“Anglicans in the diocese are hungry for spiritual renewal.” The first sentence of a recent report from the Diocese of Toronto. Our faithful parishioners in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia would likely express the same sentiment.
Participation in spiritual enrichment activities and programs is strong in our Diocese. Surveys over the past few years indicate that our people are craving a closer relationship with God, a greater understanding of faith and the spiritual disciplines that are integral to committed discipleship.
Interest in the REVIVE series, Pray As You Can workshops, Education for Ministry (EfM) and other initiatives, reveals a genuine longing for deeper divine connection. One of the ways Anglicans engage in spiritual renewal is when we spend time reading and intentionally reflecting on scripture. It is after all, often described as God’s love letter to us.
New national research conducted in the summer of 2022 reveals the patterns, or rather the lack thereof, of engagement in our holy book. This past May, in partnership with the Canadian Bible Society, The Cardus Faith Communities* program, released details about Christian reading habits. In The Bible and Us: Canadians and Their Relationship with Scripture, authored by The Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, it says, “of the Christians who indicated that they have a Bible in their home, nearly two-thirds said that they never or hardly ever read it.”
One question posed was, “When, if ever, was the last time you read or engaged with the Bible?” In the past twelve months or last few years, only 48% of Mainline Protestants, including Anglicans, reported that they did. A staggering 51% of that group said they have never read or engaged with the Bible as an adult.
When Cardus and Angus Reid researchers probed about why these biblically engaged Christians read the Bible, 42% said it was “to be closer to God.” A second important reason noted in reading these sacred texts was “for wisdom for my life and how I should act”, as reported by 38%. Similarly, another 38% were seeking “comfort in my life”. (Participants were allowed to select more than one reason.)
A fascinating question in the survey relates to how people (of any religion) who read their faith tradition texts are involved in outreach. Andrew Bennett writes, “One of the most interesting findings is a possible link between regularly reading sacred texts and engaging in charitable works.” Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they donated to a charity in the past few months. Some 48% of the ‘biblically engaged’ offered their volunteer time in recent weeks. Sixty-five percent also said they helped a stranger in need in the same timeframe.
The report also reveals how active Christians view the Bible related to its literal meaning, sexism, homophobia and racism.
If reading and reflecting on Holy Scripture moves us to greater generosity and service, and aids us in drawing closer to God, being comforted by the Living Word and guided in our daily lives, how might we nurture life-giving habits to do this more intentionally?
Returning to our Book of Common Prayer roots, we note that we are to frame for ourselves a Rule of Life, a guide to shape a spiritually disciplined life of piety, study and action. In this is a clear mandate for ‘Bible reading’ (page 555).
Individuals, families, small groups and congregations can consider some simple and inexpensive approaches to increasing engagement in the Bible, so as to be relevant and life-giving. Here are some options:
- REVIVE, Module 2 – Engaging in Scripture – Published by Forward Movement (Episcopal Church), this discipleship series features teaching and spiritual practices to help people grow in their faith. There are three modules of six sessions each. The second one is focused on how to prayerfully read the Bible. www.revive.forwardmovement.org
- GOSPEL BASED DISIPLESHIP – A gift from Canadian Indigenous peoples, this is a simple, yet impactful way to read and pray through these New Testament texts. Also called, The Gospel in the Centre of our Sacred Circle, GBD is dynamic part of the growing spiritual movement among Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island. www.anglican.ca/im/introgbd
- CANADIAN BIBLE SOCIETY – A variety of free, downloadable resources to aid in daily reading practices. Includes Daily Manna, inspirational verses in your inbox 365 days/year; Daily Bible Reading Guide and Through the Bible in a Year, Where To Look in the Bible, (most of these printable) and more. www.biblesociety.ca/resources
- DWELL – Audio Bible app. Listen to the scriptures read to you while you go about your day or as you sit quietly. Includes a number of Bible reading plans. www.dwellapp.io
- USING THE BIBLE – The Anglican Communion’s resource page to Bible basics, featuring links to a variety of helps.http://www.anglicancommunion.org/theology/resources/using-the-bible www.anglicancommunion.org/theology/resources/using-the-bible
- BIBLE GATEWAY – A searchable online Bible tool that includes 200+ versions of the Bible, a library of audio Bibles, mobile apps, devotionals, email newsletters, and other free resources. It is excellent! www.biblegateway.com
For those longing to rediscover this holy text, revealing God’s faithfulness and love for all creation, it may help to examine any preconceived notions. It is important to recognize that the Bible is not a rulebook, or a history text, nor a science book. (Although there are fragments that speak to those themes.) It is also not a like complete novel, telling one long narrative. The Bible is a library of God-breathed texts by more than 40 authors, written over 1600 years.
A few other tips to re-engaging scripture:
- Intentionality – Commit to doing it every day. Choose a time and place that is a natural, easy way to include a few minutes to read, reflect and pray. Examples: the breakfast table, set your phone alarm, sign up for a daily e-mail, etc.
- Start Small. – It works well to begin with a few verses or one chapter from the New Testament each day. Reading the Bible is more about quality than quantity.
- Groups & Meetings – Put it on your agenda to engage in a spiritual reading each time you gather together. Gospel Based Discipleship works well. Take turns reading out loud and asking the questions. Make room for silence.
- Parishes – Include a passage for the week in the Sunday bulletin, Facebook posts and e-newsletter. Use a different paraphrase so familiar verses come alive in a fresh way. The Message is a fascinating alternative.
If you are hungry to discover spiritual renewal through the scriptures, be sure to pray and ask God to speak to you (“Speak O Lord, your servant is listening.”).
*Cardus is a non-partisan think tank, based in Hamilton, ON, conducting research and publishing reports to help institutions work for the common good. www.cardus.ca
Rev’d. Canon Lisa G. Vaughn is the Diocesan Parish Vitality Coordinator. For more see the Facebook page “Parish Vitality Coordinator – Diocese of NS & PEI”,
