Eutychus Revisited

Acts 20 tells the story of a man who fell asleep during a sermon by the apostle Paul, fell out of a third-story window, died, and was raised from the dead.

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep ; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him."

51-year-old David Bathrust was a bit more fortunate than our Biblical character.   You see, David, a British man, attempted to set a new world's record for Bible reading out loud, currently set at just over 113 hours.   To break the record, he had to read continuously for 5 days and 5 nights, taking time out for 20-minute naps every 4 hours.   Well, things began to go downhill the 2nd night, and by Friday night - the 3rd night - David was exhausted, fell asleep, and finally by Saturday morning, paramedics came out to help.   He raised $4000 for charity, but needless to say, missed the world record.

Students at Palm Beach Atlantic University are taking a tamer course to call attention to God's Word.  This past Monday, they began to read the Bible publicly over a period of 4 days.   Students are taking turns reading passages of Scripture, with the aim of encouraging "spiritual refinement" at the university.

And, church leaders met last week and discussed how to bridge the gap between Bible ownership and Bible literacy...representatives of Christian Bible agencies, denominations and ministries, gathered together this week in Orlando, Fla., for the Forum of Bible Agencies North America Summit.  More than 300 Christian leaders signed the Uncover the Word Commitment and pledge to practice daily Bible engagement in their own lives as well as encourage it within their spheres of influence.

Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and the president of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Samuel Rodriguez joined the call to action as well, challenging their fellow leaders to rebuild Bible engagement in North America.

Lamar Vest, President and CEO of the American Bible Society told The Christian Post, “Through Uncover the Word we aim to help people discover that the Bible is not a dusty, outdated book but has much to say about today’s most pressing issues."

In Joshua chapter 1, we read a passage that reinforces the importance of not only reading but absorbing God's Word:
8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous ! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

And, The Seed Company, a Wycliffe Bible Translators Affiliate, has started an initiative called, “The Campaign to End Bible Poverty,” designed to engage Americans in addressing the spiritual impoverishment experienced by millions worldwide.   Their hope is that God's Word would be translated into every language on earth, one sacrificial cup of coffee or tea at a time.  Partnering with several other organizations, The Seed Company is asking supporters to fast from the simple, everyday things – such as coffee, pizza or new clothes – and donate those unused dollars toward translating the Bible.

Bible literacy is a huge deal - in order for us to live the Word and display the character of Christ, we have to allow God's Word to govern our behavior, the living and active Word, which will produce fruit to God's glory as we live it.