Bibles

Today on campus we had the obligatory visit from the Gideons. These are dudes who give you lil' mini bibles. Think of them as fun size! These guys are usually older, they see you, approach you, and say "Would you like a Bible"? Then as the awkwardness ensues you can either kind of giggle at the minute-ness of this little green word of the Lord and say "Sure!" or you can look like a pagan and say: "uhhh...no thanks." I said "Sure" and then felt sneaky or like I just stole something because I have 4 regular size bibles at home. One of them even has the apocrapha included for what I like to call the extended version. Anyways, in the back of my fun-size-bible are steps to become a Christian. Which got me thinking.....does anyone really take the free bible, open it up to the back and suddenly come to know God? I don't know. I think it's a good idea, however the Gideons methods are a little too old school for cynical college students. I mean, even I was a little creeped out and I knew a little bit about why the guys were there with mini bibles. My point is that handing someone a bible is not going to make them a Christian the same way handing me a cookbook will not make me a chef. The bible is the word of God and is not meant to be experienced like a sample in the deli isle. What people need is someone to show them what loving and being loved by Christ looks like. If that means giving them a bible, then let's do that. But until community and fellowship happen little green bibles will keep gathering dust.