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Invitations to read the Bible abound at the beginning of a New Year.<\/p>\n
You can: read the Bible in a year, meditate on a verse a day, or tackle a chapter a day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are an abundance of reading plans to choose from.<\/p>\n
We know reading the Bible is of utmost importance \u2013 God\u2019s Word tells us so.<\/p>\n
See Psalm 119:105<\/a>, Joshua 1:8<\/a>, James 1:22-25<\/a>, Romans 12:2<\/a>, Psalm 119:18<\/a>, Proverbs 2:1-5<\/a>, 2 Timothy 3:16-17<\/a>, Hebrews 4:12<\/a>, Psalm 119:10-11<\/a>, and Psalm 19<\/a>.<\/p>\n The State of the Bible 2017 report by Barna<\/a> reports that \u201cdespite most Americans\u2019 desire to read the Bible more, two-thirds of them (67%) say their level of Bible-reading is about the same as it was one year ago.\u201d<\/p>\n By February most of those attempting reading plans are seriously struggling or have given up altogether.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve got 10 ideas to get you started \u2013 from subtle to direct.<\/p>\n Pick one that’s easy to get started.<\/p>\n And pray about which one you should choose that’s a bit outside of your comfort zone.<\/p>\n 1. Model reading the Bible<\/strong> \u2013 bring it to church with you and open it!<\/p>\n 2. Share scripture verses<\/strong> from your daily reading on social media.<\/p>\n 3. Give women interested in reading God\u2019s Word a good study Bible<\/strong> (see my recommendations below). Create a line item in your women\u2019s ministry budget for Bibles so you can give them to your women for free. Make Bibles available to your women \u2013 for free!<\/p>\n 4. Read the Bible with your women\u2019s ministry team.<\/strong> Set aside the first 10 minutes of your meeting to read thru a small section. Maybe you want to work your way through Titus as a group this year. Ask 1 or 2 questions about the verses before moving onto the business portion of your meeting.<\/p>\n 5. Teach other women HOW to read the Bible.<\/strong> Use the READ Bible Study workbook<\/a> as you mentor or disciple another woman.<\/p>\n 6. Use the Bible when you teach, share a testimony, lead a devotion, or facilitate a Bible study.<\/strong> I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve sat in a small group meeting and the Bible is never opened!<\/p>\n 7. Invite women to read the Bible with you.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m going to read through the book of Matthew this spring, would you like to study it with me?\u201d<\/p>\n 8. Ask women what they are learning from God\u2019s Word.<\/strong> Take care that you ask in such a way that\u2019s encouraging and not accusatory.<\/p>\n 9. Share how the reading the Bible is changing your life.<\/strong>\u00a0What fresh Truth has God recently revealed to you? How is reading God’s Word helping you to better love others?<\/p>\n 10. Offer the READ Bible Study for Groups<\/a><\/strong> in your neighborhood or church.<\/p>\n Not sure your invitation or encouragement will make a difference?<\/em><\/p>\n It can! The Barna report (referenced above)<\/a> reports increased Bible engagement by 30% of adults when they see how the Bible changed someone they knew for the better. When someone they know asks them to read the Bible, engagement with the Bible increased in 20% of those surveyed.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen firsthand the difference reading God\u2019s Word on a regular basis can make in the lives of the women in my church. In the fall of 2016, God led our women\u2019s ministry team to put down the Bible study books<\/a> for a season and to focus on teaching our women how to read the Bible<\/a>.<\/p>\n Out that experience was born the READ Bible study method<\/strong>. You can use that same method during your personal study time or as you study with a group.<\/p>\n To find out more information on the READ Bible study method click here for the individual or mentoring workbook<\/a> and click here for the 4-book READ for Groups Kit<\/a> (with a brand, new permanent price decrease).<\/p>\nBut reading the Bible consistently is a challenge for almost every woman I know, myself included.<\/h4>\n
All of our New Year\u2019s resolutions to read the Bible more aren\u2019t really sticking.<\/h5>\n
What if this year, we each made a point to gently encourage the sisters in Christ God has placed in our path to regularly feast on God\u2019s Word?<\/h4>\n
Here are 10 Ways You Can Encourage Women to Read the Bible<\/h4>\n
God can use YOU to encourage women to read the Bible regularly. Are you willing?<\/h5>\n