Many Christians are familiar only with a number of stories in the Bible which they heard as a child or learned in Sunday School. Thus, they have the impression that the Bible is a book of stories about interesting people of faith and incredible events. Lacking an appreciation for the unified story-line of the Bible, they view it as a collection of disconnected incidents rather than as the coherent, purpose-driven Word of God. They have been exhorted and encouraged to read the Bible and perhaps have done so once or twice, but they usually fizzle out by Exodus, certainly by Leviticus.

They read exciting things about the Bible, "Thy word light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). It gives wisdom and understanding (119:98, 99). Some verses declare how the Bible is a source of joy (Psalm 119:14, 47, 70, 162). Jeremiah 15:16 reads, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight...." The Thessalonians "Welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6). Unfortunately, it never or rarely becomes such to them.