The reality of a digital world means that there can be a “cancelling” of what can or cannot be viewed, literature, media, and other means of information. In a world where the First Amendment of the United States Constitution is severely being overlooked and our rights “cancelled”, there may come a day where censorship of what we value most about our faith may not be as easily accessible as before.
This thought came about one Wednesday night after youth-group. I had offered for our teens to go back to pieces of scripture after the night on an “app” where they could highlight what we talked about. Later Jenny, Jon, Mackenzie and I realized- these teens and pre-teens need a physical copy of the one thing that our good, good God has gifted us as a love letter. This literature, or word of Life that I am speaking of is - the Bible.
I had just given my life to Christ when I received my first bible. I honestly did not know how to use it, when to use it, what time was appropriate. Over that time, what God had done to prepare me, building me up like a spiritual house [see 1 Peter 2:4,5], scripture began leaping off the pages as I began studying the artistry and Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ, His once for all sacrifice, and being fully in-dwelt by the Spirit of God Himself! Through revelation, the truths in the Bible became a remedy for daily living, a sanctuary, and a nourishment of spiritual food and drink.
Something that I once thought was just an old book became a love letter from my Father. I grow more and more incredibly thankful for my bible each and every day; after all, it’s my sword. [see Ephesians 6:17] It has been a tremendous gift, a gift breathed out by God, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
The growth that it has impressed upon me, and how the Holy Spirit continues revealing His power and authority to me, has been incredible! The beauty of knowing where I have been in my faith in Jesus Christ as a teen, to where I am now as a child of God, a husband, and a father is truly miraculous - the Bible in fact is the living word!
What is a way that someone could impact another with such a treasure like I was given through my Bible? We held this offer to our teens and pre-teens - that if they are in need of a physical bible, we will provide one.
The intimacy of one gifting another with a bible, inspires the one who receives to begin to dig in and discover the good news that pours out of scripture - the same Love that poured into your spirit also. The investment in purchasing a bible for a teen can at times be costly, but God - in all that He will do with this investment - a teen or pre-teen will experience the same kind of growth, love, and thankfulness that you, and I have experienced through our love letter from our King.
If God is leading your heart to gift a teen a Bible, please click this link here: https://www.inchrist.org/contact-us
Your gift will continue nourishing this teen and pre-teen, and many generations after.