work through our weaknesses.
3. The Barriers Aren't Always as Big as They Seem
There are genuine obstacles to reading the Bible with others. Life is busy, relationships can be complicated, and many people carry assumptions or experiences that make spiritual conversations difficult. Many Christians feel like they don't know enough to help someone explore the Bible, or worry that it will be awkward. Yet we've repeatedly seen those barriers become smaller once people actually begin reading together. Conversations replace assumptions, curiosity replaces caution, and what once felt daunting often becomes surprisingly natural.
4. God Has Already Given Us What We Need
Confidence comes from remembering who God is. He has given us His Word, He has given us His Spirit, and He remains committed to revealing His Son. That doesn't remove our responsibility, but it does remove the burden of believing everything depends on us. We are invited to participate in a work that God is already doing.
5. Everyone Is Changed by Opening the Bible
We've seen many people come to faith and friendships deepen through honest conversations about Jesus. But one of the unexpected lessons has been how much reading the Bible evangelistically changes us as Christians; we sometimes call it ‘the double blessing’. Every conversation teaches us something. Every chapter reveals something we hadn't noticed before. Every encounter reminds us that we are learners too. Reading the Bible with others doesn't just shape the person sitting opposite us; it shapes us as well.
The longer we've been involved in this work, the more convinced we've become that it is not ultimately sustained by better methods, bigger plans or clever strategies. It is sustained by God. He still speaks through His Word. His Spirit is still at work. People still encounter Jesus when they open the Bible. He is still growing His kingdom. After twenty years, that is what makes us excited for what comes next.