I got into an interesting conversation today with another staff person and our guest preacher and I thought I would share the thoughts here and see what everyone else thinks.

I have noticed over the last several years that more and more preachers are starting to use more manuscript types notes.  Many of them will attach those notes into their Bibles and have nothing else on stage.  While the idea is not to hide your notes, because everyone knows that you have done this, it often makes for simple handling.  However, my struggle is that many of those same people read their scriptures right out of their notes and never turn to a text in the Bible.  Which lead to my point of contention.

What is causing our biblical illiteracy in our churches?

I think that it is important for our people to turn to the texts that we are preaching from.  I find this incredibly helpful for many reasons.  Especially because it allows our people to find the text themselves and teaches them to start using their Bibles.  Here are some ways that I allow for this to happen in my preaching.

1.  Go there with them – I try to never mark passages in my Bible when I am preaching.  So, when I ask everyone to turn to a particular passage I am also turning their.  This allows everyone some time to get where we are in the Bible and they are better able to follow.  When we give direction and lift up the tab and start reading we are not even giving the best Bible scholars time to get there.

2.  Be their Compass – Often people are unsure of where a particular book of the Bible is.  So, I try to give people permission to go to the table of contents and find the book.  However, the method I like best is to be their compass and share what books are before and after.  This will help people who know some of the books get an idea of where to go.

3.  Don’t use the screen – While I am one of the most digital driven people out there I believe the screen has become our enemy.  When we always put the verses up on the screen we are giving people permission to not bring their Bibles.  Use the screen to put up the location and allow people who did not hear you to catch up.  This also keeps you from having to repeat yourself over and over.

These are just a few of the things I do to help encourage our people to use their Bibles.  What do you think of what I am observing?  How does your church handle this issue?

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