Picture book reinforces biblical teachings for Christians in India
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
India, Eurasia Region
Raju is 10 years old, but does not know how to read and probably will never learn.
His skills and knowledge come from seeing, hearing, and doing. This is how he learns as he works alongside his father farming the fields of India.
Raju, poor and preliterate, has hope in Christ. His family became followers of Jesus at a village JESUS film presentation. Each week he learns a new Bible story at church, which meets under a tree.
Sanjay, the Bible study leader, shows Raju brightly colored pictures, tells him the Bible story behind the image, and asks him to retell the story. Sanjay uses a Bible Story Book for his weekly lessons.
As a strong partnership, using the JESUS film and the Bible Story Book helps Indian people find a personal relationship with Christ and to grow in their walk. Evangelism and discipleship work hand-in-hand to help fulfill the Great Commission.
The Bible Story Book brings biblical figures to life and helps learners focus on the story and culture of the time. In conjunction with the JESUS film, books re-emphasize stories from the film and introduce Old Testament figures. People are taking the message to heart.
When participants repeat the stories, Sanjay said, “It astonishes me that they tell the whole story without missing any major point.”
The film allows the people to see and hear about God’s love. The book reinforces those ideas while allowing the learners to dialogue about the stories and be active in the retelling.
“Never before did I experience so much input from the listeners,” one church planter said.
The Bible Story Book success in India grew out of collaborative efforts. JESUS Film Harvest Partners created a partnership with the Wesleyan Publishing House, providing the rights to reproduce the Bible story pictures. Olathe College Church of the Nazarene provided the seed money to publish the Bible Story Book for India.
The success of the books in India affords the foundation for expansion to four other countries: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The pre-literacy rate in these countries is as high as 46 percent. Each book will help disciple 100-500 adults and children.
The cost to produce one book is $10. With 100 stories providing two years of lessons, this amounts to one dime per week.
JESUS Film Harvest Partners is raising $75,000 to supply 7,500 Bible story books in South Asia.
For more information, visit www.jfhp.org. To participate in the fund-raising effort, mail a check payable to JFHP, 15055 W 116th Street, Olathe, KS 66062 and include “JFBSB” in the memo line. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Or call 913-663-5700 (U.S.).
--JESUS Film Harvest Partners
His skills and knowledge come from seeing, hearing, and doing. This is how he learns as he works alongside his father farming the fields of India.
Raju, poor and preliterate, has hope in Christ. His family became followers of Jesus at a village JESUS film presentation. Each week he learns a new Bible story at church, which meets under a tree.
Sanjay, the Bible study leader, shows Raju brightly colored pictures, tells him the Bible story behind the image, and asks him to retell the story. Sanjay uses a Bible Story Book for his weekly lessons.
As a strong partnership, using the JESUS film and the Bible Story Book helps Indian people find a personal relationship with Christ and to grow in their walk. Evangelism and discipleship work hand-in-hand to help fulfill the Great Commission.
The Bible Story Book brings biblical figures to life and helps learners focus on the story and culture of the time. In conjunction with the JESUS film, books re-emphasize stories from the film and introduce Old Testament figures. People are taking the message to heart.
When participants repeat the stories, Sanjay said, “It astonishes me that they tell the whole story without missing any major point.”
The film allows the people to see and hear about God’s love. The book reinforces those ideas while allowing the learners to dialogue about the stories and be active in the retelling.
“Never before did I experience so much input from the listeners,” one church planter said.
The Bible Story Book success in India grew out of collaborative efforts. JESUS Film Harvest Partners created a partnership with the Wesleyan Publishing House, providing the rights to reproduce the Bible story pictures. Olathe College Church of the Nazarene provided the seed money to publish the Bible Story Book for India.
The success of the books in India affords the foundation for expansion to four other countries: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The pre-literacy rate in these countries is as high as 46 percent. Each book will help disciple 100-500 adults and children.
The cost to produce one book is $10. With 100 stories providing two years of lessons, this amounts to one dime per week.
JESUS Film Harvest Partners is raising $75,000 to supply 7,500 Bible story books in South Asia.
For more information, visit www.jfhp.org. To participate in the fund-raising effort, mail a check payable to JFHP, 15055 W 116th Street, Olathe, KS 66062 and include “JFBSB” in the memo line. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Or call 913-663-5700 (U.S.).
--JESUS Film Harvest Partners