By Philip Blows, Operations Director

This is the fifth article in our occasional series in which ideas for circulating the Holy Scriptures are discussed. It is based on contributions from Pastor Oliver Wyncoll, Minister of Providence Baptist Chapel, Bedford, and Mr Graham Chewter, TBS Deputation Speaker, and explains a simple approach to distributing the Scriptures from outside churches and homes. 

Bibles Outside Churches

Background

I recently took up the pastorate at Providence Baptist Chapel, Bedford, England. At the commencement of the Covid lockdown in March 2020 I was looking for a way that we might still be able to reach our community with the Gospel, in addition to our online service broadcasts. Graham Chewter mentioned that he was offering free Bibles outside his house in a nearby district, and since I had heard of others having encouragement in this work my wife and I decided to try it ourselves. 

Our approach

We live in central Bedford and many people pass our house on their way to and from the town. We commenced in mid-May placing a box of Scriptures on a table outside our home with a small sign inviting passers-by to take a free Bible. Our practice is to put five or so Bibles out at a time and to take them in when it rains. Several others in our congregation followed suit. We also placed a box for Scriptures outside the chapel—for this we used a more substantial painted wooden box which we secured to the wall by the front gate. The chapel box offers the literature some protection from the elements. We tried to make it look attractive and inviting and in keeping with the rest of the church exterior. 

Encouragements

The location of our house has been ideal for this work and we have so far distributed around 500 copies of the Scriptures, mostly New Testaments and Psalms, plus many evangelistic tracts and other items. The majority of the distribution in Bedford has been from the boxes outside our homes, but with a good number also being taken from outside the chapel.  

This work has become a major focus of prayer in our church prayer meetings. Through it we have made new contacts and have raised the profile of our witness in the local area. We have not had a single negative response to the work. It has also prompted us to consider other opportunities for local Scripture distribution, which we are now engaging in. 

 
Bibles Outside Homes

Why we started

At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in March my wife and I heard that a Christian bookshop in Reigate had decided, due to enforced closure, to leave Bibles in a box outside the front of the shop, and that the Bibles had very quickly been taken by passers-by. Quite independently of each other, my wife and I thought we could do something similar.

How we started

We cut down a medium-sized cardboard box to about six inches and placed it on the front wall of our property with around eight Bibles on display. On the box we attached a notice which read: FREE BIBLES – A message of hope in the midst of the present crisis. In each Bible we inserted a Ten Commandments bookmark at John chapter 3 and also a short leaflet. This leaflet, ‘Where to find help in time of need’, is one that I devised years ago for use at Bible presentations in schools—it guides the reader to God’s Word for help in various circumstances. We also included our contact details in each Bible.

The response we have had

Even though the footfall was lower than in normal times very soon Bibles were taken, requiring us to purchase more from the Society. Some days just one Bible was taken, another day perhaps two or more. The most taken in one day was ten. Over the last fourteen weeks a total of 152 Bibles have been taken from outside our home. In response we have received a number of very positive communications by text message and email from people who took Bibles. 

What is involved in arranging it

The practical aspects of arranging this form of Bible distribution are:

• Choosing a suitable location.
• Finding a suitable box.
• Ordering Bibles from the Society (we used Royal Ruby Text Bibles in black, blue, and red—each colour seems to be taken in equal proportions).  
• Preparing a suitable sign.
• Putting the Bibles out in the morning and bringing them in at night.
• Watching the weather (we have had to dash outside many times to save the Bibles from getting wet). In God’s good providence April had many sunny days and little rain, enabling us to have these Bibles available for days on end with little interruption; plus we had the advantage of the light evenings.

Suggestions and tips for others considering this approach

These days presentation is very important. We know of some who have simple presented a pile of Bibles in a box and have had few takers. I would suggest standing the Bibles side by side with the spines facing upwards.

Another drawback can be providing too much choice—Bibles, Scripture colouring books, Gospels, New Testaments, etc., as people then seem confused as to what they should take. I would suggest having no more than one other option, for example offering Bibles and New Testaments or Bibles and evangelistic booklets. We also offered evangelistic booklets and placed them between each Bible. If you have a desire to offer Scripture items specifically for children, it may be best to have a
separate box for this with clear signage. There can be little doubt that the interest shown during this pandemic is far greater than it would have been in normal times.

Thus many of us who are involved in this form of Scripture distribution have been greatly encouraged as we have prayed day by day for God’s gracious blessing upon His Word and this mission field on our doorstep.

Next Steps

If you are interested in offering free Bibles outside your home or your church or assembly, consider working through these steps.

1. Commit the idea to the Lord in prayer.
2. Consider whether this would be a church work or an individual exercise.
3. If a church work, share this article with the leader(s) of your church or assembly.
4. Consider the costs which would be incurred.
5. Establish who would take responsibility for the work.
6. Agree which items to offer and purchase them.
7. Commence the work in dependence upon the Lord.
8. Provide regular reports to the church, if applicable, so that the members can pray for the work.

Edited for online publication. Last updated 3 March 2025.