Bible Sunday 15 July 2012
Bible Sabbath 14 July 2012

Bible Sunday is the perfect time to encourage your congregation to get more engaged with the Word of God. This year’s Bible Sunday celebration focuses on the challenging task of Bible translation.

The Kiriwina Bible launch.

TV journalist Joy Reid recently joined the people of Kiriwina, in Papua New Guinea, as they received their first full Bible in their heart language. Watch as she shares her experiences in this short video.

The full Bible has been translated into 476 of the 6,909 known living languages. Even though this represents a majority of the world’s population, more than 350 million people still do not have a single book of the Bible in their heart language.

Bible Societies around the world are involved in 500 translation projects only made possible thanks to generous Bible Society supporters. In addition there are 190 planned translation projects that cannot proceed until funding is found. The cost of Bible translation is unavoidably high – in time, human effort and money. It takes an average of 12 years to translate a new Bible.

Join us this Bible Sunday as we spread the word that there is a great need to reach people with the Bible in their heart language.

Resources for your church

We’ve produced a full range of resources to help you and your congregation celebrate Bible Sunday and get into Bible translation, including:

Kiriwina Bible launch video – Join TV journalist Joy Reid on the Trobriand Island of Kiriwina in Papua New Guinea as the Kiriwina people receive their first full Bible in their heart language.

Bursting with emotion – TV journalist Joy Reid shares her experience of the the Kiriwana Bible launch.

Bible translation in the 21st Century – Bible Society New Zealand’s Translation Services Director Dr Stephen Pattemore looks at the intricate Bible translation process.

Global translation statistics – Find out more about Bible translation work Bible Society is involved in here in New Zealand and around the world.

A short history of Bible translation – Follow the amazing history of Bible translation through ancient times to modern day versions.

New Zealand translation projects – Read about translation projects Bible Society New Zealand is actively involved in.

The challenge of Bible translation – Bible translation is complex and fraught with many difficulties.

The translation process – Discover the many steps involved in the average 12 years it takes to complete a new Bible translation.

Puzzles and activities for children

Bible Sunday poster - Print the poster to hang in your church.

Bible Sabbath poster - Print the poster to hang in your church.

Bible Sunday Appeal - Support Bible translation work so others can enjoy the Bible in their heart language.

Every year hundreds of churches around the country join us to celebrate God’s Word on Bible Sunday. We hope that Bible Sunday will be a time of celebration in your church this year too.

Partner with Bible Society to support Bible translation

It is Bible Society’s mission to make Scripture available to all people of the world in their heart language, and at a price they can afford. We need people to share this vision with us and help make it possible. Partner with us by making a gift to support Bible translation work and you’ll help ensure others, like the Kiriwina people, receive a Bible in their heart language for the first time.

Give a gift online now

Didn’t receive your Bible Sunday pack?

On Tuesday 19 June we posted Bible Sunday packs to all New Zealand churches. Please let us know if you don't receive yours. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, the name of your church, and your mailing address and we’ll get one to you.

Need more response envelopes?

We’ve created a special Bible Sunday response envelope to share with your congregation. It gives more information about translation work and the effects of people receiving God’s Word in their heart language for the first time. We included one sample in your Bible Sunday pack – if you’d like more to share with your congregation just This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your name, mailing address and the number of envelopes you’d like, and we’ll get them to you.

How did we do?

We’d love to hear your thoughts about your Bible Sunday resources. Help us get a better understanding of your needs and how we can improve Bible Sunday. Click here to complete the short feedback form.