The Freedom Of A Level Playing-Field
Many things can stop us offering to open the Bible with the people around us.
We might assume that no one is interested, or that people will be offended if we ask them.
But even if we sense some interest in spiritual things, we often limit ourselves. How easily we think, ‘I don't know enough’, or, ‘what if they ask me a question I can't answer?’
Are we the experts?
But let's unpick that a bit. These thoughts are very relatable, ones we have all probably had. And if not you, then people in your church certainly will have. But they put us in the role of the expert, something most of us feel ill-equipped to be.
What if we turned it around and said: God is the expert. He can speak to anyone’s heart. As a Christian, I have His Spirit and His Word. I have hope and I can give a reason for it. I have enough, because He is enough.
How The Word One to One can help
It’s that moment that The Word One to One is designed to serve. The Bible text is always in the largest font; we’re saying clearly: ‘this is what we're listening to’. The notes alongside give whoever is reading something to talk through together. Or simply to listen: we find many people who are new to the Bible don’t want to jump in with lots of questions and discussion, they want to take it in first.
There are pointers for discussion and observations that help explain what is being said. Bible words are defined and explained. Because the Bible is one story, we love going back to the Old Testament to show how everything points to Jesus.
And because everyone reads the same thing, we don’t have to be the expert who asks all the questions and knows all the answers. We’re trying to level the playing field.
Even if we’re confident to open up the Bible and talk it through with people, this is liberating. It means that when someone asks a question we can’t answer, it’s much easier to say, ‘I don't know. But I’ll look into it and come back to you.’
And it’s easier to make a start; to say, ‘let’s try this and see together.’
D. T. Niles described it as ‘one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.’ We already know where the food is. Let’s just start there.
To find out more, download The Word One to One app.