This morning, I will be speaking on the importance of reading the Bible as a daily devotion. Since becoming a Christian at the age of 13, Christian literature has been another significant source of growth for me.
Reading was already a beloved hobby during my childhood. I would eagerly devour any Enid Blyton series I could find. As new books were beyond my means, I often borrowed from friends or purchased them from second-hand bookshops. I also enjoyed daily newspapers and magazines like Times and Newsweek.
Naturally, I gravitated toward Christian literature. Without much guidance, I read anything I thought was Christian. Most of it was credible and greatly reinforced the foundations of my faith. Sermons during Services and Sunday School also contributed, with the latter occurring after Services, grouping us by age. These sessions fostered bonds that have lasted till today, further
strengthened by church camps and seminars.
However, my church didn’t fully prepare me for my tertiary education years. That preparation came through reading, attending VCF seminars on campus, and participating in small group Bible studies. I found particular help in The Fight by John White, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and John Stott’s Basic Christianity. Josh McDowell’s apologetics books also addressed many
questions of that period.
My reading skills improved significantly during my studies at Trinity Theological College. As a former hard science student, exposure to philosophy, history, theology, and the humanities opened a new dimension for me. Since then, I have leaned toward more substantial books, some of which may not be easily recommended to the average church member.
I have a long list of recommendations aand would be delighted to discuss them with anyone interested.
If you're curious about how faith intersects with contemporary science, Andrew Loke’s The Biggest Questions of Existence is a great resource. For foundational Christian beliefs, timeless books like those I mentioned earlier
are excellent starting points. Your Cell leaders can also offer recommendations.
Reading opens the door to a vast world of knowledge and growth. It would be a pity to limit ourselves to snippets from the internet or be shaped by unreliable sources of information. Maturity requires consistent and deep reading, with no shortcuts. Choose your reading material wisely and avoid wasting time on authors who do not offer value.
If you’ve read this far, the weekly Vicar Writes hasn’t been too long. If I’ve inspired you to adopt better reading habits and discipline for 2025, perhaps I’ve positively impacted your life!
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