FAQ-Bible League

Q 1:How is Bible League different from Bible distribution agencies such as Bible Society, Gideons, International Society, etc.?
Q 2: Where is the greatest need?
Q 3: How does Bible League achieve its purpose?
Q 4: What denomination is Bible League?
Q 5: Does Bible League partner with other organisations?
Q 6: How does Bible League work in countries of persecution?
Q 7: How do I know that the money I give is being used appropriately?
Q 8: What version of the Bible does Bible League use?
Q 9: Does Bible League translate Scriptures? How does Bible League provide Bibles if there isn't a translation available in a certain language?
Q 10: Where does Bible League print Bibles?
Q 11: What is Church Planter Training?
Q 12: What is Project Philip Program?
Q 13: Are donations to Bible League tax deductable?
Q 14: What is the cost of a Bible?

 

Q 1: How is Bible League different from Bible distribution agencies such as Bible Society, Gideons, International Society, etc.?
While Bible societies primarily translate and publish Bibles in different languages, Bible League equips the Church with Scriptures and study resources, training church members to place God’s Word into the hands of seekers and believers.

Bible League takes a unique approach to Bible placement. We do not distribute Bibles randomly. Rather, we emphasise discipleship. We want to see new believers become active church members. Through the Project Philip program, we train and equip Christians to use the Bible to lead Bible studies, to make disciples and to establish churches if none exist.

We work through local churches, empowering them by providing Scriptures and training. Local church members disciple friends, family and neighbours in small group Bible studies. Bible study students receive a Bible, guidance with a trained believer to help them understand the Bibles, who is also their link person to the local church.

Bible League reports the results of our worldwide ministry to our partners. We report the number of Scriptures and study resources placed, as well as the number of people trained to lead Bible study groups or to plant new churches. The impact of that investment is the fruit of transformed lives. We track the number of Bible study graduates, Bible study groups and of new churches planted. Commitments to Christ shown through the number of people baptised. Click to view the latest ministry results.

Q 2: Where is the greatest need?
In most of the countries where Bible League is working, we could easily increase our efforts and impact if we had the resources to do so. For example, in Africa there are an estimated 200 million church members still waiting for their own copy of Scriptures. In some places in Asia, thousands of people each day are making commitments to Christ and about many will not have access to a Bible. Responsiveness to the Gospel in many areas of China and India is at unparalleled levels. Half the number of Christians in China, especially in the remote country areas, don’t have access to the Bible.

Q 3: How does Bible League achieve its purpose?

We accomplish our purpose effectively by:

• Providing Bibles and related materials through cost-efficient placement systems
• Promoting personal, family and small group Bible study
• Partnering with churches and mission organisations, supplying them with Bibles, related materials and training in church planting and Scripture placement
• Protecting donor investments through accountability systems that measure and report the results of our ministry through the grace of God

Q 4: What denomination is Bible League?
Bible League is an interdenominational organisation. We are supported by and work with many evangelical denominations, both in Australia and overseas. We are a member of the Missions Interlink Australia. 

Q 5: Does Bible League partner with other organisations?
We work with local churches, mission organisations and evangelical denominations worldwide. We provide them with Bibles, related materials and training in church planting and Scripture placement. 

Q 6: How does Bible League work in countries of persecution?
We have relationships with local believers and churches—including underground house church networks and Christian cell groups—in countries where they risk persecution for their faith. These courageous people share our calling to bring others into relationship with Christ and into fellowship with a local body of believers. They work with us to provide Scriptures and training, so that they may carry out that mission, despite the risk of persecution.

Some believers train with us outside their country and then return home to carry out their training—or to train others inside their country. Some provide the channels for us to get Scriptures into their country, so they can place them into the hands of seekers and believers. Because our Christian contacts could be imprisoned, beaten or killed for their work with us, we are careful to protect their identity and details of our work in their country. You may learn more from our Persecuted Christians Ministry page.  

 
Q 7: How do I know that the money I give is being used appropriately?
Bible League’s board, staff and volunteers work hard to make certain that we use the Lord's money in the most efficient and effective way possible. We believe that the ministry of Bible League belongs to God, that integrity is too important to be taken for granted and that we are accountable to God and man as good stewards.

Financial Statements are available on request.

Q 8: What version of the Bible does Bible League use?
Bible League provides Bibles in local languages of which there is usually only one language version. There is no such thing as a foreign language King James Version or foreign language New International Version, because they are English versions. The issues regarding English versions of the Bible are not relevant for the Bibles that we place.

In Australia we provide low cost Bibles and resources for ministry use. Go to our Online Store to see what kinds of Bibles you can buy.

Q 9: Does Bible League translate Scriptures? How does Bible League provide Bibles if there isn't a translation available in a certain language?
Bible League is not a Scripture translation agency. Rather, Bible League’s mission is to provide Scriptures and training to people worldwide, so they can be brought into fellowship with Christ and His church. Our ministry primarily works in countries where, if we were not present, the average person would not have access to God's Word.

In the countries where Bible League works, portions of the Bible or the complete Word have been translated into many of these countries’ heart languages. Bible League must obtain permission to purchase or print each translation we provide. Bible League also partners with Wycliffe Bible Translators to publish, print and place the Scriptures they have translated.

Q 10: Where does Bible League print Bibles?
Bible League works with printers from all over the world and considers a number of different issues when choosing where to print Bibles. For example, if we are able to print Bibles within the country receiving them, the cost and delays of shipping, customs, etc. can be reduced or eliminated. Often, however, it is not possible to print within the receiving country for various reasons.

Considerations in printing choice include cost of the Bibles, quality and durability and proximity to the area that will receive them. We have worked very hard to build strong relationships with printers around the world so that we can make the most efficient and effective use of the resources God has entrusted to us.
 

Q 11: What is Church Planter Training?
Church planters are local Christians, chosen by their church to take part in the training. They have a heart for sharing the Gospel with people in their own country but often lack Bibles and training because they live in impoverished, isolated or repressive places. Through Bible League’s Church Planter Training, these Christians can be equipped to live out their God-given calling.

To support a Church Planter it costs $2500.  This covers training, resources and financial support for the two years. There is also the option of paying $105 per month for two years.

For more information please contact Bible League 1800 800 937 or info@bibleleague.com.au

Q 12: What is Project Philip Program?
‘Project Philip’ is a method of Bible placement inspired by the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.

Bible League trains national church members to place Bibles through the ‘Project Philip’ evangelistic and discipleship Bible study program. In some countries this program is called ‘Choose Life’.

The Project Philip Bible studies are written to clearly explain God’s message of salvation through his son Jesus Christ.

Rather than randomly distribute Bibles, Bible League strategically places Bibles through locally trained Bible study leaders, who know the culture and language of their people. They invite seekers to join in a Bible study. These studies can be in a group or a one-on-one setting. Those who complete the first five-weeks of the Bible study receive their own copy of a New Testament or a Bible in their language.

At the completion of the Bible study, the participants are invited to continue meeting and studying the Bible through a short series of discipleship Bible studies.   

‘Project Philip’ is a key strategy used by Bible League-trained church planters to start new churches. Through ‘Project Philip’ Bible studies people all around the world come into a personal relationship with Christ, are baptised and become church members.

Q 13: Are donations to Bible League Tax deductable?
Unfortunately donations to Bible League are currently not tax deductable. We are persuing this matter with the hope of a positive outcome.

Q 14: What is the cost of a Bible?
Over the last 12 months, Bible League has been reviewing the cost of placing Bibles around the world. For more than 10 years now, Bible League has been quoting an average worldwide cost of $7; however as the years have passed, rising costs have gradually undermined the accuracy of that figure. This led to a major review of current Bible placement costs.

As the results of our review were so varied, and costs continue to be affected by inflation, global economic trends and exchange rates, a decision was made to no longer quote a specific dollar value but to explain to you, our Bible League supporters, what has happened and the things to consider when thinking of the cost of placing a Bible.

Bible League does not just publish, sell or distribute Bibles; we strategically place Bibles through national church volunteers. Our goal is not to flood communities with Bibles indiscriminately, but have Bibles placed into the hands of those who need one most through a Bible placement program. When we look at the costs involved in Bible League’s Bible placement strategy, we need to consider the following:

As you can imagine, costs in each part of the world vary greatly and depend upon such things as the cost of sourcing a Bible (printing ourselves or purchasing through another publisher) and the cost of living in that country. On today’s value, the total cost of placing a Bible ranges from $12 to $20.

Bibles and New Testaments placed by Bible League are good quality hard cover publications, similar to the quality of most pew Bibles found in Australian churches. When you consider the cost of buying these Bibles, I’m sure you will agree, that Bible League is a cost effective ministry which continues to be a good steward of our financial resources.