The Bible mini-series starts on Tuesday night, 16 July, at 9pm on channel 9. This mini-series was first aired in the United States earlier this year and apparently “took the nation by storm.” The official website (www.thebibleminiseries.com) says “The Bible is a ten-hour, five-week, TV series created and produced by husband and wife team, Roma Downey (Touched By an Angel) and Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor, Shark Tank, Celebrity Apprentice). For two hours each Sunday night in March, viewers will see some of the best-known stories from the Bible, from Noah's Ark and the Exodus to Jesus’ birth & the disciples. The final episode ….. will feature the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.”
The mini-series will re-tell many of the bible stories that we are very familiar with. However, as Harlee has shown us recently, sometimes we haven’t touched these stories in many years and revisiting them again provides us with an opportunity to hear afresh God’s message. Additionally, seeing and hearing the stories through a different medium gives us an added insight into these stories.
I have shared many times before that I firmly believe that the single greatest thing we can do to further our growth as disciples of Jesus is to read, study, learn and apply the teachings of the bible. Our purpose as a congregation, Growing Disciples who Exalt, Explore, Embody, Engage, commits each one of us to continually be growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus and our expression of his kingdom in our lives. Therefore I encourage each of us to watch this mini-series. But more than that, there are other things that you can do to add value to your watching.
A daily bible reading plan has been developed to go with the TV series. You can access this at www.youversion.com/reading-plans/474-the-bible-series-week-1. Or you can access through the app on your phone or tablet.
An Explore Group study guide has been prepared. It is designed so that group members watch each episode and then come together and reflect on what they have seen and apply it in their lives. If you would like a copy of the study guide please contact me.
You can use the series as a springboard into spiritual conversations with your Brians. I am told that this is good television viewing, apart from the message it shares. So, if the experience of the US is repeated in Australia, people will talk about the series in their workplaces and other other groups.
You may even want to invite your Brian to watch the series with you. Make it a fun night. Have dinner or dessert, have good conversation together before hand and then watch the show together. Allow the series to present the message and then all you need to do is speak of why this is important to you.
Finally, you can pray for the impact that this series will have on the people throughout Australia who are watching it. Pray for spiritual revival as a major network puts on a Christian show in a good time slot.
Grace and peace
David Fender
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