Engaging the Bible-1

7/31/2019 Engaging the Bible-1

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Bible Engagement

To what degree are our

people interacting withGods Word in a manner

that leads to lifetransformation?


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How often do YOU read

the Bible?


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Read the Bible- A few

times per week:

LifeWay Transformational

Church Research- 26% (ofregular church goers)


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Read the Bible- once a week:

LifeWay TransformationalChurch Research- 14% (of

regular church goers)


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Q. About how often, if at all, do you personally do each of the following activities? Do not include any

times you do these things as part of a church worship service.

LifeWay 2012- Read the Bible


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Throughout the day I find myselfthinking about Biblical truths


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How often do youstudy the Bible?


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How often do youstudy the Bible?

Daily- 7%Weekly- 28%

Based on the 07/08 LifeWay study.


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Set aside time for prayer of anykind

Q. About how often, if at all, do you personally do each of the following activities? Do not include any

times you do these things as part of a church worship service.


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Memorized a Bible verse

Q. In the past six months, about how many times have you, personally, done any of the following?

00 01 02 03 04 05 06-10 011+


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Insights from Dr. GeorgeGuthrie, author ofRead

the Bible for Life.


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How We Engage the Bible

Biblical Literacy = the ability to read

the Bible well, to interact with andhear the Bible, to understand it

and respondto it.

Dr. George Guthrie


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Socialization

25 million copies of the Bible

sold in the U.S. each year

9/10 homes have a Bible

Dr. George Guthrie


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Socialization

100 million copies of the Biblesold around the world

400 million copies of all or partof the Bible distributed by theUnited Bible Societies Dr. George Guthrie


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Interaction

Any level of exposure to the Bible(Reading & Hearing)

Dr. George Guthrie


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Interaction

We made a mistake. What we should havedone when people crossed the line of faith andbecome Christians, we should have startedtelling people and teaching people that they

have to take responsibility to become selffeeders. We should have gotten people, taughtpeople, how to read their Bible betweenservices, how to do the spiritual practices much

more aggressively on their own.

Bill Hybels (quoted by Dr. George Guthrie)


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Information

Familiarity- Retaining some ofthe basic Bible facts and truths.

Dr. George Guthrie


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Information

BiblicalLiteracy Quiz

57%

Dr. George Guthrie


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Orientation

When believers begins to see theBible as a guide to live and begin

making decisions based uponwhat they learn.

Dr. George Guthrie


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Orientation

4% of adults and just 9% ofborn again Christians have a

biblical worldview

51% of protestant pastors(79% SBC) Dr. George Guthrie


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Transformation

Only 37% of regular churchattenders say that Bible reading

and study have made asignificant difference in the way

they live their lives.Dr. George Guthrie


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Prescription

Preferred Reality


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The Bible paints a veryclear picture that Godspeople, true followers ofChrist, will display zeal,

passion, and reverence for

His Word.


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The Standard

Biblical disciples are to:Be equipped with knowledge Romans 15:14

Filled with wisdom

Colossians 1:28-29

Understand doctrine 1 Timothy

6:3-4


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The Standard

Biblical disciples are to:

Experience a transformed mind Romans 12:1-2


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The Standard

Nehemiah 8:1-12

Colossians 1:28-29

Colossians 3:16

Hebrews 4:12


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Set the Direction

One of the main responsibilities

of the leader is to determinepriorities.


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Prioritize Maturity

Many good things compete forour energy and focus.

It is easy to gravitate towardthose things that we measure(attendance, giving, etc.) Often

what is measured is what getsenergy and focus.


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Quote by Ogden


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Christian leaders seem to be

reluctant to restate the terms ofdiscipleship that Jesus laid out.What are the reasons for our

reluctance? We are afraid that ifwe ask too much people will stopcoming to our churches. Our

operating assumption is thatpeople will flee to the nearby


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entertainment church if we ask

them to give too much ofthemselves. So we start with alow bar and try to entice people

by increments of commitment,hoping we can raise the barimperceptibly to the ultimate

destination of discipleship.~Greg Ogden, pgs. 49-50, Transforming Discipleship


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It can be challenging to

determine where as adultChristian is at in the spiritualgrowth processSome of the

most spiritually immature peopleI have ever met have been inthe church for sixty years or

more


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Again we know a tree by itsfruit, and out of the overflow ofthe heart the mouthspeaksJesus made it clear thatpeople would know that we areHis disciples by our love for oneanother. (John 13:34-35)

Jim Putman, Real-life Discipleship


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Show Them

Your love for Gods Word can beused of by God to create

contagious environment.


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Be Intentional

Set very specific goals.

Establish a solid strategy.


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Determine a Process

I believe disciple makingchurches have processes to

move people toward maturity.


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Word-Centered Ministry

Preaching

Small Groups

Discipleship Training

One-on-One

Bible reading process


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Documents

Engaging the Bible-1