Expanding Our Mission: Reaching Hearts Through Language

 

Summary

As we look back on the past year, we celebrate the extraordinary impact that Open the Bible has had on countless lives. Our mission remains steadfast: to open the Bible for people, help them open it for themselves, and equip them to open it with others. This year, we are excited to announce several key initiatives that will further this mission in 2023.

First, we are focusing on expanding our Spanish language resources. With approximately 450 million native Spanish speakers worldwide, many of whom do not know Jesus or have a nominal faith, we see a tremendous opportunity to share the gospel. Our goal is to launch a Spanish Open the Bible website, translate more resources into Spanish, and embark on a social media campaign to reach Spanish speakers. We also plan to launch targeted Spanish language radio specials and establish partnerships to distribute our content effectively.

Second, we are expanding our ministry in the United Kingdom. Despite the rise of secularism, there is hope as many in the UK have Christian friends who positively influence them. We aim to strengthen our presence by developing UK-specific digital tools, training a local ministry outreach team, and engaging with UK-based pastors. We also plan to host virtual and in-person events to further our mission.

Third, we are growing Open the Bible for Leaders, our free video-based training platform. This platform provides practical guidance for establishing fruitful gospel ministry. In 2023, we will add new modules, including "Pray the Bible" and "Sustaining a Lifetime of Service," and develop a 24-session bundle called "Foundations of Gospel Ministry." We also plan to translate these lessons into Spanish and issue certificates for completed training.

These initiatives are just a few examples of the many projects we have planned. None of this would be possible without the support of our faithful partners. As we approach the end of the year, we humbly ask for your continued support and prayers. Together, we can make a significant impact for the Kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Language in Ministry: Language is a powerful tool in ministry, and providing resources in a person's native tongue can significantly enhance their engagement with the gospel. By expanding our Spanish language resources, we aim to reach millions who may not fully understand the grace of Jesus Christ. [02:25]

2. Hope in Secular Societies: Despite the rise of secularism, there is hope in societies like the UK, where many have Christian friends who positively influence them. This presents opportunities for believers to share their faith and for the Bible to play a crucial role in their witness. [03:47]

3. Equipping Leaders for Long-Term Ministry: Training and equipping leaders is essential for sustaining long-term ministry. Our Open the Bible for Leaders platform provides practical guidance for establishing fruitful gospel ministry, ensuring that leaders are well-prepared for the journey ahead. [06:07]

4. The Importance of Community Support: The success of our ministry initiatives relies heavily on the support of our community. Our partners' faithful investments inspire us daily and enable us to pursue ambitious projects that further the Kingdom of God. [08:07]

5. Trusting in God's Provision: Throughout the years, we have witnessed God's provision in meeting our ministry's needs. As we plan for the future, we trust that God will continue to provide the resources necessary to advance our mission and reach more people with the gospel. [09:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Celebrating Past Blessings
- [00:33] - Future Projects and Mission
- [01:00] - Spanish Language Resources
- [01:43] - Global Content Translation
- [02:09] - Focus on Spanish Speakers
- [02:55] - Spanish Media and Partnerships
- [03:18] - Abre La Biblia Initiative
- [03:35] - Ministry in the UK
- [04:12] - UK Mission Field Opportunities
- [04:54] - Investing in UK Ministry
- [05:31] - UK Events and Outreach
- [05:56] - Open the Bible for Leaders
- [06:34] - New Training Modules
- [07:43] - Future Projects and Support
- [08:34] - Year-End Appeal and Gratitude

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:16: "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."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key initiatives mentioned in the sermon that Open the Bible plans to pursue in 2023? [00:33]
2. How many native Spanish speakers are there worldwide, and why is this significant for Open the Bible's mission? [02:25]
3. What recent research findings about the UK were shared in the sermon, and how do they relate to the ministry's goals? [03:47]
4. What new modules are being added to the Open the Bible for Leaders platform, and what is their purpose? [06:34]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Colossians 3:16 relate to the mission of Open the Bible, particularly in the context of expanding language resources? [00:47]
2. In what ways might the presence of Christian friends in secular societies like the UK provide opportunities for sharing the gospel? [03:59]
3. What might be the long-term impact of equipping leaders through the Open the Bible for Leaders platform on global ministry efforts? [07:00]
4. How does the sermon suggest that community support is crucial for the success of ministry initiatives? [08:07]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the importance of language in ministry. How can you personally contribute to making the gospel more accessible to non-English speakers in your community? [02:25]
2. Considering the rise of secularism, how can you be a positive influence on your non-Christian friends, similar to the examples given in the UK? [03:47]
3. What steps can you take to support and encourage leaders in your church or community to sustain long-term ministry? [06:07]
4. How can you actively participate in supporting the initiatives of Open the Bible or similar ministries, either through prayer, financial support, or volunteering? [08:07]
5. Trusting in God's provision is a recurring theme in the sermon. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's provision in your life, and how does that encourage you to trust Him for future needs? [09:00]
6. What practical actions can you take to ensure that the word of Christ dwells richly in you, as encouraged in Colossians 3:16?
7. Identify one specific way you can help your church or small group engage more deeply with the Bible in the coming year.

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Language in Ministry
Language is a powerful tool in ministry, capable of bridging cultural and spiritual gaps. By providing resources in a person's native tongue, engagement with the gospel can be significantly enhanced. Open the Bible recognizes the vast potential in reaching the approximately 450 million native Spanish speakers worldwide, many of whom may not fully understand the grace of Jesus Christ. By launching a Spanish Open the Bible website, translating resources, and initiating a social media campaign, the ministry aims to share the gospel more effectively. This initiative also includes targeted Spanish language radio specials and strategic partnerships to distribute content efficiently. [02:25]

"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." (1 Corinthians 14:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who speaks a different language. How can you use language as a bridge to share the love of Christ with them today?


Day 2: Hope Amidst Secularism
In societies where secularism is on the rise, such as the United Kingdom, there remains a beacon of hope. Many individuals in these societies have Christian friends who positively influence them, presenting opportunities for believers to share their faith. Open the Bible is expanding its ministry in the UK by developing UK-specific digital tools, training a local ministry outreach team, and engaging with UK-based pastors. By hosting virtual and in-person events, the ministry aims to strengthen its presence and witness in a society that is increasingly secular. [03:47]

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a friend or acquaintance who may be influenced by secularism. How can you be a positive Christian influence in their life this week?


Day 3: Equipping Leaders for Enduring Ministry
Training and equipping leaders is crucial for sustaining long-term ministry. Open the Bible for Leaders is a free video-based training platform that provides practical guidance for establishing fruitful gospel ministry. In 2023, new modules such as "Pray the Bible" and "Sustaining a Lifetime of Service" will be added, along with a 24-session bundle called "Foundations of Gospel Ministry." These lessons will also be translated into Spanish, and certificates will be issued for completed training. This initiative ensures that leaders are well-prepared for the journey ahead, equipped with the necessary tools to lead effectively. [06:07]

"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: Reflect on your own leadership journey. What is one area where you need further equipping to serve more effectively in your ministry?


Day 4: The Vital Role of Community Support
The success of ministry initiatives often relies heavily on the support of the community. Open the Bible acknowledges that the faithful investments of its partners inspire and enable the pursuit of ambitious projects that further the Kingdom of God. As the ministry approaches the end of the year, it humbly asks for continued support and prayers. This community support is not just financial but also spiritual, as it empowers the ministry to reach more people with the gospel and make a significant impact. [08:07]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support a ministry or community initiative this week, either through prayer, time, or resources?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision
Throughout the years, Open the Bible has witnessed God's provision in meeting the ministry's needs. As plans for the future unfold, there is a steadfast trust that God will continue to provide the necessary resources to advance the mission and reach more people with the gospel. This trust in divine provision is a testament to the faithfulness of God and the belief that He will continue to guide and sustain the ministry's efforts. [09:00]

"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 area of your life where you need to trust God for provision? How can you actively place this trust in Him today?

Quotes


Tonight I get to share with you what we're hoping what we're praying are projects that continue to honor the Lord and help bring people to the cross of Jesus Christ by as Colossians 3 16 says letting the word of Christ dwell in them richly, there are so many new and exciting projects that we'll be pursuing over the next 12 months. [00:31:20]

People are far more willing to engage with our content when it can be provided to them in their native tongue. It's not an easy thing to do but we are pushing hard for example by year end 2022 the key portions of open the Bible story will have been translated recorded and released in Albanian Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Japanese Latvian Spanish and Tamil. [01:22:40]

There are roughly 450 million native Spanish speakers in the world many of whom do not know Jesus Christ and a large percentage of those who do know Jesus have more of a nominal faith if you will they may not completely grasp the essence of Grace and what Jesus really did for us at the cross. [02:19:19]

Recent research showed that two out of every three people in the UK say that they have a Christian friend of whom they think highly it seems that Christians in the UK are doing a great job of witnessing to their friends and family with their everyday Behavior and this means at the right time there will definitely be opportunities for believers to share their faith. [03:49:40]

In June of 2022 open the Bible officially established a uk-based charity open the Bible UK and this startup sister Ministry now has its own Board of Trustees all UK citizens by the way plus Pastor Colin and me along with its own executive director. [04:28:19]

Open the Bible for leaders is our free video Based training platform which is full of practical actionable guidance for establishing fruitful gospel Ministry for the Long Haul in mid-2022 Via our new website we soft launched the first three modules of this great new tool and those training sessions have been extremely well received by over a thousand registrants. [05:56:34]

Over the next several months we'll be adding a new module called pray the Bible where participants can get practical guidance on how to use biblical prayer every day and how to train others to do it as well. We'll also be adding a new module called sustaining a lifetime of service where participants will get advice practical advice on how to best prepare for the Long Haul many years of fruitful Ministry. [06:34:22]

Your faithful Investments side by side with us and open the Bible inspires me and our entire Team every day thank you so much for that. In just a few short weeks you'll receive our 2022 year-end appeal in the mail this brochure will capture stories of impact from many parts of our ministry it will also summarize the growth that we've experienced the plans we see ahead and importantly the financial resources needed to fund those plans. [08:08:39]

In the now many years I've been in this role it's never been perfectly clear how the Lord will provide the resources that we need to push forward. I have to say that's definitely the case again this year end and yet every year the Lord does indeed provide. [08:53:32]

Again I humbly ask that the Lord put it on your heart to once again support open the Bible this year end and even increase your giving if you're able to this year thank you so much it is really great to be in this ministry together with you may the Lord bless you and all of your loved ones and thank you so much for your time. [09:08:18]

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