Elca study bible free#

The NRSV has been called the most accurate of English-language translations, based on the available manuscript evidence, textual analysis, and philological understanding. As also stated in the NRSV preface, the Bible’s message “must not be disguised in phrases that are no longer clear or hidden under words that have changed or lost their meaning it must be presented in language that is direct and plain and meaningful to people today.” Why an Update?

Elca study bible free#

as literal as possible, as free as necessary” ( NRSV’s preface “To the Reader”). The NRSVue, like the NRSV, follows “in the tradition of the King James Bible, such changes as are warranted on the basis of accuracy, clarity, euphony, and current English usage.

It also continues the work of offering a version as free as possible from the gender bias inherent in the English language, which can obscure earlier oral and written renditions. The NRSVue extends the New Revised Standard Version’s ( NRSV) purpose to deliver an accurate, readable, up-to-date, and inclusive version of the Bible. Together with religious leaders from diverse communities of faith, we join in the conviction that the Scriptures offer good news of God’s love-wisdom to guide, hope to sustain, truth to empower, forgiveness to change, and peace to bless all of creation. The goal of the NRSVue is to offer a readable and accurate version of the Holy Bible to the global English-speaking community for public worship and personal study, for scholarship and study in classrooms, and for informing faith and action in response to God. Motivated by love and respect for Scripture, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) hopes that you will find this New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition ( NRSVue) suitable to inspire, inform, and guide daily living. This we pray in the blessed and holy name of Jesus.From the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA Lead us to grow strong in our daily prayer and in our love for you. Let us pray: God of justice and joy, as we begin this study of the Book of Nehemiah may we be inspired by your love and transformed by your will to be built into the people you long for us to be. May we also experience the great joy of God, the gracious love of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit to renew and transform our lives and communities. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (Nehemiah 12:43). At the dedication of the rebuilt city wall, we read, “They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy the women and children also rejoiced. During the time of Nehemiah, the city of Jerusalem experienced a similar transformation. Be very, very careful, because God’s Word has the power to transform people and communities from who we are into the people and communities that God longs for us to be. I want to encourage you to open your Bible, gather with a group of friends, get outside the 4 walls of the congregation, and learn what God desires to teach you. What follows is a 6-session Bible study on the Book of Nehemiah. This powerful Bible verse captures God’s desire for us to pray. “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). One of my “go to” Bible verses related to prayer is Philippians 4:6, and this will serve as our Year of Prayer memory verse. Nehemiah takes everything to the Lord in prayer. In the Old Testament, Book of Nehemiah, we read that before Nehemiah lays even one stone Nehemiah prays. Prayer has the power to transform people and communities.Ī long time ago, Nehemiah was called by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Prayer is a foundational spiritual practice and a cornerstone to building a life of Christian discipleship. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will strengthen the prayer lives of our leaders and equip our parishes to be places that are grounded in prayer. Our focus this year will be on God’s gift of Daily Prayer.