[1]October financial update with David Spika
NASHVILLE (BP) – GuideStone Financial Resources’ David Spika joined Baptist Press’ Jonathan Howe Tuesday (Oct. 12). They discussed market volatility, the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, oil and gas prices and the political environment and the effect of each on the nation’s economy.
Lifeway’s ‘Give a Bible’ initiative provides Bibles for church plants
By Y Bonesteele
NASHVILLE (BP) – Lifeway Christian Resources launched a “Give a Bible” Ministry Partnership Program for the month of October. Customers on Lifeway.com will have an opportunity to “Give a Bible for $5” with a click of a button or in their shopping cart as a simple add-on option. Each five dollars given will provide a partnering organization with one Bible to get in the hands of someone who needs it.
[2]Through the end of this month, Lifeway is partnering with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to provide Bibles to new churches. NAMB equips churches to be on mission in their own communities and across the continent. Through evangelism, church planting, compassion ministry and chaplaincy, they help congregations assist those in need, spiritually and otherwise.
“When our family set out to start a church in Denver, we learned two things quickly: how to hustle and how to do more with less,” said Lifeway President Ben Mandrell. “Whenever churches or generous Christians would donate toward our mission, we not only felt the joy of the gift, but even more, we felt the comfort of knowing we are not alone. I’m thrilled Lifeway is partnering with our customers to send Bibles to church planters. We want to be the wind in the backs of our planters, and we want to put copies of the Word in their hands. There is no resource more powerful than the Scriptures.”
NAMB President Kevin Ezell agreed, saying, “Many people who attend our church plants are brand new believers, and some are still exploring the faith – they may not even own a Bible. It is so important for new believers to spend time in God’s Word and live it out. The Bibles Lifeway customers give will play an important part in the spiritual lives of the people being reached and discipled through our new churches.”
New study Bible promotes biblical literacy among students
By Aaron Wilson
NASHVILLE (BP) – B&H Publishing is set to release its most comprehensive student Bible to date with the “CSB Student Study Bible,” coming mid-October. The new Bible from the trade publishing arm of Lifeway Christian Resources features hundreds of study notes, articles and other tools designed specifically for students and young people.
“The ‘CSB Student Study Bible’ is the first of its kind in our portfolio,” said Andy McLean, director of Bibles and Reference for B&H. “Its robust features are aimed at equipping students in biblical literacy and exegesis, leading to a greater understanding and faith commitment at this stage of discipleship.”
A pressing issue in the church is the need to get students anchored in biblical teachings before they move into adulthood. Lifeway Research found that 18- to 34-year-old churchgoers are more likely than those 50 and older to say they accept some truths from the Bible but that other truths from Scripture don’t fit what they believe. Likewise, 18- to 34-year-olds are less likely than older churchgoers to read the Bible every day and are the age group most likely to say that as culture changes, some biblical truths become obsolete.
But there is good news to counter this doctrinal drift. In a separate study, Lifeway Research discovered that Bible-reading while growing up is the best predictor of spiritual health among young adults. This was one of the key motivators for the creation of the “CSB Student Study Bible,” McLean said.
“Early experiences of learning the spiritual disciplines and walking in obedience in the adolescent years of middle school and high school can be foundational in setting the trajectory for future discipleship,” he said. “Because God’s Word is at the core of that process of spiritual growth and maturity, I’m excited that we are afforded the opportunity to come alongside parents and youth ministries to play a part in the discipleship of their students.”
The “CSB Student Study Bible” features a full-color spread throughout that includes 38 maps and illustrations, 32 charts and 66 book-specific timelines designed for a visually oriented, younger audience. In addition to study notes and book introductions, the Bible also contains dozens of articles and essays, character profiles, “Know Your Faith” Q&As, and 99 foundational memory verses and “Essential Truths” of the Christian faith.