Biblefresh 2011 - a year of the Bible

Biblefresh is a movement of churches, agencies, colleges and festivals seeking to encourage and inspire churches across the UK to a greater confidence and appetite for the Word of God.

The vision is to make 2011 - the 400th anniversary since the publication of the King James Version of the Bible - a year of the Bible to help individuals and the whole church have a greater passion for hearing and obeying the Bible.

As a partner in Biblefresh, Bible Society would like churches and individuals to get involved by taking practical steps in four areas: Reading, Training, Translation and Experience. Just follow the links to find out more.

Bible Reading

Research has shown that Christians struggle to read the Bible regularly, so this is a good starting point for Biblefresh.

By ‘reading’ we don’t just mean looking at the words on the page, but whatever it takes for you to ingest the Word of God, whether that’s listening to a podcast or watching a dramatic reading.
Whilst we want to encourage personal Bible reading, we recognize that the Bible was written to be read in community. When we study the Bible together rather than alone, we are less likely to skew the message, as each person brings a different perspective.

Some people are making 2011 a year to read through the whole Bible as a church. If this is of interest, there are plenty of schemes to help, several with online commentary and forums. You could focus in on key passages using E100 or some books that you’ve never really read before, you could even try a completely fresh approach to your reading using Lectio Divina or Lyfe.  Have a look at some of these resources to help you decide.

Ideas

• The E100 Bible Reading Challenge
  
  The E100 Bible Reading Challenge is based round 100 Bible readings (50 Old and 50 New Testament) designed to give people an overall understanding of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. E stands for Essential. Each of the readings range from a few verses to several chapters. The challenge is designed to encourage people to read the Bible regularly and so, through reading and prayer, deepen their relationship with God.
  To find out more visit www.e100challenge.org.uk

• Lyfe
  
  Connecting God, us and everyday life
  lyfe is about hearing God, through the Bible, in the company of others. Connecting God, us and everyday life.
  lyfe is a conversation between friends seeking a richer relationship with God.
  Making discoveries together through hearing and reflecting on the Bible.
  lyfe will introduce you to tried and tested challenges. Six challenge zones, which have helped people go deeper with God.
  lyfe is about you experiencing those challenges and applying them in everyday life.
  Exploring day-to-day what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus now.
  To find out more visit www.lyfe.org.uk

• Lectio Divina
  
  Try this dynamic way of reading the Bible which focuses on reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. It can be hard to find time to speak to God when your day is full of work, family and the pressures of daily life. This four-step approach will lead you to hear Scripture. Bible Society offers you a year-long series of potentially life-changing encounters based on the Sunday Mass readings for Luke. Each one is free to download and contains a guide to using the Lectio Divina four-step approach.                                                
  To find out more visit www.biblesociety.org.uk/lectiodivina

• Bible Reading Marathon
  
  Host a Bible reading marathon in a public space (or cathedral/church), possibly during the season of lent and invite local politicians, head teachers, police to read a chapter.   

• Grow with the Bible
  
  Use the Grow with the Bible seasonal downloadable church leaflets. There are 5 short Bible reflections for each season, plus a Bible passage for Bible Sunday 2010, Christmas 2010, Easter 2011, Pentecost 2011, Harvest 2011, etc.
  To find out more visit www.grow-with-the-bible.org.uk

• You’ve got the Time
  
  The You’ve got the Time project helps people to engage with the Bible more deeply by listening to the New Testament over 40 days. To find out more call 01793 418222

Bible Training

Whether you are a preacher in need of refreshment, a house group leader wanting to sharpen your skills, a youth worker who wants to help young people gain passion for the Scriptures or a regular member of the congregation wanting to go deeper in your understanding of the Bible, there is something for you!

During 2011, you could take part in one of the Christian festivals where the Bible is being taught; listen or watch some of the seminars online; attend an evening or weekend of training in your church; or commit to some academic study.

Ideas

• Pathfinder Churches courses
  
  The Pathfinder Course supports local churches in their engagement with the Bible and the wider public. To find out more call: 01793 418222

• Impact of the Scripture
  
  Invite church members to think of a few words to describe the impact that Scripture has had on their lives, beginning with the word ‘now’.  ‘Now, I know that I am loved’ and ‘Now, I have sense of vocation’ are two examples.  Having thought of their words, they should write them on a piece of A3 card boldly and have someone take a digital photo of them for use on the church website, notices and Facebook profiles.

• Bible in Literacy
  
  Present your local primary/junior schools with ‘The Bible in Literacy’ pack.
  To find out more visit www.bibleinliteracy.org

• Commemoration Bible
  
  Present a commemoration Bible to a friend or offer to provide Bibles for a class at school.

• Biblefresh Festival
  
  Host a Biblefresh Festival or boot camp in your church, or go away to a Christian guest house or hotel for a weekend away.

Find out more about Bible Translation and Bible Experiences