Oral Bible Vs Written Bible

ORAL BILBE VS WRITTEN BIBLE

Dear saints we are all much aware of the written word of God (The Holy Bible), which comes in various versions, translations, languages, prices and even in sizes.   We possess it, we purchase it, we treasure it, and even we gift it. But have you ever wondered knowing that still 4000 languages are waiting to have Bible in their languages, while world’s one third can’t, don’t or won’t read Bible in their life time.

It is my small attempt via this article to let you know the major difference between the Oral Bible & Written Bible. Please read it carefully and let me have your feed back, as you pass it on to your friends.

What is an Oral Bible?

 There is no definitive Oral Bible. However the working definition of ‘Oral Bible is; “The Accumulated Collection of Bible Stories (50 to 225 stories) that have been told to an Oral Society (Non-Literates)”.

        It is the only Oral Communicators tool which can be used effectively since it can be stored in our heads and hearts. This ‘Oral Bible’ enables us to meditate upon God’s Word in quite times, devotionals, and use it in evangelism, discipleship, church planting and leadership development.

Why is this so important?

THE BIBLE IS:          • 75% Stories

                             • 15% Poetry and Proverbs

                             • 10% Letters (Abstract Ideas)

“He did not say anything to them without using a parable” (Mk.4:34a NIV)

 Jesus chose his teaching style to match his listeners’ capacities, since he knew that his audience is 95% Non –Literates. So should we. Jesus used familiar oral means that they understood, so can we.

 Statistics demand it

 Yet one third of the World has to hear His Word. This one third Population is seen as Oral Cultures/Non-Literates, nearing about 3 billion comprising 1854 Least-Reached-People Groups, world wide.

 The overall literacy rate of India is 52 %( average).In Bihar it is 38 %( the lowest in India).Surprisingly the villages of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has only 10-20% of literacy.

Quoting from the recent Lausanne Committee Publication, Making Disciples of Oral Learners:

 “Ironically, an estimated 90% of the world’s Christian workers presenting the Gospel use highly literate communication styles…this make it difficult, if not impossible, for oral learners to hear & understand the message and communicate it to others. As the ones bringing this message”.

 Therefore, rural and tribal evangelism must strive to focus on this large 80% non-literate segment of India, since reaching them is reaching India.

 The Challenges Ahead;

  • How do you reach India’s 205 unreached people Groups (Approx. 2.5 million) & its 900 million living in deep poverty with out the Gospel…?
  • How do you reach 600,000 villages(6 lakh) of India where majority of them are Non literates/ Functionally illiterates
  • In the Islamic World, over 95% of All Women can be reached Only through Oral Communications
  • Traditional Western Models of Communication are relevant only to the 10% Literate Elite. The Oral Bible Strategy Speaks Directly to the 90%
  • Oral Cultures Prefer to Learn Through Storytelling, Music, Poetry and Drama.
  • “It is Our  Responsibility  to Communicate our Message in their terms”

 The Advantages;

 v  Oral Communicators Accurately Memorize what they See and Hear

v  This Multiplies the Word of God throughout the Community

v  Creates a Mobile Church that Fits On the Back of a Camel And Crosses Borders Undetected!

v  Years of field experience demonstrates the Effectiveness and Reproducibility of Oral Bible Strategies.

v  Therefore this is a Reproducible Model.

v  The Word of God is more effectively communicated through appropriate cultural relationships.

v  The word of God will be best heard and understood when we use appropriate oral strategies

v  The word of God is most effectively proclaimed when worldview issues of the unreached are addressed; stories do this more effectively by inviting listeners to identify with the message.

v  The Word of God changes individuals, cultures, and World views.

v  The word of God can be passed along by Ordinary Christians,   in the worst persecuted situations, If they receive it appropriate oral forms. 

 Join us in reaching Oral Cultures of our generation in our time. Feel free to share this article with your friends and do invite them to get involved in what ever manner Lord is leading them.

By; Rev.T.Babu Rao (CEO)

United Gospel Mission

New Delhi

E mail: ugmission.com

Web: ugmission.weebly.com