You are a professing Christian or maybe you are curious about Jesus, but you don’t read the bible on a regular basis. You feel intimidated by it. You get discouraged because you don’t understand what it means. So you quit. You rely on pastors and teachers to help you understand what the bible says. You want to read the bible independently and draw closer to God without relying on others. I want to help you achieve that through my new ministry, Bible Without Borders. 

Photo Courtesy ©IStockphoto.com/SorenP

   This ministry will meet via the Internet in the comfort of our homes. It will be informal and interactive. I am offering this ministry to ANYONE, believer or nonbeliever, who desires to draw close to God and gain more confidence reading the bible independently. I want to equip you with a range of skills and resources to grow your relationship to God. Anyone living anywhere in the USA can participate, hence “without borders.”  

   Our work together will be based on the following premises. Even if you opt not to join us, they will serve you in your relationship to God: 

1) We will give ourselves permission to not understand everything we read. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). That means we trust the Holy Spirit to reveal what He wants us to understand in a given passage according to where we are in our spiritual journey. Isn’t that liberating?! We can read the bible with confidence because the Holy Spirit is our teacher leading us into God’s truth. The Holy Spirit has a customized plan of “revelations” for each us based on what we need to hear and understand. What He will choose to reveal to you may be different than what He reveals to another. 

2) Before reading any passage, we will pray, asking God to reveal Himself to us. He promises that “those who seek me will find me” (Jer 29:13; Prov 8:17). God is not trying to be elusive. He honors those who want a closer relationship with Him. Through prayer and dependency on the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can have a more intimate relationship with God. Isn’t it comforting that we don’t have to have a seminary degree to read the bible and have a strong relationship with God?  

3) We will continually remind ourselves that we are on a spiritual journey, which happens one step at a time. We all want to get to our next destination quickly, but the journey with God is a process. Embrace the baby steps and enjoy the ride. We will learn to celebrate every time the Spirit reveals a truth to us and thank God for it.  

   I will offer this ministry twice a month to begin. Below are the start dates, the web link, and the number to participate in this ministry: 

DATES:

Technology Trial Date: Oct 29^th.

This will be a technology test only to work out glitches, Java updates, etc, for all participants. This should be no more than a 20-30 minute meeting. I will stay as long as needed to help everyone out.

Official Launch date:  Nov 5^th

Scheduled Class Dates:  Nov 19^th, Dec 3^rd 

Time:  6:00pm – 6:45pm CST

866#:  866-537-1633, Passcode: 6787 892#

Link: https://www.conferenceplus.com/confcenter/meeting_center/default.aspx?100687&jnhst=N&o=UfDnDTJPytEuVt   You may need to copy and paste this into your browser. This link will not function on iPads or iPhones. 

   If you want to participate in this ministry, click the link above at 6:00pm CST on Oct 29^th AND call into the 866# with the passcode. You will see a request for your name, email address, and company. You need to input a valid email address, which none of us can see, and your name. If you want anonymity as a participant, you may create a pseudo name! You may sign in as Fred Flintstone, or Betty Boop if you want. All participants will see the names on the screen. There is a box to type in your “company,” but ignore it and click, “Join,” at the bottom right hand corner of your screen. I anticipate some of you may run into some technology issues, which we will solve on Oct 29^th.  

   It is my heart’s desire to disciple those who want to grow in their relationship to God. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a believer, or if you’re not a believer. Come learn and grow with others who share the same goal. Mark your calendars for Oct 29^th at 6pm CST. I hope to see you soon!

     Do you know anyone who has voiced feeling inadequate to read the Bible who could benefit from this ministry? Would you please share this post with them to invite them to join us?

Blessings,                                                                                                               Lee Ann