The Year of the Bible

THE YEAR OF THE

Celebrating 200 years of Bible work in South Africa with the Bible Society

200 YEARS OF BIBLE WORK IN SA IS AN ACHIEVEMENT. WELL DONE! PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR JOURNEY WITH THIS GREAT WORK YOU ARE DOING.

In a nutshell, the Bible Society journey has been one of hope throughout the past 200 years. God’s Word, when received in faith, inspires faith, hope, and love. We live in a beautifully diverse nation, with many different languages contributing not only to our conversations but also to our South African litany of prayer and praise to God. It follows that we should all hear God speaking to us in our very own heart languages.

It has been a journey to ensure that all South Africans have the Bible available to them in their heart languages. Thus far, the Bible Society has ensured the translation of the Bible into all eleven official languages. Work is continuing for smaller language groups in South Africa. It has been a journey to ensure that all South Africans, no matter where they live, what their circumstances or any special need may be, may have direct access to God’s Word. The Bible Society produces Bibles in print, audio, digital, and braille formats, and seeks to ensure Bible distribution throughout South Africa – well over 44 million Bibles since 1950 alone.

It has been a journey to ensure that, through these Bibles, God’s Word finds its way into our hearts. Bible engagement, literacy, and increasingly, Bible advocacy, are also part of the journey. It has also been a journey of incredible Kingdom partnership. None of this would have possible without the prayers, involvement, and financial support of the churches, individuals, and foundations that help to complete the Bible Society story. And the journey continues. Dirk Gevers, CEO of the Bible Society of SA

HOW AND WHEN EXACTLY DID BIBLE SOCIETY BRANCH OUT IN SA?

On 23 August 1820, the founding meeting to establish the South African Bible Society took place in Government House (currently Tuynhuys) with Sir Rufane Donkin, the Acting Governor of the Cape, as Chairman. It was established by the British and Foreign Bible Society as an auxiliary. Over the years, work began in other parts of the country with offices in Durban and Johannesburg. In 1948, Bible Society work began to function as a unit throughout South

Africa, still under the British and Foreign Bible Society. are currently at a serious disadvantage in our educational On 1 November 1965, the Bible Society of South Africa system when it comes to literacy. The materials will be became an autonomous Bible Society in its own right. used within a structured Early Childhood Development ANY VISION IS NEVER WITHOUT ITS (ECD) context. They will also, hereby, be introduced to CHALLENGES. WHAT WERE YOURS WHEN the Bible at an early age. Each gift of R100 will ensure YOU STARTED IN SA AND WHAT ARE YOUR that one person will receive a Bible, one child will receive CHALLENGES LIKE NOW? literacy material and also, support will be given to three

Well, I wasn’t there in 1820, but I should imagine that translation projects for people in South Africa who do not transport and logistical infrastructure would have presented yet have the Bible in their heart language. We will rejoice a practical challenge. Perhaps, nowadays, our challenges are if the people of South Arica share the gift of God’s Word more internal – many do not see the relevance and value in celebration of Bible Society’s 200th birthday. of the Bible. Of course, financial sustainability is always FOR SOME READING THE BIBLE IS A DIFFICULT a challenge for any non-profit work, and this challenge is TASK. HOW CAN ONE START TO CULTIVATE A intensified with the current economic crisis following in the LOVE AND PASSION FOR BIBLE READING? wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This calls for much faith, Firstly, it is important to understand that the Bible is no creativity, and courage – the same qualities that enabled ordinary book. Unless one has been reading the Bible for our forerunners to overcome their some time, it is a mistake to read it challenges. GOD’S WORD, WHEN from beginning to end. In a sense, THE “YEAR OF THE BIBLE” IS A RECEIVED IN FAITH, it is the only book that should be REMARKABLE THEME. WHAT INSPIRES FAITH, HOPE, read backward, in that the Old ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES WITH AND LOVE. WE LIVE IN A Testament should be read in the REGARD TO THE THEME FOR 2020? Our primary objective is twofold. Firstly, to get Bibles to people BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE NATION, WITH MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES light of the New, and the entire Bible should be read in the light of the person, teaching and saving work of Jesus Christ. who need them – to make an CONTRIBUTING NOT ONLY I advocate that one begin with impact on the current need in South Africa for some 23 million Bibles (according to research we did with Ipsos). Bible poverty TO OUR CONVERSATIONS BUT ALSO TO OUR SOUTH AFRICAN LITANY OF PRAYER the Gospels, and use a reading plan, or something that provides contextual background. Randomly selecting verses is not a good idea. is also a reality in South Africa. AND PRAISE TO GOD. With these in hand, firstly, look Secondly, to encourage those who up and ask God to speak to you do have Bibles to read them and through the passage. Secondly, engage more deeply with the Bible’s message of hope, look down and read the passage carefully to understand forgiveness, redemption, and integrity of life. In 2020, it. Thirdly, look inward and ask yourself how this may as has ever been the case, more love is what we need. apply to you and your life. Fourthly, look out and ask how I believe there is also a poverty of spirit that must be this may apply to your life in the context in which you addressed. What guides the choices we make, and the live – family, community, etc. – and how you behave in way we treat each other? that context. The journey becomes very exciting as God’s Word begins to shape and transform your life. PLEASE SHARE WITH US ABOUT THE 2 MILLION BIBLES PROJECT. Our aim again is twofold. Firstly, that over two HOW CAN OUR READERS GET INVOLVED WITH INITIATIVES RUN BY THE BIBLE SOCIETY SA? years (2020 and 2021), 2 million South Africans, who Visit our website at www.biblesociety.co.za to learn more otherwise would not have their own Bibles, should about our projects. For more information, or to support each receive a Bible. These people will fall into three the 2 Million Bibles project, visit www.2millionbibles. main categories –those living in extreme poverty, those co.za. Alternatively, contact your local Bible House, the in prison as well as Grade 7 learners. Secondly, that 2 details of which are on our website. Prayer, partnership in million South African children should receive our Bible- distribution and financial support are all meaningful ways based literacy material. These children will be those who in which your readers could get involved.