Empowering Africa: Distributing the Reformation Study Bible

 

Summary

The opportunity to partner with Mrs. Rosemary Jensen and the Rafiki Foundation in distributing the Reformation Study Bible across Africa is a profound blessing. This initiative, which began with the vision of sending 36,000 Bibles, has now expanded to a goal of distributing 100,000 Bibles by 2028. The Reformation Study Bible is not just a book; it is a comprehensive resource that equips pastors, seminary students, and teachers with a deeper understanding of Scripture. The impact of this project is immense, as it provides essential biblical knowledge to those who may not have access to such resources otherwise.

The need for Bibles in Africa is urgent, given the continent's rapidly growing population and the youthful demographic, with an average age of under 20. The Reformation Study Bible serves as a vital tool for discipleship and fulfilling the Great Commission, empowering leaders to teach and guide the next generation. The joy and gratitude expressed by recipients of these Bibles are overwhelming, as many have never had access to such a comprehensive study tool.

Mrs. Jensen's dedication to this cause is inspiring. Her vision and faith in God's provision have been instrumental in the success of this project. Despite not having grand visions initially, she has consistently responded to the needs she has seen, trusting God to provide the necessary resources. Her testimony of God's faithfulness over the years is a powerful reminder of His ability to work through willing vessels.

This partnership with Ligonier Ministries and the Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing God's kingdom. By translating the Reformation Study Bible into multiple languages, including French and Arabic, we are expanding its reach and impact. This effort is not just about distributing Bibles; it is about equipping God's people with the knowledge and tools they need to grow in their faith and share the gospel with others.

Key Takeaways:

- The Reformation Study Bible project in Africa highlights the importance of equipping leaders with comprehensive biblical resources. This initiative is crucial for discipleship and fulfilling the Great Commission, especially in a continent with a rapidly growing and youthful population. [04:38]

- Mrs. Rosemary Jensen's journey with the Rafiki Foundation demonstrates the power of responding to God's call with faith and trust. Her testimony of God's provision over the years is a reminder that when we align our efforts with His will, He provides abundantly. [10:33]

- The joy and gratitude of those receiving the Reformation Study Bible in Africa underscore the value of this project. Many recipients have never had access to such a resource, and their response is a testament to the Bible's transformative power. [07:26]

- Collaboration between organizations like Ligonier Ministries and the Rafiki Foundation amplifies the impact of mission work. By working together, we can achieve greater goals, such as translating the Bible into multiple languages to reach more people. [06:18]

- The vision of distributing 100,000 Bibles by 2028 is a significant undertaking that requires faith and commitment. This project serves as a reminder that God uses willing vessels to accomplish His purposes, and He is faithful to provide the resources needed. [12:49]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Mrs. Rosemary Jensen
[00:41] - The Vision for Reformation Study Bibles in Africa
[01:14] - The Birth of the Bible Distribution Project
[02:28] - Expanding the Campaign to 100,000 Bibles
[03:09] - Recipients of the Bibles
[03:41] - The Impact of Bibles on African Pastors
[04:09] - Africa's Growing Population and the Need for Discipleship
[05:08] - Mrs. Jensen's Personal Motivation
[06:04] - Translating the Bible into Multiple Languages
[06:43] - The Joy of Receiving the Bible
[07:41] - The Bible as the Source of Knowledge
[08:08] - The Cost and Value of the Reformation Study Bible
[09:17] - Trusting God for Provision
[11:14] - Serving the Great Commission
[12:49] - The Vision for the Future

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial goal for the distribution of the Reformation Study Bible in Africa, and how has that goal expanded? [02:28]

2. How does Mrs. Rosemary Jensen describe the reaction of the recipients when they receive the Reformation Study Bible? [07:26]

3. What are some of the challenges mentioned in the sermon regarding the availability of Bibles in Africa? [08:21]

4. How does the sermon describe the demographic situation in Africa, and why is it significant for the distribution of Bibles? [04:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the lack of biblical knowledge, as mentioned in Hosea 4:6, relate to the need for distributing the Reformation Study Bible in Africa? [07:41]

2. In what ways does the distribution of the Reformation Study Bible align with the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19-20? [11:14]

3. How does Mrs. Jensen's testimony of God's provision challenge or inspire one's understanding of faith and trust in God's plans? [10:33]

4. What does the collaboration between Ligonier Ministries and the Rafiki Foundation teach about the power of partnerships in mission work? [14:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to respond to a need. How did you discern that call, and what steps did you take to act on it? [10:19]

2. Considering the joy and gratitude expressed by the recipients of the Reformation Study Bible, how can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the resources you have access to? [07:26]

3. How can you personally contribute to the Great Commission in your community, and what resources do you need to equip yourself for this task? [04:38]

4. Mrs. Jensen's story is one of responding to God's call with faith. What is one area in your life where you need to trust God more fully, and what steps can you take to grow in that trust? [10:33]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of collaboration in mission work. Identify a project or cause you are passionate about. How can you partner with others to amplify your impact? [14:06]

6. How can you support the translation and distribution of biblical resources to areas in need, either through prayer, financial support, or advocacy? [06:04]

7. Reflect on the demographic changes in Africa and the urgent need for discipleship. How does this challenge your perspective on global missions and your role in it? [04:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Equipping Leaders with Biblical Resources
The Reformation Study Bible project in Africa is a significant initiative aimed at equipping pastors, seminary students, and teachers with comprehensive biblical resources. This effort is crucial for discipleship and fulfilling the Great Commission, especially in a continent with a rapidly growing and youthful population. The Reformation Study Bible is not just a book; it is a tool that provides essential biblical knowledge to those who may not have access to such resources otherwise. By distributing these Bibles, leaders are empowered to teach and guide the next generation, ensuring that the message of the gospel is effectively communicated and understood. The need for Bibles in Africa is urgent, given the continent's demographics, and this project addresses that need in a profound way. [04:38]

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community could benefit from deeper biblical resources, and how can you support their growth in understanding Scripture today?


Day 2: Responding to God's Call with Faith
Mrs. Rosemary Jensen's journey with the Rafiki Foundation is a powerful example of responding to God's call with faith and trust. Her dedication to distributing the Reformation Study Bible across Africa demonstrates the impact of aligning one's efforts with God's will. Despite not having grand visions initially, Mrs. Jensen has consistently responded to the needs she has seen, trusting God to provide the necessary resources. Her testimony of God's provision over the years is a reminder that when we step out in faith, God provides abundantly. This project serves as a testament to the power of faith and the importance of being a willing vessel for God's work. [10:33]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, and how can you begin to trust Him more in that area today?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Bible
The joy and gratitude expressed by recipients of the Reformation Study Bible in Africa underscore the value of this project. Many recipients have never had access to such a comprehensive study tool, and their response is a testament to the Bible's transformative power. The Reformation Study Bible serves as a vital tool for discipleship, empowering leaders to teach and guide the next generation. The impact of this project is immense, as it provides essential biblical knowledge to those who may not have access to such resources otherwise. The joy of receiving the Bible is a powerful reminder of the importance of making God's Word accessible to all. [07:26]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How has the Bible transformed your life, and who can you share its transformative power with today?


Day 4: The Power of Collaboration in Mission Work
The partnership between Ligonier Ministries and the Rafiki Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing God's kingdom. By working together, these organizations have amplified the impact of their mission work, achieving greater goals such as translating the Reformation Study Bible into multiple languages to reach more people. This effort is not just about distributing Bibles; it is about equipping God's people with the knowledge and tools they need to grow in their faith and share the gospel with others. Collaboration in mission work allows for a broader reach and a more significant impact, demonstrating the importance of unity in fulfilling the Great Commission. [06:18]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a, ESV)

Reflection: Who can you partner with in your community to further God's work, and what steps can you take to initiate that collaboration today?


Day 5: Faith and Commitment in God's Provision
The vision of distributing 100,000 Bibles by 2028 is a significant undertaking that requires faith and commitment. This project serves as a reminder that God uses willing vessels to accomplish His purposes, and He is faithful to provide the resources needed. Mrs. Jensen's dedication to this cause is inspiring, as her vision and faith in God's provision have been instrumental in the success of this project. Despite the challenges, the commitment to this vision demonstrates the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God's provision. This initiative is a powerful example of how God can work through individuals and organizations to achieve His purposes. [12:49]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one vision or goal you have that requires faith and commitment, and how can you trust God to provide the resources needed to achieve it?

Quotes

"Well, the long story is that when my husband died, after a year or so after he died, I thought to the Lord, I thought, what do you leave, why did you leave me here, what do you want me to do now? Well, I love Africa, and I love the Bible, I always have, and so I was going to put those two things together." [00:04:11]

"That's when he said, okay, how many can we send out? And I said, well, and I couldn't think about how many we needed, and I said, uh, but, and he said, well, okay, we'll send out 36,000 Reformation Study Bibles, and then we were hoping to do that over 10 years." [00:02:08]

"We send out mostly to seminaries, there are 32 of them, about 33 seminaries, and there are 23 different denominations that we send the Bibles out to. So we send them to church pastors, we've sent out thousands of church pastors in the countries where we are able to get those containers to." [00:03:05]

"We shouldn't be sitting here talking about sending thousands of Bibles, we should be talking about tens of thousands of Bibles. We're going to do talking about an investment, right, that has long-lasting impact in the lives of people. You touch one of those pastors and let him really be grounded in the scriptures." [00:03:44]

"Some demographers think that maybe even in the next 10 to 15 years, more than a billion more souls will be added to Africa, and along with that, of course, is the average age throughout Africa being about 19. So under 20 years old being the average age of more than a billion people right now." [00:04:09]

"Well, obviously, the most important thing that we can do now is to reach the younger generation. And I'm just going to tell you, Chris, I'm an old lady now, and I will do not expect to be alive in 2028, but if I could see a hundred thousand Bibles out in Africa before I die, I would be so happy about that." [00:04:47]

"There's nothing more important for anybody to have than the Bible, and I do love the Reformation Study Bible. It's not just a Bible, it's a whole library in one volume. And so I'm just praying that this will really work out, you can get enough, I get a hundred thousand out there, maybe you could do it while I'm still alive." [00:05:25]

"We have tried to prioritize the translation of the Reformation Study Bible into many different languages. So English, of course, travels far and wide in central and eastern Africa, but there are many nations that speak French, and so we're working on a French edition as well as Arabic, of course, in that northern region." [00:06:04]

"I wish everyone watching this could go out and see how grateful these people are when we have Bibles galore in this country, in the United States. But when these people who have nothing but little maybe paperbacks or something of Bibles, and when they get these Reformation Study Bibles, they are just ecstatic." [00:06:43]

"Well, Chris, honestly, I never have had big visions, but I do see things that need to be done. And it's interesting because we started Rafiki 36 years ago, I did at the beginning of it, and I never had any idea that we would be where we are today. Okay, so I didn't see all of that 36 years ago." [00:09:44]

"We decide this is what we're going to do, and then we're going to trust God to give us some money, and I'm just going to tell you, I'm old now, and he's never failed. He has never failed. That's my, that is my witness, that the Lord has never failed me." [00:10:31]

"We can ask the Lord if he would use us, we are sinful people, and yet God is pleased to use broken vessels like us as these treasures of grace to be able to get that sovereign saving grace and the testimony to his character out to more people." [00:11:44]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?