Bible Reading

THE

S TA R T- U P G U I D E
Practical help for enjoying God’s Word every day

by W h i t n e y T. K u n i h o l m
President of Scripture Union/USA and author of
The Essential Bible Guide and The Essential Jesus

Blessed are those who…delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water. Psalm 1:1-3
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 2

Table of Contents Essential Bible Reading Help

The Essential Bible Guide, by

1. Introduction .......................................................................... 3 Whitney T. Kuniholm, takes you on a
fast-paced journey through 50 Old
Testament passages and 50 New
2. The Seven Habits of Effective Bible Readers .................... 6 Testament passages so you get the big
picture of the Bible without getting
bogged down.
3. The Scripture Union Bible Reading Method .................... 12
“I am encouraged by Whitney Kuniholm’s
book, The Essential Bible Guide. Many will
4. The Bible Reading Secret .................................................... 15 be helped by his choice of texts, insightful
comments and practical suggestions.”
—Charles W. Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries
5. The Scripture Union Ethos .................................................. 18
“Boils the Bible down into bite-sized pieces….
Provides an excellent overview of God’s Big Picture.”
—Christianity Today

Additional Resources
The Essential Jesus, by
Whitney T. Kuniholm, follows God’s
plan of salvation through the Bible
• More Bible Reading Help .................................................. 21 in 100 short readings from both the
Old and New Testaments to help you
• About the Author ................................................................ 22 get a complete picture of Jesus Christ
and allow you to come to your own
conclusions about who he really is.
• About Scripture Union ...................................................... 23

© 2007 by Scripture Union/USA Copyright holder is licensing this under the Creative Commons License, Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/
Please feel free to post this on your blog, add it to your church’s website or email it to whomever you believe would benefit from reading it. THANK YOU!
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 3

1
Introduction

ave you ever purchased a new computer, television of other piece of

H electronic equipment? You do the research, check prices and finally buy it.
When you bring the new product home you can’t wait to set it up and start using
it. That’s why most manufacturers make sure the first thing you see when you
open the box is a “start-up guide,” a short booklet that provides the basic
information you need to begin enjoying your new purchase right away.

That’s exactly what this e-Book is like, only it’s a start-up guide for the Bible—
The Bible Reading Start-Up Guide. My goal in these few short pages is to give you
the practical help you need to begin enjoying God’s Word every day, whether
you’re new to the Bible or have been reading it for years.

And I suspect you really want to read the Bible. You know it’s the best-selling
and most influential book in all of human history. And you know it’s filled with
timeless wisdom that can help you live the full, abundant life for which God
designed you (John 10:10). But more than that, you know the Bible is God’s
Word, and that by reading it you can get closer to him.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 4

The Bible Reading Problem

But the problem is, the Bible can be “a tough read.” For one thing, it’s a long,
long book and it describes events, people and places from ancient times. For
another thing, it’s filled with different kinds of writing, like history, poetry,

“
wisdom literature, prophecy and more. All of that makes the Bible difficult for

”
people to read and understand today.

I remember the time, years ago, when I decided to read through

the entire Bible using ‘the snow plow method.’

I remember the time, years ago, when I decided to read through the entire Bible
using “the snow plow method.” I started with Genesis in January and tried to
plow all the way through to Revelation by December. Have you ever tried that?
Along the way I got bogged down in books like Leviticus, Numbers, Ezekiel and
Zechariah, and there were lots of things I didn’t understand. It was a challenge to
keep going; sometimes I couldn’t tell if I was awake or asleep as I “read.” But I
kept plowing and about two years later I made it to the end. I’m glad I did it, but
looking back I realize there must have been a better way to begin enjoying the
benefits of reading the Bible.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 5

But perhaps the biggest barrier that stands in the way of most people reading and
enjoying the Bible is the pace of life today. Our days are busy; our schedules are
full; our lives are frazzled. And although pastors, ministers and priests remind us
that we ought to make time to read the Bible and pray on a daily basis, that just
doesn’t seem very realistic for most people. How is it possible to have a regular
quiet time of Bible reading and prayer in such a noisy, stressful world?

Help Is on the Way!

That’s the question we want to consider in The Bible Reading Start-Up Guide. I’ve
designed this e-Book to help you develop and maintain a regular habit of Bible
reading and prayer, in spite of the difficulties we have in understanding the Bible,
and in spite of all the distractions of modern life. I want to share with you the basic
principles you can use to make your times of Bible reading and prayer come alive
in a way that will truly change your life.

If you’re a new Bible reader, I hope this e-Book will give you an easy way to
establish a positive and satisfying Bible reading habit. And if you’re an
experienced Bible reader, I hope this e-Book will be a helpful “tune-up” for your
regular quiet times in God’s Word. The bottom line is that no matter how long
you’ve been reading the Bible, my goal is to offer some practical ideas that will
help you transform the practice of Bible reading and prayer into a daily meeting
with God.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 6

2
The Seven Habits of Effective Bible Readers

O kay. We’ve established that reading the Bible is both spiritually valuable
and personally difficult at the same time. That’s why so many people
find it’s just easier to live on spiritual snack food rather than a healthy diet of
God’s Word.

How can we satisfy our deep hunger for real spiritual nourishment? How can we
overcome the challenges and enjoy the many benefits of daily Bible reading and
prayer? Let me share with you a few of the things I’ve discovered over the years—
seven practical principles to help you develop a more effective and meaningful
time with God in his Word.

1. Begin with the Basics

Your most basic “tool,” of course, is the Bible. There are many different—and
very good—translations of the Bible available today. For years, my favorite has
been the New International Version (NIV). But depending on your church tradi-
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 7

tion, you might enjoy the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the Holman
Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) or the New American Bible (NAB). It’s also helpful
to visit a Christian bookstore to browse through the Bible section. But no matter

“ ”
which translation you choose, the key is to select one that’s easy for you to read
and understand.

Think of Bible reading and prayer as an appointment with God.

Then, choose a convenient time and place for your time with God. It doesn’t have
to be lengthy, perhaps just 15 minutes. Find a quiet place where there are minimal
distractions so you can concentrate. This could be a quiet corner of your house
while you have your morning cup of coffee (that’s my preference!), in your office
before the workday begins, during your lunch break or perhaps at night before
bedtime. Give some thought to the time and place that works best for you.

2. Remember Your Higher Goal

It’s true that maintaining a regular Bible reading habit will take some discipline.
But remember that a habit is only a means to an end. Your higher goal is to
transform your Bible reading and prayer into a meeting with God. Think of it as
an appointment with God. If you do, Bible reading and prayer will become less
of a discipline and more of a dialog with God.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 8

3. Don’t Feel Guilty

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m having trouble keeping a regular quiet
time with God. I know I ought to but ...”? Maybe you’ve felt that way. As we’ve
already acknowledged, maintaining a “spiritual discipline” like Bible reading can
be a challenge. Even so, we should be careful not to think of it as “paying our
dues to God,” or assume that God is waiting to “zap” us if we fail to read the
Bible for a period of time.
The important thing to remember is God loves you and he wants to meet with you
(John 4:23-24)! Don’t let guilt over what you haven’t done in the past rob you of
the joy of meeting with God in the present. With whatever time you do have,
focus on enjoying God’s Word today. If you do, you’ll soon find yourself feeling
less guilty and more excited about meeting God every day.

4. Find a Plan that Works for You

I’ve heard people say, “I love to cook, but I hate to decide what’s for dinner every
night.” The same is often true when it comes to daily Bible reading. That’s why I’ve
found it helpful to use a daily Bible reading plan or guide. Scripture Union has two
guides for adults: Discovery and Encounter with God. (See page 21.)
There are many other good Bible reading plans available from Christian publish-
ers. Perhaps your church denomination offers one too. Different plans will
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 9

appeal to different people. The key is to find one that gets you into all parts of the
Bible and stick with it. Then, you won’t have to spend your quiet time in “menu
planning” and can focus more on “the joy of cooking.”

5. Be Creative, Add Variety!

Even good things can become routine. We all go through times when our walk
with God feels dry and lifeless. When that happens, it helps to remember that
those feelings are normal; you won’t see spiritual fireworks every time you open

“ ”
your Bible. But the way to overcome them is to try something new. Here are some
ideas that have worked for me.

We all go through times when our walk with God feels dry and lifeless.

It’s a simple change, but I’ve found it helps to read the day’s passage in a different
Bible translation than usual. Perhaps you could try the New Living Translation
(NLT), the Contemporary English Version (CEV), or even a paraphrase like The
Message (MSG). Also, even though my experience with “the snow plow method”
was a challenge at first, now that I’ve become an experienced Bible reader I like to
do a through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan once every seven years or so. It helps me
keep the big picture in mind. Sometimes I’ll read through one book of the Bible
and try to study it in depth using a commentary. Other times, after I’ve read a
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 10

Bible passage, I’ll also read a few pages from a classic Christian book. Another
technique I find helpful is to keep a journal of my reflections; I don’t write in it
every day, only when something especially stands out. It’s also a good place to

6. Give the Distractions to God

record prayer requests and answers. A little variety can make a big difference.

It’s a noisy world out there! Even the most disciplined Bible reader faces plenty
of distractions: unexpected phone calls, family interruptions and pet emergen-
cies. I’ve also learned that the biggest distractions come from within: my fears,
frustrations, temptations and worries.

Unfortunately we can’t always control or avoid these distractions. So when they

come, use them for good! Incorporate them into your time with God. If young chil-
dren interrupt, invite them up on your lap and read the Bible together. If the phone
rings, pray for the caller after you hang up. If your mind wanders to worries and
concerns, give those thoughts to the Lord in prayer. Don’t get too frustrated by the
distractions. They may be the very things you need to pray about.

7. Learn to Listen
My wife Carol and I have been married for more than 30 years. During that time
we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that listening to each other is essential
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 11

to a healthy relationship. The same is true in developing a relationship with God.

Prayer isn’t just reciting a laundry list of requests. Prayer also involves listening
to God. The question is, how can we do that?
Begin by taking time to quiet yourself in God’s presence. You might imagine that
your cares and burdens are packages and you are handing them to God. Then
think back on the prior day. Recall the ways you saw God at work in and around
you. When you feel that your heart is still, some call it “centered,” then slowly
read a passage of the Bible.
After you read, wait in silence, reflecting on the verse or phrase that jumps out at
you. What do you sense God is saying to you from his Word? How does it apply
to the specific issues you face now? When you love someone, you listen to them.
Practice the art of listening to God.

The Best Time to Start Is…Now!

There’s no better time to begin reading the Bible than today. Decide on a time,
a place and a Bible reading plan. Ask God to give you a hunger for him and his
Word. Then get started using these seven steps and the other ideas and resources
in this Bible Reading Start-Up Guide. Soon, you’ll discover that those few quiet
minutes with God will become the most meaningful part of your day!
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 12

3
The Scripture Union Bible Reading Method

N ow that we’ve reviewed the basic steps needed to establish a successful

daily appointment with God— you’ve decided on a time, a place and a
plan—you’re ready to dig in to the Bible itself. That’s where The Scripture Union
Bible Reading Method can help; it’s a simple, 5-step method for getting the most
out of any Bible passage you read—Pray, Read, Reflect, Apply, Pray.

And let me say, I didn’t invent it. This method has been used by millions of
Scripture Union members all over the world for decades. I’ve followed the
process myself for over 30 years and discovered it really helps make Bible
reading come alive. I believe it can do the same for you. Here’s how it works.

Pray
Prayer is the starting point; remember, you’re beginning a dialog. Before you
read the Bible, ask God to help you understand the passage for the day. God,
through the Holy Spirit, is the “Author” of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter
1:21). He’s given us his written Word to communicate his eternal truth. So ask
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 13

God to speak to you as you read. As the boy Samuel was taught to pray “Speak,
Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9), so let that be your prayerful
attitude as you start your time with God.

Read
Next, read slowly and carefully through the Bible passage. Sometimes, you’ll
want to read the passage more than once. You may also find it helpful to read the
preceding or following passages to get the context. Take the time to read it as
thoroughly as you can, expecting God to answer your prayer for understanding
of his Word.

Reflect
This is a key part of the process, reflecting or meditating on what you have just
read. First, ask these questions: What does this passage say? What is its main
point? What does it reveal about God, or about me? What does it require of me
now, in thought, word or action? These questions will help you dig deeper into
the meaning of the passage as you study and reflect. Many people find it helpful
to write their answers in a journal or notebook. Next, it helps to read the
thoughts of someone else who has studied the same passage. That’s why so
many people like Scripture Union’s Bible Guides Discovery or Encounter with God;
they provide helpful commentary from Christians around the world.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 14

Apply
God gave us his Word for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in right-
eousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Its purpose is not only to give us information about
God, but also to help us live in the proper relationship to him and others. If we are
willing, the Holy Spirit can use God’s Word to shape our lives in the direction of
greater godliness. That’s why this step is so important. After you’ve reflected on
the meaning of the passage, ask yourself this: How can God’s Word apply to my
life today; my situations at home, at work, school or church? Your goal is to use
what you’ve learned to become more like Jesus.

Pray
End your time in God’s Word as you began, in prayer. Make your discoveries
from the Bible the basis of your prayer time. Ask God to help you live out and
apply what you learned that day. Thank God for meeting with you and sharing
his Word with you.

As you can see, The Scripture Union Bible Reading Method is simple, but it’s also
effective. In the worldwide Scripture Union network, we have a phrase that sums
up our approach to Bible reading: Pray it in; live it out. That’s the way to make
God’s Word come alive every day.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 15

4
The Bible Reading Secret

hat’s your number one reason for wanting to read the Bible? To get practical
W help with the pressures of life? To grow spiritually? To deepen your
theological knowledge? There are many reasons people have for reading and
studying the Bible and they’re probably all good. But there’s one that’s certainly
the best of all and I discovered it when I was just a new Bible reader myself. Here’s
what happened.

In the summer of 1974, I began receiving letters from a girl in New York. I was liv-
ing in Maryland and didn’t realize it then, but those letters taught me something
very important about the Bible. At the time, I just wanted to keep them a secret.

I was a maintenance man that summer at a girl’s camp. Part of my responsibility

was to supervise a group of teenage boys who worked in the kitchen and helped
me with odd jobs around the camp. They were “girl crazy” to say the least. I
spent all summer trying to keep them focused on washing the dishes and study-
ing the Bible. I don’t think I was very successful.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 16

But that’s why I kept the letters I was receiving a secret. They were from Carol,
the girl I would marry three years later. I didn’t want the boys to taunt me, “You
tell us not to think so much about girls… but look at you!"

What Made Them Exciting?

The truth is, I loved getting those letters. I loved when the envelope was thick,
which meant there were many pages inside. I loved the small, careful handwrit-
ing. I loved to read the descriptions of what was happening in New York. On the

“ ”
outside, I was a maintenance man trying to coach some boys toward “the better
angels of their nature.” But on the inside, my heart was alive and drawing closer
to my future wife.

Too often, we take a purely intellectual approach to the Bible.

When I think of those letters, I wonder, “What made them so exciting to me?” Was
it the number of pages, the style of writing, or even the events they described?
Yes, that was all part of it. But the most exciting thing was that somewhere far, far
away there was a beautiful girl with long brown hair who loved a tall, lanky boy
like me. What made the letters come alive was the person on the other end.

And that’s how they taught me something about Bible reading. Too often, we
take a purely intellectual approach to the Bible. We think that studying more and
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 17

more will somehow make God’s Word come alive. Of course, it’s valuable to gain
Bible knowledge and to learn biblical truth. But the most exciting thing about
reading the Bible is that by doing so we can gain a deeper relationship with the

“
Person behind it. I call it “relational Bible reading” and I believe it’s the active

”
ingredient in a healthy devotional life.

Do you want to make your Bible reading come alive?

Then approach it as if it were a letter from God.

Do you want to make your Bible reading come alive? Then approach it as if it
were a letter from God. As you read, remember that your goal is not just to study
a book; it’s to develop a lifetime relationship with the One who loves you more
than you could ever think or imagine. I believe that’s the real “secret” to exciting,
rewarding Bible reading.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 18

5
The Scripture Union Ethos

T hroughout this e-Book I’ve referred to Scripture Union and some of its Bible
reading methods and resources. But that may have caused you to wonder,
“What’s so special about Scripture Union?” The funny thing is, for a long time I
had the same question.

When I joined the staff of Scripture Union many years ago, I heard people talking
about “the Scripture Union ethos” in a way that made it sound like the key to
everything. Over the years, I tried to pin down the definition of this distinctive
trait without much success. Whenever I’d ask about it, people would say some-
thing like, “I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I really believe in it.”

So when I became the President of Scripture Union/USA, I began a quest to find

the Scripture Union ethos. I listened to long-time Board members. I talked with
volunteers and staff. I even wrote a paper on “The Secrets to Scripture Union’s
Success.” But in all that, I wasn’t sure I had it figured out.
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 19

Then one day I was invited to speak in France at a conference for Scripture Union
leaders from around the world. I accepted before I knew my assigned topic. A
few weeks later I got an email asking me to give two presentations on…the
Scripture Union ethos. Uhhh ohhh, the pressure was on!

A Quiet Passion for Meeting God

When the day came for my presentations, I was ready and eager to share my
thoughts. But before I spoke, Emmanuel Oladipo, Scripture Union’s International

“
Secretary at the time, led us in morning devotions. He began by asking us to read a
short Bible passage and gave us time to prayerfully reflect on it. I thought, “This is
so typical of Scripture Union! Can’t we do anything more exciting?”

”
The distinctive feature of Scripture Union is that it is a worldwide
fellowship of people who have built their lives around
the simple practice of Bible reading and prayer.

He then told us how, as a teenager in Nigeria fifty years earlier, someone at a

Scripture Union camp taught him The Scripture Union Bible Reading Method. He
finished by saying, “And with very few exceptions, I have begun every day
since then by meditating on a passage of Scripture and praying for God’s help to
apply it."
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 20

His unassuming testimony had a powerful effect on me. I suddenly realized that
the distinctive feature of Scripture Union is that it is a worldwide fellowship of
people from all denominations who, like Emmanuel, have built their lives
around the simple practice of Bible reading and prayer. And the secret to our
success is not a desire for more Bible knowledge or for greater spiritual disci-
pline. Rather, it’s a quiet passion for meeting God every day. That’s why we read
the Bible. That’s why we pray. That’s why we reach out to the next generation.
That’s why we serve a world in need. That’s the Scripture Union ethos.

After Emmanuel finished his morning devotional, I gave my two presentations

and people seemed to like what I had to say. But I came home from France with a
new appreciation for the incredible gift Scripture Union has given me over the
years. It’s a gift I plan to enjoy, I hope with very few exceptions, every day for the
rest of my life. And I hope you will, too.

May God bless you as you seek him in his Word and then serve him in the world.

“ Pray it in…live it out!

”
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 21

More Bible Reading Help

At Scripture Union, we want to help you meet God every day in the Bible and prayer. That’s why we
invite you to become a Scripture Union member for only $22 per year. You’ll receive your choice of
Encounter with God, or Discovery plus all the other benefits:

Benefits of Membership
• Your choice of quarterly Bible reading guides:
Union/USA
of Scripture
Winter 2009
An Inside View Fall 2008 —

ds-Up Harry”

E
ned from “Han

Encounter with God or Discovery

What I Lear et” Christmas
gift.
item emerges
as the “must-g
or a novelty,
like the Rubik’s
Whatever it An Inside View
very year one Tickle Me Elmo,
of Scripture Uni

• The Bible Reading Start-Up Kit

it’s a doll, like like the iPod.
Sometimes l electronics,
y it’s been persona before the stores run
out.
on/USA

L
Cube. Recentl

Spring—Sum
buy one
scrambles to I’m taking

mer 2009
is, everyone shopping mall,
into the local thing is it’s
push my way me. The odd
as, before I important to

Defending the
But this Christm the things that are most never received
.
time to reflect
on wanted, but

Bible
gift I always enjoyed a brief
a Christmas p Harry that
,
Whitney T. KuniholmUnion/USA reminded of Hands-U or an electron
ic
t gift called
President, Scripture was a must-ge It wasn’t a doll or a novelty 27-inch high fiber-
In 1964 there as publicity. p Harry was a game

love the most

Christm The
moment of game. Hands-U on by small hinges.

What do you
a dart shooting

• Extra Bible reading resources to keep you going all year

held his hands
gizmo; it was of his features Harry’s hat,
which made ast summer I
heard a story
with several But the
to knock off in each hand.
Bible?
board cowboy Things Consid on the Nationa
the
pistol you used
about
off the six-guns pants would drop show- ered that really l Public Radio
included a dart head, and then to pick on, Harry’s spondent took irritated me. I program All
fly up over his buckle dead a cheap shot thought the on-air
belt
if you hit the Harry! felt I had to do at the Bible. In corre-
best part was ar. Hands up, something to fact, I was so
white underwe frustrated I
ing his red and p Harry. Have you ever set the record
straight.
wanted Hands-U when felt
As a 10-year
old boy, I really advertisements; pants Whitney T. Kunihol portrays the Bible that way? Offended, frustrat
Union/USA
shed by the President, Scriptur m ed even angry
What’s the best and Bible-believing people?
of Scripture
An Inside View Harry’s
I had been brainwa hit the buckle, Please…I just e Union/USA by how the media

How Have You

TV children went up. way to defend We all have, but
those happy
the laugh track as Day finally the Bible in a the question is:
went down and Harry! But when Christm

• 20% discount on specially selected books

Bible reader
like parents There’s no easy pluralistic society
p although my answer. And too ?

Defended the
If you’re a regular discovered many want Hands-U inted to learn that younger Good Book. We often, Christia

Bible?
probably disappo it to my ns do
me, you’ve you love. came I was they gave forget
things about
the Bible that
email Hands-Up Harry, t gift. to ourselves. Demon to “speak the truth in love.” a bad job of defending the
a letter or an had bought izing “them” Or we’re conten
If so, send me ureunion.org) to tell got the must-ge fund raising),
but it won’t change may be good for getting a
brother; Jason the game t to speak only
(whitneyk@script your story. to let me play
I want to hear was kind enough Day shooting at Harry, Bible, we must hearty Amen!
me about it; Even so, Jason all Christm as
me, some of first read it and anyone’s mind. If we really (or for
write or not,
please
with him. We
spent But by dinnerti lovingly engage live it ourselves. want to defend
Whether you I appreciate
your es at each other. his pants wouldn’t stay with those who Then we must the
know how much and prayers for and sometim and to the garage
don’t believe thoughtfully and
were broken So what did I it.
interest, support Harry’s hinges Hands-Up Harry do last
night we retired An Inside View
black man, infecte summer? The radio story
Scripture Union. up. So that of Scripture easy

• Free subscription to Personal Notes, an inside view of

him again. early age howUnion/USA d with HIV, living was
you as you continue and never used taught me at a very or the following about the struggl
May God bless and serving because he Has God Christmas gifts they
thatever email: in the south.
I thought, prayed
es of a gay
in his Word n Old Harry last. It’s not given just
seeking him I’ve never forgotte on things that won’t opportu
world are so bad. It’syou an and then sent
him in the world. heart in this nity tosolid
though that
rocktfully
it is to set my ions or any of the things much; it’s a
I appreciated
y, materia l possess I love the Bible so lovingly speak
O LORD, up foris eternal; and it
infection among
Brenda Wilson’
s segment about
Sincerel why “Your word, the Bible? If
ry. But that’s t reminds us, so, send me a letter gay the rising rate
are tempora
. As the Psalmis 119:89).(whitne or an get email
the
helped me unders black men because it was of HIV
never changes (Psalm tand the pain informative and
in the heavens
” yk@scr iptureu if I’ll mar-
ng
much time wonderiovernion.or of the man she
stands firm to spend tooand tell stock g) But in the middle interviewed.
as, I’m not going not even going to fretme muchhappen
too what things
ed; are of her story, Ms.
So this Christm I’m love to hear folding. All those I’d against Bible-b Wilson injecte
Whitney T. Kuniholm for 2008, and ent banks your story. meeting with elieving people, d
President
must get gift
g, oil prices
soaring, or investm on things above by
heart his Word. of the man’s struggl at one point referrin her own bias
plungin set my Whethe y day in es by saying, g to the source
kets , I’m going to tomorrorw—ever
you can write or with a condes “This is, after
temporary. Instead y, today andplease
the same yesterda know how much not, cendin
non-Bible believe g tone. It’s true that some
all, the Bible
belt”

page 1
God—w ho is I appreci-
ate your rs, Bible
interest, suppor by HIV, and that’s are not compassionate towards believers, and
prayers for Scriptu t and
Y wrong. But the those infected

Scripture Union/USA
re Union. he admitted, source of the
was his own high man’s problem
May God bless risk sexual behavio , as
you as you contin- It is not intolera r.
ue seeking him nt
to, not the source or unloving to say that the

• Invitation to attend Scripture Union conferences and

in his Word and
serving him in of, the problem Bible is the solution
the world. story. If more s Ms. Wilson
people followe highlighted in
Sincerely, there would be d the Bible’s her
less sexually transm teachin g on sexuality,
couples enjoyin itted disease
g God’s gift of
Bible’s teachin sex. And if more and more married
g about showin people followe
less and the needy, g compassion d the
there would be to the sick,
kind of anguish
as the man in less people experie the friend-
the story. ncing the
Whitney T. Kuniho What happened
as
President lm heard back from a result of my effort? Well,
Brenda Wilson, nothing that I
But I did what All Things Consid could see. I never
I could to though ered or Nationa
believe that’s tfully and lovingly l Public Radio.
the best way speak up
to defend the
And that’s the Bible to a skeptic for God’s Word. I

weekend retreats
opportunity both al and needy
you and I have, world.
every day.

• Opportunities for outreach

page 1 Y

• Part of a worldwide Scripture Union family

How to Join Scripture Union

To join Scripture Union, or to give a gift membership, choose one of the following:

• Phone: 1-800-621-LAMP (5267) • Online: www.ScriptureUnion.org

• Mail: Scripture Union • P.O. Box 215 • Valley Forge, PA 19481
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 22

About the Author

Whitney T. Kuniholm is the President of Scripture Union/USA. He has written

several books including The Essential Jesus (IVP), John: An Eyewitness Account of
the Son of God (WaterBrook) and The Essential Bible Guide (WaterBrook). He is
a frequent contributor to Scripture Union’s Bible guide Encounter with God, and
has a blog entited The Essential Bible Blog. He also speaks at churches and
Christian conferences.

Prior to Scripture Union, Mr. Kuniholm was Executive Vice President for Prison
SU President Whitney T. Kuniholm Fellowship Ministries near Washington, DC, a ministry he served in a variety of
roles for 13 years.

The Essential Bible Blog Whitney and his wife, Carol, have three grown children, two grandchildren,
and live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kuniholm can be contacted at:

P.O. Box 215

Valley Forge, PA 19481-0215
Phone: 610-935-2807
Email: whitneyk@scriptureunion.org
www.EssentialBibleBlog.com Website: www.ScriptureUnion.org
THE BIBLE READING START-UP GUIDE WHITNEY T. KUNIHOLM 23

About Scripture Union

Scripture Union is an interdenominational Christian ministry with a twofold mission:

• Helping people of all ages meet God in the Bible and prayer

• Reaching children in the “4-14 window” with God’s Good News

Scripture Union publishes four daily Bible reading guides for individuals and groups:
Discovery® and Encounter with God® for adults, Snapshots for ages 7-10 and SUbmerge for
ages 11-14. These are distributed to thousands of adults and children every quarter.

Scripture Union has developed two Bible reading programs for churches and small groups,
The Essential 100 Challenge and The Essential Jesus Challenge. In addition, Scripture
Union is partnering with the American Bible Society for the promotion of Bible engagement
in the United States.

Scripture Union also conducts Bible-based programs for at-risk children including
SuperKids® summer missions, and PrimeTime® after school programs. Scripture Union
formed a partnership with The Salvation Army for the implementation of these children’s
outreach programs in the United States.

Scripture Union is Charter Member of the Evangelical Council for Financial

Accountability and has national ministries in 130 countries around the world.
We welcome your interest, prayers and support.

www.ScriptureUnion.org