Reading and understanding Scripture can be intimidating for many. Rev. Andrew R. Jones’s new book, Ten Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible, acts as a guide for readers to follow along with the Bible and to encourage readers to grow their confidence in studying the Bible.
Included in this book are questions to help readers improve their skill when deciphering biblical text. Each question has a dedicated chapter divided into three sections: 1. Explanation of the question’s importance and how it deepens Bible fluency; 2. Example texts where the author applies the question to specific sections of Scripture; and 3. Bible passages for the reader to practice applying the question. Whether readers are seasoned or new to Scripture, Ten Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible will deepen their knowledge and reveal the beauty found in each verse of the Bible.
“Ten Questions will guide you to read the Bible with confidence,” writes Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, chief curatorial officer at the Museum of the Bible. “With accessible language and a bit of humor, Pastor Jones moves you through biblical passages from the familiar to the unfamiliar (from the Sermon on the Mount to Haggai) to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. . . . Pastor Jones loves the Scripture, loves teaching it, and will help you love reading God’s written Word.”
For more information on Andrew’s book or to place an order, please visit books.cph.org/10-questions. Contact Erica Sontag, Concordia Publishing House Public Relations Specialist, for more information or to schedule an interview with the author.
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About the Author
Andrew R. Jones lives in the Bay Area, where he enjoys writing, hiking, and adventuring with his wife, Stephanie. He has served the Church on three continents in varying roles, including campus ministry, international mission work, professor of preaching, and parish pastor. His writings speak to the importance of spiritual disciplines in the midst of a hectic world.
Praise for Ten Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible
We live in a time of soundbites, summaries, and short form content. While there are advantages to this style of communication, it also brings with it weakness. We rarely ask questions about origin, context, or accurate application. “As long as this meme makes my point, that’s all that matters,” we say. Andrew Jones tactfully teaches readers how to properly engage the Bible so as to rightly be acquainted with the words of life. Ten Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible is a necessary supplement to your Bible reading intake.
—Marcus “FLAME” Gray, Grammy-nominated Christian rap artist and Concordia Seminary graduate
Andrew offers us something incredibly beautiful and hopeful in his book, Ten Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible. He guides us with wonderfully crafted questions that invite us to go deeper with God’s Word and live out our hope in Christ with a renewed spirit. This is a great book for those who are new to reading the Bible and even those who have been reading it for years!
—Tanner Olson, author, poet, and speaker
Ten Questions will guide you to read the Bible with confidence. With accessible language and a bit of humor, Pastor Jones moves you through biblical passages from the familiar to the unfamiliar (from the Sermon on the Mount to Haggai) to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. With concrete examples, sample discussions, and skilled guidance, Ten Questions provides a simple yet effective approach that will encourage you to read the Bible more—or begin to read the Bible on your own. The short studies at the end of the book on four passages are worth reading all on their own. Pastor Jones loves the Scripture, loves teaching it, and will help you love reading God’s written Word.
—Jeffrey Kloha, chief curatorial officer, Museum of the Bible
Jones provides readers with a discipline for reading Holy Scripture in such a way that it pierces the heart and carries them into the conversation that the Holy spirit wants to conduct with God’s people through the Bible’s words. Jones puts Luther’s plan for reading the biblical text with prayer and meditation—chewing on each word the reformer said—while they are waging the battle against Satan, the world, and our own desires. The author’s reflections and concrete examples of how to use his questions help build the readers’ excitement as Scripture engages their own experiences of daily life. A most helpful aid to those beginning their journey through Scripture as well as veteran readers.
—Robert Kolb, professor of systematic theology emeritus, Concordia Seminary
Whether a reader’s Bible is worn in or just being opened for the first time, making sense of it on your own can be intimidating. Andy’s heart has always been that each person could confidently read the Bible themselves. This book brilliantly offers key, direct questions to experience the life, complexity, and beauty held in God’s Word with the integrity and humanity that the text demands. In asking these ten questions of the Scriptures and of ourselves, we’ll never run out of depth in answering the question “Who are You, Lord?” The grace of Christ abundantly awaits us in the answer.
—Shelly Schwalm, university ministry associate at Concordia University, St. Paul
Understanding the Scriptures can be a daunting task. This interactive book is a guide for modern-day readers who want to explore the Bible and the God it reveals. Andy’s words renewed my love and excitement for the Scriptures, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way too.
—Abi Tesfaye, co-founder of griefs + graces
God has given my dear friend Pastor Andy the gift of taking the rich complexity of God’s Word and making it accessible and meaningful. I’ve read many books centered on God’s Word written for specific times, places, and communities, but this isn’t one of those books. I genuinely believe Andy’s book can help people across cultures and in various seasons of life discover in the Scriptures the living and saving Word, Christ, and deepen their relationship with Him.
—Rev. Dawit Bokre, senior pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and GSLC and director of mission at LINC Bay Area
When I teach preaching to seminary students, I repeatedly stress they should not assume their listeners have an in-depth knowledge of the Bible or understand theological terms. Andrew Jones helps us meet that challenge. Ten Questions is not just a book about the Bible but a book that takes you directly into the Bible. Used individually or in group studies, Ten Questions will increase biblical literacy, and that’s guaranteed by God to increase the sanctified flourishing of your congregation!
—Dale A. Meyer, president emeritus, Concordia Seminary
