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Summer 2020│ Issue 22
Fresh Approaches to
Scripture Engagement
Proposing by Text Message Mapping Scripture in the Blogging with Esther?
Or, Taking the Genre of Cultural Landscape of Japan Moving Beyond Just Bible
Scripture Seriously Study Questions
By Liz Jeggo
By Peter Dray By Fiona Barnard
The Friends International Journal Exploring International Student Ministry
©2020 Friends International Ministries. Cover image by Fabio Comparelli on Unsplash.com Insight is published by Friends International Ministries. Registered Charity Number: 1094095. We welcome your comments and responses to the articles featured in this edition of Insight. Please address all correspondence to: insight@friendsinternational.uk Disclaimer: Articles published in Insight are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editors or Friends International Ministries. 1 │ Summer 2020
Contents
Page 3 A Word from the Editor
By Lynette Teagle
Page 5 Proposing by Text Message
Or, Taking the Genre of Scripture Seriously
By Peter Dray
Page 9 Mapping Scripture in the Cultural Landscape of Japan
By Liz Jeggo
Page 13 Calibrating Expectations:
Helping Returnees Evaluate a Bible-Teaching Church
By Kah Foon Gillespie
Page 17 Blogging with Esther?
Moving Beyond Just Bible Study Questions
By Fiona Barnard
Page 22 The Insight Team
Insight Issue 22 │ 2
A Word from the Editor
One of our wedding gifts, a set This little story brings to mind
of traditional Chinese Mun Jesus’ teaching that “every
Lynette Teagle Shou crockery (pictured teacher of the law who has
above), has remained largely become a disciple in the
Originally from Singapore, unused except on special kingdom of heaven is like the
Lynette joined Friends occasions. Hand-delivered from owner of a house who brings
International in 2001 and China to England, via out of his storeroom new
serves as Head of Learning Singapore, in 1993, the heavy treasures as well as old”
and Development. stoneware set is incredibly (Matthew 13:52).
precious. Yet, as a young family,
Married to Peter and based we felt it hopelessly impractical While we are convinced in this
in Oxford, she is currently and set it aside in favour of ministry of the sufficiency and
researching for a PhD. more durable tableware – it effectiveness of every part of
was too exceptional for daily Scripture in our own lives and
use, too fragile and heavy for those of international students,
childish hands to manage. some of us might be reluctant
to engage with the Old
More recently, our children, Testament (of which the Law of
now young adults with a deep Moses constitutes a major part)
interest in issues of identity and or certain genres. The
exploration of their bi-cultural seemingly dubious actions and
heritage, have viewed the decisions of Old Testament
crockery with different eyes. characters, or parts of Israel’s
After 27 years, the set has tumultuous history, might feel
become a lasting remembrance too difficult to explain
of our wedding celebrations adequately in our limited time
and the generosity of our with students. But Jesus’ words
guests, a potent symbol of our encourage us to persevere in
combined cultural heritage, and handling all parts of the Bible
a rich part of our continuing well, in the faith that those who
story. This old treasure has new study God’s Word diligently
value in our family life. while also seeking to follow
Christ will be able to bring out
3 │ Summer 2020
“new treasures as well as old.” the factors which Japanese
He raises our expectation that students might need to
those who view God’s Word overcome in order to develop
under the Holy Spirit’s direction good Bible reading habits.
will find valuable truth even in
those “less comprehensible” We pray that this issue will help
parts of the Old Testament. us continue to bring out “new
treasures as well as old” as we
In this issue of Insight, Peter study the Bible with our
Dray develops thoughts from student friends from around the
his sessions at the Friends world.
International Conference 2020,
urging us to reconsider how
genres of Scripture – apart from
the gospels – might speak into
“
students’ lives in new ways.
Similarly, Fiona Barnard
suggests creative alternatives to
the tried-and-tested question-
and-answer Bible study
approach, exploring what is
known as an “oral
hermeneutic” which might “...Jesus’ words
engage imaginations and
emotions more effectively. encourage us to
Turning to returnees, Kah Foon persevere in
Gillespie asks searching handling all parts
questions about how they
should rightly evaluate Bible of the Bible well.”
teaching in their home country,
and Liz Jeggo writes from her
missionary experience about
Insight Issue 22 │ 4
Proposing by Text Message
Or, Taking the Genre of Scripture Seriously
Many years ago, whilst I was ‘sayable’ by text – quick notes
working as Staff Worker with about being late, or finding out
Peter Dray Christian Unions in Lancashire, if someone has food
a cheeky student leader at the intolerances, for example. It
Peter Dray is Head of University of Central Lancashire would be strange to write a
Creative Evangelism with put out a rumour that I’d sonnet or a play about either of
UCCF, the British university proposed by text message. Over these subject items when a
Christian Union movement. the following weeks, the only simple text message would
thing more irritating than being suffice.
He is married to Linda and questioned about the rumour
father to Samuel and Toby. was discovering the number of Indeed, all forms of text and
A former Christian Unions people who believed I might speech make certain things
international secretary, he just have popped the question ‘sayable’, and certain things
counts himself as a long- in this way! ‘unsayable’ – a principle with
term supporter and important implications for our
cheerleader of Friends It would be scandalous to evangelism and discipleship of
International. propose by text message. international students.
Though the meaning of the
question is retained (“Will you The Genius of Genre
marry me?”), the brevity and
formality of the question’s form Forms of text and speech are
is unsuitable both for the called ‘genres’ – categories of
emotion of its content and for composition characterised by a
the response for which the similar style or form. The Bible
asker is hoping. comprises a dizzying array of
genres. “God chose to use
“Will you marry me?” is a almost every available kind of
question you cannot communication,” write Gordon
(successfully) pose by text. The Fee and Douglas Stuart,
nature of a text message makes “narrative history, genealogies,
it ‘unsayable’. But that very chronicles, laws of all kinds,
same nature makes other things poetry of all kinds, proverbs,
5 │ Summer 2020
prophetic oracles, riddles, repentance and faith in Christ. makes certain statements
drama, biographical sketches, John Calvin wrote of Isaiah, ‘sayable’, and because they
parables, letters, sermons and “Let us pay attention to the induce different responses in
apocalypses.”¹ Successful style of Isaiah which is not only the reader, nothing short of the
interpretation of these biblical pure and elegant, but is also full range of scriptural genres
texts requires awareness of the ornamented with high art – can achieve God’s formative
unwritten rules that apply to from which we may learn that purposes in us.
each of these genres. eloquence may be of great
service to faith.”² Evangelical We might say that the Bible’s
The Bible is unique amongst Christians – especially those form is as inspired as its
religious texts in its range of working cross-culturally – have content – though even this
genres. This should give us rightly valued clarity of statement drives too hard a
pause for thought. Why might communication, but we dare wedge between form and
God inspire the Bible authors to not too readily surrender an content. After all, we might ask
write in such a range of forms – aesthetic commitment that God whether proposing marriage is
especially given the extra Himself holds in His Word. even the same question if it’s
challenges that come in its asked using a lazy text
interpretation? Second, the Bible’s many message!
genres reflect the scope of
Though God gives His reasons, vision that God has for the The Full Counsel of God
I believe that there are probably transformation of His people.
several answers to this God does not simply want to This line of thought should
question. The range of genres impart information to us, but to move us to ask why the authors
acts as a safeguard to those sculpt us to reflect the likeness of the Bible (human and
with proud tendencies who of His Son in every dimension. divine) employed their
might believe they can master As Kevin Vanhoozer puts it: particular genre for the
Scripture (and its God). The “The texts that make up the message they were conveying.
diversity of scriptural forms Bible do not merely propose Galatians and Romans, letters
also says something important doctrines to be believed or written with tight, logical
about how God accommodates policies to be espoused. The argument, provided a suitable
to humans within our own Bible is more radical than that. form for Paul to underscore the
cultural contexts. These are Scripture proposes a new way sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice as
both important principles for of understanding: not only watertight, to those tempted to
our ministry – but, for the knowing-that but seeing-as, turn back to the works of the
purposes of this article, let me even feeling-as. It is one thing law. Conversely, the poetry of
focus upon two further reasons to agree with the proposition Psalm 23 conveys the emotion
God may have inspired a ‘God created the heavens and of knowing one belongs to the
written Word of many genres. the earth,’ another thing to see Shepherd God that legal
and feel the planet we inhabit discourse never could. Whilst
First, the Bible’s many genres as God’s good though fallen the closing chapters of
show us how highly God and being-renewed creation.”³ Revelation leave us with many
esteems beauty, including questions about the new
beautiful language. Though Such a grand project requires a creation, their power is
Scripture warns about pursuing diversity of genre matching the primarily in their appeal to
eloquence as an end in itself breadth of human experience, imagination. But the
(most notably in 1 Corinthians ministering not just to our apocalyptic genre would have
1-2), the Bible’s form shows rationality, but also to our will, been wholly inappropriate to
that poetic effort and artistry emotion and imagination. describe the detail of Jesus’
can be a means of calling us to Because each literary form earthly ministry – which is why
Insight Issue 22 │ 6
Luke chose to write an ‘orderly an hour into their retelling, we all, “a Christian worldview is
account’ (Luke 1:4) instead.⁴ wondered when the ‘real formed by hearing and learning
sermon’ was ever going to start! the big story of Scripture and
Camping just in one genre of Instead, as his paraphrase drew seeing how all the little stories,
Scripture is therefore like to a close, the preacher paused whether of the men or women
consuming an unbalanced diet. – and asked, “Now, do you in the Bible, or of ourselves and
It may do us good in some really think all of that was a our neighbours, fit into that big
areas, but leaves us coincidence?” story.”⁵
underdeveloped and liable to
become sick. Not only was this a brilliant one However, I wonder whether
sentence summary of Esther’s these approaches can be
Mature discipleship requires message, the sermon also did supported and augmented by
followers of Jesus to be full justice to Esther’s genre. others, a couple of which I
moulded by what Paul called The sermon continues to give tentatively propose here.
‘the whole counsel of God’ me immense comfort, especially
(Acts 20:27). Those of us at times in which God has Firstly, in a university culture
involved in shaping teaching seemed absent from my own very aware of mental health,
programmes need to ensure a story. we might use the psalms more
varied regime for our hearers – often. As I cut my teeth in
not just to keep their interest New Opportunities Christian ministry, I was
up, but because we aspire to a sceptical of such an approach. I
deep discipleship that the Spirit Could there be implications for worried that it seemed too close
can engender only by means of our evangelism too? to ripping verses out of context
the full resources of His Word. and treating the Bible like just a
In university towns, where Most evangelism with self-help book. It is, of course,
turnover of church membership international students in Britain possible to diminish the gospel
is quick, this issue is all the seems to involve a couple of to mere therapy.⁶ But we need
more pertinent. approaches. The first takes not deny the tremendous
international students through emotional resources that flow
Where possible our style of the broad sweep of Scripture, from knowing the Lord.
teaching too, should correlate Genesis to Revelation, Further, the Bible’s truth claims
with the form of Scripture we providing them with a basic can be established in many
are using. Precision is rightly biblical worldview in which the ways – including through its
the order of the day when it central events of the gospel emotional resonance with how
comes to unpacking Paul’s (and the call to repentance and life really feels.
dense theology. A different faith) make sense. A second
approach might be more approach explores narratives I recently met an Indonesian
suitable when considering from Jesus’ life in seeker Bible student who’d undergone a
image- and emotion-rich studies. I don’t want to number of traumatic
psalms. undermine our commitment to experiences. As we opened a
either of these approaches, psalm together, he reflected
One of the most memorable which have emerged out of that here, at last, was a
sermons I heard was an group wisdom and which have vocabulary powerful enough to
overview of the book of Esther. proven fruitful. In some senses, match his pain. We moved
The preacher simply retold the the gospels are the most naturally to talk further about
account in his own words, accessible part of the Bible to how Jesus’ death and
drawing out the details. Like those new to it, and it makes resurrection provide hope, even
the book of Esther, he never obvious sense to locate details in the most painful of
mentioned God by name. Half in the Bible’s bigger story. After circumstances.
7 │ Summer 2020
Another time, a Belgian student Scripture in our day, prayerfully conviction that all Scripture is
asked a highly philosophical seeking to understand our God-breathed and useful (2
question following a talk I’d times. There are many Timothy 3:16). And as our
given on suffering. I engaged considerations in play as we world continues to change and
her question, but then asked if I seek to engage today’s God’s Word makes fresh
could share a Bible passage international students with the connections within our own
that’s been of special comfort to gospel: pragmatic, cultural and cultural moment, we might
me. I read Psalm 27. Afterwards convictional. But I’d love to call expect to see the reality of this
she came and asked for the us all to confidence that we conviction demonstrated in
reference so she could read it need not be embarrassed by the new ways amongst
again. I was delighted to hear Bible’s form, or feel we must international students.
she later signed up for Bible keep only to the passages
study. where we are most
comfortable. It’s an evangelical
A second biblical genre which
we might employ
evangelistically is wisdom
1 Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. 5. David J. Hesselgrave. Planting
literature. Many cultural
How to Read the Bible for All Its Churches Cross-Culturally: North
commentators have noticed the
Worth, Second Edition. Bletchley: America and Beyond. Grand Rapids:
craving of younger adults for
Scripture Union Press, 1994. Page 19. Baker Books, 2000. Page 146.
wisdom.⁷ Bombarded with
information yet often lacking 2. Quoted in John Piper. Seeing Beauty 6. I’ve written more about the dangers
inter-generational relationships and Saying Beautifully. Nottingham: of precisely this at
upon which previous IVP. 2014. Page 30.
that can’t be learned from Content for Faith’s Understanding and 7. See, for example, Nellie Bowles.
YouTube. Theological Judgement.’ Journal of ‘These Millennials Got New
Reformed Theology. Volume 5 (2011): Roommates. They’re Nuns.’ New York
I’ve noticed increasing honesty, Pages 247-275. Times. 31 May 2019. Accessed 05 May
especially from Europeans, 2020
different parts of Scripture. Anthony C.
life: what to look for in a life
Thiselton helpfully distinguishes 8. In part, I think this same desire is
partner, handling conflict, etc.⁸
between transmissive (or ‘closed’) reflected in the popularity in at least
The book of Proverbs might not
texts, such as instruction manuals or some circles of writers and speakers
instinctively be where you’d
medical prescriptions, that cannot and like Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro and
take a non-believer, but we can
should not be interpreted Douglas Murray, all of whom appeal to
teach a biblical worldview
pluralistically, and productive (or wisdom. In the Covid-19 era, we might
inductively through identifying
‘open’ texts) which have less to do also make use of the genre of lament.
the categories upon which this
with conveying information or facts, Lament’s power lies in giving us a
timeless wisdom rests. Students
and which invite more expansive, vocabulary for our brokenness, and
who might not yet be open to a
imaginative and emotive kindling gospel-shaped hope. For more
traditional Bible overview
interpretations. See his chapter in eds. on this, see Section 3 in Mark Vroegop.
might welcome such an
Stanley E. Porter & Matthew R. Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy. Gran
approach.
Malcolm. The Future of Biblical Rapids: Crossway. 2019.
Interpretation: Responsible Plurality in
We ourselves need wisdom
Biblical Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids,
when it comes to opening
IVP Academic. 2013.
Insight Issue 22 │ 8Mapping Scripture in the Cultural
Landscape of Japan
During our time in Japan, very give them inner peace or advice
few of our Japanese friends on how to be a better person.
Liz Jeggo have been interested in coming
to church, but a number have Where to Start Reading the
Since 2010, Mike and Liz wanted to study the Bible. Bible with Japanese
have been serving as OMF From where does this interest
missionaries in Japan. come? Japan is a hierarchical Eventually we want our non-
society, where those with Christian Japanese friends to
While also working for a greater experience, knowledge see the truth in the Bible, and
local Japanese church, their or training are hugely to believe in Jesus as Lord and
main focus has been respected, so Japanese love to Saviour. However, initially it's
returnee ministry – reaching study and increase their helpful to connect with their
out to seekers and knowledge in general: why, felt needs, so starting with
discipling/supporting though is the Bible attractive? passages that show how God
believers, and seeking to be wants us to live seems wise. For
a bridge between overseas In the West, a religion is seen as example, the Sermon on the
churches and the Japanese a set of formal beliefs and Mount in Matthew 5-7 gives
church. doctrines relating to the lots of advice on how to live. It
spiritual realm. People enter a also shows how impossibly high
Liz is a Friends International religion because they believe it God's standards are, and so
Affiliate but was previously is true and are prepared to points to our need for
a Friends International commit to it. In contrast, in forgiveness and God's help to
staff worker in Japan a religion is understood change. It is here that we can
Cambridge. in terms of what it can do for begin to explain the gospel.
us, what benefit it brings.
People practise a religion When Westerners tell the
because they think it can give gospel they tend to start with
them peace, protection, good the idea that Jesus died in our
personal relationships or some place to pay our debt and
other benefit. Many non- remove our guilt. However, this
Christians are interested in the is only one dimension of the
Bible because they think it will gospel. Jesus also died to cover
9 │ Summer 2020our shame, and to set us free to Christ? There are many to have their sins forgiven. In
from the power of Satan. reasons, one of which is simply Japanese thinking, if you do
Different people may relate that life in Japan is busy, so something wrong, you will
more easily to a particular they have little time to devote experience some punishment,
dimension of the gospel, to seeking. But another maybe a sickness or accident
depending on their cultural and significant reason is that the for example. Alternatively, you
personal background. Japan is Japanese mindset is so different can cancel out the bad thing
a shame-based culture, so to the Biblical way of thinking; you did by doing something
Japanese often have a greater hence it takes a long time for good. And that is the end of it;
sense of shame than of guilt: Japanese even to understand there is no need for forgiveness.
they know there are things they what the Bible teaches, let Many people believe that after
have done that they want to alone believe it. you die you just stop existing.
hide from others, things they Those who believe in an
want to forget but cannot. They While each person is different, afterlife seem to think that
may not have a strong sense of there are some things in the most people are good enough
guilt about these things, but Bible that Japanese people to go to heaven, so the idea of
they probably feel shame generally find challenging. judgement after death is hard
because of them. The Bible has Having read through Matthew's to accept.
a lot to say about shame which gospel and done a course
we can share with our Japanese covering the basic Christian Thirdly, they doubt that Jesus
friends. beliefs together, I asked one of really rose from the dead.
my Bible study groups what Experience tells us that dead
For example, in Genesis 3, aspects of Christian faith they people stay dead. The idea of a
Adam and Eve hid from God found hardest to believe. They supernatural God with
because they knew that they mentioned four key things: supernatural power is hard for
had done wrong in His eyes Japanese to understand. For the
and felt the shame of it. God Firstly, the story of creation. In same reason, biblical miracles,
covered their shame by killing Japan, children are taught including the virgin birth, are
an animal to make clothes for evolution and the Big Bang as also difficult to believe.
them. This foreshadows the fact. The idea that God created
way Jesus was killed, not only everything from nothing seems Finally, they struggle with the
so God would forgive our sin, like a fairy tale. Knowing that I idea that Jesus is the only way
but also so that Jesus' blood studied Physics at university, to be saved. Since Japanese are
could cover our shame. If we they were curious about how I looking for a religion that
believe in Jesus, He removes could believe that God created works, they see no difficulty in
our shame by cleansing us so the world. practising more than one
that we are whiter than snow religion at once. The Christian
(Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18). For a Secondly, they find it hard to idea that Jesus is Lord and so
Japanese, burdened by a sense understand why people need to we must turn away from other
of shame, this is an attractive have their sins forgiven. There religions and trust in Jesus
message. is no word in Japanese for the alone, or that we must
Biblical concept of sin, so the prioritise loyalty to Jesus over
Which Parts of the Bible do word used to translate “sin” other loyalties, is difficult to
Japanese Find Difficult? means “crime”. Most Japanese, understand.
therefore, do not see
Japanese who become themselves as sinners. This In seeking to answer these
Christians often do so only after group had come to understand questions, I found some
years of seeking and doubting. the biblical meaning of sin, but Japanese websites (listed on
Why does it take so long to turn they still couldn't see any need the next page) that address a
Insight Issue 22 │ 10number of these, and other like the Good News translation for God, Japanese Christians
apologetics issues. Such articles or the Living Bible translation tend to think in terms of
can be helpful in answering or the NIV if their English is respect for God, gratitude
questions from our Japanese very good. The difficulty is that towards God or obedience
friends, and as I talked with my this may make it harder to towards God rather than love
Bible study group, many connect with a church in Japan. for God.
misconceptions were cleared Becoming familiar with various
up. However, the reality is that Japanese translations early on There are also parts of the Bible
Japanese will only believe can be helpful, especially if the which Japanese understand
when the Holy Spirit opens reason for the differences is more instinctively than some
their minds to the truth, and so explained. other nationalities. For
in reading the Bible with our example, when the son leaves
Japanese friends, we need a lot There are some biblical words home in the parable of the
of patience and prayer. which are particularly difficult prodigal son, Japanese readers
to translate into Japanese. The feel keenly the great shame he
Japanese Bible Translations word “God” is usually brings on the whole family, a
and Translation Difficulties translated as kami (神), but this shame to which the original
comes from the traditional Jewish hearers would also have
There are a number of different Shinto religion and denotes one related. The even greater
Japanese translations of the of the 800 million gods found shame incurred when the father
Bible. The translation preferred in mountains, rivers, rocks etc. later welcomes him back is
by many churches is called the rather than the all-loving, shocking indeed. By reading the
Shin-kai-yaku (新改訳). An powerful creator God of the Bible with Japanese, we can
updated version was published Bible. In reading the Bible with learn from their insights.
in 2017, and is now available Japanese, it is therefore helpful
as a free downloadable app. to introduce them to Genesis 1- Encouraging Regular Bible
This is an accurate word-for- 3 or similar passages which will Reading
word translation and is popular enable them to see how the
in Japan because Japanese biblical God is different to the Many Japanese believers read
value both precise accuracy and Shinto kami. the Bible daily and receive
the preservation of tradition. much spiritual nourishment by
However, it contains many Different Cultures, Different doing so. However, some
words that are not used in Understandings... Japanese Christians, especially
every day Japanese, making it new believers, see no need to
hard to understand, and its use Our culture inevitably affects read the Bible regularly, and
of formal, respectful language how we understand the Bible. others, though recognising the
to refer to God, while For example, although there is benefits of reading the Bible,
communicating something of a Japanese way to say “I love struggle to maintain regular
his holiness and authority, you”, it is rarely used, except Bible reading as part of their
makes him seem distant and perhaps by a man proposing to daily routine. Why is this and
unapproachable. Many young his fiancée, or a mother in a how can we encourage them to
people prefer one of the moment of tenderness towards develop and maintain the habit
thought-for-thought her young child. Love as a of reading the Bible regularly?
translations, which are easier to concept is not usually thought
understand and make God about and the Japanese word Firstly, regular reading of holy
seem more approachable and for love, ai (愛) is not often books is not part of the
loving. Those who understand heard. Therefore although the religious mindset of Japanese
English, may read a simple Bible talks repeatedly about people. Buddhism and
English translation of the Bible God's love for us and our love Shintoism, the traditional
11 │ Summer 2020religions of Japan, place no regularly because life in Japan
emphasis on reading holy is genuinely busy and
books. Only those who are pressurised, even more so than
“extra devoted”, monks or in the UK, and they simply
priests, would spend time struggle to make time for it.
studying the religious Some can read the Bible while
scriptures. So Japanese who commuting to work, but others
become Christians may need to find the cramped conditions too
be taught the importance of distracting. While being
opening the Bible daily, as well understanding about the
as how to engage with what pressures they face, we can
they read in a meaningful way. help our friends to think
creatively about when in their
Secondly, Japan is a schedule they could carve out
hierarchical society where time, and encourage them that
knowledge or training are even a few minutes each day is
hugely valued. Japanese may better than not at all.
therefore feel that they should
only read the Bible with a Conclusion
qualified teacher. We can help
them by teaching them how to God's Word has the power to
read and understand the Bible change lives. It is a great
themselves, and where to go for privilege to read the Bible with
information or explanation Japanese people, to see them
when they have questions. growing in knowledge,
understanding and faith, and to
Thirdly, for those who try witness God transforming them
reading the Japanese Bible, the as His Spirit works through His
difficulty of understanding or Word.
relating to the words of the
Bible can be off-putting. This
relates to the language issues
mentioned above: specialist
words are hard to understand,
some have Shinto connotations Useful Websites: • Christian Apologetics in
which make the new believer Japanese:
feel uncomfortable, and the • Christian Apologetics in www.true-ark.com
formal language causes God to Japanese (translated from (e.g. Did Jesus really rise
seem distant. Over time, this English): from the dead?: www.true-
becomes easier as the style of www.gotquestions.org/ ark.com/bible-christ-
writing becomes more familiar. Japanese resurrection)
We can encourage them to read (e.g. Why did God create
the Japanese Bible alongside an us?: www.gotquestions.org/ • Free downloadable app for
English translation, until they Japanese/Japanese-why- 2017 Shin-kai-yaku
become familiar with the create-us.html) (新改訳) translation of the
Japanese language. Bible (including audio):
www.graceandmercy.or.jp/
Finally, many Japanese app
believers don't read the Bible
Insight Issue 22 │ 12Calibrating Expectations:
Helping Returnees Evaluate a Bible-Teaching Church
How can you tell if you have believed, since they were so
stepped into a good Bible- unemotional (“Why don’t they
Kah Foon teaching church? As a teenager cry?”). Then there were the
Gillespie who had come to faith in students from Hong Kong who
Singapore, I had it all figured concluded the Bible teaching
Kah Foon came to faith 30 out – watch the congregation was just an academic exercise,
years ago through the during the sermon and see if since it focused so much on
ministry of IFES Singapore. people bring out their own what the text said (“like
Since then, she has worked Bible and refer to it often. reading comprehension”) and
as an IFES/UCCF staff Sermon length was the other not what it looked like in our
worker in Singapore, “tell” – only nominal Christians lives today. And the South
London and Dublin. were content with 15-minute American Christians who were
sermons. Forty minutes was the surprised how little Scripture
She is a mission partner norm for those who took God’s got memorised, even in a
with Covenant Community Word seriously! church reputed to have a high
Methodist Church, view of God’s Word.
Singapore and All Souls As diagnostic tools, they were
Langham Place, London. blunt but broadly accurate for It is easy to see when Christians
She has been working with Singapore in the 1980s. They from other countries have
Friends International since were a chocolate fireguard culture-bound ideas of good
2014 and is married to when I came to the UK in 2002. Bible teaching, even if they
Jonathan Over the years, I have met justify their expectations with
Gillespie, international students who also biblical arguments. It strikes us
an had their expectations of a as regrettable if Christians from
Anglican good Bible-teaching church overseas never get stuck into
vicar. challenged in the UK. There any local church because of
was the Nigerian student who such quick judgments. But are
was concerned the pastor didn’t our own criteria for judging
believe his own sermons as his whether a church has good
delivery was so dispassionate. Bible teaching universal? Let us
Or the Korean student who was consider a few possibilities.
not sure the congregation
13 │ Summer 2020Expository Preaching Singaporean evangelicals as seat rather than the preacher.
one of our best Bible expositors. With topical preaching, the
By expository preaching, I Is story-telling the mark of bad preacher might cherry-pick
mean preaching that strives to Bible teaching? biblical truth. Preaching
expound the message in the through a book also allows the
Bible text, such that all the To be fair, I have listened to preacher to explain the
sermon’s points are the points homilies beginning with jokes historical and literary context,
in the passage as discerned by that are completely irrelevant which helps the congregation
careful exegesis of the text to the Bible text or indeed, the evaluate for themselves
within its context. If the Bible is rest of the sermon, and it whether the message is from
living and active (Hebrews makes my heart sink. And I still the Bible. If the preacher leaps
4:12) and is inspired by God remember the horror of from verse to verse all over the
and useful for teaching, listening to a pastor begin his Bible, they cannot easily do
correcting and training in sermon on 1 Peter 1, “Be Holy”, that.
righteousness (2 Timothy with racy stories that had us
3:16), then expounding what chuckling about how unholy we With my IFES background, this
the Bible itself teaches, rather all were. But good Bible is the approach that I
than the preacher’s own expositors do not use stories personally most appreciate.
philosophies, opinions and gratuitously or to undermine However, it is not the norm
commands, is a non-negotiable. the message of the text, they worldwide, even in churches
use them to help their listeners that see Scripture as absolutely
To that extent, expository engage more fully with it. A authoritative. For example,
preaching is good Bible contemporary story that is many Chinese churches would
teaching anywhere in the analogous to a biblical event have thematic preaching
world. As a young Christian, I conveys the emotional impact schedules, and even where a
experienced the lasting of the latter. Personal sermon series is based on one
transformative power of testimonies, especially from the book of the Bible, it is common
preaching that faithfully preacher’s own life, help to have a sermon expounding
uncovered God’s Word from concrete thinkers make sense of just one verse. Either way, the
IFES speakers from all over the propositional truth. Perhaps congregation is kept busy
world. However, the there is a danger that people flicking through their Bibles.
complication is in the variation will focus on a fallible human
of how expository preaching is leader instead of the infallible Is this categorically bad Bible
expressed. Word, but only if preachers set teaching? If preachers have
themselves up that way. Paul conscientiously studied each
Storytelling frequently told his testimony verse they teach in its context
(Acts 22/26, Galatians 1:11- and selected them not out of
One of my British colleagues 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 2, etc) fear of others or selfish
recently expressed dismay over and pleaded with believers to ambition but what they are
the preaching of a well-known follow his example as he convicted is biblical truth, and
Singaporean pastor because he followed Christ’s example (1 if they desire to introduce their
told so many stories in his Corinthians 11:1). flock to something of the full
sermons. To my British friend, counsel of God on issues that
spending half your time in the Preaching Through a Book relate to them, on what basis
pulpit telling stories is not the would we say that this
mark of a preacher committed We often also expect good Bible approach is unacceptable? Do
to expounding the biblical text. teaching to preach through a we have biblical warrant for
And yet the pastor concerned is book of the Bible, since this warning returnees away from
recognised by many helps put the text in the driving such churches? Jonathan
Insight Issue 22 │ 14Edwards and Charles Spurgeon Training Practitioners, substance, structure and style
preached thematically, and Consumers or Learners? of a sermon, but not the art of
Martyn-Lloyd Jones famously listening expectantly and
spent four successive Sundays There are other marks of good humbly to God’s Word being
on Romans 1:1 alone. We also preaching that we may consider taught by leaders who Scripture
need to be careful not to judge important, things which our says deserve respect (1
a church on the basis of the church works at conscientiously Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1
pulpit alone. For example, as a – a Christological hermeneutic, Timothy 5:17).
teenager, I went to a church a gospel emphasis, a harmony
where the sermons were often of Word and Spirit, and so on. I suggest that our focus should
topical. However, everyone also However, if over 80% of the be on helping returnees to
went to “Adult Sunday School” pulpits in the UK do not fulfil recognise and avoid out-and-
for a couple of hours every your criteria, it is unlikely that out heretical churches and
week where we were taught an international student will cults, and beyond that, teach
through books of the Bible. find a local church back home less about evaluating the
that ticks all the boxes. quality of Bible teaching and
One Main Point more about being a good Bible
I praise God that the UK has learner.
Lastly, we are often taught that helped to raise up excellent
a good sermon should have one preachers for the global church Recognising Non-Christian
main point with sub-points by training international Churches and Cults
which support it, that when it students in faithful expository
comes to bringing God’s preaching. For example, UK “For I delivered to you as of first
message to His people, a returnees to Singapore have importance what I also received:
sermon should be a bullet, not become pastors and even that Christ died for our sins in
a scatter gun. And indeed, on planted churches, importing accordance with the Scriptures,
several occasions when I have British “best practice”. Though that he was buried, that he was
listened to an East Asian or these churches have primarily raised on the third day in
African preacher with a British attracted the Western-educated, accordance with the
friend, they have come away their influence has gradually Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians
shaking their heads saying, widened. 15:3-4)
“But what was the main point?
What was he trying to do with However, it is 1 in 100 students I asked student workers in
his sermon?” Meanwhile, I have who will return home to several countries how they
been convicted about three preach, and the danger for the would help young Christians
different sins, had my heart other 99 students, if we give identify sound teaching in a
warmed by God’s love and them too precise a view of what local church in their context,
learnt half a dozen new Bible good Bible teaching looks like, and every one had as their top
facts. In my heart I wonder why is that they merely become tip – check what the church
my friend cannot just highly critical consumers. I believes about 1) Jesus and 2)
prayerfully do business with know Singaporean returnees the Bible. Is Jesus God, Saviour
God throughout the sermon who were actively involved in and Lord? Is the Bible the
without worrying about the their British church, but never source of authority rather than
main point. Can’t a scatter gun settled in any church in the pastor’s word or some other
hit the target just as well as a Singapore because none text?
rifle, if one gets close enough? measured up to the standard of
preaching to which they had Helpful sub-questions include:
become accustomed. They had Is the church’s teaching on
learnt the art of dissecting the Christ, God and the Bible
15 │ Summer 2020different from what you have unbiblical, but that it is tedious increasing in theological
learnt in the UK? Does the – “I learn nothing new.” This knowledge compared to their
group claim to be the only true experience is fairly common time in the UK, we can remind
church in the world? Does the among those who went to them that Christian maturity
church promise you health, student churches known for emerges not just from
wealth and a self-fulfilling life good Bible teaching. There, the knowledge, but also from such
as a Christian? Does salvation sermons could cater specifically things as self-control,
depend on what you do or what to university students, perseverance and love (2 Peter
Christ has done? These “tests” stretching them intellectually, 1:5-7), not just from learning
have the advantage of being adding to their theological new truths, but living each new
accessible even to young knowledge and speaking day in the light of truths
believers we have not had directly into their stage of life. already known.
much time to disciple before “Normal” churches, with much
their return home. more diverse congregations, Conclusion
cannot do that. Learning from a I realise I have slightly
Bible Study Skills sermon becomes harder work. subverted the question I began
with, “How do we help
Of course, anything we can do As a student returns to a returnees evaluate a good
to help students acquire the different country, especially to Bible-teaching church?”,
habit of daily Bible reading and more rural areas, many in the suggesting instead that we
the ability to read the Bible for congregation and perhaps even consider our task to be more
themselves – inductive Bible the pastor, might be less like, “How do we help
study skills, Bible overviews, educated than our returnee. returnees avoid cults and then
use of commentaries or study Does that mean a returnee appreciate, persevere with and
Bibles – will help their cannot learn from them or grow within an (imperfect)
discernment and supplement grow in such a church? It seems local church?”. It may not be
the teaching they get from the a worldly assumption, for there the whole picture, but it is a
pulpit. We can over-rely on our is much to learn from older perspective worth considering.
preachers to feed us, drawing brothers and sisters who have
primarily on each Sunday’s persevered in faith, perhaps in
excellent sermon to sustain us the face of opposition, and still
through the week, but Scripture love Jesus.
tells us we need more. We are
also to meditate on God’s Word When it comes to Sunday
day and night (Psalm 1:2, sermons, we can encourage
Psalm 119:97), live it out returnees that even if the
(Joshua 1:8, James 1:25), talk preacher’s explanation of God’s
about it (Deuteronomy 11:19) Word really leaves them cold,
and teach each other in line they can still praise God for the
with it (Colossians 3:16). time and space to meditate on
the Bible verses in view, praying
Learning Skills for the Spirit’s guidance. Over
time, as the effects of reverse
Students sometimes complain culture shock fade, a returnee
to me about the bad Bible could well find that they relate
teaching in the churches they better to the sermons. And if
go to after graduation. When they are worried that they will
probed, they clarify that they stop growing as Christians
do not mean the teaching is because of how slowly they are
Insight Issue 22 │ 16Blogging with Esther?
Moving Beyond Just Bible Study Questions
“I understand! I can see it! Is thug? Why would she be so
that what God is like?” Su’s¹ distracted by people and
Fiona Barnard face was aglow. Something very activities that only brought
Fiona claims to have learnt significant had happened to her despair and self-harm to her
the important things of that evening. She had been soul?
life in Brazil, where she attending International Café all
grew up. year. She enjoyed the Then, as she observed the
friendships; she endured the figures brawling before her,
Living now in St Andrews, ‘religious slots’ at the end. In perhaps Su was awakened to
Scotland, she is a Friends fact, the great life-giving truths the tug-of-war between
International staff worker as of the gospel had floated goodness and evil, between
well as an ESOL tutor in the unperceptively right past her beauty and ugliness, between
council. She is married to heart and mind. The Bible, that for which she longed and
Ian, an academic. Christianity and Jesus figured that for which she had settled.
nowhere on her pragmatic Backwards and forwards the
radar, or at least until one battle raged, unrelenting,
Easter when the CU presented a tragic, until the vicious demons
five-minute wordless Bible killed the wonderful Creator
overview mime, known as and seemed to have won the
Lighthouse Everything Skit.² Su war. Su gazed, disappointed,
gazed as the Creator formed and wondering what was next.
butterflies and flowers, As the Lord of Life sprang back,
mountains and oceans with a throwing His arms open wide,
sweep of the hand. She was flinging the devils away, her
intrigued as He sparked life heart was filled with joy.
into a motionless person with Suddenly, God’s big story found
His breath. She smiled as the echoes in her heart. She
two danced gracefully together, understood, as never before,
in harmony and wonder. What that she was part of that
happened next surprised her: narrative. She felt it. She
why would the girl abandon wanted to dance with the risen
her True Love for a clumsy Creator too. Ten years later, she
17 │ Summer 2020is back home, stepping out Spirit-gifted mindset? As we together to produce something
faithfully with Jesus. plan programmes to enable on which they can later reflect:
students to understand the
John’s gospel opens Bible’s context and themes and Press Briefings with King David
majestically: “In the beginning message, how can we Putting aside that these are
was the Word.” But what does complement discussion with largely a product of our
it say about the Word? First alternative approaches? How democratic imperative for
that the Word spoke the world might will and understanding accountability(!), could a
into being: the magnificent be unlocked through sensing portion of the story of King
Himalayas and delicate and imagining, experiencing David be chosen each session
ladybirds and elegant giraffes, and participating in God’s with a view to creating news
intoxicating lavender and minty Word? briefings? There are military,
eucalyptus and pungent garlic, leadership, spiritual and
clapping thunder and chirping At the outset, it is important to integrity issues to be explored.
crickets and chatty parrots, celebrate our Maker who has Different people in a group can
rough tree bark and spiky made us diverse. It is yet work on the questions, the
hedgehogs and ice cold water, another aspect of His creativity answers, the implications.
teeth-on-edge lemons and lip- which is so rich and generous Finally, they stage a press
smacking honey… And second, and colourful! For many briefing with the material they
that the Word became flesh: students, a more structured have discussed.
watching, touching, singing, information-gathering study
walking, joking, eating, with discussion and application A Blog for Esther
lamenting, drawing, weeping, will be most helpful in learning How might Esther’s plight and
questioning. The Word came God’s ways and will. After all, prayers be blogged in 10 lines
touching and tasting and they are adept at using their for each chapter as the story
hearing and smelling and brains to analyse and scrutinise. unfolds? Imagine being a young
seeing. They are eager to discover new lonely girl in a Middle Eastern
beliefs, struggle with royal palace tucked away from
When we talk about Bible challenging concepts and come view, but with insight of
engagement, our longing is for to conclusions. This article is impending genocide. A
students not only to hear the simply an exploration of other hundred kilometres out of her
story and accept the valid ways to engage in comfort zone, how might this
propositions. We yearn for them Scripture. lonely woman express in an
to meet the Living Word, the anonymous blog what is
Lord Jesus. We want them to Biographies happening in her and to her?
jump into the Spirit-breathed Writing is essentially a solitary
written Word, heart, soul, mind The Old Testament has some exercise, but may help some to
and strength. We pray that they brilliant biographies which put connect with God’s sovereign
will inhabit this God-centred flesh and bone on God’s vision providence amid acute distress,
world with every blood vessel for a covenantal relationship and give fuel for discussion as
of their being, responding with Him. In what follows, the each student describes what
faithfully to the dialogue invitation is to inhabit the transpires.
between biblical text and 21st biblical account using a variety
Century culture, wherever they of activities. Most of these Jonah in Cartoon
live. suggestions involve reading a Could some of the outrageous
chunk of the story to provide humour as well as the grace of
So my question is this: are talks the necessary background and God found in the life of Jonah
and studies with questions and then facilitating groups to work come alive in a fresh way
dialogue the only bridge to this through watching a cartoon?
Insight Issue 22 │ 18Introducing a 25-minute film prayer journal: might students predicaments and decisions of
can be a way of enjoying the be encouraged to journal their Bible characters. These are real
whole story before unravelling work activities with prayers for people who were as baffled and
its place in the canon of a week or two? Perhaps they mistaken, surprised and
Scripture.³ This provocative can then share how that challenged as we are. By
story will generate plenty of attentiveness and reflection has entering into their relationships
reactions. affected them. and observations, we can
position ourselves vis-à-vis
Coaching for King Solomon WhatsApp for Ruth Jesus. For external processors,
Why is it that the wisest of Set the scene, read the story, it is often in speaking out that
kings seems so bad at following and then students produce a understanding can come, and
his own advice? It is both WhatsApp conversation new possibilities visualised.
curious and true to life, and between Ruth and Orpah as There are hundreds of
goes right to the hub of our one returns to her family and possibilities:
response to Scripture: our need the other settles in a new land
for repentance and dependence and commits to Yahweh. It • Mary’s discussion with
of the Holy Spirit to live could be done in episodes as Joseph about her
faithfully. Groups might the story evolves. pregnancy,
compare themes in Solomon’s • The conversation between
teaching (Proverbs and Other Types of Bible James and John and their
Ecclesiastes) and life (1 Kings) Literature father Zebedee when they
– on money and power, study announced they were going
and learning, relationships and Alongside these Old Testament to “fish for people”,
words. This could be produced biographies, there are other • What the young boy who
either as cushion cover wisdom types of literature in both Old shared his picnic with the
(“this is what he said”, perhaps and New Testament that can be thousands said to his
using illustrations, if there are explored in ways which reflect mother when she asked,
artists and calligraphers) and their genre. “Did you enjoy your lunch?”
newspaper headlines (“this is • How Zacchaeus explained
what he did”). Alternatively, it Parables his change of policy to his
could be detailed on a flow Take a New Testament parable bank manager,
chart which would show the and tell it in a contemporary • The exchange between Paul
discrepancies. Some students setting. Choose a theme – the and Barnabas when they
might be the coaches, brought kingdom of God, prayer, being disagreed over John Mark,
in to guide and challenge ready, riches and poverty, lost and their subsequent
Solomon. things – and let groups work on reconciliation,
separate parables. • Philip’s supper time chat
An Analysis of Nehemiah’s with his daughters on
Project Management Conversations returning from his
Could you do a CV for If there are texts with direct encounter with the
Nehemiah and see how it might speech, why not give students Ethiopian.
match the description of the job the role of different characters
to rebuild the wall? How about and a narrator when you read Tableaus
a SWOT (strengths, the text? Let the biblical Stories, whether parables or
weaknesses, opportunities, author’s craft be enjoyed real events in the Bible, can
threats) analysis on the through the different voices. also come to life with
building project from chapters individuals each choosing a
3 and 4? The book has the Role play can be used as a way character and positioning
appearance of a report-cum- of entering into the emotions, themselves as 4 or 5 statue like
19 │ Summer 2020stills or “photos” to tell the Prayer Living Word in the written
story. The audience close their In prayer, we enter God’s heart word. For any readers of this
eyes between “takes” for and engage with His Word. article who are used to more
“curtains down” and “curtains How better to bring someone text-based ways of Bible
up” as in a theatre. Characters closer to Jesus than to pray engagement, this type of oral
then reflect on what it felt like Scripture? We might suggest hermeneutic may be a
to be carried through a roof they: challenge. However, if you dare
and forgiven by Jesus or caught • Pray with their eyes open, to experiment, you may be
in a storm, to be the older walking round the pleasantly surprised!
brother of the prodigal, or the countryside or looking out a
one who was given a job in the window and praying Psalm The role of a gentle facilitator is
vineyard at the end of the day.⁴ 104 or Psalm 8. vital in unpacking the
• Sing the songs in Revelation experience that participants
Pictionary which have been put to relate: “Why did you choose to
Some texts are full of visual modern tunes – or even be this character? Why do you
imagery and metaphors which compose some new think she acted this way?
cry out to be observed or melodies. Where was Jesus? How did it
described or drawn. If you are • Praise God together and feel to enter the scene? What
talking about Jeremiah 18, plead with Him through a do you think this story or
show a pot or a picture of a psalm, perhaps antiphonally proverb or report is saying to
potter at work. If you are in a group. you, to us?” We can trust the
reading about the sower, bring • Use laments as they watch Holy Spirit to illuminate His
some seeds and plants. Get news of earthquakes or Word and to make that vital
students to sketch the images in tsunamis or war. connection between the ancient
Isaiah 40: valleys and • Speak out prayers of Bible text and an unchanging
mountains, grass and flowers, a repentance from David, or God who speaks to us today
shepherd and flock, a drop in a Solomon or Nehemiah to through each other and
bucket, grasshoppers, stars, accompany film clips on through all of our senses. What
eagles… Even for those who do financial greed or could be more wonderful than
not imagine themselves artistic, environmental devastation. to overhear our students say to
drawing and colouring can give • Choose a one line prayer to their friends and family, “We
space to let the text and its repeat, enabling them to have seen the Lord!”
truths sink in more deeply. focus and leading to silent
prayer? It could be from a
Letters psalm (“I love you, O Lord,
Letters may be increasingly a my strength”) or a gospel
thing of the past, but following (“Lord have mercy on me, a
a reading of Philemon or 2/3 sinner”) or a prayer of Paul
John or the letters in Revelation (“be filled to the measure of 1. Not her real name.
2-3, could Christian students all the fullness of God”) or
2. Lighthouse Everything Skit
take time to compose a letter of John (“Come, Lord Jesus”). (www.youtube.com/
encouragement? Considering watch?v=cyheJ480LYA)
the way epistles usually address In Conclusion 3. Testament Collection, the Bible in
particular situations, what are Animation, 2005, Diamond
Entertainment Corp.
the issues facing a friend or All these are simply practical
their church? This might be ideas and resources which may 4. Idea from Olive Fleming Drane,
Clowns, Storytellers, Disciples, BRF
especially significant for serve to help students of 2002
students preparing to return varying personalities and
home. learning styles to meet the
Insight Issue 22 │ 20You can also read
