For most people, the week of Thanksgiving is a time for football, turkey, and gathering together with friends and family. However, for some, this week also has additional significance. For many Christians, it’s a time for reading and studying the Bible, and church leaders encourage their members to take this week seriously.

Many churches offer special events that help their congregations get the most out of their Bible readings. Anyone wishing to get involved with the observance of this week can do so by studying the Bible, hosting a Bible reading group or luncheon, or sharing the word of God with friends and family.

The History of National Bible Week

This week was first declared in 1941 by then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During WWII, the National Bible Association read passages on radio broadcasts to give people hope and encourage them to keep their faith. Ever since, this week has served many Christians in the exercise of their faith.

Interesting Facts About the Bible

Below are some interesting facts that we’ve learned about the Bible. Let’s take a quick look at them as we continue our discussion on National Bible Week.

• The Bible contains 66 books, 39 of which are in the Old Testament.
• While Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, the rest was written by over 40 different authors.
• The Bible was written from 1450 BC to 100 AD.
• The Bible was written in three different languages: Aramaic, Hebrew, and Koine Greek.
• The first English translation of the Bible was completed in 1382.

Observing National Bible Week

As stated in our introductory statement, celebrating this week is as easy as reading and studying the Bible, sharing the word of God with family, or hosting Bible-related events. People can also spread the word about this week using the hashtag #NationalBibleWeek on social media.