Union Rescue Mission (URM) has such a high value of Scripture that it is infused in all that they do. When walking around their campuses you’ll see verses painted on the walls, framed in pictures, spoken in words, but you would also notice that clients, staff, volunteers, and board members take time to gather in community to listen together to God’s Word.‍

In September 2023, Korean American leaders from 12 different denominations and Christian organizations gathered in New York City to learn about PRS. This intensive aimed at understanding the essence of PRS and delving into its historical, theological, and biblical foundations. Beyond mere theoretical knowledge, the retreat emphasized first-hand experience and the critical role of PRS in their lives and ministries.

Every Friday morning, you will find 20 Cornell University students gathered early in the morning listening to God’s word and eating a breakfast prepared by fellow housemates. Chesterton House, a Christian Study Center at Cornell, exemplifies engaging young people on a secular campus with the love of God. The Center attracts students of all denominational and faith backgrounds.

The seminary hosted the Denver PRS Forum on October 5-7 to further expand PRS and share the importance of hearing God's Word together with Christian leaders in and around the seminary. The forum drew a large crowd, with approximately 40-50 people attending the forum each day to experience PRS and JSU.

Youth for Christ USA has quickly implemented PRS across the nation. After experiencing PRS , President and CEO Jake Bland sent 5 leaders the May 2023 PRS retreat. Executive Directors from Kansas, Indiana, Colorado, and New York were all represented.

In the heart of Baltimore, a community of those experiencing homelessness or addiction experience God’s word at Helping Up Mission. Every Monday morning chapel, 200 men and 90 women gather separately to experience the transforming work of God’s word as they listen to 20-minutes from the PRS app. Clients say that PRS makes chapel exciting. One client said PRS “ renews you every morning” and that the Audio Drama Bible “grabs you completely”.

A Bible tracker is a valuable tool to enhance your communal and private engagement with the Bible. This valuable resource aligns with the principles of discipline, goal setting, and spiritual growth emphasized in the Bible. It aids in keeping you on track as you strive for a deeper engagement with God’s Word and a closer relationship with Him.

PRS doesn't always have to be indoors. Check out a college doing PRS on top of Lookout Mountain. One of the regular participant professors, Dr. Jack Beckman, explained, “Simply reading an extended piece of Scripture for an extended time became an island respite. This is a demonstration of flouring and shalom at Covenant College. It’s probably the highlight of my week.”

Is it beneficial to establish a specific reading goal for the Bible this year? Can this goal go beyond the conventional practice of completing the Bible in a year or daily reading of a small portion? The challenge lies in the fact that many individuals lack a clear reading goal and struggle to determine how much is sufficient to abide by God's word truly. Additionally, they often overlook tracking their progress, missing out on the parts they should not skip.

Serving those with disabilities is a great honor yet often draining. PRS has become a revitalizing refuge for ELIM's staff. President Bill Lodewyk says “One of the great challenges that ELIM has today is to maintain our Christian distinctiveness in the midst of a secularized culture. PRS has come alongside ELIM in ways that are helping us place Christ at the center of the lives of our employees.”

In East Harlem, NY, The Navigators use PRS to create addiction-breaking communities. Every Tuesday, a group of people meet at the Housing Project Community Center and listen to the scripture together. This is a great example of a neighborhood-based ministry that transforms lives through regular gatherings, sharing meals, and listening to the Bible. Check out the video of their story.

Peoria Rescue Ministries is a gospel-centered ministry of mercy that creates pathways out of poverty through Jesus with our neighbors in need. Peoria Rescue Ministries has been serving the poor and those in need since 1955. Peoria Rescue Mission launched PRS with the people they serve, and PRS is growing to where participants are reading through the whole Bible during their 9-month residential stay.

Originating as a weekly program for low-income neighborhood kids on the southwest side of Grand Rapids, The Potter’s House is a school that now enrolls 670 students who represent 34 countries of origin.

Have you started your tracker yet? It's essential to keep a record of your reading progress and ensure that you cover the entire Bible. This instructional video lets you learn how to create multiple Bible trackers in the PRS app. Please watch and create multiple trackers for 2024.

In small-town Holland, Michigan, teachers, students, and parents are gathering three times a week to simply listen to the Bible and to share a meal together. Holland Christian School, led by Principal Miles Colago, is taking Bible reading training seriously by giving all of its staff and students an opportunity to do PRS

Every Thursday at noon, a dedicated church group from Grace CRC in West Michigan faithfully sets aside an hour to engage with the word of God. They start with a psalm, delve into passages from the Old and New Testaments, and often conclude with another psalm, creating a tapestry of scripture woven together over time.

What started as a single Thursday morning group quickly blossomed into four thriving groups, spreading their wings across Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. "PRS cuts through the typical curriculum," explains Pastor Scott, "It creates a space where anyone can participate, regardless of their background or knowledge.

This retreat has been specifically designed to equip and encourage key leaders from our partner organizations to better implement and multiply the Public Reading of Scripture and Just Show Up Book clubs. During the retreat, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their theological and historical understanding of this biblical practice and hear from our senior leaders about the purpose of our deep conviction.

Every Monday night, the fluorescent lights of a NYC community flicker on, not for another school event, but for something more profound. A group of high school students gather for a weekly Public Reading of Scripture (PRS). These teens aren't just checking a box; they're showing up week after week, rain or shine, to delve into the Bible with dedication and...dare we say it...enjoyment?

Reading the Bible aloud with a group of people is an ancient practice. In fact, the origins of the Bible are deeply rooted in the public reading of Scripture. Explore with us the origins and development of this fascinating biblical topic, and how it offers us a model for engaging the Scriptures in our own day.