Reading the Bible is a key part of your faith journey, so it's natural to want to share your favorite stories and verses with others. Not sure how to share God's word? There are lots of ways you can talk about the Bible without making others feel uncomfortable, even if they're not as solid in their faith as you are. Here are some tips to help.
An easy way to share the Bible is by giving your loved one a copy of the book. You can get lots of different versions of the Bible to fit the recipient. For example, you can get children's Bibles that work well for your grandchildren. You can also find journaling Bibles with room for notes on the pages. Consider the cover and design of the Bible to find one the recipient will like. You might include a bookmark with a Bible verse on it. Consider marking some of your favorite passages or including a list of recommended verses. This option lets the recipient explore the stories of the Bible on their terms without it being forced on them.
Whether you send letters the old-fashioned way via mail or prefer emails, adding a Bible verse to your correspondence is an easy way to share the word. It could be something relevant to the conversation or just a favorite passage you want to share. If you send birthday or holiday cards, add a verse to them that might inspire the recipient for the coming year.
If you're nervous about sharing Bible stories face-to-face, consider using your social media platforms to share. You can share faith-based memes related to your favorite Bible stories, or you can type and post your favorite passages to share on your page. People who want to engage with these posts can, and others can scroll past them.
Leading a Bible study group is a more direct way to share your love of God's word. You can choose the focus of the group, so you can share your favorite parts of the Bible. This allows you to share your passion for the Bible and delve deeper into the words. You might be surprised how much you learn about your favorite verses. Having discussions with people and hearing different perspectives might give you a deeper appreciation of God's word.
If you have grandchildren, reading the Bible with them is a great way to share your favorite stories. It's also a good bonding activity to grow closer to your grandchildren while encouraging their faith. Start with stories that will make sense to your grandchildren based on their ages. Buying a special children's Bible you can read together can make the stories easier for younger kids to understand. You might plan a fun craft activity related to the stories you read to expand on the experience.
Reading your Bible often can prepare you for sharing relevant scripture in the moment. Try memorizing your favorite verses so you can share them if a fitting opportunity arises. This allows you to work messages from the Bible into everyday life, making it seem more natural. It also shows your loved ones the Bible is still relevant to modern life and they can find comfort and guidance in God's word.
Welcoming your loved ones to your church home is a way to slowly introduce them to your faith and Bible verses. They'll hear passages from the Bible during the church service, as well as more context on those verses. Going to church can help them see how faith relates to their lives, even though the world might look a lot different than it did in biblical times. It might also encourage them to start going to church more or reading the Bible on their own. You could suggest a Bible study group at your church that could be a good match for them.
You don't have to share directly from the Bible to encourage others to seek God's word. For instance, you might talk about your favorite faith-based podcasts when you have conversations with your loved ones. You could discuss your favorite Christian books or offer to lend some of them to your loved one. If you have a favorite devotional, you could mention it in conversation. For some people, reading the Bible can seem overwhelming. Easing into it with other faith-based materials might encourage them to start reading verses a little at a time until they become more comfortable with reading the Bible.
Not everyone in your life will be receptive to hearing about the Bible. They might not be in the same place in their faith journey. Be prepared to have some people resist or tell you they don't want to talk about faith. Avoid forcing your views on the other person, even if you feel strongly about the Bible verses you want to share.
