Bible Sunday challenges Christians
on lifestyle

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — National Bible Sunday, held on the third Sunday in July, has become a key annual event for churches and individuals involved in Bible work in New Zealand. Sponsored by the Bible Society in New Zealand, Bible Sunday, which this year took place on July 21, is proving increasingly effective in bringing together Christians of different denominations. It also serves to emphasise that the Bible remains New Zealand’s best-selling book, selling more than 70,000 copies a year for at least the last five years.

The theme for Bible Sunday 2002 was You Say That You’re Following Jesus? This theme, which was displayed on posters and resource material, was designed to “challenge Christians to let Scripture shape their thoughts and lifestyles,” according to Bible Society Chief Executive Colin Reed. Bible Sunday was celebrated only a few days before New Zealand’s general election, giving this challenge “even more relevance and significance for New Zealand’s Christian community.”

Field Ministries Manager Allan Davidson has received encouraging reports of local activity surrounding Bible Sunday, including initiatives organised by denominations that have previously had little involvement. Bible quizzes proved very effective in drawing attention to Bible work, and some churches used quizzes and other events as a means of recruiting new Bible-A-Month Club members. One local Bible Society representative in Auckland devised a very effective illustration: by handing out sweets to only every fourth person in the congregation, she highlighted the fact that three out of four new Christians around the world do not have access to a Bible.