Witnessing for Others

Hi,

Has anyone else ever thought this. In the old days before a digital version of the Bible, when you were reading your Bible in a public place, someone else might come up to you and strike up a conversation if they saw your Bible. In effect you were being a witness to the faith.

Now, when reading on an iPhone or iPad, there is no particular outward witness to others.

Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or is it an indifferent thing?

Thanks,

Mike

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JT (alabama24)

Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or is it an indifferent thing?

Indifferent, to Good thing. It's more likely that people you might need to have a conversation with will approach you when they DON'T know you are reading the Bible. [;)]

Lee

In the old days before a digital version of the Bible, when you were reading your Bible in a public place, someone else might ...

Personally and anecdotally speaking, it does not happen a lot nowadays (I mean even when reading a physical book form of the Bible). It remains a possibility though.

mwk

These days, who is paying attention to someone else? We've all got our eyes glued to our devices.

Overall, I think we're in a good place. Because I have a digital Bible, I'm never without it. Why I might not obviously be reading it like a physical Bible, I'm more prepared to open my digital Bible in far more scenarios and personal interactions where there's an opportunity.

More and more people are also using tablets which, itself, is a conversation starter. ("Hey is that the new ______ tablet/device?" "Yes, it is and this Bible has a lot of really cool features.")

Of course, if you're not prepared to talk about your faith, how you're reading a Bible doesn't make much difference.

Great question.

kentuckyliz

I pray and make the Sign of the Cross before and after reading the Holy Scriptures, so if I'm doing that in public, at least that moment will be noticed. [A]

Hopefully, our whole lives witness. They'll know we are Christians by our public Bible reading love.

MikeG53

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/523456#Comment_523456

Thanks for the input. How about a related question. Do you use your iPad/iPhone during Mass or other services for access to readings and/or the Bible? If so do you think it is a potential for "scandal" or disruption, i.e., people thinking you are texting or whatever? Keep in mind we are not supposed to do things that might cause scandal to others. There are many times I would like to follow along on my iPhone but I'm hesitant to take it out during Mass.

Joseph Turner

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/523919#Comment_523919

I only carry a digital Bible these days, and I think that it is pretty clear to other people that I am not just playing on my device.

Lee

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/523919#Comment_523919

Thanks for the input. How about a related question. Do you use your iPad/iPhone during Mass or other services for access to readings and/or the Bible? If so do you think it is a potential for "scandal" or disruption, i.e., people thinking you are texting or whatever? Keep in mind we are not supposed to do things that might cause scandal to others. There are many times I would like to follow along on my iPhone but I'm hesitant to take it out during Mass.

This was discussed to death in this thread.

MikeG53

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/523943#Comment_523943

thanks