What Is SmashBible?
Our passion as a church is to see individuals become People of THE BOOK. One of the ways we are seeking to encourage this is through the SmashBible challenge. SmashBible is where people bond with a lifetime Bible through highlighting, underlining and jotting notes. Yes, it’s ok to scribble in your Bible as long as you are allowing it to scribble on you.
SmashBible Tools
• A lifetime quality Bible (preferably a genuine calfskin leather study Bible with decent margins for note-taking).
• Non-bleed through highlighters.
• A fine tipped pen (pencil wears off) for notes, underlining and circling.
• The SmashBible Bookmark (at the Welcome Table or Download).
• The 2015 New Testament SmashBible Reading Schedule
How To “Smash” A Bible
Follow the 2015 New Testament reading schedule and each day put your Bible through the PACES by highlighting:
• Promises to Embrace (in Yellow)
• Attitudes To Avoid (in Orange)
• Commands To Obey (in Green)
• Examples To Follow (in Blue)
• Sins To Confess (in Pink)
While doing this also underline phrases that stand out to you, circle critical words or jot down notes in the margins. For those with a study Bible use the same methods for the study notes. In short, smash as much as you can into your reading of the Bible.
SmashBible On The GO
Aside from your personal SmashBible reading, you can also use this same approach during Sunday messages, at Re:Groups or in various Bible studies. The key is always writing in THE BOOK as THE BOOK writes on you.
SmashBible For Kids
Kids love books and color, thus SmashBible is perfect for helping the engage with the Bible. Just find an age appropriate Bible, grab the highlighters and teach your kids how to bond with THE BOOK.
For the young ones, you do the highlighting.
For the readers, encourage them to highlight meaningful ideas.
For the teens, give them an actual heirloom Bible, the SmashBible bookmark, highlighters and then regularly ask them what they are learning.
Perhaps for some a daily reading for 365 days will be too daunting, so just have them do a book at a time such as James or Mark for starters. The idea is to get them engaging in what it means to engage THE BOOK.
Resources
Whichever version of the Bible you have connected with you should stick with, but here at Redemption Church we are big fans of the ESV (English Standard Version) when it comes to study. Here are some great options if you are on the hunt for a new heirloom quality Bible. Most options will cost between $90-$150, but a lifetime Bible is worth it.
Bibles
ESV Study Bible Premium Calfskin Leather
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible Calfskin Leather
ESV Heirloom Thinline Calfskin Leather (this has very few study resources)
ESV Wide-Margin Reference Bible
ESV Classic Thinline
Kids Bibles
The Beginners Bible (0-8)
The Action Bible (8-12)