Study the Bible with Others
One of the ways that Lutherans get to know one another is through studying the Bible together.
Whether it's a Bible study at the beginning of a council or committee meeting, or a weekly session that meets in members' living rooms, studying the Bible with others is community-building work.
Following are some tips for how members of your congregation can embrace daily Bible study:
Make daily Bible reading a priority in your congregation’s life 
:
- Identify a Bible verse of the week for all members of the congregation to memorize.
- 2008-2009 is the year of the Gospel of Mark in the lectionary. Read/study this Gospel during the 2008-2009 Sunday school year. Ask members to sign a poster when they are finished. Hang the poster in a prominent place.
- Be in touch with the college students of your congregation and invite them to study with you via e-mail or instant messaging.
- Invite members to set aside a place in their homes to read the Bible. It can be as simple as a table with a candle, the Bible, a notebook and pen for writing thoughts, a good light and a favorite chair. Encourage them to develop a consistent time to read together.
- Ask congregational youth to meet for lunch after worship to discuss the Gospel lesson and sermon.
- Emphasize the importance of lifelong learning through temple talks, newsletter articles, or a feature on your Web page.
- Sponsor a Bible quiz night. Form teams of Sunday school classes, women’s or men’s groups and committees to compete against each other.
- If your congregation has a school or early childhood learning center, ask the students to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. Hang them in the narthex or in the halls or use them as bulletin covers.
[Adapted from Fanning the Flames of Discipleship: ELCA Christian Education Planning Guide 2001-2002.]
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