It's growing! More and more people are talking about the joy of getting into the Word using their own Bibles-in Bible classes, during sermons, at meetings, and yes, even conferences. People are underlining in their Bibles, writing in the margins, keeping Bible journals and encouraging others to take it along to church.

Someone recently asked me, "Just how do we get our church workers and church members to realize they are examples and teachers when it comes to using their Bibles? When will they learn to be encouragers by having people look up the texts? When will they allow people time to find the passage before starting to read it? When will we realize the Bible, our Bibles, are meant to be used?" He concluded: "It's time we walk the talk, live the Word, practice what we preach."

Strong questions ... strong words! You bet! But it's also time we stop looking for some complicated answer to God's people being in His Word. Here are just a few simple suggestions:

• Regularly model having your Bible with you at any church function or meeting and use it.
• Start every meeting with Bible study where people use their own Bibles, mark or take notes.
• Don't make it so easy for people NOT to bring or use their Bible. (For example, perhaps avoid printing out the texts for Bible classes or worship bulletins.)
• When teaching Bible classes, allow ample time for people to find the text.
• Help people learn how to use the Bible. Teach how to use the Table of Contents and cross references.
• Maybe it's even time to remove the "pew Bible." (I attended a church recently where the reader of the lessons on Sunday morning suggested that people "turn to page ___of the church Bible." Could those words be planting a seed ... it's the "church's Bible"?)
• Acknowledge people don't all have the same version of the Bible. Encourage comparisons of different translations.
• Conduct Bible classes that really USE the Word, where people are looking up passages, reacting, asking questions about what they've read.
• Read worship texts from the Bible, not from the bulletin. (It's amazing to me to see the Scripture readers stand before the congregation and read the lessons from the back of the bulletin. Why not from the Book itself? Images that are planted in people's minds are significant. The younger the person the more significant the image!

My wife, Martha, shared with me a great little story about two-year olds. She took her class of two-year olds into the church to introduce them to the chancel and the various items that one sees there. The pastor stood before the children and pointed out the candles and their purpose. He pointed out the altar and simply described the purpose of an altar in the church. Then, holding up the Bible from the altar, he asked the children, "What is this?" In unison those two-year olds responded, "the Bible." After class the pastor asked Martha how those children knew the book on the altar was the Bible. She explained: "Every class, every lesson I teach is taught with the Bible in hand or on my lap. I tell them God's Word, the Bible, gives us many stories about Jesus. They see me use the Bible and hold the Bible." They learned by seeing! They learned by example.

In workshops, Bible classes and other LWML events where you may be in a leadership position, keep your Bible right there with you. When you note a Scripture text, look it up. Visual messages are significant in modeling and teaching. One must never underestimate the power of the visual! And certainly, never underestimate the power of God's Word!

Dr. Louis C. Jander is Mission & Ministry Facilitator in the Texas District. He has served as a teacher, principal, camp director and retreat center program director. He formerly served as LCMS Director of Adult and Leadership Ministry.

How Do People Learn? People learn best when ... They are actively involved. They are not spoon fed. They are given open ended questions. They can interact with others, not just with the leader. They break into small groups for discussion. They role play real or imagined situations. They are focusing on God's Word. They are not afraid to speak up. They are comfortable and relaxed. They see they are having success in learning.

An effective Bible class leader ... Is relaxed and sees him/herself as a real person. Admits he/she doesn't always have all the answers. Let's others ex work in preparation. Has a genuine sense of humor and has fun. Asks a lot of questions. Gets the learner into the Word of God. Addresses the needs of the people. Sets high standards for the learners. Varies the class activities. Uses and carries his/her own Bible.