Biblical Basis for Literacy Ministry Rev. Robert N. Biederman Literacy & Evangelism Int. June 2012

1. Biblical Basisfor Literacy MinistryRev. Robert N. BiedermanLiteracy & Evangelism Int.June 2012

2. Bible The English word comes from a Greek word meaning “book.”

3. John Wesley ”I want to know one thing, the way to heaven and how to land safe on that shore. God himself has condescended to show the way. He has written it down in a Book. O give me that Book of God. I have it here! Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be a man of one Book.” We as Christians are people of the Bible. It is the most important book ever written.

4. II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteouness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.” God gave His inspired Word to equip, train and teach us. He expects us to read what He has authored!

5. II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” The Lord expects His followers to study the revelation He has given and have a correct understanding of it. How can a non-reader study the Bible?

6. Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.” The Bible is food for the soul. As the body needs food on a daily basis so we too must take in God's Word for life and health. We must live by it to nourish our spiritual life. Imagine being unable to read the Scriptures.

7. Luke 4:16-21 “And he stood up to read.... The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor .... to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressd, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

8. Luke 4:16-21 • Jesus was literate. • He started his public ministry by reading Scripture. • His description of those He came to reach (the poor, prisoners, blind and oppressed) is applicable to most non-readers. They are often impoverished, blind to what is written in books and oppressed by people who prey on their vulnerability.

9. Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with great readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so.” The Bereans studied the Old Testament each day, comparing what it said with Paul's message. They did not simply accept, but tested the teaching against the Bible.

10. John 20:30-31 “And many other signs Jesus did which were not written in this book, but there are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you might have life through His name.” John wrote his Gospel expecting that people would read it and, that as a result, they would put their faith in God's Son. Reading the Bible has lead many souls to Christ.

11. John Wesley “It is impossible to grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading (the Bible).” While it is easy for non-readers to come to faith in Christ, it is generally difficult for the illiterate to grow in the Lord. The Christian faith is vitally connected to the Word. God intended that we would study and read it as a means of sustaining the spiritual life.

12. A blackboard in Harrison, AR “Satan doesn't want people to read because God wrote a book.” One of the devil's primary strategies is to keep people away from the Word of God. At least 1 billion people in the world are locked out due to illiteracy. Billions more are kept away from it through false religions. Others who can read are ignorant of the Bible due to indifference or pride.

13. “If they can't read the words, then they can't read the Word.”ELCA Women ````