OC Bereans

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, otherwise known as “March Madness,” begins tomorrow and culminates with the crowning of a “National Champion” nearly three weeks later on Monday, April 7th.  An estimated 50 million Americans will participate in March Madness office pools, costing companies about $1.2 billion for every unproductive work hour during the tournament’s first week.  In fact, an MSN poll in 2012 found that 56% of respondents, equivalent to 77.1 million employees, planned to devote at least one hour to March Madness.  And what about the untold millions more who will be glued to their TVs, tablets, computers, and mobile devices, simply watching the games?

Don’t get me wrong … I thoroughly enjoy this time of year and this brand of basketball.  In my opinion, the NBA [“Not Basketball Anymore”] pales in comparison to the energy, the drama, and the spirit of the NCAA tournament.

But rather than create a pool where we predict winners and losers each day during the tournament, I propose a more significant and fulfilling challenge … one that will aid our growth toward maturity in Christ.

For every half of an NCAA tournament game that we watch on TV, tablet, computer, or mobile device during these next three weeks, let’s also commit to read one chapter out of a book … any book! … on discipleship or “following Jesus” … including the Bible!

Here’s how this will work … NCAA games consist of two 20-minute halves, so simply keep track of every half of a game that you watch on TV, tablet, computer or mobile device, then later that day or week, read one chapter for every half watched.  Don’t cheat! … viewing even part of a half counts as a half.  This just may help us “redeem” some of that time spent in front of the TV or computer screen.

Need book recommendations?  Check out the titles and links on the right side of this blog under the “Worth Reading” column. Remember, the Bible counts, too!

Happy watching & reading!  May the best teams win … and the best books get read!

Grace & Truth!

~ tr