I play drums. I love it.
I love being a part of a band and making music.
I love the rush of creating and sustaining a groove.
But that’s not the REAL reason why I play.
The REAL reason I play drums is because my Dad does.
Growing up, we had a drum set in our basement. From time to time, my Dad would head down there, close the door (not like that helped the sound much), put his favorite tunes on the stereo, and disappear.
As a curious 10 year-old, I snuck down there one day and cautiously cracked opened the door. All I can really remember is my Dad smiling while he played. And I thought, “I’ve got to learn to do that.”
Showing others how to enjoy something – I mean really ENJOY it – is a lost art today, especially when it comes to matters of faith. We show our kids how to go to church, how to dress, and how to act. Behavior-kinda-stuff is great, but as parent of three kids I get the nagging feeling like I’m missing something:
“What if I encourage right behavior, but forget their HEARTS?”
“What if they don’t ENJOY Jesus?”
Keith Ferrin has been asking that question to churches for years. In his latest book, How To Enjoy Reading Your Bible, he gets at the crux of issue and gives readers bafflingly practical suggestions for letting scripture reclaim our hearts.
–But wait–stop–why post a review on the Awana blog?–
(Great question. Glad you asked)
I have the sneaking suspicion – based purely on evidence in my own life – that when my kids see me enjoy God’s word, they will too. I believe that cultivating a deep affectual enjoyment of scripture in the lives of parents, pastors, and leaders will have a ripple effect that will extend far into the future of our families and churches.
Here are 3 reasons why How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible belongs on your shelf:
1. It’s personal
Keith loves the Bible. That’s clear. But you can also tell he’s wrestled with enjoying it. His practical suggestions are born out of his own story. That’s pretty valuable to me. He isn’t leading from a distant position. He’s in the trenches with you and me. Keith jampacks practicality into this relatively short read (only 144 pages). I actually spent a few minutes looking for a page with a practical suggestion. I couldn’t find one. Awesome! I’ve got plenty to think through.
2. It’s built for groups
Okay, this one had me. I love it when leaders get together and talk. The picture of a group of leaders meeting to grow their affections for the word is pretty powerful. Here’s how this book gets you there: There are ten tips (thereby ten chapters). Each chapter has a group study guide at the end. The balance between content and conversation is one of the distinctives of this resource. I really think you’re going to love the conversation this resource will produce in your ministry.
3. It’s pastoral
Keith writes with the heart of a shepherd. I really appreciate that. Especially when it comes to books about spiritual disciplines. Often, these types of books feel like a finger-wagging: scolding me and subtly making me feel guilty for what I don’t want to do. Keith takes a different approach. He doesn’t try to sell you. He doesn’t guilt you. Instead, his tone feels like an older brother coaching you to confidently take steps down the path.
If you’d like to get a copy of Keith book “How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible,” I encourage you to check it out on Amazon here, or connect with Keith directly through his site, KeithFerrin.com.
Here’s to your enjoyment!
