Resources for Reading the Bible in Context (a CBS Giveaway)

Over the past while, I’ve noticed something quietly troubling. Many people I care about—including those in Christian circles—don’t actually read their Bibles. Not because they don’t love God, but because reading the Bible consistently can be hard. People are busy, intimidated, or unsure where to start. They need resources.

This is where the Canadian Bible Society truly shines.

When I began planning a giveaway with CBS, I didn’t want to simply pick resources I personally gravitate toward as a biblical studies student (hello, massive Greek/Hebrew/Interlinear Bibles). So I asked my email list and a few friends what they actually wanted. Again and again, I heard the same thing: practical devotional tools and accessible materials for studying Scripture.

People want practical devotional tools and accessible materials for studying Scripture.

That’s what led me to a small collection of resources from the CBS bookstore—including Andrew Ollerton’s The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life, a book designed to help readers see Scripture as a coherent, meaningful story.

Ollerton defines the Bible as a collection of writings composed by at least forty (40!) different authors over a thousand years and later collated into one volume. “People who think [the Bible] was all fabricated to make the church look good clearly haven’t read it” (p. 16), he says, and he’s right. Cain killed his brother. Esau was a fool. King David committed adultery and murder. Jacob was a deceiver. Samson chased anything with a skirt. How could any of these characters make the church look good?

He stresses how the Bible needs context by providing humorous anecdotes from his own personal life. In particular, his “I threw my wedding ring away in front of my wife” story is sure to catch your attention. And don’t worry—it’s not what you think. He also wraps up every chapter with a practical takeaway (one of my favourites is to schedule 5 minutes of “awe time” into your day).

If you’re looking for resources that will remove barriers to Scripture, this is a good one.

Alongside Ollerton’s book, I was also drawn to The Bible Course, another resource from the Canadian Bible Society that takes this “big story” approach and turns it into something interactive and communal.

The Bible Course includes both group and individual manuals, along with video access, making it useful whether you’re studying on your own or in a small group. What I appreciate about this format is that it doesn’t just tell you information — it invites you to engage with Scripture, reflect, and discuss.

The Bible Course invites you to engage with Scripture, reflect, and discuss with others.

But if you prefer to work on your own, The Bible Course allows you to do that too. Introverts unite (but separately, in our own homes).

If Ollerton’s book helps readers understand what kind of book the Bible is, The Bible Course helps people actually practice reading it within that framework — together, in community.

These items will be gifted to one person — but they’re not the only gifts. This Canadian Bible Society giveaway includes five (5) items:

The Giveaway

• The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton
• Romans: A Letter That Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton
• The Bible Course videos (plus group and individual manuals).
• With God I Will Not Fear: A 90-Day Devotional
• The Romans Course videos (plus participant guide and host notes)

That’s a value of $136 CAD before tax.

My hope in sharing these resources — and in partnering with the Canadian Bible Society — is simple: that a few more people might find their way back to Scripture with less fear, more clarity, and a little more wonder.

Whether you win or not, I hope this encourages you to open your Bible, slow down, and remember that these ancient words are still alive for us today for a God-led purpose.

If you’d like a chance to receive this bundle of resources, here’s how to enter:

GIVEAWAY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• To enter, respond to the question at the bottom of the social media post, either on Facebook or Instagram (one entry total, which = 1 point).
• You may earn more points by tagging a different person in a separate comment on the Facebook or Instagram post. Additional points are provided for each person you tag.
• Open to Canadian addresses only.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for caring about how we read Scripture together. Good luck to everyone who enters.

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The question:

According to Ollerton’s book title, what is the Bible?

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