Bible Basics

The story of God’s love is told in one epic story: the Bible. It includes 66 books, written in three different languages, by more than 40 different authors, across 1500 years.

The first two thirds, known as the Old Testament, has 39 different books. These cover the section of human history from the creation of the world all the way to the prophecies of a coming Messiah.

The final third of the Bible, known as the New Testament, is made up of 27 different books. It includes the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also includes accounts from Jesus’ followers and events throughout the early Church.

At Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia, we believe the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and completely trustworthy. (Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119, 1 Peter 1:23-25, 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

We believe God loves to speak to us in the language we understand best. No language and culture is adequate to perfectly express who God is – even Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, or English. Yet ALL languages can be used by God to communicate meaningfully.

History of Bible translation

Do you know why we are called Wycliffe Bible Translators? When the organisation was founded in 1942, Cameron Townsend chose the name to honour John Wycliffe – the first to create a translation of the Latin Bible into Middle English.

Today, there are over 450 versions of the Bible in English available yet many languages are still waiting for their own translation to begin.

Discover more about the history of Bible translation and why it is still an important aspect of sharing the gospel and discipling language communities

Credit: Wycliffe UK

Try the SOAP method

SCRIPTURE: Open the Bible and start reading (or listening). This may include something you’re studying in church or a small group, a daily devotional, or a chapter or passage of interest to you.

OBSERVATION: Make some observations of anything that stands out to you. Are there any questions that arise?

APPLICATION: How could some of the things you have gained from this reading be applied to your own life?

PRAYER: Pray about how you can continue meditating on God’s Word and living out what you have learnt today.

Language resources

If you meet someone who speaks another language and they’re interested in reading the Bible with you, how would you find resources to help them? If you meet someone who speaks another language and they’re interested in reading the Bible with you, how would you find resources to help them?