The Manse

May I ask you to think about when you read the Bible?

I had a chat recently with a friend about how parts of the Bible are difficult to understand, and how the familiar books are not always easy to follow

Here are three ways in which you might find help with this

There is no doubt that persistence pays, but it will be better to use a modern version of the Bible. The best one to use is the New International Version. You can order this from any bookshop in a wide variety of sizes and prices, or online at amazon or www.eden.co.uk

Also, it does help to share studying the Bible, and we have several groups in the church, which do this, as well as Sunday preaching. There are Home Groups, but also Crossroads, and Christianity Explored as well as a new Discipleship Group. Please ask me at anytime about these

There are Bible reading notes published to read alongside a passage, and people in our church use some of these. You could look at Every Day With Jesus from CWR, or try The Good Book Company, or Scripture Union, all online, or ask Harold Edmonds or at a Christian bookshop. This is one of the most well tested ways of help in personal Bible reading

Of course, the greatest help of all is the Holy Spirit, who is with each one of us when we are following Jesus, and who helps to make him real to us through reading the Bible, as well as helping us to understand

Pick up your Bible today, and why hesitate to read something you have often read before. Maybe the Lord will speak to you again through just that. He is waiting to meet with you as you keep on reading

Your Pastor,

Gordon.