These five Bible studies are intended to deepen our understanding of the theme of the general council, "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory". The use of this material should encourage the "active" reading of the Bible in Christian congregations, groups and families, the "active" reading which was once a characteristic of Reformed spirituality. The world has, in the meantime, become a different place. Generally speaking, Christians have become a minority, and new peoples are beginning to form history. Now that the traditionally Christian nations have passed through the age of secularization and the stage of belief in progress, interest in the Bible has reawakened in some areas. Will this new interest take on more concrete forms? Will it not merely remain a passing fad? How will it be reflected in Christian responsibility for the further structuring of the church? Will we Christians be able to respond to the questions of the new Bible readers?

Will you attempt, please, to read the following Bible studies with your Bible in your hand. If you have time, look up the cited texts and read them in their broader context. Use a new Bible translation if one is available to you.

During your discussions and considerations, do not neglect to take this question seriously: In today's world, where are we Christians irreplaceable by any other group or movement? What is our specifically Christian mission in the contemporary world?