Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Men Reading The Bible | Why Study The Truth of Scripture?
This post is a charge for men, the author of this post included. It is designed to encourage us to lay down our lives in pursuit of the one person that will never fail us – Jesus. Men struggle to read God’s Word in today’s overextended, technology-ridden, distraction-filled, chaotic world. As a young man, in my early 20’s, I found that I had too much time to read the Bible. Life was boring from time to time. There was no wife to support. There were no children to tend to. Moreover, work was just a simple 9-5 job I didn’t enjoy. Waking at 7:30a each morning for “Bible study” was more like reading through the Bible as quickly as possible so I could get on to the most important activity of the day – breakfast.
As Christian men, the Holy Bible has lost its holiness. Rather than viewing the Word of God as what it is, God’s written word, we just view it as something that must be done because our spouses want us to. I want to urge us, as men reading the Bible, to view the Holy scripture as something transformative and abundantly necessary to in our pursuit of the Holy Spirit and God’s heart for us.
The Wrong Direction
A 2007 study by the Barna Group indicated that “more than three-quarters of moms identify “family” to be their highest priority. At the same time, a majority of mothers strongly agree that their faith is very important in their life. In contrast, fathers also tend to list family as their top priority in life, yet they are much less likely to equally attribute importance to faith.” Further, the study showed the following trends among fathers and mothers.
“Men may enjoy advantages in physical strength, but they are much less likely than women to exercise their spiritual muscles. This gender gap extends to the typical family unit: mothers outpace fathers in terms of spiritual activity and commitment. In fact, the Barna survey examined 12 different elements of faith behavior and perspective. Mothers were distinct from fathers on 11 of the 12 factors.”
“When it comes to spiritual perspectives, a majority of mothers said they have been greatly transformed by their faith, while less than half of fathers had shared this experience. Also, three-quarters of moms said their faith is very important in their life, while this view was true among just two-thirds of fathers.”
This study was done over 15 years ago, and I would be willing to bet that the trends have continued in the same direction widening the gap between spiritual leadership of mothers and fathers. Men have lost the sanctity of the Bible.
A Camping Trip Filled With God’s Promises
In 2018, I was gifted an opportunity to embark on a solo fly-fishing adventure to the mountains of New Mexico over a long weekend. As was the case far too often during this season of life, I had drank a little too much the night before the 6 hour drive to my campsite. Shame, regret and guilt yet again were prologue for the trip. The weekend was going to be spent fly fishing Eagle Nest Lake as well as stretches of the Cimarron River near Eagle Nest, New Mexico, a quaint town close to Angel Fire I had frequented for years prior.
Having just imbibed a plentiful amount the night before, the drive was spent attempting to convince myself I didn’t have a drinking problem and that “everyone did that from time to time”. As I arrived, got camp set up and prepped my fishing gear for the following morning, I heard a knock at the door. I was staying at an Airbnb, which was a 1970’s teardrop camper fit for one person less than 6 feet tall. It was perfect. When you’re alone, or so I thought, in the New Mexico woods at 9:00p at night, a knock on the door is enough to create a “new underwear situation”. In this case, it was the owner, who happened to be home for the weekend and living in the house next door.
Bob
“Hi John, my name is “Bob”. I just wanted to check to make sure you have everything you need and let you know that I’ll be cranking up the hot tub in a few minutes if you’d like to join.” Weird, I thought. In the interest of creating a great story and living a true adventure, I grabbed the shorts I was going to sleep in and sauntered barefoot through the thick snow and 22 degree temperatures 50 feet to the steaming hot tub under the stars.
Bob was a local pastor in the town of Taos, NM, a ski hub known for its celebrity clientele. He was mid-50’s and had a couple of kids. Bob was married (thank goodness), and he asked a lot of great questions. Maybe it was his ministry, or maybe this was a divine appointment. We chatted for about 30 minutes, but I remember thinking that Bob was a pretty cool dude. He seemed to have it all together. I felt as if I did not.
Finding God On the Water
The next morning, I couldn’t get the conversation with Bob off of my mind. Why had I agreed to get into a hut tub which a complete stranger in the woods where no one would be able to hear my screams if things went awry? Further, why did that 30 minute soak impact me so deeply? As I pondered these two questions, I kept hearing God’s voice rolling around in my head saying, “I am who you say I am.” It was incessant. My bible interactions in this season were few and far between. The Old Testament was a waste of time, and the New Testament just reminded me how far gone I was.
As I stood on the water’s edge on a brisk 18-degree morning, I heard nothing. I snapped a picture that would never do justice to the silence and utter stillness I was experiencing. Elk roaming the open fields. Crystal clear water beaming under the morning sun. A dense fog dissipating above the mountains displaying the water color artwork of the heavens above.
It looked like how Heaven might appear. As reflection set in, I recalled how the Bible verses I felt were filled with condemnation were actually filled with grace and mercy. I felt deep love coming from the Father in a way that was foreign, yet comforting. Bible studies had become nauseating to be a part of. It seemed I was “the only one that had struggles”. Quality time with friends had become more professionally-minded than spiritual brotherhoods. The Bible has become simply an open book on my desk at the office. Further, Christian books were only read because “I was supposed to”.
Discovering Strength and Grace
This morning, though, God was speaking to me about His Word. God’s word was kind, and it was gentle. It was firm, and it was true. His words provided joy and healing, as well as conviction and comfort. In this moment, I felt understood, loved and deeply mercy-filled. I was reminded of words in Isaiah.
​“Even youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
​But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary, and they will walk and not grow tired.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 (Amplified)
​I understood now that the Bible was not written to shame an condemn me. The Bible was written to provide hope of a story that saved my from eternal guilt, shame and death. The Bible was my sword during seasons of war. It was my shield against the arrows of the enemy. The Bible was where my foundation was formed. Ultimately, the Bible would be the rock on which our family would stand.
Bringing It Home
I ended up leaving for home a day early. I just wanted to be with my family. While I had had the best experience in the New Mexican mountains, I just wanted to be home. My new found view of the Bible was fresh, but it was strong. I began viewing the Bible as my friend rather than my adversary. The Bible was not a tool for comparison, it was a toolbox of grace. When social media told me I wasn’t doing enough or that I, myself, was not enough, the Bible told me I was uniquely created to fulfill a purpose and calling only He could give me. Whether at a coffee shop staring at a wall of sayings that made no sense to me or during family prayer each week, the Bible would become my haven for refuge.
Men, seek first the kingdom of God. Delight yourself in the Lord. Treasure his word. Bind his word to your heart.
About the Author
John Claborn
Hi! I’m John. Author of the post you just read. I like to write about all things adventure. Mostly things to help people live more adventurous lives and care for their families in a more meaningful way. By day, I’m a COO. By night, I’m a rad dad of 4 kids that I don’t deserve and a husband to a woman I can’t understand how I got. My goal is to show freedom to people through adventure and experiences.
