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Help from the Bible for Brazilian families BRAZIL — “This is a dream come true for me,” says Pastor Jaime Kemp of the Family Bible which he and his wife Judith have developed in collaboration with the Bible Society of Brazil. The couple’s vision and the Bible Society’s resources have together produced the only work on the Brazilian market which offers a Bible-based approach to tackling the difficulties of daily family life. Through almost 500 studies which comment on all the books of the Bible, the Family Bible gives a biblical perspective on all the key issues which families encounter, including adolescence, ageing, marriage and sexual activity. It uses a contemporary translation which was selected by theologian Magda Zimmer Huf. “This was exhausting work,” she comments, “but it will make a great contribution to uniting families with God.” Modern life This view is shared by the Bible Society’s Editorial Manager, Denis Scheer Timm. “This is a Bible for the whole family,” he says. “All the themes it covers contain references to biblical texts. It is a devotional Bible with a clear application to modern life.” Printed in two colours and containing notes, cross references, glossaries and pages on which families can make their own notes, this publication took two years to prepare. The effort was fully justified, Mr Kemp believes, because the outcome is a valuable resource for both families and pastors. In touch “It is vital that pastors are in touch with what actually goes on in the world,” he explains. “If they are not aware of what is happening in families, preaching becomes detached from reality. We need to make the Word of God practical because God has the answer to everything. The studies and the associated Bible texts are designed to encourage families to talk about biblical principles and to show how the Word of God will strengthen and enrich family life.” Mr and Mrs Kemp are American, but they are well known in Brazil, where they have lived and worked since 1967. Their particular interest in the family dates back many years: they founded both Winners for Christ, a mission dedicated to young Brazilians, and Christian Home, an organisation designed to meet the needs of families through seminars, advice services and a magazine. With the couple’s reputation for work among families already firmly established, their Family Bible is being warmly welcomed by Church leaders. “In a society governed by so many factors contrary to God’s will, the Family Bible will fill an important role in guiding families about God’s will,” says the Rev Roberto Alves de Alencar of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. “I am persuaded that it will be a powerful tool for God in the hands of pastors, counsellors and other Christian leaders.” Based on an article in A Biblia no Brasil, the magazine of the Bible Society of Brazil, April-June 2006. (WR 405/8 - 09/10.06) [2 photos] |
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