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2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Do you know your Bible?. How can others…. If they do not have one?. Startling Facts. Christian Booksellers Association researchers claim that the average American Christian owns NINE copies of the Bible.
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Do you know your Bible? How can others…. If they do not have one?
Startling Facts • Christian Booksellers Association researchers claim that the average American Christian owns NINE copies of the Bible. • There are around 202 English Translations of the Bible. But over half the world has NONE! • Oswald J. Smith- “No one should have the opportunity to hear the gospel twice, until everyone has had the opportunity to hear the gospel once.”
TASK:Provide the Scriptures in every language Current best estimate: 6,950
Bible Translation Status *Statistics provided by the Joshua Project
Staggering Statistics • There are still over 3.2 billion people in the world without the gospel. • There are over 6,000 Unreached People Groups (UPGs) without a local church. • Ninety-Seven percent of UPGs are in the 10/40 window. • Two-Tenths (0.2) of 1% of Missions Funding from churches goes to UPGs. *Statistics from First Bible International.
World Population Foreign Missionaries
Vision of Coca-Cola Company: “A can of Coke in the handof every person on the planet.”
Rethink our Priorities • We need to focus more on the unreached even though the work is difficult and often dangerous • We need to focus more on translation work – especially the numerous languages not translated with as many as 5,000,000 in the language group • The goal is indigenous churches – as the primary instrument of God’s presence and work in a community
So WHAT is the Answer? • Reaching the Unreached is the key!!!!! • Romans 15:20-21 “ Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation. But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”
So HOW do we do this? • Increase Awareness of the need. • Romans 10:14-15 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?....” • Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD.”
Language Barrier Bible Translation
So WHY Bible Translation? • People can understand the gospel in their own language. • People can plant churches continuing to propagate the gospel to their own people. • Decreases dependence on foreign missionaries.
“Truth Translators” • Purpose: 1. To create an awareness for the need of Bible Translation and reaching UPGs in the world. 2. To develop solid prayer warriors for UPGs, Translation of Scriptures, and the furtherance of the Gospel in World Evangelism. 3. To participate and organize functions that would facilitate increased awareness of these needs, and propagate the gospel (ie. Bearing Precious Seed, “Awareness Days” in Great Hall, ect.)
“There are eyes that have never been illumined by a great vision, minds that have never been gripped by an unselfish thought, hearts that have never thrilled with passion for another's wrong, and hands that have never grown weary or strong in lifting a great burden. To such the knowledge of these Christless millions in lands yet unoccupied should come like a new call from Macedonia, and a startling vision of God's will for them.” – Samuel Zwemer