First sentence: When I was eight, the Bible was boring.
What sets Transformed by Truth apart from other books about how to read and study the Bible is the fact that it's written specifically for a teen audience. The author's intent is to get (more) TEENS to actually read and actually study the Bible for themselves. This comes at a time when many professing adults do not actually-actually read or study the Bible. At least if stats are accurate. (Have you ever wondered who is being surveyed?)
The contents of this one could easily be applicable to teens and adults alike. True some of the narrative is recounting the author's experiences as a teen (and she comes across as a young or younger author) and focuses on a few things that would only apply to teens (living with parents, going to school most of the year, studying for tests, deciding electives and hobbies, choosing colleges, deciding career and life goals). But the mechanics of HOW to read the Bible are the same no matter if you're fifteen or fifty-five.
The first five chapters focus on the WHY of Bible reading and Bible study. These chapters are inspiring and encouraging. Often filled with quotes from some of my favorite theologians (aka John Piper, J.I. Packer, John Calvin, etc.)
The last five chapters focus on the HOW of Bible study. The study method recommended throughout this one is the INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY method. And this method can be intimidating--very intimidating--for many adults.
I love the idea of loving this one. I do. I love, love, love reading the Bible. I do. I always have. Or almost always, always. I became a Christian at age 8. I found the Bible far from boring. Of course, I wasn't trying to read it cover-to-cover. I wasn't aiming to read and understand every verse of every chapter of every book. There were sections of the Bible that I read often, very often. There were sections of the Bible I didn't even pretend to attempt before going to college. (I was about seventeen or eighteen before I read the WHOLE Bible.) I did often find myself feeling alone and out of sorts with others because I did read my Bible and actually enjoy it. (Not that I had a great grasp of all points of theology; I didn't. I cringe when I think back on some of my theology.)
I love the QUESTIONS section which ends each chapter. I think these are well done and take the book to the next level.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
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