Media release: Back to the Bible

Church leaders have backed Scripture Union’s Bible Sunday initiative to help Christians rediscover the life-changing effect of regular Bible reading.

The initiative, Share the Light Journey, challenges churches to encourage their congregations to join a 40-day journey into the Bible as a shared experience.

Rev. John S Smith, UK Director, Evangelical Alliance says ‘God’s Word works. Share the Light is a great opportunity to make Bible reading and prayer a daily priority.’ Gerald Coates, Leader of Pioneer Church, is also fully behind the initiative. 'Only when people start taking God's Word seriously, will there be transformation in this land. Participating in the Share the Light initiative is a key way all of us can make a difference.'

Share the Light began in 2003 in response to figures that showed only a third of Christians open their Bible from one Sunday to the next, and just 16% read their Bible daily. The first stage of the initiative encouraged individuals and their churches to pray that God would move people to rediscover the life transforming nature of regular Bible engagement. Bible Sunday, on October 24, sees the second stage, Share the Light Journey, come into action.

Share the Light Journey aims to change ad hoc attitudes to Bible reading and enable people to understand God’s ‘big picture’ by giving them a greater overall understanding of his Word. It comes in the form of a 40-day Journey pack containing resources, sermon outline, drama sketch, children’s session and a CD packed with audio-visuals to help encourage churches to commit to the plan.

The pack also contains a copy of the special edition of Scripture Union’s Essential 100, which includes 100 readings from Genesis to Revelation, revealing God’s amazing plan of salvation to children, young people and adults.

While Bible Sunday is a good opportunity to start Share the Light Journey, Scripture Union has made the 40-day journey flexible enough to fit churches’ programmes for a new term, New Year or Lent.

Keith Civval, Scripture Union’s Chief Executive, says: ‘In our rapidly changing society, it’s increasingly important that Christians know their Bibles to guide and direct their lives.  The best way to hear God speak through his Word is through prayerfully reading it daily.  I hope that Share the Light Journey will help more people to experience this truth for themselves.’

Other leaders who have backed Share the Light include David Coffey, General Secretary of Baptist Union, Great Britain; Rev. Paul Bayes, National Mission and Evangelism Adviser, Archbishop's Council; and Rev. Graham Horseley, Evangelism & Church Planting Secretary, The Methodist Church.

For more information on Share the Light or to order a Share the Light journey pack, see the web site, or contact Scripture Union on 01908 856029.