Week 393

Positive post Sunday, September 8, 2024…. Week 393.  Michele and I took our daughter Stacy and granddaughters Kendall and Nikole to dinner last week on the night before we moved Kendall and Nikole back into their dorm room at college.  Since it was the beginning of football season, I jokingly asked them if we could come over to their dorm room and watch Monday Night Football next week.  Nikole’s response concerned me.  She said, “sure but you need to BYOB”.  This troubled me because neither of them is old enough to drink, and I certainly didn’t think they had any interest in drinking or partying.

Now, before you get judgmental and think the girls are going to a party school, I should explain.  They are going to California Baptist University (CBU), a well-respected Christian University in Riverside, California with a “dry campus”.  So, by now you may have guessed that BYOB doesn’t stand for “Bring Your Own Booze”, it stands for “Bring Your Own Bible”.  I was both relieved and proud to hear this.  Michele and I are so blessed to have the twins going to such a great school.  Time flies as they are already starting their junior year! Our Lord continues to bless our family as Stacy recently enrolled at CBU to finish her degree as well.  God is good and looking over our family.

When you read BYOB above, your mind likely jumped immediately to “Bring Your Own Booze” like mine did.  After my sigh of relief, I did a little research, and I learned that there’s a growing movement that redefines this acronym to mean, as Nikole shared, “Bring Your Own Bible”. This shift is not just about changing a phrase but about fostering a deeper sense of community and spiritual growth.

“Bring Your Own Bible” is an invitation to gather with others in a setting where faith and fellowship are at the forefront. Whether it’s a small group meeting, a church event, or a casual get-together, the idea is to encourage participants to bring their own copy of the Bible. This practice not only ensures that everyone has access to the scriptures but also promotes personal engagement with the Word of God.

Through the grace of God, and the passion of his believers, here are a few examples of the benefits of BYOB events:

Personal Connection: Bringing your own Bible allows you to connect more personally with the text. Your Bible might have notes, highlights, and personal reflections that make it uniquely yours. This personal connection can deepen your understanding and relationship with the scriptures.

Community Building: When everyone brings their own Bible, it creates a sense of unity and shared purpose. It shows that each person is committed to engaging with the Word and contributing to the collective spiritual journey.

Encouraging Study: Having your own Bible encourages regular reading and study. It becomes a familiar companion in your spiritual life, making it easier to delve into the scriptures during group discussions or personal study times.

Should you consider hosting a BYOB event, here are a few practical tips:

Clear Communication: Make sure to clearly communicate the BYOB concept in your invitations. Explain that it stands for “Bring Your Own Bible” and highlight the purpose of the gathering.

Provide Extras: Have a few extra Bibles on hand for those who might forget or for newcomers who don’t have one yet. This ensures that everyone can participate fully.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: Set up a comfortable and inviting space for your gathering. Whether it’s in a home, a church, or a park, make sure the environment is conducive to open discussion and reflection.

Plan Engaging Activities: Prepare activities that encourage interaction with the Bible. This could include group readings, discussions, or even creative exercises like journaling or drawing based on scripture passages.

“Bring Your Own Bible” is more than just a clever twist on a familiar acronym. It’s a call to deepen our faith, build stronger communities, and engage more fully with the Word of God. So next time you see BYOB on an invitation, remember it might just be an opportunity to bring your Bible and your heart to a gathering of like-minded believers.

I will certainly think about Monday Night Football differently now.  In addition to that famous Hank Williams Jr. introduction, “Are you ready for some football!”, I will now think about how blessed I am to have our twins attending a university that encourages students to participate and engage in “Bring Your Own Bible” events.  I’m also going to start a tradition of reading a verse in the Bible before I watch each Monday Night Football game (or, as Michele suggests, before every Monday, Thursday and Sunday pro football game😊).

How will you think differently about BYOB now, remembering to keep your Bible near to you?

Do you have your own personal Bible with pages marked and your favorite scripture underlined?  What’s your favorite scripture?