
Can we trust the Bible? Leadership Q&A on discipleship, faith and Bible confidence
The Quiet Revival Podcast: what's the story?Show Notes
People are exploring faith more online but how can we reduce the barriers for people coming to faith and disciple them well?
In this Q&A episode, Siân and Andrew tackle some big questions that church leaders face today, from the gap between online curiosity about faith and in-person church engagement, to helping people trust that the Bible is reliable.
We cover: How podcast culture has led to more people exploring faith online before stepping into a church How to disciple new believers who have preconceived ideas from their online exploration How churches can bridge the gap between online exploration and in-person attendance The most common questions people have about the Bible How to navigate questions about the Bible's accuracy and reliability Practical tips for both small group discipleship and personal devotion, with a framework for how to approach Bible reading
If you're a leader looking for ways to help people come to faith, we hope this discussion will enable you to explain how the Bible is trustworthy and give you some ideas as to how you can disciple and lead others.
This episode will encourage you to build confidence in the reliability of the Bible in your congregation or small group, and to equip your community to share that confidence and point people to Jesus. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Bible Course The Romans Course God's Book: An Honest Look at the Bible's 7 Toughest Topics Rooted devotional journal Timestamps:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:10) - What are the barriers to people coming to faith in this season?
(04:45) - Do people have someone to come to church with?
(06:05) - Do people feel welcome to come to church?
(07:22) - The importance of discipleship
(09:15) - How can we build confidence and trust in the Bible?
(10:04) - How footnotes in the Bible prove the Bible's reliability
(11:10) - Did the early church put together the Bible?
(13:00) - Younger generation asking question about the Bible and faith
(18:15) - How to lead effective small groups
(21:10) - Why an overview of the Bible is helpful
(23:20) - How to encourage individual Bible reading
Bible Society: The Quiet Revival Podcast is brought to you by Bible Society, a charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible. We communicate its relevance and invite people to experience the transforming power of Scripture today. Visit our website to find out more. Bible Society socials: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) Disclaimer: This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.
More from The Quiet Revival Podcast: what's the story?
How can church leaders help people encounter God through creation? Revd Peter Lewis shares his experience on the Gower of helping people explore faith, encounter Scripture and connect with Christian community in the great outdoors. Through Wild Church, reflective pilgrimage walks, pop-up art galleries and prayerful outdoor gatherings, Peter is creating spaces in the great outdoors where locals and visitors can slow down, reconnect and explore faith creatively.
Passionate about helping people grow in their faith, Ministers Benjamin and Shermara Hoyte have chosen to be relational, not transactional. The couple provide a safe space for people to voice questions and doubt and even open up about past trauma. Shermara and Benjamin believe in discipleship across differences, whether intergenerational or interdenominational. Unity is not uniformity. Despite their vast experience in the field, they recognise the importance of being discipled while discipling others. It’s not a one-way street.
City Church Cardiff recognised that Sunday sermons weren’t enough. People in the pews wanted to study the Bible for spiritual growth.
We visited Cirencester Baptist Church to hear from pastors Matt and Caz how bible study is at the heart of their ministry. People are encouraged to make space for the Bible daily, no matter how busy their schedule. Together they delve into useful resources for navigating and engaging with the Bible, such as The Bible Course, Immerse and The Bible Project. Questions around faith and the Bible are encouraged in order to deepen their understanding. Andrew brings a reflection from 2 Kings 22 on rediscovering the centrality of Scripture to faith. If you want are looking for ways to get your church reading the Bible, this episode is for you.
Why does community matter when it comes to discipleship? Imagine a newly planted church receiving a £2,000 grant by the local police in recognition of its transforming impact on the community. That’s exactly what happened to Jos Edwards and his team. Their outreach work has turned over 100 young people into regulars at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Craig Blaenau church. The spiritual hunger among the local population is palpable. When first arriving in Blaenau, Jos and his wife Lydia quickly realised that becoming part of the community and inviting people into their home was key. Rather than preaching at them from a distance, Jos has been sharing the Bible’s message with unchurched locals through unpressured conversations and shared living.