I am doing a workshop this weekend for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly titled, "Beyond the Usual Suspects: Bible Study for the Rest of Us," in which we will look at what people might want in a Bible study and how to put together studies that appeal to more than just the usual 5-10% of the number who usually worship at a church.
No Experience Necessary
My favorite book for encouraging people who are not connected to Bible study to get started is Kelly Fryer's No Experience Necessary (Augsburg, 1999). I haven't seen the revised and expanded edition, but assume it is, well, revised and expanded (Augsburg Fortress, 2007). The book is accessible without being simplistic and Kelly's voice is real without being flippant or snarky.
Here are links to web resources that I'll be sharing in the workshop.
Seeing the Big Picture
Sometimes people want a sense of the sweep of the Bible's big story before, or in addition to, help digging into scripture more intensively. These can help:
The Bible in 90 Days
I'm involved in this project right now. The reading plan is just straight through the Bible, about 12 pages of reading a day. This is probably not the most enjoyable way to approach scripture (12 pages of psalms is a different undertaking than 12 pages of Genesis), but it does give you a sense of the scope of things.
Bookmarks (.pdf) for reading the Bible in 90 days.
Find other resources for reading the Bible in 90 days at http://www.biblein90days.org/.
Walk thru the Bible
Presenters imagine a map of the ancient Middle East & Mediterranean on the floor of a church sanctuary, and tell the stories from the Bible using it. There are hand motions, mnemonic devices, and a lot of activity in the presentations. The original material is from American evangelicals. When I have been part of this program, Lutheran pastor and camp director, Johan Hinderlie, has led it. You can find out more from Johan through Mount Carmel Ministries web site.
Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is an orientation to the whole Bible written by Luther Seminary faculty. It is a reference tool (something like a Bible dictionary and a good study Bible rolled into one), with new resources being posted to the site as quickly as we can dream them up.
The Bible in a Year
The ELCA website has posted resources for people who want to read through the Bible in a year.
Daily Personal and Family Reading
Myriad online and old-fashioned book resources exist for this. Here are a few that I've either found personally helpful or that have been recommended to me.
Moravian Daily Texts
The Moravian church began as a very early (pre-Luther) reform movement in Europe, whose leader, John Hus, was burned at the stake. Moravians have the lovely self-definition: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love." Their daily texts include a hymn verse, Bible readings, and prayer helps.
You can buy a book, or read the texts on the web site of Mt. Carmel Ministries. The Moravian Church in North America will send you a daily email, or sell you a book as well. They also have a page of helps for using the texts.
God Pause
These short daily devotions are written by Luther Seminary alumni, faculty, and staff. Find them on the website or sign up for a daily email.
Bread for the Day 2012
Augsburg Fortress is going to publish its own marketing answer to the Moravian Daily Texts next year. It's called Bread for the Day, and it is based on the daily lectionary brought to you by the Consultation on Common Texts people. Hymn texts, table graces, and other cool stuff are included. Find out more on the AF website.
ELCA Resources
The ELCA has a page of links here to some additional resources as well as a few of those I've listed here.
Vibrant Faith Ministries
The former "Youth and Family Institute" is not called Vibrant Faith Ministries. I have not worked with their "Taking Faith Home" Bulletin Inserts, but those who have recommend them. They include daily Bible readings and activities for the whole family and they are connected to the church year and lectionary readings.
Small Group Study
Low Tech Approaches
On the South Carolina synod (ELCA) website, I found a description of several kinds of Bible study for small groups that require only a Bible and a few people. The keys are listening to each other and listening to a biblical text for how it connects to one's daily life. Download Bible Study Methods (.pdf).
The ELCA website includes a similar list of approaches. The .pdf is just a printable copy of information on the web page.
Serendipity Bible
I have used this Bible off and on for more than 25 years, and I still really like it for personal and small group study, though I wish it were in a translation besides the NIV. The Bible includes "Open, Dig, and Reflect" questions in the margin of every page, and occasional one-page studies throughout the book. You can buy it wherever Bibles are sold (here are some options from Google books).
Small Group Ministry Treasure Trove
Lyman Coleman, editor of the Serendipity Bible, has made his way over to http://www.smallgroups.com, a website hosted by the people at Christianity Today. There are about a thousand different resources here, many of which are free, and by registering (for free) on the site, you can create a virtual file cabinet, connect via the site's social networking tools, and use their pay-per-download service. Access to everything on the site is $99. per year for individuals and $199. and up for churches.
