Abide in Me, and I in you.
John 15:4
Has anyone ever taught you how to abide in God’s Word?
Do you know how to come to the Scriptures in a manner that promotes a thriving, living relationship with Christ? For many, the guidance ends at read your Bible and pray every day.
Too many people have come to the Bible with an inadequate approach, flounder around, and then stop coming to the Bible; thinking that something was wrong with the Bible or with themselves.
Or, perhaps your time in the Bible is rich but you’d love to teach others how to grow spiritually through Bible reading but just aren’t sure how to go about the process?
The Bible itself teaches us how we are to abide in God’s Word. Words the Bible uses besides “abide” (1 John 2:14) include “meditate” (Ps. 1:2, Josh. 1:8), “consider” (2 Tim. 2:7), “look into” (James 1:25), “dwell” (Col. 3:16), “see” (Jer. 2:31), “bind” (Deut. 6:7), “receive” and “search” (Acts 17:11), “hide” (Ps. 119:11), “hold fast” (1 Cor. 15:2), “piercing” (Heb. 4:12), and even “eat” (Jer. 15:16).
Do those biblical words convey the way you normally approach the Bible?
Do you tend to skim over, get distracted during, protect yourself from, visit, or just ignore God’s Word? Scripture is the bread our souls desperately need to live. Too often we end up “spiritually anorexic” because we have starved ourselves from it (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:4).
Or, maybe you’re diligent about studying the Bible, but it’s begun to feel like a dry academic exercise rather than a vibrant, transforming one.
The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.
W. Tozer
If you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God…
The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.
Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:
Praying Scripture
Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express.
Picture It
Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events.
Contemplate
Follow the 4-step practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture.
Engage Through Art
Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.
Translation and Cover Choices
Green Cloth-bound Hardcover
Brown
Leathersoft
Cream
Leathersoft
Blue Cloth-bound Hardcover
Brown
Leathersoft
Stone
Leathersoft
The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love…Do not ask ‘How shall I pass this on.’ But ‘What does it say to me?’ Then ponder this Word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Endorsements for The Abide Bible
Jonathan Huguenin, Faith Comes by Hearing
For years I have wondered if I was wired incorrectly. I’m imaginative, appreciate the arts, daydream and often get distracted by rabbit trails, and I had viewed all of these as negatives, or at least not helpful regarding my time in the Bible. The Abide Bible validates the idea that God made us uniquely, and in our distinct quirks or preferences we can leverage those to engage with Him in a deeper way. The discipline of sitting and reading the Bible is wonderful, but having additional tools in the tool belt such helps me explore curiosities, get lost in following an interesting concept across various books, and to find fresh and exciting ways of spending time with the Lord.
Tessie Devore, LUMO Project President
The Abide Bible is an answer to prayer for those of us passionate about Scripture engagement. The features are designed so you can absorb the Word of God in a transformative way. We have needed this Bible for a long time and I am thrilled to be holding it in my hands. Finally!
Mark Forshaw, Forum Of Bible Agencies, North America, Chair
In the busyness and distractions of life The Abide Bible provides tools and guidance we need to encounter God in a rich and deeper way. To “be still and know that I am God” is not easy. The Abide Bible prompted, equipped and engaged my imagination and soul to “be” with God, so that I could know Him better.
Lee A. Carter, Executive Vice President of Scripture Engagement, Bible League International
The Abide Bible is a unique resource that can transform personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God centered around the Word of God. It provides various approaches to Scripture engagement that keep Bible reading fresh and new – like a rich adventure in and discovery of the heart and purposes of God.
