Amid the demands of daily life as homemakers, professionals, and faithful servants in the church, the Nazareno women of Dili, Timor-Leste, are dedicated to strengthening their spiritual lives. For the women at Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene, the Biblia Marathon—a continuous Bible-reading movement—has become a meaningful source of encouragement and spiritual growth.
The Biblia Marathon is a program in which participants commit to reading the Bible sequentially, starting from Genesis and continuing through Revelation. Participants read a portion of a designated book each day and then share a summary of the scriptures that spoke to each person in a WhatsApp group. Through this simple method ,the Bible is not only read but also meditated on, internalized, and shared as a living testimony that encourages one another.
Interestingly, after every three books, the women hold a group review session, sharing testimonies about how God’s Word spoke to them personally, rebuking, comforting, strengthening, and even providing answers to their life struggles. This activity has become a means for them to grow in faith, allowing God’s Word to actively work in their lives.
Through the Bible stories, the women of Amazing Grace learned about the faith of Abraham, the obedience of Moses, the courage of Joshua, and the faithfulness of other biblical figures whose lives God used. The leaders emphasized that these stories are not just from the past, but lessons for everyday life.
The Bible Marathon has been a tremendous means of growing in faith. The women reported feeling strong at heart and experiencing a deeper personal connection with God. Reading and meditating on God’s Word daily has helped them face life’s challenges boldly.