Page 19 - November-December Together

TOGETHER NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021
Not Just a Bible But a

Family Gathering Point BIBLES

Bible Society launch their new GNB Family Bible at
the Christian Resources Exhibition.

The Good News Bible – Family Edition has been were finding time to pray but shared difficulties
published and launched to much fanfare at the finding the words and confidence to pray. Many
Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) National noted prayer times can feel very repetitive.
2021. As its eye-catching presence makes itself We’re being influenced by the world and
known on display in bookshops and on websites, society all the time, but many Christian families
I’m truly excited about the impact this unique only encounter Scripture for an hour or so a
edition of the Bible, developed by Youth for Christ week at church. It’s easy to understand why
and Bible Society, will have in the spiritual lives it can seem a struggle to connect faith with
of families.
everyday life.
The need Overcoming the barriers
Research commissioned by Youth for Christ
found that young people identified their families What I love about the Good News Bible – Family
Edition is that it’s designed specifically to help
as having the biggest influence on how they
think about God and spirituality. Logically, it’s families overcome the barriers. It reaffirms the
importance of placing the Bible at the centre
hardly a surprising observation. But, despite
the desire of many Christian parents to do faith of family life and suggests numerous ways to
make it accessible, whilst helping to cultivate a
as a family well, in our busy lives it can seem
impossible to find the time. family environment that is thoughtful, honest, ISBN 9780564081776/Bible Society/
open, creative and fun.
Even while living through a pandemic, with many It doesn’t set unrealistic standards or dictate A4 Hardback/£34.99
families spending more time together than ever how families should encounter the Bible.
before, the idea of establishing a family Bible Instead, it invites everyone to participate in all Throughout my life, my parents have always
time might seem a daunting task, especially for their messy authenticity. Although it’s aimed at loved God, read the Bible, shared the gospel
those who’ve struggled with home-schooling. and modelled what it means to live out our
families, it’s not a children’s Bible. Rather than a
Bible Society has recruited twenty families to tool for adults to teach children, it’s a gathering faith in all areas of life. Even so, I still believe
an online family forum. When we asked what point for the whole family to explore and be a resource like this would have taken our
they found challenging about reading the Bible open about their thoughts, questions and how discussions, prayer life and exploration of
together, they said: time pressures, tiredness, they will respond practically to Scripture. God’s word to a whole new level.
short attention spans and lack of motivation, as The interactive ideas, downloadable resources As a content creator at Bible Society, I’m
well as having to meet the needs of children of and high quality videos will help to enrich privileged to be involved in producing new
different ages/learning stages, and knowing how imaginations when it comes to engaging with digital resources to support families using the
to respond to difficult questions. Good News Bible – Family Edition. Now that
the Bible, making complex ideas digestible and
These factors may explain why many families equipping people to tackle faith questions. Not it’s out in the world, I can’t wait to see how
don’t often read the Bible together. A significant only is this invaluable for those who are newer families, including those nearest and dearest
number said that outside of church they read to the faith and eager to learn and grow with to me, will use it.
the Bible less than once a month, with some their families, but it’s great for those who’ve Our gratitude to you
saying they never do. In contrast, most families been Christians for years. At Bible Society, we’re so thankful for your
dedication to helping your customers find
resources that will encourage them, strengthen
their confidence in the Bible and support their
spiritual growth. Your partnership with us in
sharing the gospel
is vital and we’re
praying for you as
you do your work.

Article by
Esther King
who is a Digital
Communications
Officer at Bible
Society
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