I read a post the other day on Facebook from Steve Wolfgang about the value of a physical Bible. He wrote,

“The simple act of opening a Bible and reading in a public place, on a plane, in a restaurant, in line at the DMV or wherever, can also “greenlight” a conversation with others who might otherwise hesitate.”

Steve’s post made me think about what else reading a physical Bible can “greenlight.”

Reading a physical copy of the Bible can greenlight:

You Belong To The Way. In Acts 9:2, we read that Saul, while persecuting the church, found some who “belonged to the Way.” How did Saul know these people were Christians? He probably could identify them by what they were preaching, how they were living, and how they worshiped. Times have changed a bit since the first century. Now there is much religious confusion in the world of Christianity. However, as parts of this world drift further into non-belief, what is one way we can know or signal to others that someone is, at least, of faith? A physical Bible. Reading your physical Bible in public will greenlight others to the fact that you belong to the way of Jesus.

You Are a Stranger and a Pilgrim. The Bible calls Christians “strangers” and “pilgrims” (1 Pet. 2:11). This is because we do not belong to this earth. Christians are heading for an eternal home in heaven with our God. So, Peter instructs Christians to “conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn” (1 Pet. 1:17). Reading a physical Bible in public is one way we can “conduct” ourselves properly while we are on the earth. And who knows, reading your physical Bible in public might give other strangers and pilgrims the greenlight that they are not alone.

You’re Willing to Talk About The Book. Reading anything in public opens you up for conversation. If I was reading the latest mystery novel and someone noticed that, they might approach and ask what I think about it (perhaps they’re considering buying it or have read it themselves). Reading a physical Bible in public greenlights those same conversations.

A physical Bible, once common, is now a rarity. Just reading your physical Bible in public can open a world of possibilities that you otherwise might not have known. The question is, are we ready and willing for those opportunities?