Engaging with the Bible: Our Mission and Growth

 

Summary

Colossians 3:16 encourages us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, serving as a personal reminder to engage with God's word daily. This verse is not only a personal motivator but also a guiding principle for our ministry, Open the Bible. Our mission is to expose people to the Bible, helping them open it for themselves and equipping them to share it with others. Despite the millions of Bibles sold each year, many remain unopened, and our role is to change that by making the Bible accessible and engaging.

In the past year, our ministry has experienced significant growth, reaching an estimated 15 million people worldwide. Our radio program alone is heard by two and a half million people weekly across the United States and internationally. Our online presence has expanded, with millions visiting our website and engaging with our content on social media platforms. This growth is a testament to God's work through our ministry and the support of our community.

One of our major initiatives this year was changing our name from Unlocking the Bible to Open the Bible. This change reflects our mission to encourage people to actively engage with the Bible. The new name is more inviting and aligns with our goal of making the Bible accessible to all. Additionally, our new website has improved user experience, making it easier for people to find and engage with our content.

We also launched Open the Bible for Leaders, a free video-based training platform designed to equip the next generation of church leaders with sound biblical training. This initiative has already impacted over a thousand leaders, providing them with inspiration and refreshment in their ministry.

Lastly, our investment in Holy Week 2022, particularly through the radio drama "Heaven, How I Got Here," reached millions with the powerful story of the thief on the cross. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to evangelism and sharing the gospel message.

Key Takeaways:

- The word of Christ dwelling in us richly is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. Engaging with the Bible daily allows us to be rooted in God's truth, equipping us to face life's challenges with faith and wisdom. [00:19]

- Our mission is to make the Bible accessible and engaging for everyone. Despite the widespread availability of Bibles, many remain unopened. By encouraging people to open the Bible, we help them encounter Jesus and experience life-changing transformation. [00:39]

- The name change to Open the Bible reflects our commitment to inviting people to engage with God's word actively. This strategic decision aligns with our mission to remove barriers and encourage people to explore the Bible's transformative power. [03:57]

- Open the Bible for Leaders is a vital initiative to equip the next generation of church leaders with sound biblical training. By providing practical guidance and inspiration, we empower leaders to serve effectively and faithfully in their ministries. [07:18]

- Our investment in evangelistic initiatives, such as the Holy Week radio drama, demonstrates our commitment to sharing the gospel message. By reaching millions with the story of redemption, we pray that many will place their trust in Jesus Christ. [09:11]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Importance of Colossians 3:16
[00:39] - Mission to Open the Bible
[01:04] - Ministry Growth and Impact
[01:26] - Radio Program Reach
[01:54] - Online Engagement
[02:21] - Financial Support and Growth
[03:19] - Name Change to Open the Bible
[04:22] - Expanding Global Impact
[05:13] - New Website Launch
[06:12] - Enhancing User Experience
[06:51] - Open the Bible for Leaders
[08:31] - Holy Week Evangelistic Efforts
[09:42] - Reflecting on 12 Years of Ministry
[10:03] - Looking Forward to 2023

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:16

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Colossians 3:16 encourage believers to do with the word of Christ? How is this reflected in the mission of Open the Bible? [00:19]
2. How has the ministry of Open the Bible grown in the past year, and what are some specific ways it has reached people? [01:04]
3. What was the significance of changing the ministry's name from Unlocking the Bible to Open the Bible? [03:19]
4. What are the goals of the Open the Bible for Leaders initiative, and how has it impacted church leaders so far? [07:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly contribute to spiritual growth and transformation? What might this look like in daily life? [00:19]
2. Why is it important for the Bible to be accessible and engaging, and how does this align with the mission of Open the Bible? [00:39]
3. In what ways does the name change to Open the Bible serve as a call to action for individuals and communities? [03:57]
4. How does the story of the thief on the cross, as shared in the Holy Week radio drama, illustrate the essence of the gospel message? [09:11]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you make engaging with the word of Christ a more integral part of your day? [00:19]
2. Think about the Bibles you own. Are there any that remain unopened? What steps can you take to change that and explore God's word more deeply? [00:39]
3. Consider the barriers that might prevent you or others from opening the Bible. How can you help remove these barriers in your community? [03:57]
4. If you are involved in church leadership, how can you incorporate the training and insights from Open the Bible for Leaders into your ministry? [07:18]
5. The radio drama "Heaven, How I Got Here" reached millions with its message. How can you use creative storytelling to share the gospel in your own context? [09:11]
6. Reflect on the growth of Open the Bible. How can you support or participate in similar initiatives that aim to spread the gospel? [01:04]
7. What personal changes can you make to ensure that the word of Christ dwells in you richly, equipping you to face life's challenges with faith and wisdom? [00:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Letting the Word of Christ Dwell Richly
Engaging with the Bible daily is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. Colossians 3:16 encourages believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, serving as a personal reminder to immerse themselves in God's truth. This daily engagement equips individuals to face life's challenges with faith and wisdom, grounding them in the teachings of Jesus. By allowing the word of Christ to take root in their hearts, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a more profound understanding of His will for their lives. [00:19]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific time each day can you dedicate to reading and reflecting on the Bible to allow it to dwell richly in your heart?


Day 2: Making the Bible Accessible and Engaging
Despite the widespread availability of Bibles, many remain unopened. The mission to make the Bible accessible and engaging for everyone is crucial in helping people encounter Jesus and experience life-changing transformation. By encouraging individuals to open the Bible, they are invited to explore its teachings and discover the profound impact it can have on their lives. This mission is not just about reading the Bible but about engaging with it in a way that leads to a personal encounter with Christ. [00:39]

"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 can you creatively engage with the Bible this week to make it more accessible and meaningful in your daily life?


Day 3: Inviting Engagement with God's Word
The name change to Open the Bible reflects a commitment to inviting people to engage with God's word actively. This strategic decision aligns with the mission to remove barriers and encourage exploration of the Bible's transformative power. By creating an inviting atmosphere, individuals are more likely to open the Bible and explore its teachings, leading to a deeper understanding of God's love and purpose for their lives. [03:57]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What barriers have you faced in engaging with the Bible, and how can you overcome them to invite a more active exploration of God's word?


Day 4: Equipping the Next Generation of Leaders
Open the Bible for Leaders is a vital initiative to equip the next generation of church leaders with sound biblical training. By providing practical guidance and inspiration, this initiative empowers leaders to serve effectively and faithfully in their ministries. It emphasizes the importance of grounding leadership in biblical principles, ensuring that future leaders are well-prepared to guide their congregations with wisdom and integrity. [07:18]

"Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support or participate in initiatives that equip future leaders with sound biblical training in your community?


Day 5: Commitment to Evangelism and Sharing the Gospel
The investment in evangelistic initiatives, such as the Holy Week radio drama, demonstrates a commitment to sharing the gospel message. By reaching millions with the story of redemption, the hope is that many will place their trust in Jesus Christ. This commitment to evangelism is about more than just spreading a message; it's about inviting others into a transformative relationship with Christ and sharing the hope and love found in the gospel. [09:11]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel message, and how can you share it with them in a way that is gentle and respectful?

Quotes


"we're focused on this week Colossians 3 16 which says let the word of Christ dwell in US richly for me this verse is a great personal reminder to cling to the word of God every day but it's also a significant motivator for me and my role leading open the Bible for the word of Christ to dwell in people richly they first have to be exposed to the word of Christ to the Bible" [00:07:52]

"and while there's millions and millions of Bibles sold every year for a whole host of reasons too many of them never get opened and that's where we come in we want to open the Bible for people help them open the Bible for themselves and equip them to open the Bible with others in their lives this is what we're all about and God's using us every day to help his word be known by people far and wide what an awesome privilege that is and how awesome it is to see God at work" [00:32:31]

"in the past 12 months with your help our ministry and its impact has grown dramatically even amidst these strange and uncertain times here's just a few numbers that provide a window into that growth our radio program has been heard by an estimated two and a half million people every week in all 50 United States and internationally in the UK Canada and Bermuda I sometimes find it hard to put large numbers into perspective it helped me to know that two and a half million people is roughly the population of the entire city is Chicago Amen to that" [00:58:48]

"our daily program now airs on over 600 radio stations the number of listeners and stations were both up nearly 10 percent in 2022 by year end over two and a half million people from more than 230 countries will have visited openthebible.org where they were impacted by all forms of gospel-centered content hundreds of thousands of people have engaged with us and are teaching on Facebook Twitter and YouTube and tens of thousands have read content on our mobile app books devotionals emails and other tools" [01:29:11]

"urgency in uncertain times with all that's going on in our world we have a renewed sense of urgency toward the work that we're blessed to do if there were ever a time for people to open the Bible and meet Jesus it is undoubtedly now the word open is so compelling in this way it's an inviting word and it's a call to action then the name says it all while the Bible is the world's best-selling book many of the people who buy Bibles never actually open them" [03:45:00]

"the biggest barrier to people finding Christ is not that they can't open the Bible but that too often they don't open the Bible and our mission is to change that and our new name aligns with that mission and then the breath of our resources as the Lord has richly blessed our ministry we now serve Millions around the world most of those people however know us as a radio Ministry and while radio is vital to what we do we have so much more to offer" [04:11:40]

"there is an incredible need for sound biblical training for Next Generation leaders of the church we all need to be praying for more Godly leaders of the church in years to come research has shown that vocational pastors and lay and Ministry leaders stay in Ministry longer and are more effective at what they do when they've got a strong biblical foundation for the way that they lead God's people in June we went live sort of a soft launch with the open the Bible for leaders offering our free video Based training platform full of practical actionable guidance for establishing fruitful gospel Ministry" [06:51:00]

"since going live more than a thousand leaders have participated and the feedback has been really encouraging with leaders who participated saying it's given them inspiration in their walk with God and really importantly refreshment when they've grown weary today we offer three modules on our e-learning platform watch your life where participants learn how to grow in their own godliness so they're prepared and ready to lead others watch your Doctrine where participants gain in-depth knowledge about Christian doctrine so they can teach and defend the faith effectively" [07:33:00]

"and then there's grasp the gospel where participants can go deeper in their understanding of the Gospel message and develop their own unique ability to communicate it clearly to others as I mentioned the feedback to date's been outstanding please check out this powerful new offering we've got exciting plans to grow in the coming months as well but more to follow on that later this week and the last initiative I wanted to focus on Holy Week 2022." [08:06:39]

"you know for several years we've made significant investment beyond our normal radio spend during Holy Week and because of its extraordinary Evangelistic impact the focus of this investment over the years has been Heaven how I got here the book and the radio drama featuring Actor Stephen Baldwin story of the thief on the cross is so powerful around the Easter season as it embodies the essence of what Jesus did for us all at Calvary" [08:26:40]

"we aired the heaven how I got here radio drama on all 600 plus of our radio stations that carry our daily radio program we also purchased an incremental 331 airings on additional stations most of which happened on Good Friday we reach people with this powerful Evangelistic story in 43 of the top 50 largest U.S cities Philadelphia San Francisco Washington DC Houston Boston Atlanta and Phoenix those are just some of the cities that heard this message only because of this additional investment" [08:58:00]

"and we gave thanks to the Lord for helping us reach more than 5 million people many of whom we pray placed their trust in Jesus Christ just like the thief you know it's hard for me to believe that I've been in this role I'd opened the Bible for nearly 12 years now each Year's had its wonderful memories and projects with extraordinary impact and on this front 2022 did not disappoint" [09:36:48]

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Transcript
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