Is the Bible our most overlooked evangelistic tool?
8 minute read
We love evangelistic books, resources, and tracts—they can be instrumental in leading people to faith.
But an often-overlooked tool for evangelism is the Bible itself.
Why don’t we think of giving away a Bible first? Here are some reasons:
1. We assume people already have a Bible
Seventy years ago, 90% of UK homes had a Bible, whether or not they read it. By 2010, Bible Society research showed only 52% of homes had one, and ownership was continuing to decline. Although 2025 saw an upsurge in people buying Bibles there are still many who have never picked up a Bible in their life.
In 2007 Phil Mallon was starting to ask questions about faith after reading a secular self-help book which quoted some Proverbs. When staying at a hotel he noticed a Gideon Bible and suggested to his friend that he might steal it so he could read more Proverbs. His friend dissuaded him from stealing it and, although not a Christian, bought him a Bible as a surprise instead. Phil set to reading the Bible alone. He was convicted of his need for a Saviour within just a few weeks, and understood how Jesus’ death and resurrection offered him the forgiveness and hope he was seeking. He now pastors West Houghton Evangelical Church.
If someone already has a Bible, that’s fine—offer something else; or ask if they’ve read it recently. Encourage those who own one to pick it up and see what it says.
2. We think people wouldn’t want a Bible
Interest in the Bible is growing. Many seek answers and hope in uncertain times. In an age of AI, young people know not to trust everything online—but the Bible remains trusted.
Here are just three of our partner ministries proving the hunger for Bibles:
· Free Bible Sign
David Cox popped a sign in the window of his home office in Derby which is visible from a busy roadside. The sign simply said, “Free Bibles Available (Please knock)”. Over the years he has given away hundreds of Bibles to those who tentatively knock on his door. From busy mums, to ex-offenders, he has supplied Bibles to a huge variety of people. When asked why he thinks this method is effective he says, “I know that none of the Bibles I give away will be wasted, because it has cost the receiver courage to knock on my door. They really do want a Bible if they’re willing to knock on a stranger’s door and ask for a gift.”
· Free Bible website
Apsley Hall, a small church near Belfast, sends out 150–200 free Bibles weekly via a simple website form they set up in 2021.
Apsley Q&A
How did you come up with the idea to add a form to your website?
We heard about another church doing it; Mill Green Gospel Hall in Essex. They posted out free Bibles which I though was a great idea. I didn't actually look up the website or I might have noticed theirs was limited to Free Bibles for Essex. We limit ours to 1 per household, UK and Ireland only.
Did it start slowly and then build up to the current volume?
When we started in the Summer of 2021it started very small, maybe 1 or 2 requests a month. These were packaged and posted by one volunteer, Ruth, from our church. We would get an email and I would try to pray for every person who requested a Bible. In September 2023 it began to grow to 2 a week, then around 10 a week by December 2023. Throughout 2024 it grew to 200-300 a month. It is continuing to grow and is now between 500 to 1000 per month. We did no advertising; this was all God, and Google's algorithms. We partnered with 10ofthose in June 2024 and could not sustain the ministry without their help and support.
Is your church self-funding the ministry?
Mostly. We also appreciate gifts from trusts and individuals who have heard about the ministry and want to support it. The Lord has enabled us to support this work and continue with our other church ministries and mission support.
What is your prayer for this ministry?
That God would use his word to grow his kingdom. For the many genuine seekers who are searching Google for a Bible. We also need wisdom in replying to emails. We would love to do more follow up and perhaps direct people towards faithful, local churches. Perhaps God might lead us towards more partnerships with other Christian organisations that could help with follow up, or with requests from other countries.
What would be your advice to others looking to give away Bibles?
Start small and simple and see if it grows. It would be great to see this replicated in other countries where perhaps the need is even greater.
TikTok Giveaways
David Sims from St Thomas Church in Aldridge went viral on TikTok with a post about free Bibles. Hundreds of people responded, and David has sent out almost 2000 Bibles in the last 6 months.
How did you get started giving away free Bibles on Tiktok?
Almost by mistake really! Every Sunday night for the last 4 years (after I've already done 2/3 in-person services!) I’ve been doing a 30-minute church service on TikTok live.
Some people started messaging saying, “I'm not too sure about this God thing, but can you send me a Bible?” I was like, “Of course I can!”.
Initially I was sending out probably 10 or 15 a month. It was quite easy and manageable for me to do by myself.
And then I did a video of me with a Bible doing a little dance, saying if anyone wanted a Bible to message me and I'd send them a free one. It was cringey and embarrassing dancing, and the young people at our church were like, “Oh, man, it's awful.”
But, within about four or five days I'd had 120,000 views, and I'd had hundreds of messages from people saying they’d like a Bible, and requests keep coming.
We started Bible packing parties every Monday at 11am, where about 15-20 people from church gather together and we pack, praying over them, and putting postage labels on the Bibles.
Along with the Bibles we send a booklet that explains about Jesus, and a little sheet of paper to explain what the different books of the Bible are, and where to start reading. (I recommend starting in the gospels.)
I thought if this is the first time someone gets a Bible, we want it to be readable and nice. I don't want to send them a second hand, scrappy one so we started a crowdfunding page because we're not a big, or rich, church.
The postage and tract costs are being covered by the crowdfunding at the moment, but we're finding Bibles are just coming to us. God's doing stuff in people's hearts clearly and Bibles are turning up, which is amazing. One day a massive DPD lorry turned up and the driver said, “I've got 18 boxes of Bibles here, mate. Are they for you?” And I can't work out who sent them!
What is your prayer for your TikTok Bible ministry?
My prayer is that people will come to know Jesus. Really that's what it's all about, coming to know Jesus as Saviour, Lord and King. I'd also like them to get linked into a good local church. People are messaging all the time to say they’ve become Christians.
What I love is that it’s got to be the Lord doing it, because all we're doing is sending out Bibles. It's not difficult. Anyone could do it. It's not me and my persuasive arguments, or my wonderful preaching [David laughs] or anything like that. It's all Jesus.
I'm convinced that the more people we get Bibles into the hands of, the more people come to know Jesus and be saved. It seems really simple to me. I think every church should be doing it.
3. We worry people won’t understand the Bible
Tracts and evangelistic books give a summary of the gospel which has been written in an accessible way, and having that overview is helpful.
But, where better to direct people than the original source? As Christians we know that our own understanding of the Bible comes from the Holy Spirit, and that is the same for those we give Bibles to. The Bible has the power to convict, comfort, and change lives.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4v12
4. We don’t think we can afford to give Bibles
If you’re looking to post a gospel resource through the door of every house on your street, or estate, then a small tract or evangelistic Life Magazine is maybe a good option, both practically and financially. But offering a free Bible, or gospel, doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and we can’t put a value on the impact it may have.
(The NIV Outreach Bible is available from just £2 a copy!).
Geraldine Sparks helped run a toddler group twenty years ago, and was recently contacted out of the blue by one of the mums. The mum explained, “I want to let you know how very grateful I am to you for giving me my first Bible. At the time, it wasn’t that meaningful to me, but a little later I began to find my way to Jesus. Now, twenty years later, my relationship with Jesus is the cornerstone of my life and I wanted to thank you for being His messenger and helping to bring me into the fold.”
The Bible is not just a book—it is the living Word of God. When we place it in someone’s hands, we’re not just giving them information; we’re giving them an invitation to meet Jesus. Let’s not underestimate its power, let’s be bold and generous in sharing it!
Your next read:
How can we share the gospel with our family? - 9 minute read
Outreach and Evangelism: What’s the difference, and does it really matter? - 7 minute read
Creating Evangelistic Moments at Secular Events - 7 minute read
Evangelism - a word Christians fear? - 6 minute read
Using tracts in Evangelism - 6 minute read
Evangelism for the Discouraged and Disheartened - 5 minute read
