Favorite scripture: Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Matthew 9:35-10:8

First scripture I memorized: Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, I do choose. Be made clean! Mark 1:41

Favorite Christian author/theologian: Frederick Buechner and Henri Nouwen

My prayer for people studying the Bible through Scripture + Shared: My prayer is that people’s lives and hearts would actually be changed, and shaped by God’s love letter to them.

Favorite scripture: Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

First scripture I memorized: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

Favorite Christian author/theologian: C.S. Lewis

My prayer for people studying the Bible through Scripture + Shared: My prayer is that people would encounter Jesus in the study of scripture and fall in love with the practice. That people would find joy in reading God’s word and be transformed by it.

Favorite scripture: Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

First scripture I memorized: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Favorite Christian author/theologian: J.R.R. Tolkein

My prayer for people studying the Bible through Scripture + Shared: I pray that anyone who reads the Bible through Scripture+Shared may be transformed by the renewing of their minds on a daily basis, so they may see the world and their place in it through a Bible imagination.

Favorite scripture: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

First scripture I memorized: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Favorite Christian author/theologian: Barbara Brown Taylor

My prayer for people studying the Bible through Scripture + Shared: I pray that scripture would become a lens affixed to their perspective, so that everyone they come into contact with and every situation they encounter would be shaped by God’s amazing love.