Faith by Hearing

by Bob Setzer, Jr.
For years, I’ve been a fan of audible books. Audible books, once known as “books on tape,” are these days more likely to be “books on CDs” or “books on an iPod.”

Well, starting February 17--the first Wednesday in Lent (a forty-day season leading to Easter)--I’ve got a really great read lined up. I’m going to start listening to the story of Jesus as recounted in the New Testament, and I want you to join me.

Through our partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, every member of our church will be offered a free recording of the New Testament. By listening to this recording just 28 minutes a day, one can listen to the entire New Testament in 40 days, just in time for Easter!

According to a recent Barna survey, fully two-thirds of self-professed “Bible-believing” Christians have never read the New Testament. Thus, by participating in this church-wide listening program, you can accomplish something most Christians have never done: read (ok, listen) your way through the New Testament, cover to cover.

Here are the particulars of our “Faith Comes by Hearing” emphasis:

• Audio recordings of the New Testament will be offered to every member of our church on Sunday, February 14 and at the Ash Wednesday service on February 17.

• These recordings are in MP3 format which allows the entire New Testament to be put on one CD-type disk. By contrast, it takes 15 regular CDs to hold the New Testament. Most computers and DVD players will play MP3 disks, as will iPods or other portable players. A portable CD player capable of playing MP3 disks can be bought at Wal-Mart for less than $25.00.

• This technology allows one to listen to the New Testament while driving, exercising, or otherwise on the move. Such listening is easily incorporated into one’s daily routine.

• A children’s version of the New Testament will also be available.

• Our church will sponsor an online forum at www.fbcmacon.org for sharing thoughts and questions about the “reading” for the day.

• To learn more about the “Faith Comes by Hearing” venture, go to www.thefellowship.info/ygtt or speak with our Adult Education Chair, Connie Jones.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “Faith comes by hearing and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (10:17). There is power in hearing the Word of God. For 1,500 years before the invention of the printing press, most Christians only heard the Scriptures read in public worship.

Well, starting February 17, it will be “back to the future” at the First Baptist Church of Christ. During our Lenten journey this year, as many members of our church as possible will listen to the Word of God each day for 40 days. Those who do will likely be surprised and transformed by what they hear. And when we’re done, we’ll be a “people of the Book” not in word only, but in deed and in truth.