United News Weekly

Making Bible Study Part of Real Life

by Steven Britt, Senior Manager, Member Services

When you open your Bible, do you ever read a few verses, then realize your mind is already somewhere else?

The grocery list. The work deadline. The text you forgot to answer. The child who needs shoes. The appointment you almost missed.

It happens! Real life is busy, noisy and often scattered. So, before you open your Bible, try this: pause long enough to pray to God. Ask Him to help you focus, to help you learn, and to have a willing heart. That small step can change your whole experience!

Bible study is not about merely reading information—you are coming to the Word of God and looking for understanding. It’s like you’re asking, “Father, what do You want me to see? What do I need to understand? What should change in me?” Seeing it that way transforms your Bible reading from a task-list item into an ongoing, regular conversation with God.

Given the importance of reading your Bible, we need to make the effort to make it part of our everyday walk with God! Here are a few practical ways to get started and to keep momentum.

First, pick a real time, like setting an appointment. Put it on your calendar if you have to! Telling yourself, “I’ll study more this week,” is a good desire, but it is not yet a plan. When will you do it? Before breakfast? During lunch? After the kids are in bed? For 10 minutes before you start your workday? Choose a time that can actually survive your schedule.

Second, start smaller than you think you should. You don't have to begin with a two-hour deep dive into prophecy charts and Greek word studies! Start with one chapter, one passage or one topic. Consistency makes a monumental difference over time. A steady habit of 10 focused minutes a day for a year will bear far more fruit than an ambitious plan that collapses next Tuesday.

Third, bring a question with you at the end. When you finish reading, try asking: What does this passage teach me about God? What does it reveal about human nature? If I had to apply it or do something based on it today, what would that look like? A question gives your mind somewhere to go. It helps you read actively instead of just moving your eyes across the page and to continue engaging with God’s Word after your reading is done.

Fourth, write something down. You don’t need to write a whole essay. Just one sentence—a takeaway, a thought you had, a key quote—can help deepen your thinking about what you read. Write something short like: “Be slower to answer.” “Pray before reacting.” “God notices the discouraged.” “Teach my children this scripture.” A simple note helps move the lesson from the page into the day, which is really the goal.

Bible study becomes part of your real life when we carry it into real decisions.

This week, try out this simple pattern: pause, pray, read, ask a question, write down one takeaway and act on it!

Media Updates

July United News

July is almost here, and the United News team has an exciting announcement—we’re finally printing our first all-color issue!

Along with this design change, we’re upgrading the paper quality and moving to a magazine size for an easier reading experience.

The theme this month is graduation; we honor our high school and college graduates, and celebrate new beginnings!

Heidi Braun
Managing Editor Internal Publications

Read Online

New Digital Features for Beyond Today Subscribers

The media team would like to share some updates to Beyond Today subscriptions, including a new digital subscription.

Here’s what’s new:

• If you currently subscribe to the print magazine, it will now be published quarterly, with four extra pages per issue and higher quality paper.
• We’re also launching a digital subscription, which is a weekly email newsletter with articles each week and a personal note from one of our editors or writers. For the first time, you’ll get to read content related to current events before it appears in print.
• You’ll be able to sign up and manage all your subscriptions through your existing dashboard on ucg.org.

We’re looking forward to rolling out these updates soon and hope you'll find the subscription process more intuitive and user-friendly. Please pray with us that it will help us reach even more people with God’s truth.

If you have any questions about these changes, feel free to email Kourtney Kovanis (Senior Manager, Marketing) at kourtney_kovanis@ucg.org.

Ministerial and Member Services

Obituary: Susan (Sue) Carol Crow

Susan “Sue” Carol Crow of San Jose, California, died on Sept. 27, 2025 from complications of heart failure. She was 74. Born in Santa Monica, California, Sue lived a life overflowing with love, faith and service to God, her family, her church and everyone around her.
Sue and her sister Sharon (Roybal) grew up as “church kids.” When they were preteens, their mother, Eileen Schofield, was introduced to the Church, was baptized, and set her daughters on a path of faith that would define their entire lives.

After earning an associate of arts degree in business from De Anza College in Cupertino, California, Sue moved to Pasadena and worked for the Worldwide Church of God. She later returned to the Bay Area, where she worked for Cisco Systems, before beginning a 20-year career with IBM.

In 1975, Sue met Fred Crow at a Spring Holy Day dance, beginning a five-decade relationship. Sue and Fred (1974 graduate of Ambassador College in Bricket Wood, England) were married on Jan. 11, 1976. Their twin daughters, Tamara and Tracy, were born two years later and blessed them with eight grandchildren. Sue’s boundless energy and joy were never more evident than when she was surrounded by her growing family. In 2015 they both retired from full-time employment (Fred from Lockheed, Sue from IBM). They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January 2026.

Sue’s dedication to her church family was profound. Ordained a deaconess in 1995, she later served alongside her husband when he was ordained into the ministry in 2005. Together they pastored the San Jose and Eureka, California congregations. Known for her exceptional cooking and baking, Sue’s beautiful “oven treats” were a highlight for many a fellowship hour for after services.

A passionate advocate for young people, Sue helped organize and coach YOU (Youth Opportunity United) girls’ cheerleading squads for more than a decade. She (and Fred) served at church youth camps for 27 years—Sue in the business office and Fred in various activity roles. Through these efforts, they built lifelong friendships and made a lasting impact on many young lives.

Music was one of Sue’s greatest passions. Blessed with a clear, confident alto voice, she sang in choirs and ensembles. She was also a soloist for Sabbath services, Holy Days and variety shows. She was never shy about sharing her gift.

Sue leaves a legacy of warmth, laughter, hugs, generosity and genuine care. She loved her family and friends deeply and took great joy in meeting new people. Sue didn't know any strangers. They were just people she hadn't met yet. To all who knew her, Sue lived her faith in God’s Word with excitement and conviction, serving as a shining example in both word and deed. Her absence will be felt for a long time.