Why write such a book? Aren’t there already a lot of books on this subject?

Well actually there are very few such books and none that I have found are really for the ‘average’ Christian. Most are geared to the seminary level and are too technical for most people to get much out of. Or they are too simplified and just gloss over, giving you little to work with.

The main reason I wrote this book is because the Bible is my passion and love. Because some people view the Bible as an un-climbable mountain, a dark cave that is feared to be trespassed upon. So I want to encourage you, and give you confidence that you can indeed do it. You can climb that mountain and venture into the cave with confidence. In fact you will be able to mine the truths of Scripture as an expert "exegete" does! The Bible is a diamond mine filled with precious nuggets that can be applied to your life, for a life to be transformed and renewed! As with any mine you do have to start digging in it before you will find the diamonds, and the more you dig the more you will find! My call is to teach you how to dig!

I conceived this book back in 1979. I was a new Christian and was teaching a "campaigners" Bible study at a "Young Life" group. I was in High school myself and was frustrated that all the books on how to study the Bible were too technical and few. I felt there was no better subject to teach than how to study God’s Word yourself, so I embarked on a research project that has spanned for over 20 years to find the best ways to get into ‘Thy Word’ {Psalm 119}. At first, it was a couple sheets of paper with tips, then a booklet, then a self-published book and it grew and grew. I kept refining, condensing, while striving to keep it simple and easy to understand.

I have taught these truths to Junior High and High School groups, Singles groups, Camps and Conferences, and even older adults. It is my call and passion that you learn for yourself the most negated aspect of the Christian Life, THE BIBLE! It may be the greatest best seller of all time hundreds of times over, but is perhaps the least read book in the Christian’s home. Let us turn that trend around, blow off the dust, and dive into the greatest adventure ever conceived.

Included in this book is a comprehensive 15-part curriculum to teach groups on how to study the Bible. It can be expanded for many more sessions or condensed for an overview or at a retreat.

It has teacher studies, games, object lessons, small group studies, and an application. It also has a section for each study on "Going Deep" that are "spiritual exercises" to help us to engage and deepen the classic Christian disciplines of silence, solitude, study, prayer, worship, sacrifice, and celebration.

As one 15-year-old states, "I feel a greater sense of God's presence in my life … a warm flame has become ignited that was not there before."

My qualifications for writing:

I’m the founder and Director of ‘Into Thy Word Ministries’, whose call is to teach people how to study Scripture. I’m a pastor, teacher, speaker, and a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and have amounted nearly 20 years of pastoral ministry experience mostly in youth ministry, including serving as a church growth consultant. And I have conducted hundreds of workshops and seminars teaching people how to study the Bible.

I pray that "Into Thy Word" will be a blessing to you as it has for many people. Since I’m a new author the publisher will not publicize my book. And most Christian bookstores will not carry it because there are thousands of titles and only room for hundreds. So I need people like you to spread the word on ‘Into Thy Word.’

In His Service

Richard

Nub. 6:24

So let Christ transform you through His Word!