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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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