ENGAGEMENT
B
OUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
ANDREW RAMSBOTTOM | SUNZ Children & Families Consultant
ible engagement is very similar to muscle engagement or what is commonly known as exercise. Even the smallest amount of exercise benefits the body, mind and soul. However, we get the most value from regular (daily), unrushed, structured time. The same is true for Bible engagement. “Lucy was aged four when I saw her ‘reading’ her Bible, I asked her what she was doing. I’m looking for God on every page,’ she replied. She had just started learning to read, and the combination of letters G-O-D was hugely fascinating to her.”— Terry Clutterham, The Adventure Begins.1 1 Terry Clutterham (1996). The Adventure Begins: Practical Guide to Exploring the Bible with Under-12s, p9. Scripture Union Publishing. (Out of print.)
20 www.sunz.org.nz
God wants us to get to know him better each day by finding who He really is on every page of His Word.
MAKE A START
The Holy Spirit is top of my list of essentials for Bible engagement! Start your Bible time by inviting God to be present with you. A few other things will help you get the most out of your Bible time: • Bible—use a modern translation, not a paraphrase. • Notebook and pen—keep a record of what you discover and make action points. • Support—a Bible guide (hardcopy or online), concordance, commentary, encyclopaedia, a friend or family member, or a faith community group. • A quiet place. • Uninterrupted time.
GATHER SOME SUPPORT MATERIAL
Here are a few resources I have found very helpful.
