The picture above is of a Bible Book Club I’ve been a part of for several months now. These guys are young, hungry, ambitious, spiritually alive entrepreneurs who I thoroughly enjoy. We get together once a week to talk about the part of the Bible we read the past seven days. We all read the same section from the same translation of the amazing Immerse Bible. Afterward…
- I’m always spiritually encouraged.
- I always feel like it was mutually beneficial.
- These guys have grown in their understanding of the Bible.
- I have too.
- Most importantly, we’ve all grown in our relationship with God.
That’s why being a part of a Bible Book Club is written into my Hero On A Mission (HOAM) Life Plan.
Each of my three HOAM Vision Statements forsees that I’ll be in a Bible Book Club with other people. That means I want to be in a Bible Book Club for at least the next 10 years of my life. Why? Because it’s a win-win-win situation.
Here’s How I Win
I win because I’m constantly reading and then discussing the Bible with other people. The constant exposure to the book helps me understand it better. I’m also more likely to be transformed by it’s message this way.
The Bible’s one of those books that is so big, so ancient, and so difficult to understand that trying to simply read and study it on my own isn’t enough. When I read it and then talk about it with others, it forces me to think more deeply. To understand what’s really going on below the surface level. My misreading is more easily challenged. And through it all, I grow spiritually.
Here’s How the Group Wins
The group wins because everyone notices different aspects of the week’s reading. So, when each person shares what stood out to them, it triggers new ideas and deeper understanding for everyone else. One person’s honest questions can make the others in the group feel like they aren’t stupid after all. One person’s insight, when shared in the group becomes an insight for the rest of the group.
It’s also a perfect setting to train the other group members to lead a book club of their own some day. Which leads to the final win.
Here’s How People Not in the Group Win
First, it results in new groups being formed in the future. One of the guys in the picture above is already thinking of how he wants to start his own Bible Book Club for college students. The other guys may find themselves starting new Bible Book Clubs too one day. If they each start their own, then I’ll need to find some different people to join me. That means, in time, even more people will benefit from being in one.
Second, the people in the group are challenged and changed by God through the process. I’ve seen it over and over again. They think and behave differently with their families, friends, and at work. Just today one of these guys talked about how last night he listened to a friend struggling with some life issues for two hours. During the conversation, he was able to naturally talk about God with his friend. He was able to ask about the state of her spiritual life. He spoke honestly and openly about how his faith is so much deeper than going to a religious service occasionally. It was impactful for both. I love seeing that kind of thing.
This HOAM is excited about this part of his Life Plan because it’s changing him and others for the better!
