A Short Book Review: One-to-One Bible Reading

A few months ago, I was given a stack of exciting books, most of which I’ve not touched in …well a few months. One of my friends had gone to the Gospel Coalition conference and tried to appease my jealous anger by giving me books. I suppose it worked.

One such book that he gave me was One-to-One Bible Reading: a simple guide for every Christian by David Helm. I picked it up and started reading it mainly for two reasons. First off I usually enjoy books about Bible reading (though my discipline of Bible reading doesn’t necessarily reflect that). And second, it was short and I’m a slow reader.

The Overview

The book is simple and excellent. At about 100 pages, one could read it in a couple of hours (or days if you’re anything like me). It’s one of those books you could just have in your bag and read while waiting in line or at the airport for four hours past your designated boarding time (another story entirely).

The thesis of the book is basically that simple Bible reading with another individual is an effective means of evangelism and discipleship. No need for gimmicks or programs- just you, your friend/co-worker/neighbor/etc. and the Bible. And over time as you and your reading partner let the Bible speak for itself, God accomplishes what we cannot, changing hearts and bringing lives into submission to the lordship of Christ.

As I said before, it’s a very simple book. The concept seems simple enough. But Helm doesn’t leave the reader to figure out how to “do” a meeting himself. He lays out a simple process for finding and engaging three types of people in one-to-one Bible reading:

  • the non-Christian,
  • the young or nominal Christian,
  • and the more mature Christian.

He also provides a couple frameworks for doing simple Bible study together. And I mean simple. This is not a book on Biblical hermeneutics. Helm makes sure that any Christian could read the book and employ his simple process to engage others in Bible reading.

Why I liked it

If we really take seriously that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16-17) and we believe that the Bible lays out this redemptive history that finds its apex in the person and work of Christ, then reading and getting the Bible inside us is one of the most important things we can do. And engaging others in reading the Bible allows us to bring God’s transformational power to them.

An added benefit of the approach that Helm lays out is that the younger generation seems considerably more wary of “organized” religion but is more than willing to engage one-on-one in a relational endeavor such as reading the Bible together. There’s less emotional friction for Bob to read the Bible than attend an evangelistic program.

Last words

As I said, it’s a quick, easy read and a simple process that both engages someone else in Bible reading and allows you to explore God’s truth as well. That’s a win-win situation. Go, buy it now.*

(*) I was not paid to endorse this book. It’s just that good.

Published by Eddy Barnes

Eddy Barnes a husband, father, and the youth pastor at Grace Covenant Church.

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