Some Pre-Reading Thoughts Before We Launch into Romans

Well, here we go.  On Monday, September 6th, we will be starting our read through Paul's letter to the Romans.  We may post some preliminary information on the site between now and then, but our first official post will be on that Monday.

Find yourself a good version of the bible to read with us.  If you like to feel the pages of a bible that's great, if you like to click through the pages on your computer that's great and if you like to swipe the screens of your cell phone that's great.  Here are some recommendations for your reading:

1.  Our posts will reference The Message and/or the Today's New International Versions...most of the time.  So if you are trying to select a version, feel free.  We will post links to the posted reading on Monday for these two versions as well.

2.  If you need a good app for your phone, we suggest Bible from YouVersion and LifeChurch.tv.  It's a free app with all of the major translations and also many minor translations.  There are also various language options.  If you want to listen to the readings, every major translation is available in a downloadable format that can be imported into any mp3 player.  This is a great option for those of us with long commutes every day.

3.  Reading the bible is best done when accompanied by conversation.  While we like the online discussions, we believe they are only meant to supplement your reading and conversations with others.  Table Groups are excellent places to find people reading the same things.  You may also have a neighbor who might be interested in reading with you as well.

4.  Reading takes work.  We know that most of us aren't prone to read...anything.  Here are some interesting numbers from Harvey Mackay's business column, "Outswimming the Sharks" from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, January 4, 2007.

• 51% of Americans never read a book over 400 pages after completing formal education.
• 73% of all books in libraries are never checked out.
• The average American watches 32 hours of TV every week.
• The average American reads only eight hours (books, newspapers, magazine, Yellow Pages, etc.) each week.
• The average American annually spends 10 times more on what he puts on his head than what [he] puts into his head.

Mckay's observations: (Exclamation points his.)

• If you read one book per month for 12 straight months, you will be in the top 25 percentile of the world's intellectuals!
• If you read five books on one subject, you are one of the world's leading authorities on that subject!
• If you read 15 minutes a day, every day, for one year, you can complete 20 books!

5.  If you have the courage to pick up a bible and read along with us, join in some discussions, we are confident that you won't be disappointed - no one has been yet.  Several people have told us how great their experience in our corporate reading plans has been for them personally, for their marriages and even their whole families.  Don't miss out.