Genesis to Revelation

Hi Team (and other readers of this blog)!

Yes, I'm actually posting to this blog.  I know, it's pretty strange.  But we live in a crazy world.

As you know I went to a course in Puebla on Animism and Folk Religion.  We had there an excellent mix - people from four countries, and even more cultural backgrounds, and many denominational traditions.  We went through case studies, and talked a lot about the issues we face here in Mexico.

As we talked about the issues we face, and possible solutions, again and again we came to the same conclusion - people need to be taught "the whole counsel of God" - Genesis to Revelation.

We've all heard of chronological Bible studies (ie New Tribes) and storying and Tim Blycker's way cool Walk-Thru the Bible seminar, all stuff like that there.  But often we hear about it in a tribal context - missionary comes, learns some of the language and culture, tells the whole tribe the story of redemption from index to maps, and gazillions come to the Lord.

But I brought up in our classes the fact that we're in a radically different context.

It's a context that needs the whole counsel of God more than ever, because the Lie is in such a complex form here in urban Mexico.

However, getting the complete attention of a group of people for weeks on end to go through the whole Bible with them is - apart from a miracle - a pipe dream.  Too many distractions, work commitments, lack of commitment - whatever it may be.

So we need it more than ever - and can't do it.  Or can we?

First question - what have you done in the past to make sure the whole counsel of God is getting to people?  I'm curious to know your experiences and ideas in this area.

Second question - what if we put together say a 10 week evangelistic Bible study that actually went through the whole Bible?  Sure, it's not ideal - how in-depth can you get in 10 weeks?  However, there is a chance people could actually make it to a majority of the meetings.

But if we had organized material - we can hand out notes to those who missed a week.

And it would be a start.  Much more adapted to the frantic urban culture.

I know things like this are being done to some extent.  I found some materials somewhere that might work as a good base to create something out of.

What do you think?  What materials have you seen?  Do you think such a study would fly?

And in our churches - maybe a similar study would work.  I'll bet we could get people excited about it!

Hey, I went crazy one time with a friend and did a summary of the Bible in two hours.  Surely we could do it in 10.

All right, I'll be quiet - let me know what you think.