Bible for men
Dec 7, 2014 21:09:44 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
(Men Living Up)
As two men with extensive backgrounds in mens ministry service, we were not surprised when American Bible Societys 2014 State of the Bible survey found that men fall below the national averages of both Bible ownership and readership.
In our day-to-day work interacting with men, it is common to hear of their frustration about reading the Biblethey dont know where to start, what it means, or how to apply it to their lives. They just know they are supposed to read it.
It is time to come alongside men and encourage them in their faith, supporting them with products tailored to meet their unique needs.
Men often find themselves struggling in their marriages, with friendships and with pornography. (A 2014 Barna Group survey found that nearly two-thirds of Christian men view porn monthly.)
Many feel helpless without mentors to turn to and do not realize the Bible has the answers they seek. They dont know what their roles are supposed to be as menhusbands, fathers, brothers, employees and citizens, or just what exactly God has to say about it all.
Even for Christian men, the Bible can be an extremely intimidating book to tackle. After all, it is the Word of God. It contains some pretty heavy stuff. And if you happen to pick up a t***slation and come across words like satyr, concupiscence and phylacteries, you can forget about reading more than two verses before youre ready to go throw a football around or make a mess in the garage.
So really, its no surprise that mengenerally visual learners known for our short attention spans and occasional selective listeningare not particularly excited about reading and owning Bibles.
We routinely receive the following questions from men about the Bible:
1. The Bible was written so many years ago. Is it still really relevant today? Can it really help me with all that Im struggling with?
2. Cant you just give me the highlights? It takes so long for me to read it and my eyes begin to glaze over.
3. When I do want to open my Bible, I dont know where to go or what to do. Is there an app for that?
Hundreds who serve in the area of mens ministry, including those of us involved with Armed Services Ministry and National Coalition of Ministries to Men, find themselves in the relational trenches, helping men navigate the Bible to find Gods authority on the subjects they seek.
What we have found men need, in addition to relatable mentors, is to feel the Bible is an accessible and trustworthy tool to help them through lifes challenges; a Bible uniquely tailored to fit their most common needs.
The problem is, when men go to the local chain or Christian bookstore, the product line-up consists of multiple Bibles for kids, teens and women. Are there some for men? Sure, maybe one or two, but nothing comparable to the se******ns for the other demographics.
It appears that retailers know their Bible-buying demographic well, and it isnt men. But when men do decide to make that purchase, they need something clearly, visibly for them.
The good news is that the number of Bible resources designed specifically for men is growing. We recently had the opportunity to contribute to the creation of the "Mens Bible," a joint effort between National Coalition of Ministries to Men and American Bible Society.
The Bible features 72 devotions written by seasoned mens ministry experts and an easy-to-understand t***slation. Tools like this can help men connect with the Bible and quickly apply its wisdom to their own lives.
Our hope is that men will experience the life-changing message of the Bible, regardless of which version or t***slation they choose.
It is time to come alongside men and encourage them in their faith, supporting them with products tailored to meet their unique needs.
It is time to change their perception of the Bible, sparking interest in and engagement with the Scriptures. As that happens, we are confident well see Bible ownership and readership among men rise to or exceed the national average, where it belongs.
Col. Art Pace is the executive director of Armed Services Ministry, a ministry of American Bible Society.
Dr. Robert Lewis is the founder of Mens Fraternity, and a member of National Coalition of Ministries to Men.
As two men with extensive backgrounds in mens ministry service, we were not surprised when American Bible Societys 2014 State of the Bible survey found that men fall below the national averages of both Bible ownership and readership.
In our day-to-day work interacting with men, it is common to hear of their frustration about reading the Biblethey dont know where to start, what it means, or how to apply it to their lives. They just know they are supposed to read it.
It is time to come alongside men and encourage them in their faith, supporting them with products tailored to meet their unique needs.
Men often find themselves struggling in their marriages, with friendships and with pornography. (A 2014 Barna Group survey found that nearly two-thirds of Christian men view porn monthly.)
Many feel helpless without mentors to turn to and do not realize the Bible has the answers they seek. They dont know what their roles are supposed to be as menhusbands, fathers, brothers, employees and citizens, or just what exactly God has to say about it all.
Even for Christian men, the Bible can be an extremely intimidating book to tackle. After all, it is the Word of God. It contains some pretty heavy stuff. And if you happen to pick up a t***slation and come across words like satyr, concupiscence and phylacteries, you can forget about reading more than two verses before youre ready to go throw a football around or make a mess in the garage.
So really, its no surprise that mengenerally visual learners known for our short attention spans and occasional selective listeningare not particularly excited about reading and owning Bibles.
We routinely receive the following questions from men about the Bible:
1. The Bible was written so many years ago. Is it still really relevant today? Can it really help me with all that Im struggling with?
2. Cant you just give me the highlights? It takes so long for me to read it and my eyes begin to glaze over.
3. When I do want to open my Bible, I dont know where to go or what to do. Is there an app for that?
Hundreds who serve in the area of mens ministry, including those of us involved with Armed Services Ministry and National Coalition of Ministries to Men, find themselves in the relational trenches, helping men navigate the Bible to find Gods authority on the subjects they seek.
What we have found men need, in addition to relatable mentors, is to feel the Bible is an accessible and trustworthy tool to help them through lifes challenges; a Bible uniquely tailored to fit their most common needs.
The problem is, when men go to the local chain or Christian bookstore, the product line-up consists of multiple Bibles for kids, teens and women. Are there some for men? Sure, maybe one or two, but nothing comparable to the se******ns for the other demographics.
It appears that retailers know their Bible-buying demographic well, and it isnt men. But when men do decide to make that purchase, they need something clearly, visibly for them.
The good news is that the number of Bible resources designed specifically for men is growing. We recently had the opportunity to contribute to the creation of the "Mens Bible," a joint effort between National Coalition of Ministries to Men and American Bible Society.
The Bible features 72 devotions written by seasoned mens ministry experts and an easy-to-understand t***slation. Tools like this can help men connect with the Bible and quickly apply its wisdom to their own lives.
Our hope is that men will experience the life-changing message of the Bible, regardless of which version or t***slation they choose.
It is time to come alongside men and encourage them in their faith, supporting them with products tailored to meet their unique needs.
It is time to change their perception of the Bible, sparking interest in and engagement with the Scriptures. As that happens, we are confident well see Bible ownership and readership among men rise to or exceed the national average, where it belongs.
Col. Art Pace is the executive director of Armed Services Ministry, a ministry of American Bible Society.
Dr. Robert Lewis is the founder of Mens Fraternity, and a member of National Coalition of Ministries to Men.
Dec 7, 2014 21:30:13 #
no propaganda please wrote:
(Men Living Up) br br As two men with extensive b... (show quote)
It's hard to find a mentor someone who walks the walk and has similar interests that can relate.
Dec 7, 2014 22:29:30 #
One simple solution is to start in Gensis and read 3 chapters. Continue reading 3 chapters a day until you have completed reading the Bible. Then get another t***slation And do the same thing again. The first thing you know you will begin to understand more than you thought you could.
It's just like building a house one brick at a time.
It's just like building a house one brick at a time.
Dec 7, 2014 23:28:19 #
no propaganda please wrote:
(Men Living Up) br br As two men with extensive b... (show quote)
Discipleship is a principle in Gods word, and very much a part of a Christ driven church, one needs only seek through prayer and the use of ones smart phone.
Many churches today have a watered down gospel, or preach what the people want to hear. Many men lay aside the Bible, not because they don't understand, but rather they do and the stark t***hs and leaving behind the things of the world to follow and walk with Christ is often the battle field.
Every Bible that has been t***slated into modern English has eliminated vital versesoften relating to the blood of Christ, or salvation verses. I would encourage any man seeking to know the word of God to have a king James version, and either the new international version or the new king James version. First read the king James, then one of the other and back to the king James. The idea of the other version is simple, we in America don't speak 1611 king James, yet this is to this day the most accurate to Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew the languages of the scripts used to first t***slate the original king James version. I will go as far to say the other versions are polluted from Gods word by modern day man.
The Bible is very simple when in context of understanding, and of course the holy spirit indwelling every believer. First the Bible is a love letter from God to man, how to have a relationship with our amazing God. Secondly the Bible contains one third of its writings prophecy and with over 2000 prophecies, fully over 1500 fulfilled a road map of Gods plan for mankind, as well as his time piece. While we don't know the day or hour Jesus comes for his church, God gives the exact time of events, including the return of Jesus to the earth. Thirdly it is a manual for the church, marriage, raising children, running a business, running a government, and virtually every possible aspect of life and living in this world giving glory to our Almighty God.
Dec 8, 2014 02:24:50 #
jack sequim wa wrote:
Discipleship is a principle in Gods word, and very... (show quote)
Do this and the Gospel will naturally follow: regular service work with the least of these. That is the starting point, not theology. Go forth with the new member in your church to the street or jail or hospital. No agenda but being there for the least of these. No soul-saved accounting. No words about Jesus or salvation. Just hearts open to their plight.
Dec 8, 2014 03:45:07 #
rumitoid wrote:
Do this and the Gospel will naturally follow: regular service work with the least of these. That is the starting point, not theology. Go forth with the new member in your church to the street or jail or hospital. No agenda but being there for the least of these. No soul-saved accounting. No words about Jesus or salvation. Just hearts open to their plight.
Romans 1:16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the gospel unto salvation.
Mark 16:15 , Corinthians 5:10-11 , Mathew 28:19-20 , Mathew 4:19 , Acts 1:8
It is every Christians calling/duty and commission to do as you say, but not to be silent, rather boldly proclaim the good news, the gospel of salvation!!!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.