Someone asked me recently, "Why don't people bring their Bibles to church anymore?"  I had to think about it; here's what I came up with.

First, many of our people--most in fact--do bring a Bible to church.  When we lift our Bibles and say, "God said it; I believe it; that settles it" I see Bibles lifted all over the house.

Second, some younger folks have never been trained to bring their Bibles.  There are churches where the pastor encourages people NOT to bring their Bibles.  One pastor of a mega-church said that it might turn some "seekers" off if they see Bible-toting people in the church; he asks church members to come without Bibles.

Third, in my opinion our use of Sunday School quarterlies has given the unintended message that Sunday school is about teaching a "lesson" and studying a "lesson" rather than teaching and studying the Bible.   For a century Baptists have trained people to be dependent on a quarterly rather than the Bible.  Some read the quarterly and think they have read the Bible.

Fourth, I believe we need to emphasize the importance of the Bible in our daily lives and in our worship.  I preach from the Bible.  I do expository sermons which treat the very words and ideas of the Bible.  There is no way a person can understand what I as a pastor believe and stand for without reference to the Bible.  I value the Bible and want our people to love the Bible.

Fifth, we cannot be serious about listening to the pastor's message if we do not consult the Bible.  I am not inclined merely to preach my opinions; nor should our people be interested just in my opinions.  I want our church to be anchored in Scripture, knowledgeable of Scripture, and obedient to Scripture.

Sixth, I read recently that 60% of church members have never read the entire New Testament.  We simply have failed to disciple our people

Finally, I am committed to leading our church to love the Bible, to value the Bible in worship, and to read the Bible in personal devotions.  Our staff will announce an emphasis soon which will help us to read the Bible personally, devotionally, and as families.

Please, please, please!  Bring your Bible to church.  Open the Bible when the pastor or pulpit guest is preaching.  We put the scriptures on the IMAG screen to help those who do not have Bibles and to help move the message along without waiting for people to locate a scripture.  But you don't have to depend solely on the IMAG.  You can bring your Bible and open it to the text and follow along when the pastor teaches.  Then you can check the passage after the message and apply the Scripture to your own life.

HOLY BIBLE, BOOK DIVINE
by John Burton
(original lyrics)

Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to shew a Saviour’s love;
Mine art thou to guide my feet;
Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine to comfort in distress;
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine to shew, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

Alan Day, Senior Pastor