Sower Winter Edition 2012 by Bible Society Australia

Sower The Bible at work

WINTER 2012

RWANDA healing from a hurting past BALKANS a harvest of souls PHILIPPINES may they be one LATIN AMERICA opposing domestic violence DEVOTION and daily Bible reading 1

Dear friends, So many books! That’s the impression I had when I walked into an enormous city bookstore recently. Old books, new books, books arriving every day. Too many books for anyone ever to read them all. How do we choose? At the Bible Society, we know one thing for certain: start reading the Bible, and you will always have made a good choice. So much of today’s reading is short-lived — newspaper columns that don’t matter tomorrow, blog posts of dubious importance, magazines that quickly turn into scrunchedup packing material. As your life goes on, the number of books that seem to have lasting value gets fewer and fewer (and I say this as a tragic bibliophile!). But the Bible promises more than any other book. In 1 Peter 1:23-25, we read that the word of God is an “imperishable seed” that will “endure forever”. The writer is quoting words from Isaiah the prophet, some eight centuries earlier, itself a demonstration of how the words of truth endure. It is worth reading the Bible, because it is knowledge that lasts into eternity. The truth of God’s word, the message of salvation and mercy and the coming Kingdom of God, will last today, tomorrow, and forever. That’s a book worthy of your time!

Because of the eternal value of the word of God, the Bible Society strives to make sure that every person on the planet has access to the Bible. Thank you so much for joining us in this bold venture! And while Australia provides largely easy access to the Bible, we are desperately concerned to have Australians engage with it more regularly, and know the words of eternal life. Our 2012 Bible Reading Campaign is an attempt to help churches and individuals to do this. Will you and your church be part of it? In the Lord,

Dr Greg Clarke, CEO Bible Society Australia P.S. Some of you will have received in the mail a copy of Bible Society Australia’s 2011 Annual Review (our first as a national organisation). If you didn’t receive one, and would like to, please let us know.

Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It is a member of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 146 organisations working in more than 200 countries. Our mission is to achieve the widest possible, effective and meaningful distribution of the Bible; also, to help people interact with it, and to have their hearts lightened by the Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ. GPO BOX 9874 In Your Capital City P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425 W: biblesociety.org.au E: sower@biblesociety.org.au ACN 148 058 306

Update

Easterfest in Toowoomba, Queensland was an excellent opportunity for our GodSpeak Advocates to advocate for the young in India. Rachelle Brooks (left) and Marguerite Malan spoke to thousands of Christians about supporting the REAP literacy project in India’s slums. Rachelle herself was first moved to become a Bible Society GodSpeak Advocate at last year’s Easterfest! In late June, Advocate Jessica Follers heads to Mozambique to see first hand the literacy work supported by Bible Society donors. No doubt she’ll return all fired up Advocating for India’s young to advocate for the project!

A full Bible to call their own

Message from The Couriers

Helping hand for chaplains

For Christians of the Pitjantjatjara community in Central Australia, April 2012 was a time to remember and rejoice. It marked their tenth year of having the New Testament in their own language. Work is now underway to translate the Old Testament too, and in June, Bible Society’s Paul Eckert will lead a team of translators as they work through OT books Daniel and Numbers.

Victoria-based male quartet, “The Couriers” were a highlight at the Launceston launch of the “Get The Word Out – Lebanon” project. Bible Society presentations are continuing in other cities across Australia. The push is on to raise $300,000 to get Bibles to Lebanon. (Ed: Second from left in the pic is Bert Guy, the Bible Society’s singing board member!)

It’s a privilege to partner with chaplains in ministries serving the Defence Force, hospitals, prisons, juvenile justice centres, seafarers, and Indigenous communities. Through our generous donors, the Bible Society will be providing $230,000 worth of Scripture Grants to assist chaplains working in these vital areas of need. Your support is making a world of difference!

RWANDA

Learning to read,forgive, and live as one people

It’s hard to imagine, in peaceful Australian suburbs, neighbours so hostile they’d kill because of ethnicity. This was, however, the stark reality for those affected by the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Fear and hatred between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups erupted in 100 days of pure hell, resulting in the brutal killing of one million Rwandans. It’s difficult to grasp just how deeply this tiny African nation has been scarred by its violent past. Racial division, widespread poverty and low literacy levels are just part of the challenge facing the nation. Learning to live again as one people is vital to Rwanda, but so is “learning” to begin with. Almost half the population cannot read or write; more than a quarter of school-aged children do not attend school at all, and only 37% go on to secondary school. The Bible Society is tackling these devastating statistics at two levels: through basic Bible-based literacy programmes, as well as advanced literacy training of teachers and pastors, focused on reconciliation. Thanks to you, the Bible Society is reaching Rwandans from all walks of life, including children and street people. 248 primary school teachers have been

trained, and they in turn have trained more than 400 of their peers. Across the country, people are learning to read and write, while learning how to forgive and reconcile with others. You can partner with the Bible Society to improve literacy skills among Rwandan children. This is done using books based on Scriptural themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.

and sed from anger Youth are relea

hatred

A pastor’s change of heart At a healing workshop, participants symbolically nail past heartaches to the cross. In the district of Bugesera, students were reading the biblical story about the prodigal son. The teacher asked what lesson they’d received from the story. The students said they understood that they too should ask for forgiveness when they did wrong, and to offer forgiveness when they were the ones wronged. Importantly, teachers are also trained in reconciliation as part of the programme. At one

The atrocities in Rwanda were hard even on hearts that love the Lord. “Forgiving was a very big challenge to me,” said Pastor Lambert Ruzindana. “While doing the Bible-based literacy training focused on reconciliation, I repented of my hatred, and I felt great peace and joy descending into my heart. I have now made significant changes to my preaching, and I teach about healing, unity and reconciliation in my church.” session, the participants wrote about things that had hurt them in the past. They then symbolically gave their burdens to the Lord by nailing the pieces of paper onto a wooden cross. Feeling greatly relieved, they fully committed themselves to becoming agents of peace in their schools and communities.

The Bible helps with fair judgements In my work as a local leader, I help resolve conflicts between disputing parties. In the past, I would easily side with someone from my ethnic group; but now, I resolve conflicts impartially. The basis is no longer ethnicity, but listening to see who is telling the truth, and then making a fair judgement.I have decided to become an agent of healing and reconciliation in my community. Uwingabiye Josephine

ony Nagato’s testanim were d other family members

Nagato’s husband ur, Twahirwa Alphonse. murdered by her neighbo Twahirwa returned to Upon release from prison, e was filled with both . Sh live next to Nagato again a ught Nagato and Twahirw bro d Go d. tre fear and ha re we y training, where the together through literacy r of Bible stories focused both touched by the powe and hope. “All the bitteron healing, reconciliation ve en away by the Lord. I ha ness and hatred were tak n. so a’s r to marry Twahirw even allowed my daughte de to God.” My heart is full of gratitu

This literacy programme has been in place for just over five years, and it’s had an amazing impact on the lives of youth and adults. These people have become a means for change themselves, as they spread the word in their own communities, bringing increased peace in areas where the programmes operate. As more and more lives are transformed, the Bible Society is struggling to keep up with the demand for

Teachers make the first move towards unity the literacy programmes. There is a desperate need for more Bibles, teaching material, paper, pencils and writing boards. There are also costs for training local teachers, and helping them travel between villages. We urgently need $530,000 to see these literacy programmes continue. Your tax-deductible gift will help this war-torn country find healing as a nation. Thank you for being part of what God is doing in bringing about genuine transformation among his people in Rwanda. To donate, please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or log on to www.biblesociety.org.au For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10

Charlie Balch

Yet I will praise you A devotion based on Romans 5:3-5

It’s in the valleys that we grow. Under pressure, we are refined. In the tough times, the tough get tougher. It’s one of the realities of life, that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope. It’s like the Chinese house churches; even when they are persecuted and scattered, they grow. They are refined in the fire. The sad thing about the Western church is we have it so good, and when a little bit of trouble comes, we just go to a “better” church, or stop going to church for a “season.” We need to learn about perseverance, character, and hope. Many times I have felt like quitting, getting an “easier” job. But I think I’d just be like Jonah; I’d run away from the call on my life, and would just have to go through storms, be eaten by a fish, then have to do it in the end. That’s the hard way! Romans 5:3-5 from The Message Bible reminds us:

“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” This devotion was prepared by Matt Prater, Senior Pastor of New Hope Church, Brisbane, as part of the “Read The Bible with….” series. This series of daily online devotions, part of the “Live Light in 25 Words” campaign, will be available throughout October. Get details at: www.biblesociety.org.au/25words

Equipping harvesters in the

BALKANS Albania

“Balkan” means “mountain” in Turkish, and loosely refers to a region of South East Europe

David Thomson

How would you react to sixty years of enforced atheism, where priests and Christian leaders are “silenced”? This was life for Albanians, until the early 90s when communism fell in Central and Eastern Europe. Two decades on — in Albania and in other Balkan countries of South East Europe — there is still a void that even freedom and materialism can’t fill. People need God’s life and values, revealed through His Word, the Bible. That is what the Bible Society’s “Harvesters Project” is about — a search for people who will pass on to others the love of God through His Word. As the Bible Societies in Albania, Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia and Serbia have only ten staff between them, they are desperate for help to come alongside. There is also the need to equip the “harvesters” with Bibles, as communities are poor and unable to afford Bibles of their own.

The search is on to find people with a heart to reach others Albania is very poor. You see it as soon as you cross the border; for example, in their atrocious main roads. There are relatively few Christians, but they are vibrant and determined to follow Christ’s mandate in Acts 1:8 (But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.) Now is the time for the Bible Society to help all the churches in these Balkan countries. Now is the time to find people who are already committed to the Scriptures, who will be able to pass on this love for God to others. Tony Crook, Bible Society Manager for International Missions Through your support, each of the “harvesters” will receive basic teaching about the reliability of the Bible, how to evangelise effectively, and how to bring the Bible back into the “public square”. To assist them, the five Balkan Bible Societies, working together, have launched a website. They have also produced a bookmark with New Testament Bible readings for 30 days, designed to get people reading the Scriptures for a month. This is being promoted among churches, to get their congregations to read the Scriptures daily. This project, running across all the churches in the region, is new and will face many challenges over the long term. Please pray for the Bible Pray for harvester Zvjezdan Linic Societies in these countries as Father Zvjezdan Linic runs a seminar retreat centre. He has always encouraged attendees to read the Bible regularly, but they seek God for a harvest in hasn’t had practical tools to offer them. the years ahead. Now he is able to offer them bookmarks with the NT Bible To donate to this project, please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 readings on them, provided by the Bible Society. It’s a small start, but pray for Father Zvjezdan and other 242 537) or donate online at harvesters, that the returns will be a hundredfold! www.biblesociety.org.au

Inácio Pires

Spotlight on

young supporters On May 9th, Bible Society staff and supporters across Australia joined Bible Societies worldwide in a “Day of Prayer.” In Sydney, one of the things the group prayed for was the different children’s projects. Ken, a long time supporter and volunteer, was seen to pray very earnestly for this. Ken later shared how, as a Sunday School child, he’d bought a KJV Bible printed by the Bible Society. This was around 1937, and he’d paid one shilling for it – about 10 cents today. When his granny saw his Bible, she liked it so much that he decided to buy her one too – Ken’s very first act of providing Bibles for others. In time, this turned into decades of faithful support for the Bible Society. Who can tell how many people worldwide have the Word today thanks to Ken.... who first gave a Bible as a child. The letter on the left came from three young siblings who have also taken up the challenge to share the Word of God. (And who are holding the Bible Society accountable!) In previous Sowers you would have read about other children who made bookmarks or food to sell in their church, or who saved up money in a honey jar... and donated it all to the Bible Society. These children are precious and amazing! Importantly, too, they are likely to grow up as a future generation of Bible Society supporters. Thank you to everyone who has already begun encouraging their children to catch the vision, showing them different, creative ways to get involved. If you’d like to get your child interested, and would appreciate some ideas, do check out our Get The Word Out – Lebanon project on our website: www.biblesociety.org.au

Postcard designs on both pages: In 2011, children of the All Saints church in North Epping, NSW, designed beautiful cards, then printed and sold them . They were thrilled to send the proceeds to the Bible Society’s “Get The Word Out” project for that year!

Bringing the Bible to life

The Bible Society’s 2012 Bible reading campaign — Live Light in 25 Words— is well underway. The Good Book talks, a video series of 20 minute talks from ten Christian leaders around Australia, is in the final stages of production. These videos will be available for download from Bible Society Australia’s website later this year. The ten speakers are: Centre for Public Christianity’s John Dickson, Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge, Jacqueline Grey of Alphacrucis College, Guy Mason of City on a Hill church (Melbourne), Ashley Evans of Influencers Church (Adelaide), World Vision CEO Tim Costello, Andrew Heard of Central Coast Evangelical Church, Kanishka Raffel of St Matthew’s Shenton Park (Perth) and the Bible Society’s very own Greg Clarke and John Harris (pix, above). “It’s a great honour to have some of Australia’s most well-known and respected Christian thinkers involved in this campaign,” says Chris Melville, Bible Society’s Live Light in 25 Words campaign manager.

“We want to renew peoples’ enthusiasm for God’s Word, to get them thinking about how the Bible is relevant for their lives today, and encourage them to delve into it daily to see what God has to say.” The campaign will also include a series of daily devotionals called Read the Bible with… “We’ve rounded up over 25 Christian influencers from around the country, for Christians to read the Bible with in October,” says Melville. These ‘influencers’ include Erica Bartle (Girl with a Satchel blogger), Rory Shiner (St Matthew’s Unichurch, Western Australia), Brenton Ragless (Channel 9 weather presenter, South Australia), Claire Van Ryn (journalist, Tasmania) and Sam Mak (RICE Movement, NSW). All 25 influencers will read and reflect on a passage of Scripture and share it as an online daily devotional throughout October. There’s more to come, so sign up to be part of the campaign, and receive the most up to date news, by visiting www.biblesociety.org.au/25words

Bible A Month

A gift that keeps on giving Christians in Australia have many Bibles on the shelves. Our problem is that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read it often enough. For many people around the world, though, the Bible is hard to get, often because of cost, religious restriction or limited availability where they live. Could you imagine your life without a Bible? Bible A Month is a regular gift-giving programme that helps the Bible Society to translate, produce, distribute and make Bibles more affordable across the world. Where the need exists, Bibles are given for free. From as little as $10 a month you can place a Bible in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands. As a Bible A Month supporter, you can choose how often you want to give: monthly, bi-

monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually. Easy payment options include BPay and Direct Debit from your bank account or credit card accounts. We will keep you informed about how the Bibles you provide are touching lives in Australia and worldwide. For more information about this opportunity to partner with the Bible Society, please phone 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or go online: www.biblesociety.org.au Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Tim 4:2

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20, 21)

Philippines

Getting the Word to the people

The “May They Be One” project has the full support of Pope Benedict XVI The people of the Philippines - largely Catholic - are known for their love of God. A recent US survey* of 30 countries shows that the Philippine nation has the strongest belief in God, with 94% of those surveyed saying they had always believed in Him. Yet, despite their hunger for God, they are unable to daily read his written Word for one reason: nearly twothirds do not own a Bible. In actual numbers, that’s a staggering 56 million people in the Philippines who are unable to actively engage with the Bible. In 2008, the World Synod of Bishops in Rome pro-

posed a project called “May They Be One”, encouraging Catholics to read the Bible. The project was approved by Pope Benedict XVI. With a papal mandate, Filipino bishops are now working with the Philippine Bible Society to place Bibles in the hands of the people. The Philippine Bible Society aims to do as much as it can to support the Catholic Church in this project. Working together, Bibles in a number of local languages are being translated, printed and distributed. The immediate target is to provide 5 million Bibles to poor families in the Philippines over five years. These

t to the day the Philippines A perfect star d Catholic churches in

ery The Bible Society an country reading a Bible ev want to see families in the thusiastic that he has started en day. David, a bishop, is so akfast me. Around a simple bre ho his in ” dy stu “breakfast ople to pe g itin s a Bible study, inv of bread and fruit he share le. delve deeper into the Bib time and countries” s ros ac d Go t ou ab * “Belief ty of Chicago, USA Survey by NORC, Universi

Changed commun

ities The St. Raphael Archange l Parish in the Philippines has been using the May Th ey Be One Bibles in its family-centred activities. This has led to many paris hioners clamouring for the ir own copy. One lady sa ys she has begun reading the Bible daily and has given up gambling. A church wo rker says that even the po or are now giving to support the result of reading and apply Parish’s ministry, as a ing parish is witnessing the tra Bible principles. The nsforming power of God’s Word in the community. Families and whole communities rejoice as they receive Bibles of their very own Bibles will be sold at a highly-subsidised price of 50 Filipino pesos (about AUD$1.30). One million Bibles will also be given free to the poorest of the poor. To help make this happen, Bible Society Australia is working together with the Australian Catholic Church to raise funds. Two Bible Society staff – Charlie Gatt in Melbourne and Richard Allcock in Sydney – are raising awareness of the campaign through presentations at weekend services. A number of Australian Bishops have readily endorsed the campaign, and more and more parishes

are getting on board. So far, Australian generosity has provided 16,200 Bibles to many Filipino families. The Bible Society is encouraged by this generous response to the campaign, and is keen to continue providing this “life-giving support” to the Filipino people. You too can help put a Bible into Filipino homes, and see them engage with God’s Word. To donate, please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or donate at www.biblesociety.org.au

Bible Society Diary What’s on across Australia

Jun 05

Albany Action Group: “The Word was God” Albany Baptist, Bethel Way, WA

Jun 06/13/22

Get the Word Out Lebanon Project

Enoggera /Nambour/Gympie in QLD

Jun-26

Get the Word Out Lebanon Project

South Melbourne UCAF, VIC

Jul 06 - 09

BFB Narrabri 400 Ride

Narrabri, NSW

Jul 15

Hymnfest

Toowoomba, QLD

July 17

“Why can we trust the New Testament” Tour Starts in NSW. Other states: (Live Light in 25 words campaign) Sept 4: VIC, Sept 10: WA

Jul 23 - Aug 5

Flying Bibleman CWCI Safari

Sept 12: TAS, Sept 19: QLD Cape York & Torres Strait

Jul 28

Get the Word out Lebanon Project

Leongatha Branch, VIC

Aug 05

Hymnfest

St Andrew’s Church,Lismore, NSW

Aug 12

Hymnfest

Anglican Church, Broken Hill, NSW

Aug 13 - 16

Bible Storytelling Workshop

Melrose, Flinders Ranges, SA

Aug 19 -31

BFB Ride Albury to Adelaide

NSW/VIC/SA

Hymnfest/Concert

Warragul & District Churches, VIC

Aug 25

Aug 29 Get the Word Out Lebanon Project Glenroy Gospel Chapel, VIC For details call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537). For full BFB Diary: www.bikeforbibles.org.au

Staying relevant in the digital age the day starts with prayer, together with others from different portfolios. While technology helps us stay sharp, prayer keeps our hearts soft! The Bible Society website is updated daily, both with project information, and the day’s news looked at from a Christian perspective. Having daily updates means that the website remains current, providing Bible Society supporters and others alike a reason to keep coming back to the site. Of course, while there, they’re able to access all information and updates on Bible Society projects and events. If you have le ni From juve delinquent to MP suggestions for the Bible Society website, or for any of our publications, please let Publications & Digital know, by emailing us at: sower@biblesociety.org.au

Get The Word Out to Lebanon Word Spending time with God’s Hope for families in India

Cover.indd 1

FREE

2012 NUMBER 25, MAY CIRCULATION 100,000 ISSN 1837-8447

The Steve Davies

Story

AUTUMN 2012

Lachlan Crane

Look at the Bible Society’s website, print and audio-visual materials, and you’re looking at a large part of what the Publication & Digital (P&D) portfolio does. It’s P&D’s role to gather information, then write, design, print and publish materials for supporters and an increasingly wider audience. This portfolio was set up as part of the Bible Society’s move to stay up-to-date in the way we provide information, and the Scriptures. Staying in step with today’s technology means we can keep on presenting the Word “in a format people can use.” National P&D Manager, John Sandeman (in red, main picture) oversees three areas: News, Publications and Media. John brought to the role both media experience, wer So The Bible at work and Eternity - Australia’s largest Christian newspaper. The team works to provide the Scriptures, information and publications in as crisp, accurate, engaging and cost-effective a manner as possible. The Sower you’re reading is one of the publications put together by P&D, with content from across the Bible Society. Each day in P&D is a busy one, and that’s exactly why

sland Christian in the Queen

election

on FOR ATHEISTS AN AFTER PARTY • CHRISTIANS THROW ON THE SEARCH FOR ORDER • MICHAEL JENSEN LONG-DISTANCE MISSIONARY ALP’ OF THE • THE LONELINESS CHRISTIAN LOBBY SAYS ‘JOIN THE THE • LYLE SHELTON OF

How Christian took

15/02/12 2:48 PM

LATIN

Giving women

More than 35 million people across Latin America are illiterate, with another 73 million coming close. This applies especially to indigenous groups in rural areas, and even more so to their women. Families often only educate their males, resulting in generations of women growing up unschooled and unaware of their rights. Their world is one of discrimination, exclusion, sexual harassment and domestic violence. Marriage offers little protection, with violence in the home considered a private matter. Many Latin American societies have a “machista” culture, where male dominance is deeply ingrained in relationships.This spills over into

the way that those in authority attend to cases of domestic violence. Bible Societies in Latin America, through their outreach work among indigenous communities, are right there at the coalface. The Bible Societies in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Eqaudor and Panama have partnered with government and non-governmental organisations, pastors and leaders, to address illiteracy and domestic violence. Working with an organisation called Alfalit, they have set up literacy programmes, encouraging families to let their girls and women learn to read - the first step towards a better life. They also provide churches with resources, help-

thout any shame I was Fitting into society,towi school; from a very young age

“My parents never let me go pay. Soon after I married, my forced to work very hard, and without abandoned me with three small husband became an alcoholic; he then ed me if I wanted to be a part of children. The Chilean Bible Society ask wanted to help me learn and to the literacy program. They told me they ing any shame. With God you can integrate me into society, without feel participant in the Chilean Bible achieve everything.” María Méndez, Society literacy project.

AMERICA

hope and a future

more to be done, this regional programme is bringing hope, where currently only hopelessness lives. Your support will raise new generations of women who can read, have a Bible-based view of themselves, and be confident of their worth. Please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or go online to donate at www.biblesociety.org.au (GSI) Global Scripture Impact orded rec h ug ho alt reports that ca eri Am tin La in n victimisatio the %, 50 to % 18 ranges from ught to actual percentage is tho idents be far higher as many inc go unreported.

Aline Dassel

ing families learn Biblical principles about relationships, and about God’s view of male and female. Felipa Busa, 30, from Peru, and her partner, were having many problems. They were at the point of breaking up when the Gospel came to their community. They accepted Christ, and enrolled in the Biblebased literacy programme. As a result of learning about God-centred relationships, Felipa and her partner decided to marry. “Now, I want to bless others with my testimony of how God has changed my life,” says Felipa. 31,000 women and children will be reached in the first stage of the project. While there is much

Christians the only real family

she’s known The churches in Latin America desper ately need resources equipping them to help victims of abuse. Victims like M. Chavez, 49, a beneficiary of the Bible Society’s domestic violenc e program: “When I was a child, my parents punished me, hitting me with things like a horse’s bridle. As a girl, I was raped by my brother, and narrowly escaped from my uncle. Now, I suffer sexual and psychological abuse from my husband. I can finally find help in the Christian family.” 19

Bible reading guide July 1-9 Psalms 39–48 39 40 41 42; 43 44 45 46 47 48 July 10-20 Luke 9.37—11.54 9.37 -45 9.46-50 9.51-62 10.1-16 10.17-24 10.25-37 10.38-42 11.1-13 11.14-28 11.29-36 11.37-54 July 21-Aug 2 Exodus 16.1— 23.33

16.1-16 16.17-36 17.1-16 18.1-27 19.1-25 20.1-17 20.18-26 21.1-11 21.12-27 22.1-15 22.16-31 23.1-19 23.20-33 August 3-12 Luke 12.1—13.35 12.1-12 12.13-21 12.22-34 12.35-48 12.49-59 13.1-9 13.10-17

13.18-21 13.22-30 13.31-35 August 13-19 Micah

August 26September 2 1 Samuel 19.1 – 25.44

1.1-16 2.1-13 3.1-12 4.1 - 5.1 5.2-6:5 6.6-16 7.1-20

19.1-24 20.1-17 20.18-42 21.1-15 22.1-23 24.1-22 25.1-22 25.23-44

August 20-25 Acts 11.1 – 13.3

September 3-13 Luke 14.1 – 17.37

11.1-18 11.19-30 12.1-11 12.12-19a 12.19b-25 13.1-3

14.1-14 14.15-24 14.25-35 15.1-10 15.11-32 16.1-15

16.16-18 16.19-31 17.1-10 17.11-19 17.20-37 September 14-22 Isaiah 44.24 – 53.12 44.24 - 45.8 45.9-19 48.12-22 49.1-7 49.8-21 50.4-11 51.9-23 52.1-12 52.13 - 53.12 September 23-30

Psalms 49–56 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 The readings in this guide are taken from Series 1 of the Scripture Union Bible-reading notes, “Daily Bread”. The whole Bible is covered in four years (Series 1 – 4).

UBS Update Bible quiz in Jamaican schools

Jamaica removed Bible Study from its school curriculum, but the Bible Society there has found a great way to keep the Scriptures alive in schools! Through the “National Bible Quiz”, students develop an interest in the Scriptures, and also form positive behavior skills shaped by biblical values. The fun quiz matches are well attended by students… and their parents!

Full Bible now in 475 languages

Bibles for Chinese Sunday Schools

In many parts of China, having a Sunday School was a dream. However, as the church in China grows, so too does permission for holding Sunday schools. Demand for materials is high, the Pictorial Bible in particular. Chen, a Sunday School teacher, says: “Because of this book, my children began to like the Bible stories and started to enjoy the Sunday School. This book serves as a good foundation for the children to know God and to imitate Jesus Christ from young.”

Statistics* from the Bible Society of Brazil show that, as at end 2011, the full Bible was available in 475 languages worldwide. The breakdown: • 743 in Africa • 618 in Asia • 515 in the Americas • 449 in Oceania • 210 in Europe • 3 in languages like Esperanto 2,538 languages had at least one book of the Bible translated. This means that more than 2500 people groups have been reached, but there is still much more to be done! As an example, within Brazil alone there are 185 languages spoken. The latest translation launched there was the New Testament in the Tembé language. A village chief had this to say: “This New Testament is important because it values our language and our culture. Also, from now on, we have the Bible in our language, so we can understand God’s things. I’m very happy!” *Scripture Language Report 2011

The King James at 400

Launch Issue of Bible Society Essays The King James at 400 addresses 8 topics including the KJVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and influence, by biblical scholars such as Rev Dr John Harris, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Rev Dr Michael Jensen and more. A fantastic 59-page paperback book that will help you understand the significance of the King James Version. Call the Bible Society on 1300 139 179 to order. $15 + $5.95 postage

Bible Society Australia Locked Bag 7003 Minto NSW 2566 T. 1300 139 179 F. +61 2 9829 4685 E. directsales@biblesociety.org.au www.biblesociety.org.au

In May’s Eternity

FREE

NUMBER 25, MAY 2012 CIRCULATION 100,000 ISSN 1837-8447

The Steve Davies Story

tion stian in the Queensland elec How Christian took on Chri R PARTY FOR ATHEISTS AFTE • CHRISTIANS THROW AN THE SEARCH FOR ORDER RY • MICHAEL JENSEN ON LONG-DISTANCE MISSIONA • THE LONELINESS OF THESTIAN LOBBY SAYS ‘JOIN THE ALP’ CHRI • LYLE SHELTON OF THE

Lachlan Crane

Scan the QR code above with your mobile camera for Eternity’s latest news.

From juvenile delinquent to MP

The cover story is on Queensland MP Steve Davies, and how a former “punch-drunk bouncer” has made it to Parliament! Also, in this issue is a look at how small churches can make a difference… how one father is running to help fight the child sex trade… some lessons from the recent atheist convention in Melbourne… movie reviews…. and more. You can also read a few stories from the May issue, and get daily Eternity updates, online at biblesociety.org.au • Eternity is Australia’s largest Christian newspaper, with a monthly circulation of 100,000 • Sign up your church, school, college or bookstore for free monthly copies by e-mail: eternity@biblesociety.org.au • Get daily Eternity updates online at www.biblesociety.org.au • “Like” EternityNews on Facebook so your friends can know about it too

Many ways to support the work! • Give to one of our exciting projects, many of which are tax-deductible • Volunteer your time, to help out at Bible Society offices • Pray for those who do our work, and those who can benefit from it

Need to call the Bible Society? Volunteers have been a great help across the years • Visit our website www.biblesociety.org.au to keep in touch with all of our activities • Become a “partnering Friend” and receive journals, literature, prayer information and more

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