SOWER - God in the - Bible Society of Australia
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SOWER
AUTUMN 2020
God in the
Outback
1
Dear
friend, with Bible Society CEO Grant Thomson
M
y earliest memory of connecting with God, to you, and your desire for all people everywhere to
was my grandmother, my only Christian be able to open the Bible, more and more people are
relative, praying for me as a small child while finding a personal relationship with the God of the
I lay in bed. I know that God used that prayer to universe.
nudge open a door into my heart. I am privileged to head up Bible Society Australia,
Some years later, and a few other intersections birthed in the very early years of colonial settlement.
with God through Scripture class in primary school Thank you for journeying with Bible Society to this
and attending Catholic mass with my next-door point. I look forward to thanking you personally as I
neighbour, a good friend asked me to come to his travel to events around Australia. However, the race
church. He had just become a “Jesus person.” It was is not yet won. Let us keep going together.
12 January 1986. My friend sat me in the front row
and when the appeal was given to come forward and “But you are a chosen
give our lives to Jesus, I took that step. I committed
my life to the Lord. people, a royal priesthood,
I was at Hillsong Church, working as a volunteer
leader, when I met my wife Heidi. I am eternally a holy nation, God’s
grateful for Heidi’s father, a Navigator, who
challenged me one day with the question, “How special possession, that
do you know you are saved?” I stumbled to find
a convincing answer. He pointed me to the Bible, you may declare the
and discipled me, teaching me how to read the
Scriptures. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week praises of him who called
with Jesus and I began to build a habit for reading
God’s word. It has been the foundation, the rock, you out of darkness into
that I have built my life on since then.
God has redeemed my life as he has redeemed his wonderful light.”
yours. The hope with which we live has been
revealed through God’s holy word, the Bible. Thanks 1 Peter 2:9
2
Need a
job done?
Ask Barb
B
arb Mathie is one of those tenacious, quietly reps from all the denominations in the region,
spoken, salt-of-the-earth people, who are organises three events each year.
the lifeblood of the local community. Anyone Barb hosts a fundraising morning tea in her
wants a job done … ask Barb. Need a secretary for Foxground home, where you will find 44 fold-up
your local committee? Ask Barb. chairs in one of the large purpose-built cupboards.
Barb has been the backbone of the Gerringong, Barb loves to fill her house with people. She will
Kiama, Jamberoo Bible Society Action Group (or quickly claim she is no cook. Just bring along a
various derivations of its name) plate and Barb will provide fold-up
“I
for more than 50 years. If you tables, urn, kitchen and a home filled
want to know about stickability, with God’s love.
ask Barb. The October 2019 guest speaker at
She also is a spotter of
feral animals for Feralscan, a
nationwide citizen-led group
always the Bible Society event was Reverend
Melissa Lipsett, Bible Society’s Chief
Operating Officer. Over the years, just
on the lookout for feral pests
such as deer, rabbits, pigs and pray about every Bible Society church rep,
CEO and state director has made a
for Bible
foxes, which cause so much trip to this very active Bible Society
devastation to Australia’s chapter, often enjoying the hospitality
farming land. And she is a of Barb Mathie.
member of Landcare, assisting
in the planting of trees in her
community.
Society” “I always pray for Bible Society,”
Barb says. “I pray for the staff; I even
pray for the people who appoint the
Barb has notebooks, staff. I pray for the projects that are set out in
minutes of meetings and letters all carefully filed Sower.
relating to her different community activities. “I had decided to leave an amount in my will to
However, her involvement in the local Bible Bible Society, but then I decided, well, it’s going
Society Action group is particularly impressive. This to Bible Society anyway, so I might as well give a
ecumenical committee, made up of Bible Society donation every year.”
3
INDIGENOUS
D
angatanga grew up on Creator God made it all. You have
Elcho Island, a remote to speak to God, and he will guide
island off the coast you, not the spirits in the rocks or
of the Northern Territory. A the trees.”
Yolŋu man, he speaks a Yolŋu- For many years, this godly man
Matha language called Dhuwa- has been an inspiring leader and
Dhangu’mi. pastor in the church in Gove, his
For
He came to know Jesus during community in East Arnhem Land.
the Christian revival in 1979, Sadly, there are still very few
faith
whereupon he became utterly Scripture resources available to
convinced of the authority of the 10,000 Yolŋu people living in
Jesus. When the elders told him East Arnhem Land.
comes he should speak to the land,
the trees and the rocks so the
Two of the languages,
Djambarrpuyŋu and Gumatj, have
from
land could speak back to him a New Testament translation, while
and guide him, he defended his three further languages, including
hearing,
decision to worship the Creator Dangatanga’s language, have some
God and to renounce the spirits portions of the New Testament in
of the land. written form.
and Dangatanga replied: “You tell
me your stories about the trees
But many remote
Indigenous people
hearing
and the rocks, but I will tell you find written Scriptures
the story of Jesus and how he difficult to understand,
through
changed my life.” so they need a more
He explains: “If you dig practical means
beneath the trees and the rocks, for hearing the
the word you will realise that the Almighty gospel. Two
of Christ.
Elcho
Island
(not to scale)
Dangatanga
with his
Romans 10:17 Grandson
4
Translator Tjulyata Tjilya (with
her granddaughter Sandrene)
was one of the first to see the
new Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible
Jesus
changes lives
in outback
5
years ago, Global Recordings and the Australian Society for and there was a special touch
Network (GRN) went up to Indigenous Languages (AuSIL). as he realised it was his nephew
Arnhem Land and recorded the As a result, a project is now who had spoken the words, now
Gospel of Mark as it was read under way to make two more playing from his phone.”
aloud in the Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi recordings – the Gospel of Mark Dangatanga’s dearest desire
language. These recordings have in Dhuwaya, and the Gospel is for young people to hear the
allowed many more people to of Luke in Gumatj. The written gospel in Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi,
hear the good news in their own translations have been available so they too will have the
language for the first time. for some time, but the benefits chance to follow Jesus as he has
Bible Society Australia recently of audio recordings are now throughout his life.
had the opportunity to visit Yolŋu better understood. A project to make these
speakers in Gove, for a recording While in Gove, Paul Kube, audio recordings readily
workshop held in partnership with Bible Society’s Northern Territory available is one of the many
GRN, the Uniting Church, Mission Engagement Representative, valuable Indigenous projects
Aviation installed the 5Fish app on we are asking you to support
Fellowship Dangatanga’s phone. This app this autumn to help Indigenous
(MAF), from GRN contains the story of Christians share the Bible with
Jesus spoken in 5500 languages others in their communities.
and dialects. The plan is to distribute
“It was a beautiful event to hundreds of audio-playing
witness Dangatanga hear the devices loaded with Scripture
Scripture in his own tongue for recordings in multiple Yolŋu
the first time. We saw his face languages to the many
light up as the gospel began to homelands and communities
play out loud. He had requested of Arnhem Land. Bible Society
to hear his favourite story, the Australia is partnering with MAF
Parable of the Sower and the to make this possible. Will you
Seed. Dangatanga was consider giving so that more
so happy to hear Indigenous people can
this in his native hear the Scriptures in their
Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi language for the first time,
6
so the next generation can hear Bible. and Northern Territory as well as
the gospel, as they too become When an advance copy by Pitjantjatjara speakers living in
leaders for their people like of the new edition arrived at Adelaide. With your help, Bible
Dangatanga? Koorong in Adelaide, many of the Society is now preparing more
translators clamoured to have a to meet the demand.
A revised Bible look. One of the first people to
Pitjantjatjara translators were see it was Pitjantjatjara translator Eager to learn
very excited at the publication Tjulyata Tjilya who was soon on Bible Society Australia is partner-
of the revised edition of the the phone to all her family and ing with Nungalinya College in
Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible, friends. Tjulyata also took to Darwin in developing and running
Tjukurpa Palya, which was made Facebook to share her message a Diploma in Transla-
possible by your support. far and wide. tion, which began
This new edition includes Here is a translation of with the first inten-
several recently translated Tjulyata’s post “This is the new sive last March.
Old Testament books such as Bible, you can see the front The first cohort
Daniel and substantial sections cover, it’s dark brown and it also of 17 eager stu-
of 1 Samuel and incorporates contains the story of Daniel. We dents had previ-
revisions made during translated the Pitjantjatjara from ously completed a
Pitjantjatjara New Testament English, and it’s great. But the Certificate III
audio recording workshops in other Pitjantjatjara Bibles are on in Theology,
2017 and 2018. the ship coming from China to a prerequi-
Bible Society’s Chief Australia, to Adelaide, and then site of en-
Operations Officer, Reverend from there to the APY Lands, so try. Many
Melissa Lipsett (right), was good!” of these
excited to notice several boxes This Bible is widely used and students
with the words “Bible Society loved across the APY Lands in had been
Australia – Pitjantjatjara Bible” the north of South Australia, in working for
while she was visiting Amity communities in Western Australia years as Bible
Press in China. Of course, Melissa
Reverend Melissa Lipsett holds a
opened one of the boxes and Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible in China
cradled a “hot off the press”
7
translators and church/communi- training service to ensure the
ty leaders and they represented continued existence of skilled
nine language groups: Burarra, and qualified Bible Translators for
Tiwi, Kriol, Gupapyuŋu, Djambar- various language groups.
rpuyŋu, Wangurri, Warramirri, Nungalinya College Principal
Maung and Dhaŋu’mi. Ben van Gelderen says:
All the new students were “Beginning the Diploma of
determined to learn as much as Translating has been an absolute
they could. “While most of the blessing and joy for the college.
students in other courses finished Communities have been aspiring
their classes at 2.30pm, the Bible for an accredited translation
Translating students continued to course for many years, both to
work through to 3 or 3.30pm just support and re-energise Bible
PLEASE to ensure they got all the course
work completed – they were that
translation ministries but also
to discover new possibilities of
GIVE NOW keen,” said Translation Consultant
Mally McLellan.
working with digital technologies
and methods.”
Will you help our Indigenous This project has been Around Australia, we’re
brothers and sisters open developed in response to requests equipping our Indigenous
God’s word to others in from churches, Bible Society brothers and sisters to open
their communities? mission partners and Indigenous God’s word to others in their
$40 goes towards printing translators to provide an updated communities. Will you join us?
and distributing Scripture
for Indigenous communities.
$80 helps train a Bible
translation student at
Nungalinya College.
$120 helps a community to
record and share Scripture
in their heart language.
Use the donation form on the
back page, call 1300 BIBLES
(1300 242 537) or visit
biblesociety.org.au/opensow
8
Devotion
Always In the wake of the catastrophic bushfires
this summer, Jon Humphries, Chaplain and
there
Spirit,
God,
Christ,
Religious Education teacher at Ravenswood
School in Sydney, offers this prayer.
You are always with us,
Whether we perceive it or not.
You are always working for our good,
Whether we know it or not.
You are always there for comfort and help,
Whether we call on it or not.
You are always calling us onward in hope,
Whether we listen or not.
You are always the giver of compassion and comfort,
Whether we accept it or not.
You are not the cause of our troubles or sufferings,
Whether we believe it or not.
In all things and at all times your hand is on our lives,
Whether we feel it or not.
You are God,
Leading us to our better selves and working to
redeem all people and all things,
Whether we have faith or not.
This simply is, and so shall it always be.
Amen.
9
Remembering the Flying Bible Man
T
revor Booth, who began the himself in the years to come. West Representative. After
Flying Bible Man ministry Trevor served with the prayerful consideration and family
for Bible Society, passed Presbyterian Church in his early discussion, he agreed, strongly
away in July 2018. His widow, years of ministry. In 1958, he recommending the use of a light
Connie Booth, has written this joined Bible Society as a Field aircraft rather than a road vehicle
tribute to his valuable work. Officer, spending the next 10 as a means of travel over the vast
Trevor grew up on a farm in the years visiting churches and areas involved.
wheat belt of Western Australia community groups in WA, After two years of research,
at Yearling, near Corrigin. During generating prayerful and financial including experimental runs to
the war years, he would see up to support for the ministry at home numerous stations, questions
40 Tiger Moths fly over the farm and overseas. were answered including: “how
on regular training runs, which Early in 1966, John Ridden, will the typical traditionally
inspired his fascination with aircraft WA State Secretary for Bible non-religious outback Australian
and flying. He wasn’t to know then Society, asked Trevor if he would respond to having a Bible
that he would fly over the farm consider serving as the North salesman land on his airstrip?”
10Despite fears of rejection, in properties in their parish. feature was the establishment of
almost every case Trevor was Bibles and other Christian local honorary representatives in
warmly welcomed and invited to literature were distributed to churches, which helped stimulate
call again. thousands of people in remote a deeper interest in the work and
Therefore, in 1968 Trevor and areas of Australia, including mission of the Bible Society.
the family moved 900km north Fettlers camps on the Trans Bible translation into various
of Perth to Carnarvon, to start Australian Railway, with many Aboriginal languages had been
“The Flying Bible Man” ministry. opportunities to tell by word of happening for many years. To
Trevor’s passion was to share mouth the wonderful gospel story. assist these folks, Trevor would
the word of God to people in the He regularly visited more than 500 pick up Bible Society’s Translation
Outback of WA and he visited cattle and sheep stations. As a Consultant for Australia from
hundreds of communities. result of using an aircraft, he could Darwin and transport him to
The first aircraft was a visit four or five stations a day. various communities where he
Beechcraft A23 Musketeer, which He also visited major towns and worked as adviser/consultant and
served the work for the first mining towns in WA as the mining encourager to these linguists.
seven years. Due to its lack of boom was then in full swing. He Over the 48 years of the Flying
performance in the hot conditions would take church services or Bible Man program, Trevor faced
and often short station airstrips, meetings where he would screen several hazards that could have
it was replaced with a Cessna 182 films and set up a book display. proved to be life threatening, but
Skylane. This aircraft proved to be He also spoke at schools, Sunday the prayers of faithful supporters
ideal for the type of conditions. schools, women’s groups and were valued, and all incidents
As time passed, it was realised service clubs. ended well.
that the area of service needed In 1972, the fifth year of Looking back, Trevor was
to take in the Northern Territory operation, it was realised the encouraged to know that there
and North Queensland, with borders of the work needed were those who came to the Lord
subsequent regular visits to enlarging again. Though based as a result of this ministry. After
Darwin, Alice Springs and the in Carnarvon, it extended from more than a decade of outback
Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve Esperance on the southeast flying, promoting and distributing
in the Northern Territory. Trevor coast of WA to Mabuiag Island the world’s greatest book, he
worked in close co-operation in the Torres Strait. The area returned to Perth to serve as Bible
with churches, often taking the covered about three million Society State Director for 18 years
local minister on visits to station square kilometres. One important until he retired in 1996.
11TELL KIDS JESUS LOVES THEM
Jesus loves
the children
of the world
D
on’t you love reading benefited from Bible Society “I live in this crowded area and
bedtime stories to Egypt’s Bible-based Literacy we are not kind at all towards
children? The way children project. Youstina acknowledged each other, even the street cats
gradually move from pointing at that she was a bit of a bully at and dogs. But Jesus was so kind
the pictures, to rote learning the church because, unlike the other to the people surrounding him.
words, to identifying individual girls, she could not read or write. “I am learning now to be more
words, to reading more and more “I saw the girls around me kind to my friends in the church
complex books. Their delight in reading, but when I looked at and at school, even those who
words. The way it gives them the pages I could not read. are annoying.”
confidence. Opens up their world. So I bothered them,” Youstina Twelve-year-old Urial is mature
Our dreams are for our children explained. beyond his years. Given a Bible
to go to university, to hold down a “But now that I have taken this by the Nicaraguan Bible Society
responsible job and contribute to class, I am so happy I can read all as part of their Project Hope and
the wellbeing of society. And it all the words, even the long ones. Smile for Children with Cancer
starts with a bedtime story. “I like the stories when Jesus when he was four, Urial was healed
This is why Bible Society has met people like me, like the of cancer two years later. He
such a strong commitment to Samaritan women, even the kid attributes his healing to God. Eight
telling children stories from the who brought the five loaves of years later, he still reads his Bible
Bible in a format and language bread and two fishes, because I and his favourite Bible
they can understand. And the feel that Jesus is meeting me too.” verse is John 15:5, for “without
difference it makes in the lives of Mariam, also 10, attends the God we can do nothing” he says.
participants is truly extraordinary. same literacy class with Youstina. Even here in Australia,
Ten-year-old Youstina is one Mariam wants to be a kind person, where literacy is not such a
of 20,000 students who have like Jesus. big issue, children’s ability
12“I am delighted to be able to everywhere, children such as
teach these little children how to Youstina, Urial, Mariam, Brianna
find their way around the Bible, and 11-year-old Bishoy, to know,
how to read it and grow using the without a shadow of a doubt,
word of God and I pray that this that Jesus loves them.
is the beginning of their long life “Even though I was struggling
walking with the Lord! Exciting and could barely read and write,
stuff!” I pretended that I was literate,”
Nyoongar woman Ros Khan Bishoy told us.
believes God has sent her “But now I am free from
youngest daughter Brianna to her pretending! I really know how to
Marina and Youstina to teach her how to love. Both read and write. I do not need to lie
attending literacy classes Ros and Brianna are learning anymore. My favorite Bible story
to speak Nyoongar, a language is when Jesus meets Zacchaeus.
to engage with God’s word near extinction but slowly being I think Jesus came to Jericho to
is important and needs to be recovered by the work of Bible meet him, just as I meet Jesus
made easy. translators and others in Western every time I come to church. ‘For
Gail, a school Scripture Australia. the Son of Man came to seek and
teacher, wrote to Bible Society “I feel as though Brianna’s to save the lost.’
on receiving her order of Bibles from God and teaching me. What “This is my favourite verse and I
through our Scripture Grants was taken from us years ago know it by heart, from Luke 19:10.
program, “I cannot begin to (the Nyoongar language), and to Thank you for helping me. I am
express the excitement and have that (the Gospel of Luke) in not pretending anymore.”
happiness I felt when I arrived Nyoongar language, it’s amazing
at school last week and all the what God has given us.”
Bibles were sitting there in These stories of lives changed GIVE NOW
boxes. by the healing power of God’s
Please call
grace are what makes our hearts
1300 BIBLES
beat faster. We live for these
stories.
(1300 242 537),
That is why
use the donation
we want form on the back page
children or visit
biblesociety.org.au/
sowchild
13Bible Society at home
Bibles for Bubs
Bibles for Bubs Bike for Bibles International Bibles
Two-year-old Zoe Buchanan loves The Tasmanian 2020 summer People in one in five households
the Toddler Bible she received Bike for Bibles ride in north-east in Australia now speak a language
through Bible Society’s Bibles for Tasmania was a modest local ride other than English, according to
Bubs program. “My husband and of 432 kms over four days – a larger a study this year by McCrindle
I read a Bible story every night fortnight-long ride is being planned Research. At Koorong and Bible
with Zoe and pray with her,” says for interstate and local riders for Society Australia, we believe the
mother Jane, who has lost count 2021. Every year the cyclists depend Bible should be opened to our
of the times she has read through on the hospitality of local Christians entire community. We know that
the Bible with Zoe. “Her favourite and churches to generously provide people want to read God’s word in
story is the Noah’s ark story and meals and billets, which keeps costs their own heart language, whether
she loves to act out the pounding down. This year, the BFB team were it be Chinese, Samoan, Hindi,
and sawing ... Our nightly routine is treated to great country hospitality, Tagalog, or any of the languages
to read a Bible story and then she food and fellowship in Scottsdale spoken in Australian homes. So
holds hands with her father and me and St Helens. Despite cool Koorong is promoting a selected
as we pray together. This is such a conditions, the team enjoyed four range of international Bibles with
relaxing, calming experience she’s days of fellowship and fundraising a 30 per cent discount until April
even fallen asleep several times for Scripture-based literacy work 5. Every order of an international
while we pray.” On April 20 we will for Pakistani women. The Bike for Bible will also receive a free copy
launch the 2020 program so that Bibles event in Victoria, from March of Meet Jesus by Mike Raiter. This
babies born in 2019 can receive 28-29 – a 240km ride around Port short new book in easy English
gifts and birthday cards for their Phillip Bay – will raise funds for helps migrants and overseas
first five years of life. Bible paper in China. visitors get to know Jesus.
14Bible Societies around the world
Leaving a legacy Breaking barriers 700 completed Bibles
Emmanuel Zhuwao, above, In November 2019 work began As Sower went to press, the
agreed to do translation work on recording an audio version of United Bible Societies was
on the Chikunda Bible because the New Testament in Chorote, a expected to announce that the
he would get to learn the Bible language of Argentina. Chorote total number of languages with
very deeply. “I also have a real speakers are eager to listen to the completed Scripture was set
passion to help my community,” Scriptures in their language and to reach 700. Unfortunately,
he says. The Chikunda Bible, in a break down the barriers that are although there are more than
minority language of Zimbabwe, preventing them from knowing 3000 languages with some
is due for completion in 2023. God’s word. Sisters Sabina and portions of the Bible, there are still
Emmanuel is excited to think of Clara, above, are happy but another 3000 languages that are
the legacy he will leave. “I have a nervous about taking part in without even a single translated
young grandson and it makes me the recording, so they’ve been verse. That means one in five
happy to think of him reading the practising reading the gospels out people don’t have a Bible in the
Chikunda Bible as he grows up.” loud together every afternoon. language they understand best.
GPO BOX 9874 in your capital city P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425
W: biblesociety.org.au E: sower@biblesociety.org.au ACN 148 058 306
Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It’s a member
of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 154 organisations working in more than
200 countries and territories. Our mission is to achieve the widest possible effective and
meaningful distribution of the Bible; also to help people interact with it and to have their
hearts lightened by the Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ.
15BUSHFIRE APPEAL
Bibles
& roses
J
ohn Parer was walking along wanted to tell all the people in and its challenge to jump into the
his local beach last October OneLife, Taree, the Manning Valley, ocean to help Jesus save people
trying to get inspiration for a NSW, Australia and the world that who are drowning.
sermon he was giving the next day. he loves them,” he says. “I followed this challenging
John, who is pastor of OneLife The strange combination of message with the story about how
Church in Taree on the mid-north roses and the ocean reminded I found the three roses on Old
coast of NSW, walked north for John of a vision that God gave Bar Beach. God sent me three red
40 minutes, asking God for a Salvation Army founder William roses from the ocean to remind
message, then turned around and Booth more than 100 years ago. me how much he loves us.”
headed back. The ocean symbolised humanity When bushfires hit the NSW
“It was a perfect day – nice and all the people in the ocean mid-north coast in November,
waves, warm water and blue sky. were drowning. Jesus was in the John and his church offered
As I walked, I saw what looked like ocean and calling to those he’d practical assistance to the
rubbish on the beach,” he recalls. rescued to help him rescue those community such as donating
To John’s amazement he who were drowning. Sadly, many money and delivering water.
discovered that this item was who had been rescued were He also coordinated the line-
a perfect rose. After staring, too preoccupied with work, fun, up for a huge community carols
stunned, at its beauty, he noticed sports and family to respond to night, which attracted about
there were two more roses. Jesus’ call. 7000 people. A Sydney NRL team
“How did they get there? I am The next day, John told his made an appearance while singers
not sure, but I believe God simply congregation about this vision Shannon Noll and Travis Collins
16CAN
YOU
HELP?
Would you be willing to help
Bible Society replace Bibles
and assist in supplying ministry
resources to churches and
came to perform and support the lot of recovery work to be done. people in bushfire-affected
communities?
community. Churches are working together to
Early that morning, John drove follow up people affected, some of Please donate at
for four hours from Taree to whom have lost everything. biblesociety.org.au/sowaid,
Flemington Markets in Sydney, Along with giving away Bibles call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537)
where he bought 2,500 red roses. to replace those lost in the fires, or use the donation form
He then drove to Bible Society Bible Society is also supporting on the back page.
Australia’s warehouse to load up the provision of water to families
with Christmas books, Bibles, New who used what they had, which
Testaments as well as The Deadly their livestock also need, to fight
News, a Gospel of Mark for the the fires. We’re praying for all
Aboriginal community. That night, the communities affected by
during the carol service, the the bushfires and are working
church handed out the roses and with our local partners to
Scriptures to share about God’s supply Bibles alongside other
love for the community. emergency needs. Please pray
The mid-north coast bushfires with us, and if you are in or
were followed early in the new are serving bushfire-affected
year by the devastating bushfire communities, then please get in
crisis on the NSW south coast touch with us here:
and Victoria, and there is still a biblesociety.org.au/relief
17Prayer points empowered to read and understand Scripture as well
as other essential areas of life.
Australia: Thank God for Bible Society’s Daily Bible
March – June devotion series (available by daily email and through
bible.com.au). Pray that people would be blessed in
March 22-28 pursuing Bible reading as a spiritual discipline this year.
Nicaragua: Please pray that children suffering from
cancer in Nicaragua would know God’s love through April 19-25
his word. May they feel God’s love and place their trust Syria: Please pray for the Trauma Healing project,
in him, because he is the best doctor and healer. which trains facilitators in Bible based trauma-healing
Australia: For Easter this year, please pray as Bible seminars as well as creating trauma healing centres in
Society distributes an Easter-themed outreach booklet local churches. Thank God for the leaders trained in
that many young lives will be blessed. 2019 and the hundreds of people who received healing
through the groups.
March 29–April 4 Australia: Please pray for chaplains and gospel
Iraq: Pray for Bible Society’s work in encouraging workers in hospitals, prisons, the armed forces,
Christian communities in Iraq through addressing their outreach centres and schools. Pray that they may build
physical needs for food, medicines and supplies as well relationships and be present in people’s lives with
as their spiritual needs. God’s word at the right time, guided by God’s wisdom.
Australia: Please pray for unity among all the arms of
Bible Society Australia, including Koorong, Centre for April 26-May 2
Public Christianity and Eternity. Thank God that we can Slovenia: Please pray for the Bible Helps to Heal
work together to help people open the Bible. Wounds and Trauma project, which helps women
suffering from trauma to break free of their past
April 5-11 through biblical trauma healing. Thank God for the
Pakistan: Thank God that Christian women in Pakistan 16 new facilitators last year and that God would
are learning to read and write so they are equipped to strengthen them with his love and peace.
lead their households better and understand the Bible. Australia: Thank God for all the ways he is working
Australia: Pray that Bible Society would be able to among the Indigenous communities in our country.
assist churches, chaplains and other local partners Pray that Bible Society would be effective in
working in bushfire-affected communities by providing supporting Indigenous Bible translation, pastoral
Bibles and Scripture alongside emergency needs. work and supplying Scriptures for those who
need them.
April 12-18
Ghana: Please pray for the Literacy for Life project run May 3-9
by Bible Society in Ghana. Please pray that the project Mongolia: Please pray for the work of Bible Society in
would be effective in teaching of new learners in the Mongolia, where they are seeking to meet the need for
Komba language. Pray that the students would be a Bible translation from the original languages that is
18easier to understand for both readers and listeners and Australia: Please pray for the work of the Centre for
that has more natural Mongolian. Public Christianity, as it continues to engage the public
Australia: Thank God for the Bike for Bibles fundraising with a clear, measured and respectful picture of the
initiative, which has been running since 1984. Praise Christian faith and the way it can impact all of life for
God for the more than $13 million that Bike for Bibles the good.
has raised for Bible Society projects worldwide since it
began. May 31-June 6
Suriname: Please pray for Bible Society in Suriname,
May 10-16 as they seek to reach children living in orphanages and
Vietnam: Pray that illiterate Christians who want to those who have faced abuse. Pray that their visits and
read God’s word would be able to participate in the special days of celebration with praise and worship,
Learning through Listening classes run in Vietnam dance, and drama would help the children learn about
through church networks. the special love God has for them.
Australia: Please pray that Bible Society’s publishing Australia: Please pray for Koorong stores around
work would connect people to the love of Jesus, Australia, especially for the staff who work hard to
through stories that invite and inspire, that build provide a wide range of Christian resources to help
and encourage faith. Please also pray for fruitful people in their walk with Jesus Christ.
partnerships with churches, schools and Christian
organisations to publish special edition Bibles. June 7-13
Cameroon: Thank God that hundreds of girls who have
May 17-23 been victims of sexual exploitation have found healing
South Africa: Please pray for Bible work in South and hope through Project Esther, which is based on
Africa, where Bible Society aims to support the biblical principles.
rehabilitative care of prisoners by providing Bible texts Australia: Please pray for chaplains who work with
and other materials to prisoners, free of charge. Pray young people, and for the Bible Society annual
that the Bible, as a book that brings hope, would have Masterclass youth events around the country and the
a reformative impact on prisoners. chance to put Scriptures in the hands of teenagers.
Australia: Please continue to pray for Eternity News,
as the team seeks to reach people around our country June 14-20
with news stories from a Christian perspective. Pray for Cambodia: Please pray that the 600 literacy classes in
wisdom, creativity and energy for the whole team. Khmer will help and empower illiterate people, young
and old, especially in rural Cambodia, and that they
May 24-30 would be able to read the Scriptures.
Zimbabwe: Pray for the work of Bible Society Australia: Please pray for the board and senior
Zimbabwe, as the organisation is burdened by the leadership of Bible Society Australia. Pray that God
uncertainty and instability in the country. Pray too would grant them wisdom as they prayerfully set the
for the launch of a project to bring help and hope to direction and vision for our work, and see it through to
families caring for disabled children. implementation.
19LEBANON
Reclaim lost futures
A
bu Mazen, father of three, with more than half of them aged countries when the time comes to
left his country in the 17 or younger. leave Lebanon.
Middle East because of An estimated 200,000 refugee Bible Society Lebanon was
war. When the family first arrived children are out of school for inspired to start Bible literacy
in Lebanon, he removed his eldest a host of reasons, including courses for refugees and
son Mazen from school so that the difficulty following the curriculum underprivileged children after
nine-year-old could help with the in a foreign language, lack it was approached by a pastor
family’s daily work. of available places in school of a Baptist Church who was
After hearing about the Bible or a belief that work is more concerned for the future of
Society’s Bible-based literacy rewarding, according to the displaced Syrian children living in
courses, Abu Mazen changed his UNHCR. The UN Refugee Agency the camps near Zahle, Lebanon’s
mind and decided to enrol his son. also reports that the educational biggest city.
His hope was that his family might attainment of Syrian refugees is Bible Society joined forces
return to their country soon and generally low. Three-quarters have with a school affiliated with that
he recognised that this program primary education or below and church to train teachers to begin
would help his son in the transition only three per cent have obtained three-month literacy programs
back to normal school. university education. of two to three sessions a week,
As instability in the Middle Lack of education can including reading and listening to
East continues unchecked, the reverberate for generations. Bible stories on CD in a safe and
number of Syrian and Iraqi Many of these refugee children positive atmosphere.
refugees in Lebanon has now will not be equipped to meet the After positive feedback, the
passed the two-million mark, demands of reconstructing their program was expanded last
202 million+ Syrian/Iraqi refugees
aged 75% 3%
17 have a attain a
primary university
years or education level
or below education
under
year. In the first half of 2019, in partnership with 25 Christian
40 teachers were trained and organisations. also meet Jesus and discover the
40 new classes were started in An additional 1000 Iraqi and hope that he holds out to them in
collaboration with 13 churches Syrian refugee children took level a situation that seems hopeless.
or organisations from various 1 and the vast majority either Will you give so that these
Christian denominations. started or completed level 2. In all, children may develop a love of
A total of 1000 Syrian and Iraqi thanks to support from donors learning and be enabled to go
refugee children, aged mainly like you, 3875 children benefited back to school? And that they
between 6 and 12, attended the from the Bible literacy program would one day be able to return
classes with the vast majority in 2019. to their home countries and play
graduating from level 1. The hope is that these courses their part in rebuilding their
In the second half of the year, will give displaced children the communities.
successful students were invited confidence and encouragement Please use the donation form
to move up to level 2, for which 28 to return to the formal education on the back page, call 1300
new teachers were trained. Both system. BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit
levels continued through the year As they read the Bible, they will biblesociety.org.au/sowlebanon
21READ THINK PRAY
Our unity, God’s
favour & prayer:
Our passport
to God with Bible Society CEO Grant Thomson
New ways to open your Bible
Unsurprisingly, we at Bible Society are all about Already there are more than 50 fortnightly
the Bible. We want people to open their Bible, devotions on a range of topics. If you are not a
engage in God’s word – to be refreshed, inspired, subscriber to our Daily Bible, which is sent each
renewed by the gift of grace given to us and day via email, our new-look Bible reading pages in
revealed in the Bible. Sower will give you a taste of these devotions.
As a Sower reader, you are already an advocate Grant Thomson, Bible Society’s new CEO, has
for Bible Society and the Bible, and we are written his first Daily Bible series for Bible Society
grateful. on unity and prayer. We invite people
to sign up to Daily Bible via email or jump online
So we want to share with you the exciting news and read the Bible with Bible Society for a year.
that you can now read our daily devotions online
via our new web-based Bible app: For more information, go to our website:
bible.com.au bible.com.au/plans/#daily-bibleDevotion One Devotion Two
For God is not a God of disorder but of How good and pleasant it is when
peace – as in all the congregations of God’s people live together in unity!
the Lord’s people. It is like precious oil poured on the head,
1 Cor 14:33 running down on the beard, running
down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar
No doubt you have seen that toxic condition of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon
that invades all groups when we drop our were falling on Mount Zion. For there
guard. What is it called? It has many names – the Lord bestows his blessing,
gossip, rumour, entitlement, narcissism, dogma, even life forevermore.
hurt, jealousy, selfishness. Psalm 133
We see it in church congregations, in parent
bodies, on community and corporate boards, in What a beautiful image this psalm creates.
voluntary associations and in the workplace. It is the Bearded or not, we can all feel the luscious oil
destroyer of unity and it brings something ungodly cascading down our heads, dripping through our
– it brings disorder! hair, over our ears. The word-picture captures the
How do we build or rebuild unity? magnificence and blessing of unity.
God tells us that everything starts with the heart. King David, the Psalmist, tells us that God’s
Who is responsible for the condition of your heart? blessing rests on a unified church, a unified family,
You are. Ultimately, each of us is responsible for a unified team. How good and pleasant it is! Unity
the breakdown of unity. And when we start talking enables God to use us more than when we are
to people outside of the group about the problem, fighting and contending with each other. Unity
you know you have a problem. And you/I/we are grows through a common cause.
perpetrating the disorder by gossiping and not Note, too, that there is nothing static in this psalm.
working from within! The oil runs down, as does the dew. A united people
Think about the choices you make when you start have momentum and this momentum is needed in
sowing the seeds of disunity. Our choices either every area of life. Think about your inner life, family,
help restore unity or pull it down. Where do you sit? friendships, colleagues. What helps nurture unity?
Look what we are promised when we live in unity –
Lord Jesus, forgive me when I contribute “for there the Lord bestows his blessing.”
to disunity. Help me to be ready to seek
forgiveness and contribute to the repair. For you, Lord God, I want to know your blessing on
God, are the God of peace. Help me to always work all parts of my life. May your Spirit give me
for peace. Amen. insights into my heart and fill me with the fruits of
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and
self-control so that I contribute to unity. Amen.Devotion Three Devotion Four
Do not be anxious about Is anyone among you in trouble? Let
anything, but in every situation, by them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you
present your requests to God. sick? Let them call the elders of the church
And the peace of God, which transcends to pray over them and anoint them with oil
all understanding, will guard your hearts in the name of the Lord.
and your minds in Christ Jesus. James 5:13-15
Philippians 4:6-7
James is leaving us in no doubt – pray, pray
In my role as CEO of Bible Society, I am calling and pray. When we face difficulties, come to
on all staff, board members and supporters to God in prayer. When our hearts are bubbling over
prayer, individually and as the body of Christ in Bible with joy, let’s praise God. When we can’t hear God
Society. and wonder whether he is there, pray.
I believe this isn’t a good thing or a small thing – There is absolutely nothing we cannot pray about.
it’s something that is weighty and important. God is listening. He is listening when we are broken.
Paul makes clear that we are to be a people of When we are confused. Even when we can no
prayer and a team of prayer. longer speak and have no words. God’s love is so
My desire is that prayer would saturate our lives. great that he wants us with him no matter what is
This passage is powerful. Anxiety is one of the going on and how sinful we might feel. His love is
biggest challenges people face. But Paul urges us without end.
not to be anxious but instead to go to God in prayer Note, too, the communal nature of prayer. When
in every situation! we gather in Christ’s name, he is in our midst.
Theologian John Piper writes: “God has It is a presumptive Jesus follower who doesn’t
established prayer as the means by which we pray. Do you have a lifestyle of prayer?
receive his supernatural help. And without What are some practical steps you could take to
supernatural help, we cannot live a life worthy of a good prayer life and discover what difference
the gospel.” prayer makes in our lives?
God, help me to find your peace. Give me Gracious God, I come before you with a
the courage to surrender my fears and fully contrite heart, my spirit talking with your
embrace your love. I seek your peace which cannot spirit. Please forgive me for my failure to pray. Help
be explained for that is the only peace that can me to keep coming before you in prayer. You are
conquer fear. In the name of Christ, I pray, Amen. my beloved father who sent your son to die for me.
Thank you for your gift of grace. AmenDevotion Five Devotion Six
But my brethren, who went up with Above all else, guard your heart,
me made the heart of the people melt; for everything you do flows from it.
yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Proverbs 4:23
Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely
the land on which your foot has trodden Over this week we have considered some
shall be an inheritance for you and your simple guidelines for prayer, the discipline of
children forever, because you have wholly prayer and a culture of prayer. Today, our last in this
followed the Lord my God.’ seven day series on prayer we will look at six things
Joshua 14:8-9 that prayer impacts:
1. Prayer keeps us close to the Holy Spirit. To
Previously, in Judges, we’ve seen the good become like Caleb, we want to become utterly
and honest report Caleb gave Moses. Fast dependent on the Holy Spirit, as we can’t do
forward 45 years and, as we can see in this last God’s work without him.
chapter of Joshua, God’s promise to Caleb has 2. Prayer is the primary way that Christ is formed in
come true. Now as an old man, Caleb is as focused us. Galatians 4.19 “until Christ is formed in you”.
on God as ever – he is ready to go to war for God. 3. Prayer reorientates towards the Light. We live
Note the word-picture: for me I imagine God’s in a complex world with many distractions and
deep footprints embedded in the snow, and Caleb strident voices. How do we guard our heart and
is treading behind, each of his steps literally in the keep focused on God’s Light? By constantly
footprints made by God, for Caleb “wholly” follows realigning our lives to God through prayer.
his Creator. There is nothing casual or complacent 4. Prayer is spiritually potent. James 5.17 “Elijah
about Caleb’s actions. was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed
What might it look like to be as faithful as Caleb? fervently...”
Caleb really knew God. There are only two ways 5. Prayer breaks chains. Chains of regret, pain,
anyone can know God: through reading his word sin, addiction, brokenness. Prayer keeps God in
and through a disciplined prayer life. the right perspective. We don’t get to a clear
Tomorrow we will examine how we benefit perspective on life and the world by trying to
through a personal culture of prayer. reposition God in our worldview.
Prayer is something as people of the Risen Lord, we
Heavenly Father, help me to have the kind of just have to keep practising! Just do it!
faith that wholly follows you. Caleb’s passion
for his Holy Father had not dimmed in the passing Father God, I want to be oriented towards the
years. Help me to be a prayer warrior. Forgive me Light. I do not want to be crushed by chains
my complacence, for I am loved by the Creator of of past sins and hurt. Lord have mercy. Christ have
the universe. Amen mercy. Heal me of my sins. Let me come to you
each day, ready to live for you and in you. Amen.FOR THE LOVE OF GOD:
THE INTERVIEWS
When CPX made its documentary For the Love From Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Marilynne
of God they spoke to more than 50 experts Robinson on the beauty of religion to Oxford
from around the world, but only a fraction professor Alister McGrath on how science led
of those interviews made it into the final him to faith, there’s a gold-mine of wisdom and
production. Now, they’re making it all available clarity available to search, download and share
in 100s of bite-sized videos. with friends at the CPX website.
Whether you want to learn about the invention publicchristianity.org/interviews
of hypocrisy or why non-violent resistance
works – whether you want to hear about the
most important phrase ever coined or how
Christians could torture people – it’s all there!
CPX has launched this collection with 120 clips
ranging from one to six minutes long, but they’ll
be adding hundreds more over coming months.Thanks
to you ...
Cambodia literacy a purpose,” she says. Hanna spent a year and ten
Seom Rany, 31, is a pastor who lives in Phnom Penh, months in captivity after a military group occupied
the capital of Cambodia. She has been a Literacy her village in December 2014.
Class Facilitator for children in a project you have “My mum and I were the only Christians among
supported through Bible Society. 120 women and children. I didn’t know what had
She said: “I noticed that there were some happened to my father and my brothers. No food,
children living on the street and collecting trash, no medicines. We were beaten many times; in our
so they have no chance to go to school. Many of room a woman died for lack of medicine. We could
them are children of migrant workers from other hear suffering voices all around. I was losing hope …
provinces who had come to Phnom Penh to work I was hiding a small Bible and trying to read daily. I
in construction. I have much compassion for these had to be strong to stand by my mother. There was
children. At their age, they should be in school. a voice inside me that I heard telling me: ‘it is not the
When I was about their age, I was already at school end. I am with you. Don’t be afraid!’”
studying. They should have the same opportunities When a real war broke out in the neighbourhood,
as me, but instead they are on the street collecting with rockets falling from the sky, the armed group
trash. I began thinking about how I could help them. abandoned them and fled. After a couple of
“When I saw them in this situation, not only did sleepless nights, “our men came and helped us to
I want them to be educated, I also wanted them to leave this area,” she recalls.
hear the gospel. I invited them to study with me, Although she wanted to leave Syria, she kept
even though I had little knowledge since I did not hearing a voice saying, “God is with me.”
have any formal education in teaching. I took some “It became so clear to me that I wanted to help
of my time to help them to the best of my abilities.” people receive healing from their traumas.
“Now I am working with children in Damascus.
Syria trauma healing To me it has been a great opportunity to attend the
Hanna from a village near Damascus is a trained initial Trauma Healing Training. A great opportunity
psychological counsellor who has joined the Syrian to understand what had happened to me. The
Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Program to help trauma healing program helped me to understand
people. “I know our great God wants me here for how God introduced himself to me.”YES! I want the Bible to be available
For those who do not like to cut up their Sower we have provided a copy of this form with your address slip for mailed copies.
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