On this International Day of the Bible, people around the world will be celebrating God’s Word.
And for good reason.
For thousands of years, the Bible has inspired art (think of Michelangelo’s “David”), influenced literature (Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson’s works, for example), spurred social reform (Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches are filled with biblical references), influenced justice systems (check out the prophets’ explanations of justice) and transformed the lives of people around the globe. It’s not only the best-selling book of all time; the Bible has been translated into more than 1,500 languages.
At noon on November 23, people around the world will celebrate God working through his Word by sharing or reading Scripture. Here are a few ideas you can use to join in the festivities:
- Read the Bible out loud. Whether you are by yourself or with a group, choose a favorite passage and recite it or read it out loud.
- Sing Scripture. Not only has the Bible inspired songs, it’s full of music! Many Psalms include musical direction, and even passages of the New Testament epistles are believed to be early Christian hymns. So sing a Scripture-based song you know, or write one of your own to celebrate this day.
- Memorize a verse. If you need help with the Bible memorization process, check out the free app Bible Minded. It has tools to help you learn Scripture wherever you are.
- Commit to regular Bible reading. If you don’t have a Bible reading plan or devotional, check out this Bible Introduction devotional that can help you learn how to get started. You can have it emailed or texted to you every day. You may also sign up for this 10-day devotional from the National Bible Association, which discusses Scripture’s influence on your heart and soul.