Just the other day I retired the Open-Air Preaching Bible I have used in pulpits and on streets around the world, for the last seven years. This Bible, custom-built by Graham and Sam Wathen at Preserve the Word, saw use in more than half the Unitied States, as well as Canada, Israel, Norway, England, Scotland, and Kenya. While my Bible’s cover and overall construction would survive the Infinity Wars, the very thin pages of Scripture contained therein are now brittle, fading, and disintegrating.
Additionally, I’ve decided to return to the NASB (1977 Edition) from the ESV. Lest you get distracted from the purpose of this article, I want to assure you I have nothing against the ESV. It has been my preferred translation for about a decade. However, the NASB (1977 Edition) is the translation of the first Bible I ever owned, and it was the translation I used for the first 20 years of my Christian life. I simply wanted to go back to it.
I contacted Graham Wathen and asked him to build my new Bible (pictured above). It arrived in the mail yesterday. Now I have the daunting but joyful task of revising, expanding, and transferring seven years of notes into my new Bible.
Abortuary Scripture Reading
My now-retired preaching Bible included 20 blank pages, which provided me ample space to write my notes. Included in those notes are two pages of select Scripture verses, for the public reading of Scripture outside abortuaries. You can see the list, HERE. Since I’m transferring my notes to my new Bible, I thought this would be a good opportunity to revise, expand, and better organize the Scriptures I read outside of abortuaries.
This Scripture List is Not Exhaustive
I can hear the comments, now: “You didn’t include John 14:6.” “What about John 3:16 and Acts 4:12?”
Needless to say, the list I’m about to present is not exhaustive. The only way to please everyone, the only way to make sure I include everyone’s favorite verses, is to dip my entire Bible in a vat of highlighter ink. Seeing that is neither practical nor profitable, and seeing that I do not hold the copywrite on Scripture, feel free to modify this list however you see fit–add or substract verses and/or rearrange the order.
Two Ways to Use This Scripture List
There are two primary ways you can use this list: open-air Scripture reading, or as a guide during one-to-one conversations with unbelievers.
I think I’m more excited about the latter. Using this Scripture list as a conversation guide didn’t dawn on me until midway through compiling the list.
One excuse to which many Christians turn for not engaging in evangelism is that they don’t know enough Scripture. If you set up your Bible the way I have set up mine, you will never again have to worry about that.
Some of you just breathed a sigh of relief. Others of you may have just rolled your eyes as you now scramble for a new excuse.
The above image is of 2 Corinthians 5:21 in my Bible. Notice after the verse I have written “Isa. 53:1-12.” This lets me know where I’m going next in my presentation of the law and the gospel. By using this very simple method, beginning with Genesis 1:1 (which, in my Bible is followed by Genesis 1:26-28) I can quickly navigate my way through more than 130 verses of Scripture, comprising more than 40 passages, which leads me through five specific categories of Scripture: Creation and God’s Design for Mankind; Sin and Judgment; Gospel; Repent and Believe; Children (for use in abortuary ministry).
With that, here’s my new Scripture list, which I will use for public reading and one-to-one evangelism. I hope you find it useful.
My New Scripture List
Creation and God’s Design for Mankind
Genesis 1:1
Genesis 1:26-28
Genesis 2:20-24
Genesis 3:9-21
Sin and Judgment
Romans 1:18-32
Romans 2:5-11
Romans 3:23
2 Timothy 3:2-4
Revelation 21:8
Proverbs 6:16-19
Revelation 20:11-15
Hebrews 10:30-31
Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 9:10
The Gospel
Romans 6:23
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Isaiah 9:6-7
Matthew 1:21-25
Colossians 1:15-17
Philippians 2:5-11
2 Corinthians 5:21
Isaiah 53:1-12
John 19:17-20, 28-30
John 19:38-42
Matthew 28:5-6
Repent and Believe
Mark 1:15
Colossians 2:13-14
1 Peter 2:24
Romans 5:6-9
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 10:9-13
2 Corinthians 6:2b
James 4:6-10
Hebrews 3:7-8
Children (For Use Outside of Abortuaries)
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 5:20
Psalm 127:3
Psalm 139:13-16
Psalm 22:9-10
Proverbs 14:12
Proverbs 3:7-8
Proverbs 3:27
Bill Dunlop says
This is great. I have wanted a list like this, but was too unsure of myself to compile one. Thanks!
Eric Stefan says
This is a great idea to help stay on target.
Thanks much Tony for sharing the lists of scripture.
Tony Miano says
Eric,
Praise the Lord!
I’m so very glad the article was an encouragement to you.
Tony