It feels like it’s been an especially turbulent year, doesn’t it? To be honest, by the time Christmas season rolls around, most years have started to feel a bit exhausting and overwhelming. As 2016 has rolled on, we’ve been challenged to respond to multiple acts of terror and violence, we’ve slogged through a contentious American presidential election—and many of our brothers and sisters outside America have grappled with much worse. Add to that whatever personal concerns or trials you’re facing, and it adds up to a pretty traumatic twelve months.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to end 2016 on a different note? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience the peace of Jesus Christ that puts all our worries and sorrows in perspective?
We’d like to help you do just that. We’ve put together three free Christmas devotionals designed to help you step aside from stress and simply focus on Jesus during this busy time of year. Each devotional approaches the Christmas season from a different angle. They are:
• The Bible Gateway Advent Devotional: Our popular Advent Devotional explores the meaning of the Christmas season through an interesting mix of Bible passages, sermons, and quotes. If you’re interested in a slightly offbeat approach to Christmas that explores a mix of different Christian devotional writing, this is for you.
• Christmas Joy: Do you know what it means to experience the joy of Christmas? Is “joy” even a word you would ever associate with your busy holiday schedule? It can be! Pastor Mel Lawrenz, author of the popular How to Understand the Bible series, presents a devotional for each day of the Christmas season. (Also available in Spanish!)
In the weeks to come, we’ll be posting about other free devotional content you can find at Bible Gateway to help you get into the spirit of Christmas. Whatever devotional or resource you turn to, we hope that this Christmas you’ll set aside some time to revisit the original story of Christmas and consider what it means for you today!
In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of National Bible Week, Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado (@RepDLamborn) led an hour-long gathering on the floor of the US House of Representatives Nov. 15 recounting the Bible’s significance in the history of America and the recitations of Bible verses from members of Congress honoring the role the Bible has played in their lives.
In his opening remarks, Rep. Lamborn said, “I don’t know where in their spiritual journey people may be who are listening tonight, but I do know this: it is better to read the Bible for oneself and not just to take someone else’s word for what is in it. For me, it made all of the difference in the world.”
Scripture Recited by Members of Congress on the Floor of the US House of Representatives Nov. 15, 2016
— Rep. Doug Lamborn, Colorado — John 14:6 — Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Psalm 119:105 — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
2 Chronicles 7:14 — If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
— Rep. Randy Forbes, Virginia — James 1:5 — If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
— Rep. Tim Walberg, Michigan — John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Proverbs 14:34 — Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
Psalm 1 — Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Isaiah 40:8 — The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
— Rep. Virginia Foxx, North Carolina — Psalm 119:105 — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
— Rep. Jody Hice, Georgia — Hebrews 4:12 — For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
— Rep. Robert Pittenger, North Carolina — Psalm 119:105 — Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
John 1:1 — In the beginning, it was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
— Rep. Bill Johnson, Ohio — 1 Chronicles 4:10 — God that you would bless me, indeed, that you would expand my territory, that your hand would be upon me, and that you would keep me from evil that I might not cause pain.
John 8:31-32 — Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— Rep. Doug LaMalfa, California — Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Proverbs 4:18-27 — The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the work of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart for they are like life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the left or the right; keep your feet from evil,’’ which indeed in this business keeping on that right path, do not be drawn into temptation, do not go to the left or the right where evil might be.
— Rep. Louie Gohmert, Texas — John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 22:36-40 — Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Psalm 22:1 — My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Cliff Barrows (@CliffBarrows), 93, of Marvin, NC, music and program director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), died Nov. 15 at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville, following a brief illness.
As longtime director of music programming, and later television and radio programming, for Billy Graham Crusades, Barrows traveled the world with Billy Graham since the first Crusade in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1947. Barrows hosted the weekly Hour of Decision radio program, heard around the world, for more than 60 years.
Barrows and Graham met in 1945 while Barrows was on his honeymoon. The two men soon formed the first team of what was to later become the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“Cliff Barrows was the voice behind my father for 60 years, emceeing the platform for his Crusades and The Hour of Decision radio program,” said Franklin Graham. “Not only was he one of my father’s closest friends, but he was a friend to all of us on the team and in the family. Growing up, and until the day of his death, I called him Uncle Cliff. He was very much a part of our family. My father has said: ‘The remarkable contribution Cliff has made to my ministry cannot be measured in human terms. I love him like a brother.’ His counsel and suggestions were invaluable. He was a great friend and will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ann and the entire Barrows family.”
A public funeral service for Barrows was held at Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC, on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
For his significant contributions to Gospel music, Barrows was inducted into the Nashville Gospel Music Hall of Fame in April 1988 and into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in February 1996. Barrows was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ “Hall of Faith” in 2008.
Son of Harriet M. and Charles Tilson Barrows (both deceased), Cliff Barrows was born and raised in Ceres, Calif. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and five children (from his first marriage) and their spouses—Chris and Bonnie Thomas, Bob Barrows, David and Betty Ruth Seera, Clifford (Bud) Barrows, and Bill and Teri Barrows—and numerous grandchildren. He is also survived by Ann Barrows’ children and their spouses, Tal and Teresa Prince and David and Dana Shillington. Barrows was preceded in death by his first wife, Billie.
From November 13-19, 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites families, parishes, schools, and other Catholic groups to participate in National Bible Week in celebration of the 51st Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum. This year’s theme, “The Bible: A Book of Mercy,” builds on this year’s Jubilee Year of Mercy.
An event will be held on the floor of the US House of Representatives, including readings from the Bible, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of National Bible Week. Led by US Congressmen Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs, CO, it will be held in the afternoon hours of Tuesday November 15th, 2016.
And the National Bible Association is sponsoring International Day of the Bible (@IntlDayofBible) (#biblecelebration) November 14, inviting people around the world on that day to participate at noon their local time by pausing for a few minutes to creatively express their love of the Bible by reading, reciting, singing, Tweeting, or socially sharing portions of Scripture.
Have a favorite Psalm? Or a special passage that’s helped you through tough times? Want to share with the world how much the Bible means in your life? Join the world at noon on Monday.
Organizations like The American Bible Society, Bible Gateway, Bibles for the World, Scripture Union, and YouVersion are encouraging participation of the event.
“We’re thrilled with the reception to the launch of International Day of the Bible so far and are encouraging everyone from faith groups to performing artists as well as business, sports, community and religious leaders to participate and share their appreciation via social media or in public at noon in their local time zones,” says Richard Glickstein, President of the National Bible Association. “Honoring God’s Word and asking him to bless our nations and bring peace to the world is particularly apt in this period of great turmoil,” he added.
Glickstein said one could simply read a favorite passage with family, friends, co-workers, and schoolmates, but participation can go beyond Bible reading. He suggests coming up with something creative, such as breaking into a flash mob, singing and dancing Scripture, painting or drawing a picture with a few lines of verse, or capturing God’s creations in photos, selfies included, and sharing them along with a beloved Psalm.
Some groups are planning to tape their activities in advance to share on social media at noon in their local time zones on Nov. 14.
Use the hashtag (#biblecelebration) for posting online comments, videos, photos, and creative expressions.
About the National Bible Association
The National Bible Association, based in New York City, is a nonprofit, educational association of business leaders operating in the public square. Since 1940, the Association has focused exclusively on encouraging Bible reading in every sector of society regardless of religious or political distinction. For more, visit nationalbible.org.
Stories are important! We all tell stories to express ourselves to others and learn what it means to be human. And it’s therefore no surprise that the Bible is full of stories—God uses stories to reveal himself to us in ways we can understand and relate to.
But sometimes, it’s not clear how all of the many varied stories in the Bible fit together, in order or in theme. How do the parables of Jesus relate to the Old Testament stories of kings and wars? How do the epic stories of Genesis fit in with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry?
One way to approach these seemingly disparate stories is through the technique of timelining. In this video discussion (drawn from the Scripture Engagement section of BibleGateway.com), Phil Collins of Taylor University walks through the simple process of timelining the stories of the Bible so that we can understand the overarching message of Scripture. If you’re looking for a fresh way to approach God’s Word, take some time to watch and learn from this video.
If you’ve watched the video above and would like to explore more ways to deepen your engagement with God’s Word, there’s much more to be found in our collection of Scripture Engagement articles and resources.
Thousands already have! Try your 30-Day free trial today! Remove banner ads and expand your Bible reading experience using our valuable library of more than 40 top resources by becoming a member of Bible Gateway Plus. Try it free for 30 days!
Does the rush of celebrating Christmas get in the way of appreciating its profound meaning? A baby in a manger became the King on the cross. Christmas proclaims the truth of Easter to come. This year seize the significance. Start early. Focus on what matters.
Max Lucado: I love everything about the Christmas season. But spiritually, I love it because somewhere someone will ask the Christmas questions: What’s the big deal about the baby in the manger? Who was he? What does his birth have to do with me? The questioner may be a child looking at a front-yard crèche. He may be a soldier stationed far from home. She may be a young mom who, for the first time, holds a child on Christmas Eve. The Christmas season prompts questions.
When did you start asking these kinds of questions?
Max Lucado: When I was a young kid, my dad, a man of few words, told my brother and me, “Boys, Christmas is about Jesus.” I thought about what he said, and I began asking the Christmas questions. I’ve been asking them ever since. I love the answers I’ve found. Like this one: God knows what it’s like to be a human. When I talk to him about deadlines or long lines or tough times, he understands. He’s been there. He’s been here. Because of Bethlehem, I have a friend in heaven. Because of Bethlehem, I have a Savior in heaven.
Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the king on the cross. And because he did, there are no marks on my record. Just grace. His offer has no fine print. He didn’t tell me, “Clean up before you come in.” He offered, “Come in, and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not my grip on him that matters but his grip on me. And his grip is sure. So is his presence in my life. God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but God will never forget us. We’re forever on his mind and in his plans. He called himself “‘Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matt. 1:23).
How is it possible for you to compare Christmas stories in the Bible to modern life today, a couple thousand years after it was written?
Max Lucado: I believe the Bible tells a story we recognize as true. I don’t just mean it tells an accurate story—though it’s telling that the Bible stands tall even after more than 2,000 years of secular criticism. What I mean is that its account of humanity and the world we live in rings true. Reading the Bible can be like meeting someone you don’t know who, oddly, somehow seems to know you deeply. It’s uncanny. Sometimes when you read the Bible, you find yourself asking, “How does this book know that about me? How does it know that about our world—especially when it was written so long ago?” When you read the Bible, it’s as though it reads you. And it’s my hope that as you dip your toe into the Bible’s story and viewpoint, you’ll find yourself feeling that the Good Book knows more about the world—and about you—than any normal book does.
You say that Jesus promises a “repeat performance.” How will his next appearance differ from the first one in a manger?
Max Lucado: Bethlehem was just the beginning. I call his next appearance, Bethlehem, Act 2. No silent night this time, however. The skies will open, trumpets will blast, and a new kingdom will begin. He’ll empty the tombs and melt the winter of death. He’ll press his thumb against the cheek of humanity and wipe away all tears. “Be gone, sorrow, sickness, wheelchairs, and cancer! Enough of you, screams of fear and nights of horror! Death, you die! Life, you reign!” The manger dares us to believe the best is yet to be. And it could all begin today.
How does the “hassle” of Christ’s birth give us hope today?
Max Lucado: It shows us that no day is accidental or incidental. No acts are random or wasted. Look at the Bethlehem birth. A king ordered a census. Joseph was forced to travel. Mary, as round as a ladybug, bounced on a donkey’s back. The hotel was full. The hour was late. The event was one big hassle. Yet, out of the hassle, hope was born. It still is. I don’t like hassles. But I love Christmas because it reminds us how “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God” (Rom. 8:28 NLT).
Why did God decide to be become a human and go through everything he did?
Max Lucado: A chief reason is this: he wants you to know that he gets you. He understands how you feel and has faced what you face. Jesus is not “out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help” (Heb. 4:15–16 MSG). Since you know he understands, you can boldly go to him. Because of Bethlehem’s miracle, you can answer these fundamental questions:
Does God care if I’m sad? Look at the tear-streaked face of Jesus as he stands near Lazarus’s tomb.
Does God notice when I’m afraid? Note the resolve in the eyes of Jesus as he marches through the storm to rescue his friends.
Does God know if I am ignored or rejected? Find the answer in the compassionate eyes of Christ as he stands to defend the adulterous woman.
Does God understand you? Find the answer in Bethlehem.
How does the name Jesus imply the way God saves us from ourselves?
Max Lucado: Look carefully at the words the angel spoke to Joseph. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:20-21). We may not see the connection between the name Jesus and the phrase “save his people from their sins,” but Joseph would have. He was familiar with the Hebrew language. The English name Jesus traces its origin to the Hebrew word Yeshua. Yeshua is a shortening of Yehoshuah, which means “Yahweh saves.”
Who was Jesus? God saves. What did Jesus come to do? God saves. Jesus was not just godly, godlike, God hungry, God focused, or God worshipping. He was God. Not merely a servant of God, instrument of God, or friend of God, but Jesus was God. God saves, not God empathizes, cares, listens, helps, assists, or applauds. God saves. Specifically “he will save his people from their sins” (v. 21). Jesus came to save us, not just from politics, enemies, challenges, or difficulties. He came to save us from our own sins. Here’s why. God has high plans for you and me. He’s recruiting for himself a people who will populate heaven. God will restore his planet and his children to their Garden of Eden splendor. It’ll be perfect. Perfect in grandeur. Perfect in righteousness. Perfect in harmony.
What is the lesson to learn from the Wise Men who traveled to the manger?
Max Lucado: Matthew loved the magi. He gave their story more square inches of text than he gave the narrative of the birth of Jesus. He never mentions the shepherds or the manger, but he didn’t want us to miss the star and the seekers. It’s easy to see why. Their story is our story. We’re all travelers, all sojourners. In order to find Jesus, every one of us needs direction. God gives it. The story of the wise men shows us how. The star sign was enough to lead the magi to Jerusalem. But it took Scripture to lead them to Jesus.
The wise men earned their moniker because they were indeed wise in the response to Jesus. Their hearts were open to God’s gift. The men were never the same again. After worshipping the Christ child, “they departed for their own country another way” (2:12 NKJV). Matthew uses the word way in other places to suggest a direction of life. He speaks of the narrow way (7:13-14 NASB) and “the way of righteousness” (21:32). He may be telling us that the wise men went home as different men. Called by a sign. Instructed by Scripture. And directed home by God. It’s as if all the forces of heaven cooperated to guide the wise men.
God uses every possible means to communicate with you. The wonders of nature call to you. The promises and prophecies of Scripture speak to you. God himself reaches out to you. He wants to help you find your way home.
While the Christmas story is full of beauty and wonder, there’s a bad guy. Describe the message his life offers.
Max Lucado: We can learn a lesson from the sad life of King Herod. It’s always better to step down from the pedestal than to be pulled off of it. Like the innkeeper, Herod missed an opportunity to see Jesus. God did everything necessary to get Herod’s attention. He sent messengers from the East and a message from the Torah. He sent wonders from the sky and words from Scripture. He sent the testimony of the heavens and the teaching of the prophets. But Herod refused to listen. He chose his puny dynasty over Christ. He died a miserable old man. The path marked Pride will lead you over a cliff. The path marked Humility will take you to the manger of the Messiah.
How is Christmas a season of waiting and watching?
Max Lucado: The first Christmas was marked by “lookers” as well. Joseph looked for lodging. Mary looked into the prunish face of Jesus. A thousand angels looked upon the King. The wise men looked at the star. But no one was looking with more intensity than a seasoned saint named Simeon in Luke 2. History is not an endless succession of meaningless circles but a directed movement toward a great event. God has a timeline. And because of Bethlehem, we have an idea where we stand on it.
As the apostle John said, “My dear children, these are the last days” (1 John 2:18 NCV). We enjoy the fruit of the first coming but anticipate the glory of the second. We refuse to believe that this present world is the sum total of human existence. We celebrate the First Advent to whet our appetites for the Second. We long for the next coming.
’Tis the season to be looking not for a jolly man in a red suit but for a grand King on a white horse. At his command the sea will give up the dead, the devil will give up his quest, kings and queens will give up their crowns, broken hearts will give up their despair, and God’s children will lift up their worship. Wise is the saint who searches like Simeon. If you knew Jesus was returning tomorrow, how would you feel today? Anxious, afraid, unprepared? If so, you can take care of your fears by placing your trust in Christ. If your answer includes words like happy, relieved, and excited, hold tightly to your joy. Heaven is God’s answer to any suffering you may face. If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do today? Then do it! Live in such a way that you would not have to change your plans.
How do you compare each of us to a Christmas tree?
Max Lucado: What you do for a tree, God does for you. He picked you. Do you purchase the first tree you see? Of course not. You search for the right one. You walk the rows. You lift several up and set them down. You examine them from all angles until you decide, This one is perfect. You have a place in mind where the tree will sit. Not just any tree will do.
God does the same. He knows just the place where you’ll be placed. He has a barren living room in desperate need of warmth and joy. A corner of the world needs some color. He selected you with that place in mind. In the manger God loves you; through the cross God saves you. But has he taken you to his home? Not yet. He has work for you to do. He wants the world to see what God can do with his purchased possessions. So he prunes you. He takes an ax to your prejudices and clippers to your self-pity, and when there’s a tilt in your character that needs to be removed, he’s been known to pull out the old Black & Decker. Jesus said, “My Father is the gardener…He trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit” (John 15:1–2 NCV).
Once he stabilizes us, the decorating begins. He festoons us with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He crowns us. Most people crown their Christmas trees with either an angel or a star. God uses both. He sends his angels to protect us and his Word as a star to guide us. Then he surrounds us with his grace. We become his depot, the distribution point of God’s gifts. He wants no one to leave our presence empty handed. Some people find the gift of salvation. For others the gifts are smaller: a kind word, a good deed. But all the gifts are from God. Our task is to stand tall in his love, secure in our place, sparkling in kindness, surrounded by his goodness, freely giving to all who come our way. You, me, and the Christmas tree. Picked, purchased, and pruned.
What hope does the dirty, dingy manger offer to someone who feels unvalued?
Max Lucado: Maybe your life resembles a Bethlehem stable. Crude in some spots, smelly in others. Not much glamour. Not always neat. People in your circle remind you of stable animals: grazing like sheep, stubborn like donkeys, and that cow in the corner looks a lot like the fellow next door. You, like Joseph, knocked on the innkeeper’s door. But you were too late. Or too old, sick, dull, damaged, poor, or peculiar. You know the sound of a slamming door.
So here you are in the grotto, always on the outskirts of activity it seems. You do your best to make the best of it, but try as you might, the roof still leaks, and the winter wind still sneaks through the holes you just can’t seem to fix. You’ve shivered through your share of cold nights. And you wonder if God has a place for a person like you. Find your answer in the Bethlehem stable.
How is the story of Christmas the story of God’s relentless love for us?
Max Lucado: If God was willing to wrap himself in rags and drink from a mother’s breast, then all questions about his love for us are off the table. We might question his actions, decisions, or declarations. But we can never, ever question his zany, stunning, unquenchable affection.
The moment Mary touched God’s face is the moment God made his case: there’s no place he will not go. If he’s willing to be born in a barnyard, then expect him to be at work anywhere—bars, bedrooms, boardrooms, and brothels. No place is too common. No person is too hardened. No distance is too far. There’s no person he cannot reach. There’s no limit to his love. When Christ was born, so was our hope.
What’s your favorite Bible verse?
Max Lucado: My favorite Scripture verse is John 3:16— “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” I’ve found that verse to be a source of encouragement, just simply due to the fact that it invites every person to believe, to trust, and to stand upon the open invitation of God.
Bio: More than 120 million readers have found inspiration and encouragement in the prolific writings of Max Lucado. Browse his books in the Bible Gateway Store, where you’ll enjoy low prices every day. Max lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy, in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves the people of Oak Hills Church.
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Are you anxious about the results of today’s US presidential election? It’s natural to feel a bit nervous about whether or not “your team” will carry the day. As Christians, we know that with God firmly in control, anxiety and worry should not have any controlling hold on our minds. But that’s a truth that is more easily acknowledged than fully embraced.
If you’re feeling anxious about this election, or about the state of the culture you live in, you’re certainly not alone. Every generation of Christ-followers has been faced with the challenge of living for Christ in cultures that don’t share their values. And that’s good news for us, because it means we can learn from believers who have been through these challenges before us!
Few Bible characters were forced to live through this quite as dramatically as Daniel, for whom the question “How can I live for God in a godless culture?” wasn’t academic—it was a matter of life and death. And so to help you think through this question in the midst of political and cultural turbulence, we’re launching a short new devotional that examines Daniel’s life and choices to see how we can wisely and faithfully interact with our society today.
It’s called Thriving in Babylon, and it’s a free 7-day daily email devotional that will encourage but also challenge you to rethink how God has called you to engage with society. It’s drawn from Larry Osborne’s book Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope, Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture. Each short daily reading explores a different part of Daniel’s life and the lessons we can learn from the choices he made in truly difficult circumstances.
So don’t let election panic and political anxiety get you down! Sign up for Thriving in Babylon and learn how you can live joyfully and confidently for Christ, no matter who sits in the Oval Office.
To help you become more familiar with the arrangement of the books of Scripture, here’s a virtual Table of Contents of the Bible in their canonical order.
To deepen your understanding of the Bible, become a member of Bible Gateway Plus, with which you’ll have unlimited 24/7 instant digital access from any Web-friendly computer or device to a valuable library of more than 50 bestselling and critically-acclaimed Bible references—and enjoy a banner-advertising free environment—alongside Bible Gateway’s Scripture passages you select to read. Learn more here.
What if the Bible, a text-based book, were fashioned into a graphic novel, where bold illustrations are the driving force of the narrative? And why would that be an appealing project to undertake? How would it help fight Bible illiteracy?
Art Ayris: In the most simplistic terms it’s the most complete graphic adaptation of the Bible ever done. It’s a complete, 2,000 page serialization of the Bible that’s available in three hard covers, or via 12 softcovers and digital or 30 plus individual comic books.
How popular is the general comic book genre?
Art Ayris: A lot of it of course is driven by the super hero mega-flicks, but the genre itself continues to expand domestically—42% in the last five years (as reported by Comichron). But US comic sales pale to the foreign market. All US comic sales are approaching $1 billion, but in Japan alone they’re $5 billion. The French comics Asterix has sold over 200 million copies.
Is there danger in placing the Bible in the graphic novel category, as if the Bible were nonfiction?
Art Ayris: There are a lot of non-fiction graphic novels out there and Kingstone is also ramping up the non-fiction side of graphic novels. The graphic novel term could be a turn off for some, but our emphasis is more on the graphic portion. But the bigger issue for us is that we see it being an attractive portal for some into more substantive Bible reading.
What need in society did you see that prompted you to publish this work?
Art Ayris: The overarching factor was descending Bible reading among Millennials with an even deeper descent among teens. And on the other hand, the rapidly (and continued) growing popularity of comics and the whole graphic novel genre. It would prick my soul to walk into Books-a-Million on Friday nights and see the kids just sprawled out on the floor reading some pretty not-so-spiritually-healthy materials.
What was the process in creating The Kingstone Bible?
Art Ayris: It took us a little over seven years and about 45 illustrators. My watermark for inclusion into the artist line-up was whether or not they had Marvel or DC experience. A number of Christian artists began contacting us when they heard we were doing this graphic version, but the cut for me had to be whether or not they had previously excelled in the comics industry. Probably about 95% of the artists all had major comic house experience before joining our team.
Since it’s not a comprehensive rendering of the Bible, how did you select the content from the Bible to fashion into this graphic presentation?
Art Ayris: This is pretty comprehensive as we cover every book of the Bible. But as you know, certain content is covered in more than one place in the Bible (for example, 1 Kings and 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, etc.) so we were able to synthesize. One thing I think we did really well was serialize the entire Bible. Someone—even a novice to religion who had never read the Bible—could sit down and read through the three volumes and within weeks would be able to understand the main stories and a number of the key themes—and hopefully comprehend the main narrative: God’s Messiah.
Who’s the target reader you’re aiming at and why?
Art Ayris: We aim at pre-teen to young adults. Though males 19-29 is still our top social media demographic, we’re seeing a growing number of female buyers.
How do you handle Bible stories that include sex and violence?
Art Ayris: When we first started publishing portions of The Kingstone Bible my own denominational publisher (LifeWay) made me make eight major art changes before they would carry. It took a few tries before we found the right balance but we got there (some of the artists I had to stand on their head). But where the Bible reports, The Kingstone Bible reports. There were many different sets of eyes on this during production: editorial and market focus so we have a lot of confidence on its placement and acceptance in the evangelical marketplace. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society called it “a powerful new way to get the message of the Bible into the hands, heads, and hearts of people who simply do not read books, much less the Bible.”
Provide an overview of the content in each of the three volumes.
Art Ayris: Volume 1 covers creation through the reign of David. Volume 2 covers the rise of Solomon to the throne through the Intertestamental Period. Volume 3 is the life of Christ through Revelation. We also provide timelines in each graphic novel as well as some additional commentary.
What Bible passage message do you think is particularly conveyed well with its illustration in The Kingstone Bible?
Art Ayris: Our book ends are exceptional. The book of Genesis and the book of Revelation themselves are worth the price of the volumes.
How will readers benefit from these volumes?
Art Ayris: One of the biggest and most important will be engagement for readers with the Scriptures. Comics impart meaning through the reader’s active engagement with written language and juxtaposed sequential images. Educationally, the visuals are stored in long term memory and for struggling readers the comic medium will be especially helpful. From an evangelistic standpoint, this will be much more an initial draw than a traditional text Bible for many irreligious people.
What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?
Art Ayris: Totally love the Bible Gateway website. I personally visit it several times a week either on my phone or by computer. I’ve lost count of how many times we used Bible Gateway during the writing and editorial process to compare the different versions and weight different words and phrases. That might have given us an extra layer of richness to the graphic novel text due to the number of versions we read through. Tyndale gave us permission to quote portions from the New Living Translation but we read many different versions to get a full-orbed view of certain passages.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Art Ayris: A challenge I like to lay down to pastors (since I am one) is just test the power of comics. At your next outreach have a table of text materials available and also nearby a table of various Kingstone comics. Then let us know where you have the highest level of engagement. There are some fine Bible distribution organizations that stand outside schools and go into prisons. My estimate if they also integrated comics and graphic novels into their distribution their engagement levels would climb 95%-98%—and you would see hardly any discarded. We see it time after time.
One of our products I think that should be in every youth group is The Book of God—a graphic novel that explains the historical and reliable process of how God gave us the Bible.
Bio: Art Ayris is the founder, creative director and CEO of Kingstone Comics (@kingstonecomics), the world’s largest producer of Christian comics and graphic novels. Kingstone Comics is a division of Kingstone, a central-Florida based entertainment company producing inspirational, historical and adventure media including graphic novels, comics, films, animation, books and screen plays of biblical content, biographies, historical fiction, action-adventure and science fiction. After years of searching for engaging resources to connect youth and children to the Bible, Ayris founded Kingstone in 2005 with the vision to provide exciting and engaging comics, graphic novels, animation, films and cutting-edge entertainment to unite the Scriptures with the hearts of children, teens and adults.
In addition to his work with Kingstone, Ayris also serves as the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church in Leesburg, Florida, recognized worldwide for its innovative community outreach programs including residential drug rehabilitation centers, crisis pregnancy center, feeding center, family homeless shelter, occupational counseling and placement, health clinic and a foster care facility. Art and his wife, Kelly, live in central Florida, the headquarters for Kingstone.
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It feels like it’s been an especially turbulent year, doesn’t it? To be honest, by the time Christmas season rolls around, most years have started to feel a bit exhausting and overwhelming. As 2016 has rolled on, we’ve been challenged to respond to multiple acts of terror and violence, we’ve slogged through a contentious American presidential election—and many of our brothers and sisters outside America have grappled with much worse. Add to that whatever personal concerns or trials you’re facing, and it adds up to a pretty traumatic twelve months.
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