How to get your whole church reading the Bible

Building a Bible-reading culture

City Church Cardiff recognised that Sunday sermons weren’t enough. People in the pews wanted to study the Bible for spiritual growth.   Discipleship pastor David describes how the church developed communal Bible-reading plans to meet the need. Sure enough, Bible groups started to form, in-person and online.   Interactive daily Bible encounters have since become the new normal. People of all ages are getting stuck into the Bible and sharing lessons learnt. Accountability and mutual support are key. No-one is left out.   Youth worker Keren, meanwhile, says teenagers are confused by cultural relativism and individualism. She’s found that the recent surge in young people people’s interest in the Bible comes from a deep desire to tell right from wrong.   Andrew’s Bible reflection on Acts 2.42 revolves around the centrality of Scripture in the early church. Teaching the Bible, Andrew finds, is not an accessory but the engine of discipleship for the church.   Listen to how a Bible based community can change lives for good. Timestamps: * (00:00) - Introducing City Church Cardiff * (01:55) - Deliberate Bible engagement * (03:00) - YouVersion Bible plans in community * (04:10) - Sharing the Bible on a Sunday * (05:25) - Encouraging regular Bible engagement * (06:55) - Making accountability about encouragement * (08:30) - Preaching strategy * (10:00) - How the Bible changes our lives * (11:00) - Practical tips for church leaders * (13:45) - Raising Bible confidence in teenagers * (15:50) - The outworking of the gospel in teenagers * (17:15) - Staying hungry for the word * (19:05) - High-bar discipleship among Gen-Z * (20:50) - Cultivating hunger for the Bible * (22:30) - Encouraging conversation around the Bible * (24:15) - A reflection on Acts 4: turning interest into discipleship Rooted: Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free. [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/resources/rooted/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1&utm_term=audio] Bible Society:  The Quiet Revival Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of Scripture today. Visit our website to find out more [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1].    Bible Society socials:   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bible_society/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] X (formerly Twitter) [https://twitter.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Disclaimer:   This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

How to get your whole church reading the Bible

We visited Cirencester Baptist Church to hear from pastors Matt and Caz how bible study is at the heart of their ministry. People are encouraged to make space for the Bible daily, no matter how busy their schedule.  Together they delve into useful resources for navigating and engaging with the Bible, such as The Bible Course, Immerse and The Bible Project.   Questions around faith and the Bible are encouraged in order to deepen their understanding.  Andrew brings a reflection from 2 Kings 22 on rediscovering the centrality of Scripture to faith.  If you want are looking for ways to get your church reading the Bible, this episode is for you.  Timestamps: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:25) - Helping people apply the Bible to everyday life * (03:07) - Tools for raising Bible confidence * (08:45) - Challenges when reading the Bible * (12:05) - Encouraging questions about the Bible * (14:20) - Strategy for building Bible confidence across the church * (17:00) - The importance of biblical context * (19:00) - Spiritual openness on the internet * (23:48) - The effect of the Bible on everyday life * (25:35) - Head confidence in the Church * (27:40) - Integrating old church members with new seekers * (33:00) - Andrew Ollerton reflects on 2 Kings 22 The Bible Course New Edition: This new and improved, free small group resource will help you and your church discover how Bible characters, stories, and themes are connected, from Genesis to Revelation. Find out more [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/the-bible-course/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=dynamic-ad] Bible Society:  The Quiet Revival Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of Scripture today. Visit our website to find out more [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1].    Bible Society socials:   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bible_society/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] X (formerly Twitter) [https://twitter.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Disclaimer:   This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

Bible mission through incarnational living

Why does community matter when it comes to discipleship? Imagine a newly planted church receiving a £2,000 grant by the local police in recognition of its transforming impact on the community. That’s exactly what happened to Jos Edwards and his team. Their outreach work has turned over 100 young people into regulars at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Craig Blaenau church.  The spiritual hunger among the local population is palpable. When first arriving in Blaenau, Jos and his wife Lydia quickly realised that becoming part of the community and inviting people into their home was key. Rather than preaching at them from a distance, Jos has been sharing the Bible’s message with unchurched locals through unpressured conversations and shared living.  Hear from a young mother Jez Jones at Craig Blaenau who found healing in adversity through worship and prayer, and learnt to rest in God’s unconditional love.  The podcast concludes with Andrew Ollerton reflecting on the connection between mission, community and incarnational living. Find out more about Safar [https://www.safar.org] Timestamps: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:00) - Introducing Jos Edwards at Craig Blaenau church * (02:10) - Establishing community in rural areas * (03:15) - How community shapes the culture of a church * (05:30) - How does a church measure success? * (07:30) - Changing how we do church to fit the community * (10:00) - How do you help people engage with the Bible? * (11:15) - Safar Bible study * (12:50) - Building community when you don't meet in a church building * (18:20) - Interview with Jez after her spiritual search * (22:22) - Reflections on Jos' commitment and creativity in mission * (23:42) - Andrew reflects on Luke 10 Rooted: Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free. [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/resources/rooted/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1&utm_term=audio] Bible Society:  The Quiet Revival Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of Scripture today. Visit our website to find out more [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1].    Bible Society socials:   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bible_society/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] X (formerly Twitter) [https://twitter.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Disclaimer:   This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

Raising the bar of biblical discipleship

Join us as we explore ways of raising Bible confidence, hear stories of effective Bible mission and spiritual change. In this episode, Siân Rees is at Saint Paul’s Church in Hammersmith talking to the senior pastor, Pete Wynter, and Emmanuel, Miacah, Luke and Arthur who are on the team there about high-bar Bible engagement and deep discipleship.  Pete and Arthur present the Awaken 50 programme, a 50-day journey of spiritual formation and discipleship. They discuss the transformative power of encountering God: spending 50 minutes a day in his presence and 50 days in an accountability group practising spiritual disciplines and reading the Bible. Andrew Ollerton reflects on how in Luke 5 Jesus switched between modes of communication depending on his audience, and how this might inform our preaching and outreach methods in a new spiritual landscape. Timestamps: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:03) - Paul Williams explains the retraction of The Quiet Revival report * (03:00) - Introducing this new series of The Quiet Revival Podcast * (04:30) - What has changed at Saint Paul's, Hammersmith? * (05:30) - How does the Church handle growth? * (06:35) - How can we do discipleship and mission differently? * (09:15) - Increased confidence in mission * (10:45) - Bible confidence through the head, heart and hands * (11:40) - Encountering God and awakening the city * (13:00) - Awaken 50: high-bar spiritual formation * (17:30) - Encouragement for church leaders for this spiritual moment * (20:35) - Evangelism on the streets of Hammersmith * (21:50) - How do we help people engage with the Bible? * (23:20) - The impact of Awaken 50 * (25:40) - Encountering God in all things * (27:30) - The impact of encountering God * (28:50) - Using our unique gifting in discipleship * (31:45) - Reflections on the interview from Saint Paul's, Hammersmith * (32:25) - Andrew Ollerton reflection on Luke 5 Read more about Awaken 50 [https://www.sph.org/awaken50] Everyday Faith Bible [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/9780564015924/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1&utm_term=audio] Let Scripture transform every part of your life with the Everyday Faith Bible. Created in partnership with the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), the Everyday Faith Bible will help you to: *  Understand Scripture’s real-world context *  Relate to experiences and emotions in the passage *  Respond to what you read with practical action Key features: * Up to 1,000 margin annotations throughout the Bible, to encourage ‘head, heart and hands’ confidence in applying Scripture to everyday life * Real-life stories and quotes from Christian expert practitioners across the UK * Whole-page introductions to each genre of biblical writing * Whole-page features on important biblical themes Bible Society:  The Quiet Revival Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of Scripture today. Visit our website to find out more [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1].    Bible Society socials:   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bible_society/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] X (formerly Twitter) [https://twitter.com/biblesociety?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=the-quiet-revival-podcast&utm_content=s2e1] Disclaimer:   This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

Help us to shape series 2

Take our short survey [https://biblesociety.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8Sq2fKHkX85ZBQ] Hearing from our audience is so important for us in order to provide you with useful content. We'd love to hear what would benefit you as you lead in this exciting missional moment. We're planning series 2 right now so we'd really appreciate your feedback and ideas to help us shape the future of the podcast.