Online reading guide aims to spark Bible-reading revival
PICKERING, ON—A national ministry that encourages engagement with Scripture is hoping to inspire a Bible-reading revival in Canada with its latest initiative.
Scripture Union (SU) Canada launched theStory, a daily Bible reading guide with a targeted audience under the age of 40, in mid-May. Available electronically for free on smart phones and tablets, theStory includes short reflections and prayers written by 100 writers from across the country.
But Lawson Murray, president of SU Canada, says that more than inspiring a Bible-reading revival, he hopes theStory sparks "a Jesus revival."
"It's not about the Bible per se, it's about the One of whom the Bible speaks—Jesus Christ," he says. "We would love to see the Church strengthened and growing ... and ultimately, our nation impacted for good."
SU Canada wanted to create theStory because Murray says there has never been a Bible reading guide written specifically for Canadians by Canadians. The organization also wanted to create a guide that could be delivered electronically.
SU Canada also wanted to do a project that was collaborative in nature, bringing together new reflections and writing by teachers, preachers, authors and musicians from a variety of different ministries and denominations in every province.
Contributors include singer-songwriter Carolyn Arends, journalist Lorna Dueck, author Dorene Meyer, Evangelical Free Church of Canada executive director Bill Taylor, Ambrose University College theology professor Ray Aldred and Youth for Christ Canada national director Dave Brereton.
"We had a strong sense that God was directing us to work together with the Church across Canada to do something that was collaborative—something that represented God's people in all provinces," Murray says. "Our heart's desire is to engage people with the Scriptures, and in order to do that, we have to do it in community."
The guide, which is available in English and French, will eventually include audio and interactive components.
"To reach younger adults, it has to be multi-sensory," Murray says.
Additionally, SU Canada has instructed contributors to use illustrations and language that uniquely targets people between the ages of 18 and 40. It is also written specifically for the Internet, to engage people who may not otherwise do a lot of reading.
"The challenge for us ... is that we're living in an era where people just don't read anymore," Murray says. "Or if they do read, it seems to be superficial. We'll read two lines on Facebook, but not a paragraph in a book."
SU Canada hopes that theStory will, first and foremost, enable people to meet with God.
"The entire publication is designed to bring people into an encounter with God, in and through His Word," Murray says.
SU Canada also wants theStory to give people an understanding of the major themes in the Bible and help people find their place in God's story.
Murray adds there is also a relational objective to theStory.
"Personally, I think part of the struggle in the Church is that individualism has taken away from what the Church should be about," he says. "We're looking to build a community of people who are engaging with the text, and just through that, encourage and promote community.
"We know we are better together."
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