Thread:AwesomeOrange89/@comment-5175866-20160517185240

Hi AwesomeOrange. I wanted to follow up with you on your specific answers on the Biblical Literacy Survey to help you individually with becoming more biblically literate. So first I want to commend you that you read at least your Bible weekly (I am assuming it would be at church, but going to church is an important place to build foundations in the Word and with other believers) rather than never.

It is also important to try to listen and/or read the Bible as much as you can, because man doesn't just live on food, but on the Words of God. From our conversations I understand that it can be difficult and frustrating to try to make personal study a more frequent habit. Based on your results you indicated that your struggle with not knowing where to start, not having time, and not thinking you would be able to understand it. The key thing you marked was time. The amount of time you put into reading your Bible can impact both the issue of knowing what to read and where to start. To help you with the latter two we have created a monthly Bible Study Program, which I know you are already are aware of the program, but we have designed in mind for people who don't know what to read or are afraid they will not understand it. The primary focus of the Bible Study Program is around historical accounts in the Bible, because they are composed entirely of factual statements. The intent in this is to give something specific to read that is understandable. Overtime by reading these historical accounts in gaining familiarity one will eventually be able to branch out into other kinds of biblical literature with understanding. Asides from that there are topical Bibles online and in-print that can be helpful if you want to study specific passages about a certain topic (whether that be a life issue, or historical event, or a person/place)

The only way to solve the problem of time is to make personal initiative to dedicating time. If there is no time during the day you can extend your day, either by getting up 15 minutes earlier (which I would recommend) or going to bed 15 minutes later. With an extra 15 minutes you can get ready for the day or ready for bed and then use the extra 10-15 minutes to read a chapter. Even while reading historical accounts I would challenge you to ask yourself how certain the events demonstrate God's mercy or wrath, how did the people honor or dishonor God, how did the events that occur eventually contribute to the rest of the Bible. Most of all with regards to time reading the Bible it is of priorities. I know you understand this, but you have to consider in your time whether contributing to your eternal life is more important than something else. Reading just 15 minutes a day can make a tremendous impact on you for the rest of your life. With regards to understanding it is only God who gives it. If you ask God for wisdom and don't doubt it, He will give it to you (and yes it's as simple as that!)

Finally I understand the concern you have expressed with me in the past about feeling like you are unable to write up to the standards of Bible Wiki. Currently the only policy we have is found in the Bible Wiki:Biblical Point of View. The BPOV requires that your edit be in the perspective of the Bible, only biblically supported content can be added and gives some grammatical rules to follow (articles need to written in the past tense, third person, with only declarative sentences). There aren't too many policies so it shouldn't be incredibly difficult to write. If you do not understand the grammatical terms I've listed there are many resources on the internet, as well as explanation from me. Is there a specific reason that makes you feel you cannot meet the content standards of Bible Wiki?

Most of all I want this message here to be in love, for I want you (and everyone) to gain some of the same benefits I have gained by spending time reading the Bible. From my own reading I have grown tremendously in God and am able to better apply it to my life, as well as defend it.

In Christ,

Superdadsuper, Bible Wiki Administrator & Bureaucrat

 