Resources for Bible Reading

I found it almost overwhelming going through the responses at our last meeting to the question about good resources for Bible Reading, I have included in the lists at the end of this page the most popular daily resources and some other helpful material that people mentioned.

Do also talk to John and Debbie Flemming about the value of doing The Wessex Gospel Partnership ‘Bible Training Course’

For some I have spoken to, being retired means there is more time to study the bible in depth – more than just the 10-15 minutes that most of the resources mentioned involve. Sally and I really enjoy picking books of the bible that we would like to study and work through them – adding the reading to our ‘daily’ quiet time. In a decade you might get through most of the bible!

Below are 3 commentary series that we have both found really helpful for this. The words ‘commentary’ may be off putting, but these have fairly short chapters and do not assume any background training. They are full of practical advice, applying the bible to our daily lives. We would be happy to lend you copies if you want to try out any of the three sets and to answer any other questions on them.

The Bible Speaks Today series comes from IVP with John Stott and Alec Motyer the overall editors. There are 3 aims. 1) Each contributor to the series is a Pastor: Applying the Scriptures to their everyday lives and their congregant’s lives. 2) Each contributor to the series is a Scholar: Having an understanding of the original Biblical languages and contexts. 3) Study notes focused on the significance of God’s Word for your own life and work.

God's Word For You books are accessible commentaries. They are designed to be read devotionally or to help with teaching a passage. The whole of the series has not been published yet but they cover most of the bible.

The "For Everyone" series, written by biblical scholars Tom Wright and John Goldingay, consists of book-by-book study guides and a complete Bible translation designed for accessibility and ease of understanding.

Resources mentioned at the meeting to encourage regular Bible Reading
Lectio 365 is a free daily app – giving a short time of prayer and bible reflection. There is a morning, lunchtime and evening version
Everyday with Jesus – Selwynn Huges App or printed form giving a bible reading and encouragement
Word Live and Daily Bread (Scripture Union) app or printed. Short bible passage and explanation
Read the Bible in a year Nicky and Pippa Gumbel lets you systematically read your Bible in a year, with daily readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Explore (Good Book Company) App or printed from. Explore Devotions will help you to dig into passages from the Bible on a daily basis.
Also mentioned were LICC , Premier Christian Radio, Legionier, Our Daily Bread, Seeds of the Kingdom (Ellel Ministry), Glen Scrivener, Tim Keller, God TV. Hope FM 90.1

Planning your Visit

Welcome to St John's Church!

We are so delighted that you have found our website. We are a Church family in Wimborne for anyone living, working or studying around this area. Whoever you are, whatever your age, whether you’re an experienced Christian or not, we would love you to join us.

From an intrigued onlooker to the committed follower we are keen that everyone should grow in relationship with God through knowing Jesus. To help us do that our emphasis is on hearing God speak to us by his Holy Spirit through his word, the Bible. Each of us knows that we only grow in a relationship with someone and get to know them when we spend time listening to them and responding and reacting to what they say. So the focus of St John’s is on listening to God’s word, talking to him in prayer and taking up all that he says.

The Church family here at St John’s longs to help anyone who wants to investigate the life of Jesus. On this site you will find people, meetings, talks and events shaped to help you take another step forward in finding out more about God and his love for us in Jesus, and to help you get linked into the church family life.

We hope to have the opportunity to meet you personally in the very near future and that you will quickly feel at home at St John’s.

Stuart Hull and Nigel Day (Churchwardens)
Please note that we are currently seeking a new Vicar, following the retirement of Revd Peter Breckwoldt in July 2025