The songs are over, the music has stopped, and the noise of shuffling chairs fill the air. As Pastor Jason comments on how great the drumming was this morning, a surprising amount of church goers prepare for the message by not placing their Bibles on their laps. Instead, they plan to rely on PowerPoint slides or the draw of Pastor Jason's voice to provide the necessary scriptures references. The youth-aged are no exception.
Why should we bring our Bibles to church?
When I first attempted to answer this question, I quickly thought it would be a simple, matter-of-fact reply. But the more I thought about it, the more I wrestled with the correct answer. With the verses mentioned on TV screens, the sermon notes posted online, and the pastor both referencing and reading the passages, is it really necessary to hold a personal printed or electronic copy of God's Word? Is it possible that sifting through the Book will distract us and lead us into missing the main message the pastor is trying to get across? I believe the answer to both questions is "Yes!"
Bringing your Bible will familiarize you with your Bible
Hearing and viewing a passage will do you little good later on when you're looking for that verse from last Sunday's message but you don't know where to find it in your Bible. Many times, I know where to find a verse because I know about how far into the Book it is, the side of the page, and the location on the page. It goes something like, "Oh, it's about three-quarters, right side, middle of the page." Being able to located passages is necessary when you're on your own.
Bringing your Bible will help you focus on the sermon and not your friends
Note #1: "Did you see what Johnny was wearing? What was he thinking?"
Note #2: "Umm, yeah. Does he think the 80's are making a come back or what? What are you doing after church?"
(Preacher in background: "This passage is one of the most critical passage for those who...")
Note #3: "IDK. Maybe lunch. I can ask my mom if I can go over to your house."
We meet together to sit under the teaching of a man who has been called to prepare us to go out into the world and proclaim the message of Christ. As he expounds the scripture, it really can be difficult to hold on and follow along. But when we have our Bibles in our hands, we tend to focus on the message at hand. We can hold all of the notes God has written to us and save our notes to our friends for later.
Bringing your Bible will help you to better understand the message
The Bible wasn't written verse by verse but as letters, songs, and accounts of events. Let's take John 14:15 for an example. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." If this is all we're given, it will not mean much to us. Who is talking? Who is he talking to? Why did he say this? What are his commandments? You see that the context of each verse is extremely valuable to understanding the message. Many times the pastor cannot go into details of the verse, but with Bible in hand you certainly can enlighten yourself!
The Bible is living and active. Yes, it has the power to change you. It is like no other book on earth. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17). The Word of God became flesh, lived that perfect life we could not, died and rose again for our salvation. We can hold His Words in our hands any time we'd like. What a privilege we often neglect when we "forget" our Bibles. Like a soldier in battle without his weapon or a doctor in surgery without his scalpel, we are identified in Christ but lacking our most important tool. How can we not forget to style our hair, tie our shoes, and bring our cell phones and yet leave God's Gift for us on the table at home?
