History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 259
and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much
a son of hell as you are.
1 Corinthians 7:24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation
God called him to.
44. Bible Reading and Study
Past
It was reported from Toungoo in 1863, “We go directly to the field and each evening or in some
portion of the day a Scripture lesson is given and the same day or the next it is given to the people here
a little and there a little precept and example. Study, prayer, praise, preaching, enters into the work of
each day. Thus we have a live “Theological Seminary.” Next to accuracy we enucleate earnestness that
we may have the former we carefully study the scriptures that we may be sure of the latter we weigh
well men’s wants with our obligation we try to get into sympathy with humanity while at the same time
we drink in the spirit of cross. Our models are the Apostles and our Lord.” 155
It was reported from NamKham in 1904, “Sunday services and weekday Bible Study were
constantly carried on.” 156 It was reported from KengTung in 1961, “Bible Study will be held in
KengTung beginning the 9th through the 21st October. This is the first time classes of this kind are to
be held.” 157 And in 1962, “A Summer school is suggested for the children and adults to study “Basic
Christian Beliefs” and “Christian nurture.” 158 It was reported from TaungGyi in 1969, “Evangelistic
committee and Youth are jointly organizing summer Bible Study and short-term Bible Study
program.” 159
Present
Bible reading, teaching and study are very important in Christian life. Some Shan believers love
reading the Bible as holy words of God. They use to keep the Bible on higher place, never put on the
ground, keep under the pillow and never step over the Bible. They read the Bible very carefully, deeply
and solemnly. But many do not read Bible as much as they should. Many Shan believers do not know
how to read the Bible, how to study the Bible. Very few pastors have finished reading all sixty six
books in the Bible. There is no proper Bible Study program conducted in Churches. Sometimes it is
organized occasionally. Bible commentary and dictionary are not available in Shan language except
Holy Bible. More Biblical books are needed to be translated into Shan.
When I translated Our Daily Bread booklets into Shan language and published quarterly by
Youth for Christ in Myanmar, I discovered that only few Shan believers read it because many Shan
Christian don’t know Shan literature. They prefer reading Burmese. Many Shan preachers do not have
good knowledge of the Bible to teach properly. In fact many believers are very hungry for the words.
When I was teaching Bible at a Church in Northern Shan State, a deacon of the Church, who was a
Bible School graduate but has resigned from ministry, said, “Some parts of the Bible are just makeup
story. Not true story. I do not believe every word in the Bible.” Then I asked, “Shall we tear off from
the Bible the parts that you think is a makeup story?” But he said, “No,no,no. You must not do it to the
Bible like this. It is holy.” How can it be holy if it is just a fiction? Shan Churches need a lot of teaching
sound doctrine and Biblical Truth. Shan Churches should have regular Bible Study program taught by
qualified teachers and leaders who have thorough knowledge of the Bible.
155 Letter From Mr. Bixby, Jan. 16, 1863, Toungoo.
156 The Baptist Missionary Magazine 1904
157 KengTung Shan Baptist Conference Annual Report, 1960-1961
158 Annual Report On KengTung Field For The Year 1961 - 1962
159 Minutes of The 101st Annual Meeting of The Burma Baptist Convention, November 1969, Rangoon.