"My Bible Says"

Can you imagine a success­ful evangelistic campaign in which there is no advertis­ing—not a line appears in the press, and not a word on radio or television referring to the program—yet the pews of the Modesto, California, church are filled with an audience of four or five hundred people every Wednesday and Fri­day evening. Add to this unusual situation the fact that this is an evangelistic meeting without a sermon, without special music (not even one solo) and with no major ap­peal for money (yet the offerings range from $40 to $70 nightly). Furthermore, they do not even announce the title of the next subject for consideration. Nevertheless, this campaign is successful beyond all anticipa­tion.

Pastor Raymond H. Libby is serving in this different evangelistic role, assisted by Hayward Shafer, ministerial intern; Walter Webb, academy Bible teacher; and Viola Brooks, Bible instructor. Pastor Libby calls it "perversion of the usual Bible marking plan" in that they make the Bible marking the main evangelistic effort. To us he says: "This is what the living and powerful word of God can do when the human steps back and lets the Sacred Scriptures, ministered by the Holy Spirit, sink into human hearts. God is moving on hearts, and decisions are being made, that sermons have not and could not reach."

Here is the story: As the people come into the church, each one is given a Bible. All Bibles are alike. The person's name upon a slip of paper is carefully placed in his Bible and he receives the same one from night to night. The names are alphabetically ar­ranged for easy access.

After prayer Pastor Libby gives the wel­come and instructions for the evening's program. Then Hayward Shafer takes 15 to 20 minutes in a preview of the subject by showing the 20th Century filmstrip pic­tures on the screen. This is done rather rapidly with a minimum of comments. After the offering the ushers distribute mimeographed question-answer sheets that have been prepared under the title, "My Bible Says."

Walter Webb joins Raymond Libby at the pulpit. They use a Bible identical with the ones in the hands of the audience. When all Bibles are opened and in readi­ness, Pastor Libby turns to Brother Webb and asks, "Brother Webb, what is our first text this evening?" He replies, "It is found on page 117 of the New Testament, right-hand column, near the bottom of the page." Then he reads the Scripture reference, which is printed on the mimeograph sheet directly following the first question. Viola Brooks steps to the blackboard and writes under the heading N.T. (New Testament) the page and the text that will answer ques­tion No. 1.

After all have found the reference, Pastor Libby carefully reads the first question on the sheet, "My Bible Says," turns to his com­panion at the pulpit and inquires, "Brother Webb, what is there in this text that an­swers this important question?" Brother. Webb then faces the audience and says, "Let us all read this scripture in unison." Everyone joins in the reading. Raymond Libby again questions, "Brother Webb, what shall we underline of this text that answers our question?" He reads the text again, this time emphasizing the main thought. Walter Webb replies, "Pastor Libby, I think these words answer the ques­tion." And again the words, phrases, or clauses that answer the question are care­fully read. "All right then, let us take our plastic guide and colored pencil and under­line the words that answer our question."

When all have completed marking the text the pastor gives a brief comment on the thought contained in this scripture, then translates the Bible answer into a few words of modern English, suggesting they write the answer on the blank line that follows the words, "My Bible says"------------------

Obediently they all write the answer. As the pastor writes his answer he repeats the words at least three times, so that old and young will have the answer indelibly im­pressed upon their minds, and to make sure the correct answer is written on the ques­tion sheet. Finally, to cap this procedure the pastor then has everyone read his an­swer in unison.

"Brother Webb, what is our second text of the evening?" And the process repeats itself until they have come to the end of the lesson. On the last line of the sheet is printed, MY PERSONAL DECISION, with the decision text reference written under these words. Raymond Libby reads the text, briefly discusses it, formulates his appeal, and says, "In the light of what my Bible says this should be my decision." He repeats the committal or decision three times and does it slowly, so those in the audience have time to write it on the provided lines. When all have it copied, he asks them to read aloud in unison what they have written. "How many of you here this evening want to make this your very own personal deci­sion?" Usually they all do.

Before the people leave their seats the ushers gather the Bibles and arrange them on the table for the next meeting. The "My Bible Says" sheets are taken home by the people.

 The pedagogy is repetition.