Diverse writers for diverse readers

07.03.24

‘After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”’ Revelation 7:9-10

John’s experience, recorded in the Book of Revelation, points us towards a time when an innumerable number of people are glorifying Jesus, a group of people formed ‘from every nation, tribe, people and language.’ Just think of it – people from every nation on earth believing in Jesus for salvation!

What starts as a small number of followers by the Sea of Galilee spreads across the world. Salvation is not just for the people of Israel but God includes all people in His family and plan for salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 4:9-10).

The first disciples had very varied backgrounds; fishermen, a tax collector, a political revolutionary. After Jesus’ death they were joined by teachers, tent-makers and other business people – plus many others the Bible doesn’t tell us about. Also after Jesus’ death, the gospel spread from Judea and Jerusalem to Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Turkey, Italy and beyond.

In 1882, IBRA’s first Bible reading notes were published and originally distributed through the Sunday School Union in Britain and overseas. Within a year they were being used in Australia and within five years had spread to New Zealand, Canada, USA, Germany, Sweden as well as being published in French. By 1910 there were over 1 million IBRA members; the reading notes were published in multiple languages and appreciated by reading groups in factories, mines, churches, prisons, homes and even the trenches of the First World War.

Bible reading notes written for you – the reader

IBRA’s reading notes have always been relevant to the reader, drawing personal insight from the writers’ experience of God and connecting His written word to daily life.

This is why Fresh from The Word is different to other devotionals. God’s people of today may not yet be found in every nation and tribe but our current readers represent over a million people in 32 countries and our writers reflect that rich and diverse readership.

Fresh from The Word – writers’ backgrounds

We encourage each writer’s authentic voice to be heard in what they write (the content) and in the way they write it (the style), as well as ensuring that what they write about will be easily understood by readers in so many different cultures and communities. Think of someone writing about the normality of snow in their northern hemisphere country – not something that someone living in equatorial Africa will easily picture!

Fresh from The Word’s current writers (2025 edition) come from more than 16 different places, as you’ll see in the chart below.

Just like all of Jesus’ followers, they come from a variety of professions and communities too. As you would expect, there are church leaders and theologians from a range of denominations and traditions including Catholic, Reformed, Anglican, Evangelical, Methodist, Congregational and Free Church). There are also authors and teachers and the worlds of politics, business and healthcare are represented too.

Age and era each bring different perspectives to the table and so our writers come from differing stages of life:

• Young Voices (Older Children and Teens): This group captures the fresh and vibrant perspectives of youth, often characterized by a sense of exploration and discovery. Their writing can be marked by creativity, spontaneity, and a unique view of the world through the lens of growth and learning.
• Emerging Voices (Starting Out in Adult Life): Writers in this category are navigating the transition into adult responsibilities and freedoms, often bringing a sense of curiosity, ambition, and experimentation to their work. Their writing might explore themes of identity, independence, and the search for one's place in the world.
• Established Voices (More Established Adults): This group includes writers who have likely settled into their life's roles and bring a depth of experience to their writing. Their work can offer nuanced insights, reflecting a blend of personal and professional experiences, mature reflection, and a well-developed voice.
• Seasoned Scribes (Retired or retiring): Writers in this stage often have a wealth of life experience to draw from, offering perspectives shaped by a lifetime of learning and change. Their writing can be characterized by wisdom, reflection, and a sense of looking back while engaging with the present.
• Wisdom Keepers (Elderly): This group represents the elders of the writing community, whose works are often imbued with the wisdom of age, a broad historical perspective, and a deep understanding of life's complexities. Their narratives can provide guidance, comfort, and a rich historical context.

One body in Christ – one Bible - one readership  

We believe that a diverse group of writers best serves our diverse group of readers and reflects the nature of God’s people on earth – His church. We don’t have one voice trying to connect with many; our readers have more opportunities to connect with one or more of the many voices of our writers – and that our differences are unified in Jesus. As Paul writes to the church in Rome, ‘… so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others’ (Romans 12:5).

What’s more, our readers are brought together each day by reading the same passage from the Bible – all hearing God’s Word as one – and that’s something very special to be part of!

Discover our writers

You can read short biographies on each of our writers here

Fresh from The Word 2024 – Bible reading notes

Be part of our global community with our daily reading notes. Discover them here

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