One of my heroes from church history is Thomas Bilney. There is much to say about him (maybe another time), but one reason I love Bilney is because he is most well-known for the significant impact he had on others within his spheres of influence. Whether through bold evangelism or gospel preaching, Bilney’s impact was profound. One writer captures the immense effect of his labors on the town of Hadleigh in England.
The town of Hadleigh was one of the first that received the word of God in all England, at the preaching of Master Thomas Bilney, by whose industry the gospel of Christ had such gracious success, and took such root there, that a great number in that parish became exceeding well learned in the holy Scripture, as well women as men; so that a man might have found among them many that had often read the whole Bible through, and that could have said a great part of St Paul’s Epistles by heart, and very well and readily have given a godly learned sentence in any matter of controversy.
Their children and servants were also brought up and trained diligently in the right knowledge of God’s word, so that the whole town seemed rather an university of the learned, than a town of cloth-making or labouring people; and what most is to be commended, they were for the most part followers of God’s word in their living.*
Hadleigh and New Orleans East
When I read that the common folk in Hadleigh — hardly educated, not wealthy, and ignoble — upon receiving the gospel, transformed an otherwise unimpressive place into what seemed like a theological school filled with pious people, I’m reminded of the Corinthians. They, too, were “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” (1Cor. 1:26). New Orleans East fits the same description. If God can transforms people in places like Corinth and Hadleigh, then why not New Orleans East? The Reading Guide, which I plan to publish annually, is my small attempt to create a culture among the members of Grace Bible Church that may perhaps, eventually (Lord willing!), cause the East to seem like “an university of the learned,” than what it currently is — the dangerous, dying, forgotten part of the city.
The Contents of the Guide
Although we’re already in the latter part of the year, it was important to me to begin publishing these as soon as possible. This year’s guide includes the following sections in a total of 17 pages.
Why Read the Bible? This first section intends to properly motivate Bible reading.
Suggestions for Bible Reading. Here, I briefly describe what should be our disposition when reading the Bible.
Bible Reading Plans. There are a number of formats to help read through the entire Bible. I share a few and explain their benefits and potential drawbacks.
Recommended Resources. Included are extra-biblical book recommendations with a short summary of each.
Children’s Resources. I suggest three books geared toward younger readers to aid in parental instruction.
Online Resources. Some of my own go-to online resources are included here.
Corporate Prayer Requests. All churches are needy, but we especially feel our neediness currently as we embark on establishing ourselves as a sound, New Testament church. Please join us in prayer in the ways listed.
The 2024 Reading Guide can be found here. It is my prayer that God would be pleased to use these annual Reading Guides for the edification of Grace Bible Church and whoever else might access them.
*John Fox, quoted in J. C. Ryle, Light from Old Times (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2015), 105.