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Understanding Scripture
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Finding our place in the biblical story
Authors: Craig Bartholomew, Michael Goheen
Published by: Baker Academic, 2004 and SPCK, 2006
Many of us have read the Bible as if it was merely a mosaic of little bits - theological bits, moral bits, historical-critical bits, sermon bits, devotional bits, narrative bits. But to read the Bible in such a fragmented way is to ignore its divine author's intention to shape our lives through its story.
Published in association with the Bible Society in the UK, this book takes readers through the big story of Scripture in six acts:
Act 1: God establishes his kingdom - Creation
Act 2: Rebellion in the kingdom - Fall
Act 3: The King chooses Israel - Redemption initiated
Act 4: The Coming of the King - Redemption accomplished
Act 5: Spreading the news of the King - The mission of the Church
Act 6: The Return of the King - Redemption completed
Each chapter concludes with 'Questions to help us find our place in the story'. There are addtional discussion questions on the Bible Society website and additional resources on the authors' website. [more...]
Links: Publisher's Website | Authors' Website
Author: Brian Arensen
Published by: Evangelical Missions Quarterly, July 1995
We need to help our students switch their focus from their teachers to the Bible. We want them to be able to say with full confidence, “This is what the Bible teaches.”
How can we do that? It must begin with a major change of emphasis at our schools. We must teach our students how to think and not merely what to think. We must develop students’ confidence and skills to read, interpret, and apply the Bible for themselves.
In this article, Brian Arensen argues for the importance of teaching inductive Bible study methods in African theological colleges. He reports that after teaching and reinforcing inductive Bible study concepts, they have seen a significant difference in the way the students handle the Scriptures: [more...]
Biblical Education & Leadership Training
Link: http://www.ywambelt.org
One of the primary benefits of BELT is that it provides an intensive experience in local language Scripture use, where reading, teaching and understanding the translated Scriptures is modeled and given high value.
The mission of BELT, a ministry of YWAM, is to partner with mission organizations (primarily Wycliffe Bible Translators) and indigenous churches to develop leaders through culturally relevant Bible training that teaches them to apply the Scriptures to every area of life and equips them to teach and influence others. [more...]
EasyEnglish is a form of simple English developed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
This site contains Bible commentaries, Bible translations, Bible studies, and other materials that have been written in simple English. They are free to download and use.
The Bible commentaries are for pastors, elders and Bible Study leaders in the developing world or for people who speak English as a second language. They include a Bible translation in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary). [more...]
Your Guide to Understanding the Bible
Authors: Gordon Fee, Douglas Stuart
Published by: Zondervan
Covering everything from translational concerns to different genres of biblical writing, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth is used all around the world. In clear, simple language, it helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God’s Word. [more...]
Link: Buy at Amazon.com
Illustrated information books exploring the life and history of Bible times.
Authors: Tim Dowley, Robert Backhouse, Mary Evans, Stephen Motyer, Robert Bewley
Published by: Lion Hudson Plc
Lion Hudson has republished their set of 12 illustrated Bible information books. The series includes: People of the Bible, Life in Bible Times, Bible Facts and Figures, The Life of Jesus, The World of the Bible, Bible Atlas, The Jerusalem Temple, The Tabernacle, Old Testament Introduction, New Testament Introduction.
These books are really popular with translation teams. They would also be good in Bible schools and for those working with children and youth.
Special Offer: For those working with Bible agencies, get the complete set of 12 books for only £12 (British pounds), if you can arrange to collect them from the Wycliffe Bible Translators UK headquarters (Horsleys Green). Send your order to lionpublishing_uk
sil [dot] org with information on how you will pay and how you will get the books from Horsleys Green. [more...]
Scripture Application & Leadership Training
"S.A.L.T. makes people thirsty for the Word of God!"
S.A.L.T. is a "Scripture Use" program that (1) equips national pastors and leaders to effectively use the translated Scriptures in their ministries; and (2) inspires a love, wonder and understanding of God's Word in the vernacular. [more...]
Link: http://www.walkthru.org
"No more tedious note-taking or long, boring lectures! Instead, let us guide you through a highly creative and interactive learning adventure."
Interactive seminars to take groups through the story of the Old and New Testaments, with actions to memorise the key events, people and places. [more...]
A Bible Engagement Tool designed to assist people to grasp the big picture of Scripture; the story of the King and His Kingdom, and their place in it!
Author: Clayton Fergie (Scripture Union International)
"The pattern of a fundamentally fragmented and disconnected understanding of Scripture still remains a major issue for those within Christendom, in both the majority and minority world."
Timelining Scripture is an innovative, yet simple Bible engagement tool that helps people to grasp Scripture as the single great coherent story of God’s purposes for the world. It reinforces a strong notion of the Kingdom of God and is particularly useful for helping people to find themselves, their community and their cultural context as actors within the biblical story. It is adaptable across age and cultural contexts and is highly visual, interactive and flexible. [more...]
Authors: Krijn van der Jagt, Ray Pritz
Published by: United Bible Societies
The Bible Lands as Classroom series (eight 45 minute DVDs) is an excellent teaching tool for Bible translators, pastors, and people in general who would like to know more about biblical geography, history, and culture. The series was filmed in Israel and the Middle East, including many ancient sites. The DVDs include:
- Part One: Geography, Climate, Agriculture
- Part Two: From Abraham to Joshua
- Part Three: From Joshua to Hezekiah
- Part Four: From Hezekiah to Herod
- Part Five: New Testament: The Gospels
- Part Six: Spread of the Early Church in the Roman Empire
- Part Seven: The Religions of the Ancient Near East
- Part Eight: Bible Text and Canon
- Presenter’s Manual: Background readings and exercises
