One-to-one Bible reading made simple

“One Christian taking the initiative with another individual to help them know Christ better and obey him more fully, through studying the scriptures, prayer (for and with them), and sharing one’s life with them – and leaving the results to God.” (Sophie De Witt, One-To-One: A discipleship handbook)

A church in North London has as its vision for the church members - "Walking with others so that they might come one step closer to Jesus." I love that. Reminds me of an Australian article I read years ago which encouraged us to "seek to leave people one bit better than you found them." Just one bit better. One step further on with Jesus. 

And the Bible is our key resource in doing that (2 Tim. 3:14-17). This is where the answers are. These are the words of eternal life. This is where people see the glory of God in the face of Christ in the pages of Scripture and are rescued, liberated and transformed (2 Cor. 3:15-18). 

Often 'discipling' is based on complex materials using loads of isolated verses. But why not instead read through Bible books and letters together? There are a bunch of advantages to doing that:

• The Word sets the agenda – you look at things you might never think to cover 
• The Word is the authority – we both sit under it as equals
• The Spirit takes the lead - he caused the Scripture to be written in books and letters
• It's easy for the younger Christian to remember and to check later
• It gives confidence in the Word (rather than relying on a guru or 'material' for the answers)
• Little preparation is needed
• You get proper context – less likely to misinterpret/twist verses
• You don’t assume the gospel, you don’t miss Jesus, because He’s always there 
• It models individual Bible reading
• It models a simple, repeatable discipling method - someone can go away and do it with someone else

What we need to do is get the Bible open with people, over the phone, on Zoom, whenever we have the opportunity, and read through Bible books together. For many (if they haven’t done it already) Mark’s Gospel is a great place to begin. For those who know Mark well we should consider which Bible book or letter will be most helpful for them (1 Thess. 3:10). In some ways it doesn’t really matter as all Scripture is inspired and helpful (1 Tim. 3:15-17). But it may be that some books will be particularly helpful:

• Genesis – clarify the gospel, the big themes of the Bible, conflict resolution
• Exodus – the sovereignty of God in salvation and judgment
• Jonah – challenging lack of love for the lost
• Matthew – discipleship – 5 blocks of teaching - may be particularly helpful for those from an Islamic background
• Acts – certainty about the gospel events and apostolic witness, excitement for mission
• Romans – clarity on the gospel and how that deals with boasting and division 
• 1 Corinthians – gospel centre, moral mess, pride, lack of love, spiritual gifts 
• 2 Corinthians – the passions and paradoxes of the Christian life, suffering
• Galatians – to those straying from the gospel of grace – gospel all the way home
• Ephesians – gospel security for those who have come out of animism or another religion where there is a lot of fear surrounding leaving; the importance of the church, family and work
• Philippians – a brilliant all round discipleship letter: Partnership in gospel mission from day one; Assurance; To live is Christ to die is gain; The gift of suffering; Unity in Christ; The humble God; Grumbling; Crystal clear on gospel – don’t give your life to Christ, receive his righteousness; Eternal, resurrection perspective; Anxiety; Contentment; Money
• Colossians – Christ is enough, thankfulness, gospel-driven life change
• 1 Thessalonians – great all round, holiness, eternal perspective, don’t be lazy
• 1 Timothy – what is the church, how to behave in the household of God
• 2 Timothy – how to guard and entrust the gospel and not be ashamed
• Hebrews – fixing our eyes on Jesus versus attraction of religiosity 
• 1 John – how to be sure you are born again
• 1 & 2 Peter – how to grow in grace
• Revelation – to those being seduced by the world and losing their first love  

Our key method when it comes to reading the Bible 1-to-1, as in much of life, is asking questions:

• "Do you understand what you are reading?" (Acts 8:30)
• “What is written?” “How do you read it?” (cf. Luke 10:26) 
• “Why is it written?” (cf. Mark 9:12; 12:35-37; Luke 20:17)
• Reading Mark: Who is Jesus? Why has he come? What does it mean to follow him?
• Reading Matthew: What do we learn about the King? What do we learn about his Kingdom?
• Reading Luke: Who is Jesus? What are we naturally like? How are we saved? What fruit comes from being saved?
• Reading John: Who is Jesus? How do we have life in him?
• Reading any part of the Bible: What do we learn about God? What do we learn about man? 
• "Go on..."

Then simply pray that the Word would do it's work in both of us. That we would encounter the Lord.

Some great resources:

• The Word One to One
• Uncover (UCCF)
• Streetlights