“And now, brethren, I commend you to God,

and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up,

and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Acts 20:32

Equipping and empowering an ever-growing number of Christians and churches to read, speak and understand God’s Word is our joy and passion.

To find out more about our Conferences and Bible Celebration Week

Click HERE

ABC BIBLE GROUPS

How do ABC Bible Groups work?

“We read Scripture together in community – pausing to go over personally significant verses again and pray a response.” - ABC Trainer

Four main reasons to consider an ABC Bible Group:

1. To set aside time in a busy culture to drink deeply from God’s Word.
2. To read through a whole Bible book as it was meant to be read.
3. To experience the Word within the encouragement of community.
4. To pray through Scripture to let it transform us.

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Join a group

If you would like to find out more about joining an existing ABC Bible Group, send us an email.

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Start a group

Here are our tried-and-tested tips to start your own ABC Bible Group, including our free, printable reading plan tool.

Leaders: Choose one leader and an assistant. Take ten minutes at the start to welcome everybody, explain the meeting and for opening prayer.

Participants: Any size group can work, but we find that 20 people or less allows for everybody to participate. Make sure that everyone commits to the full Bible reading time.

The Schedule: Generally 1-4 hours in one day is advisable. Whichever schedule you choose, create a 10 minute response time after 3-4 chapters of Bible reading. During this response time, any volunteers can read a verse that has just been read that helped them. Encourage them to pray a response to the verse (this could be a prayer of confession, thanksgiving, praise, or a prayer for help). Break in the middle of your time together (for at least 15 minutes if the reading is two hours or longer). An example of some schedules are below.

The Scriptures: Have everyone bring a Bible in the language which they best can speak and read. They should have translations (like NIV, NASB) not paraphrases.

Reading Aloud: Willing readers stand to read five verses to the group. Have readers read in the order that they are sitting in the circle. Have everyone stand for the reading of every 3rd chapter. On this chapter each person reads one verse around the room. This helps to change the pace and keep everyone alert.

Example Bible Reading for an ABC Bible Group:

The book of Mark takes roughly 1.5 hours to read out loud. For this reason, we recommend a 2-hour reading slot. Here is a suggested example:

Suggested Time	Topic Covered/Scriptures Read	Length
09:00	Introduction and Opening Prayer	15 minutes
09:15	Read Scripture aloud	30 minutes
09:45	Response Prayers	10 minutes
09:55	Continue reading Scripture aloud	30 minutes
10:25	Response Prayers	10 minutes
10:35	Continue reading Scripture aloud	30 minutes
11:05	Response Prayers	10 minutes
11:15	Free break	15 minutes
11:30	Continue reading Scripture aloud	30 minutes
12:00	Response Prayers	10 minutes
12:10	Continue reading Scripture aloud	30 minutes
12:40	Response Prayers	10 minutes
12:50	Closing prayers for each other	10 minutes
01:00	Marathon ends
After 1:00	Discussion of the passages for those who want to stay longer

During the first praying time, ask those who have come before to be ready to read a verse and pray. Have them read a verse from that section and pray their response. Then keep the time open to any others willing to read & pray.

Here’s a few examples of sharing a verse and praying:

Scripture:

“They went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41)

Response to scripture:

“Dear Lord, the book of Acts makes it clear that the gospel will never get out to the world without suffering. Help me to accept suffering from your hand and be willing to take risks to share the gospel with my friends at school.”

Scripture:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer ... let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

Response to scripture:

“Dear God, I’m anxious about money and my job. Let me trust you by praying every time I feel anxious and trusting you to meet all my needs.”

CLICK HERE FOR OUR SUGGESTED READING SCHEDULES

PASTOR TRAINING

Soon after launching ABC Bible Groups, many rural churches began asking for additional training. As more and more people read the Bible, more and more questions naturally surfaced, and their untrained pastors could not help them.

This led to a simple model of intensive training: 40 rural pastors over one year (totalling 300 hours of teaching).

How does it work?

We partner with local churches who set up the structure. This involves them selecting 40 pastors and finding a suitable teaching venue. ABC then works with the local churches to provide food and housing for the students for six modules of five days each. These intensive five days per module are spread out throughout the year.

ABC facilitates the training at no cost. This training includes six training manuals in the local language. At graduation, the NIV Study Bible in Kinyarwanda (Bibiliya Yera Ifite Ubusobanuro) is given to everyone who completes the program.

Apply for pastoral training

To qualify, a group must have:

(1) 40 pastors selected by your leaders,
(2) a venue near the pastors,
(3) ability to feed and house the pastors on location for five days in six seminars during a year-long program.

If you can do this, ABC brings excellent biblical education at no cost.

ABC PASTORAL TRAINING CONTRACT

GRADUATE TESTIMONIALS

I NOW KNOW THE PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE READING AND INTERPRETATION

The training organized by ABC helped me understand the 66 Bible books sequence. I know how many in the Old Testament, and how many in the New Testament. In addition, I learned the different genres in which the Bible is written. The examples are: Narratives, poems, and others. All this I did not know! Using the Bible interpretation methods, the training taught me how to prepare a sermon or teaching of any kind. I also learned how to be a good shepherd, what is important, and his responsibilities in order of priorities; God first, family, church then, day today jobs if any, and then other relationships. I also learned 22 important things a shepherd should put in place to smoothen and efficiently do his task. (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:6-9)

After the training, I decided to add an extra attention to my family, giving her enough time, lending them a careful ear, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Vianney Mpabuka

I NOW ATTEND, EVEN MORE, TO MY FAMILY

The training taught me how to attend to my family, the second priority after God, in ministry. Before the Training, I was not a faithful attendant to my family, but rather the church. I realized through the training that the first church is the church at home, which is my family, hence deciding to cultivate the culture of Bible reading even there.

I also learned, the qualifications of a good shepherd: Gentle, not given to drunkenness, not quarrelsome, taking care of the sheep, visiting them, also, not a lover of money, self-controlled, hospitable and many others. And last but not least, the training made me decide to awaken my church members for a Bible reading, together, before the Church service.

Geofrey Mugabo

READING SCRIPTURES HAS NOW BECOME A HABIT

Before coming to ABC training, I was very disorganized in how I read the Bible. I would like to thank God who enabled me attend the ABC’S Pastoral training. I now see! Via the teachings that I was given, I realized how important reading the Bible is. Reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation has now become my habit.

This training also, has brought a transformation in my family in the very aspect of Bible reading and communal prayers. Foe the good that God has done to me in this training, I commit to visit and take care to fellow Christians. I am also going to add extra effort in putting all in place that I need for God’s ministry.

Clothilde Uwingabire

I DID NOT CARE MUCH, BUT NOW I DO

After receiving Christ as my savior, I gave less attention to my family. After ABC training, I was reminded the cardinal value of my family responsibilities. We now meet every evening, and read Scriptures together, at least a whole chapter, and then pray together. In the training, I realized also that reading the Bible several times is important to help me understand what I teach.

Towards the completion of this training, I decided to change my approach of teaching the church. I Purposed to help the church members read the Bible, book after book, chapter after chapter, and implement the Bible reading program named “Mathew 4:4”.

Ronald Karemera

AWAKENED IN READING THE BIBLE

The training has brought a real change in my life, for I am no longer the person I used to be. I now read the whole Bible repeatedly to understand the Scriptures. I have learned to prepare teachings rooted in Scripture, to discern and carefully observe its message, and to interpret it clearly. Learning about the qualifications of a good shepherd now guides me and helps prevent me from falling.

I have encouraged the flock I oversee to read the whole Bible, and I am beginning to see the fruits, as they grow in understanding of the gospel. I have also learned about marriage, and I now love and pray for my family like never before. As a pastor, I have begun training other disciples in the message of the Bible—our salvation through Christ. I plan to introduce Christians in my neighborhood to reading the whole Bible. God willing, I will start a Bible school with small study groups. I am committed to striving to be an exemplary shepherd in my district and beyond.

Jean de Dieu Nsengimana

MY LOVE FOR THE BIBLE HAS GROWN

The ABC’s Pastoral training made me love the Bible even more. I realized it is there that I find all the truth and the way to Eternal life. Knowing that, has increased my zeal in God’s ministry. In the training I learned to prioritize my family, and feed her God’s Word, and then shine that light to the rest of the community. Hence being good and exemplary servants of God.

I learned also, that it is crucial and very important to take time in preparation before delivering any teaching. It helps to discover in depth, all the hidden treasures. In light of the whole reality that I was exposed to, I purposed to add more time in my personal Bible study and discipleship ministry. I am soon to start small Bible study groups following the ABC program called “Mathew 4:4”.

James Kamanzi

I READ THE WHOLE BIBLE

Attending this training made me read the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation, for my first time. Second, before the training I had a love for our Lord, but the training increased the fire of the love! Third, I used to give less attention to my family but after the training, I was reminded of including my family in the first priorities, hence increasing my attention. We now read the Bible together, and this has brought us closer to God and ourselves.

Another thing is that, I learned how to prepare a sermon, which includes finding the key points in the passage, the secondary, and the application. I learned the three steps of Bible Study; Observation, interpretation and application. As we finish, I purpose to do the following: (1) Daily Bible reading, (2) Introducing the church to the practice of reading the Bible, (3) Starting a prayer and Bible reading at home.

Geofrey Balenzi

GOD’S WORD HAS TRANSFORMED MY FAMILY

ABC made me love God’s Word, which made me repent after realizing my wrong ways by it. This has increased my fellowship with God which I did not have before the training. The family not seeing my fruits, made it difficult for them to love me, but after my transformation via the training, we now have love in our midst, common understanding, we even now started reading the Bible together. In my Pastoral ministry, I am more organized, I take time before, and plan ahead what I will speak about.

After this training, I plan to implement the following; 1. I am going to be a servant of others. 2. I am going to lead God’s flock as his chosen shepherd. 3. I am going to teach and lead people to Christ. 4. I am going to practice humility. 5. I am going to encourage Christians read and study the Bible through ABC program: “Mathew 4:4”.

Fred Gahirwa

I CAN NOW PREPARE A SERMON

For the past 24 years as a pastor, there were many things in God’s Word I did not understand. Through the training, I gained understanding of the history of both the Old and New Testaments, their message, authorship, locations, contexts, and the backgrounds of the main characters. This has helped me become a pastor who feeds God’s flock without adding to or removing from His Word. I was taught, in an organized way, how to prepare sermons by following key steps: observation, interpretation, and application. I was encouraged to make reading the Bible a habit, rather than preaching from my own ideas, stories, or messages that only appeal to emotions.

At the completion, I commit to faithfully deliver the Word of God, to cultivate a habit of Bible reading in the church I oversee, and to separate myself from anything that may bring reproach to God’s ministry. I plan to train, rebuke, teach, and care for the people entrusted to me, with the aim of finishing well. (2 Tim 4:6–8)

Augustin Butera

THE BIBLE IS ABOUT GOD’S PLAN TO REDEEM MAN

The ABC training gave me a deep understanding on the 66 books that make up the whole Bible. I understood that the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is about God’s plan of salvation to redeem the man He made in His image. I learned that the first God-man relationship was broken by sin and later God came to restore it through the cross.

ABC helped me learn how to prepare a sermon and how it should be delivered. I now feed a complete sermon through putting in place; my topic, the main points, and the applications. All this was from the training. Furthermore, the training has helped me add an extra effort in making Church members love the word of God. It is the Word of God that takes the largest amount of time now in our church service.

I commit to teach this Truth and proclaim Christ in the rest of my life, and to proclaim the gospel to the unreached.

Uwihoreye

I WAS TRANFORMED

The training was very helpful. I am not the person, I used to be. I was transformed. I learned a good way of reading Scriptures: Reading carefully and not skipping verses, helps me get the depth of the message. Second, I understood the Trinity doctrine. Third, I and my family we now every evening read the Bible and pray together. Our young son, is the one who reminds us where we stopped on the previous day. (He is also part of this program

named “Mathew 4:4”) Also, In the church of which am a member, we read the Bible together and share ideas, this in contrast to our previous approach, has helped us gain a more understanding. In the pastoral ministry doctrine, I learned how to prioritize things. And then, last but not least, ABC taught me how to prepare my sermons and other lessons in an organized manner.

David Bizimana

I CAN NOW DRAW THE BIBLE STORY

The training has brought a transformation in my personal life. I learned the Old Testament story using a “Draw-thru”; The stories of the division of the Israel kingdom, their exile, and their returns. I also learned to summarize the New Testament using a “Draw thru”; the four gospels, the book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul.

I realized the importance of reading God’s Word together with my family. I learned the steps to prepare sermons, which includes: Observation, Interpretation and application. I learned the qualification of a good shepherd which include being above reproach,

self-controlled and many others. Last but not least, I learned the importance of reading the Bible (Mathew 4:4 program) more than one time and also training the same practice to the flock which I oversee.

Alexis Cyitatire

I NOW KNOW TO PREPARE AND DELIVER WELL MY TEACHINGS

The training taught me the three steps to good Bible reading and Interpretation, namely; Observation, Interpretation and Application. Second, I learned how to prepare and deliver well a sermon, rooted not in my mere emotions but in God’s Word.

I also learned the qualification of a good shepherd which include being above reproach, self-controlled and many others. I learned the importance of reading the whole Bible more than once and train the same to the flock of which am in charge following the “Mathew 4:4” ABC program.

I am going to encourage people make Bible reading their habit not only a task to do when they have to preach. I will try to follow the principles of Bible interpretation than my mere emotions. I will increase the time I give or attend to my family.

Eugène Mutijima

MY GOAL NOW IS TO READ THE BIBLE MORE AND MORE

Attending the training has increased my understanding of God’s Word. I can summarize the Old Testament and the New Testament using a Draw-thru. Attending the training also made me make some room for my family Bible-reading and prayer.

As I go, I plan to read more and more the Word of God than ever before. I plan also to attend to my family more than before for because of Church, I lagged behind in that area.

David Shinga

I GAINED BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

The ABC training taught me the sequence of the Bible books, the narratives, kingdom divisions, and all through, the Old and New Testament ‘Draw-thrus’. I also learned and made it a habit to read God’s Word, not only for the sake of preaching but for my personal formation.

From the training I learned, that to teach the Word of God to my family first, is important. I learned also, to prioritize my family and render all the possible care to my wife, and the children wherever possible. And last but not least, I took at heart the qualifications of a good shepherd, including the one that said, that he should not be a lover of money. After this, I will train the flock which am in charge to love and read the Word of God following the Mathew 4:4 ABC program. I am thankful to ABC ministry for helping me know the truth rooted in God’s Word.

David Gatunge

MY WAY OF BIBLE READING HAS CHANGED

In this training I have surely gained knowledge. Before the training, what I called reading the Bible was to read a certain chapter, depending on what I want from the text, that is how I used t read the Bible. But in the training, I was taught how to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I realized that reading the whole Bible or the whole chapter is very important for it is then that I started getting the whole story right.

I thank ABC ministry for making me literate in the Bible and for the many skills and knowledge gained. I now know to prepare a sermon which smoothen my ministry of proclaiming the gospel. I commit to share all the knowledge gained to other people; teaching them to not be selective but read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I will also teach them to not be overtaken by church and other matters and forget to attend to their families. I will also teach them the life worth of Christians.

John Mugema

THE WORD OF GOD IS ENOUGH

The ABC training changed my preparation and teaching approach. I was disorganized before the training, I gave less attention to the Bible message, after the training I realized how God’s Word is enough and sufficient. God is now the most important in all that is. In the training, I also started teaching others, all this helped me to love reading the scriptures and to thirst for more and more understanding. We have established a reading group based on Mathew 4:4 ABC program, and it is transforming the flock of which I oversee.

I have decided to read the Word more and more and make it a life style. I commit to being faithful to the Word, not adding or subtracting anything from the Word. I am also going to increase my devotional time, also find support and further my studies for the betterment of my ministry in future.

Jean de Dieu Rukundo

I WILL INSPIRE PEOPLE TO READ THE BIBLE

The training that we were given helped me know the books that make up the Bible and the methods of preparing a sermon. The truth is: I am transformed in mind and behavior, and all this is because of ABC.

I am going to inspire people, asking them to read the Bible and showing them the good things all over its pages, giving them the summaries, such that they make it a habit for many only look in their Bibles on Sundays. Those and their kinds, I pray I make people realize how beautiful the Bible is, not only in my church but even in other churches.

Alexi Nsabimana

I NOW VALUE MY FAMILY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE

All the teachings that we were given in the training were very helpful. The Draw-thrus helped us capture well the history of Israel and their relationship with God. I also learned to honor and value my family, since there it is, that the church starts. I have learned to make time for my wife and my children, teaching them how to love God in their daily life.

I commit to train people read the Bible in small groups and helping them understand and walk in His will.

Augustin Mugema

READING THE BIBLE IS NOW A HABIT

The training transformed my life. I now constantly read the Bible, and it has become a habit. Following its teachings, helped me realize the one story of the Bible. Second, I was trained on how to do my church responsibilities without leaving the family. I now make time for us as a family to read and share God’s Word. The last is that, I learned the qualifications of a good shepherd, and the good means to deliver God’s Word.

I commit to further my studying of God’s Word and faithfully deliver it as passed on to me.

William Kayumba

I NOW VALUE MY FAMILY MORE THAN BEFORE

The training improved my relationship with my family members. We now have a Bible study together with all my family and I now attend even more to my family. Second, the training taught me the qualifications of a good shepherd, and third, the way to prepare sermons which include the following steps; observing, interpreting and applying the scriptures.

Naume Kantengwa

I UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE MORE THAN BEFORE

Attending the training helped me understand the Bible more than before. The “Draw thrus” helped me understand the big picture. I also learned to prepare my sermons using the three steps that we were taught which include: Observation, interpretation and Application. In light of this training privilege, I commit to change my way of life, my teaching approach and model the great shepherd.

Immacule Bamurebe

MY PREACHING APPROACH HAS CHANGED

Before attending the training, my preaching was disorganized, and rootless, but after the training, I totally changed the way I preach the Word of God. I now take time and prepare, and pray for what I am about to preach. I read my Bible a chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, I no longer unnecessarily skip. In addition, I now put, into consideration the two principles of a good sermon, namely; the main topic and the key points of the sermons.

I and my family are glad. I even bought a Bible for my wife; she is now also as if she attended ABC training. All this is because of ABC. I first of all commit to attend to my family members and guard them from any reproach, and second, to look after God’s Church; discerning what would help in the spiritual and physical way.

Gabriel Dukuzumuremyi

THE BIBLE IS ONE STORY OF GOD’S PLAN TO SAVE MANKIND

My love for God was increased in the training! Helped by the ‘draw thrus’ of the two Testaments, I learned that the Bible is one story that tells of God’s plan to save mankind. Besides, this shed some light on God’s love, his good plans, and my sinfulness, and little love. Second, I was taught how to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, skipping not any of the books in the sequence. And I have spread this habit to my family. We now (my family and I) enjoy the delicious spiritual bread.

Last but not least, I have learned to preach rooted in the Word not in my mere emotions. I let the Bible speak! And I have realized that it’s God’s Word that the Church needs to grow and stand firm in the surrounding heresies. I am committing to train other Christians to follow God’s Word.

Joseph Kiza

I NOW LOVE THE WORD MORE THAN BEFORE

First and foremost, the training helped me understand the story line of the whole Bible. Second, The ABC program called “Mathew 4:4”, helped me read and carefully listen to the Bible which led to a deeper love for God’s Word. And with that I learned many other things, namely; how to prepare a sermon, and how to be a good shepherd.

I commit to spreading all over the “Mathew 4:4” program in church. Increase my devotional time, follow the word of God and teaching the Bible doctrines to the Church.

Fred Rusine

BIBLE SCHOLARSHIPS

ABC has created an ABC Scholarship Endowment. This endowment is not spent, but invested. The annual earnings of the endowment provide scholarships to accredited colleges training students for ministry.

The scholarships are won through scoring the best on a Bible exam administered by ABC. They cover a full college degree, but recipients are evaluated yearly to maintain the scholarship.

Click here to apply for a scholarship

Evangelical Theological Conferences (ETC)

ETC’s Mission: A conference for theologians, pastors and Bible students sharing theological research to:

1) unite Rwandan theological leaders,
2) promote theological excellence,
3) mentor future theological leaders, and
4) facilitate theological publishing.

ETC sponsors two conferences a year that provide:

1) a venue for meeting other theological leaders,
2) presentation of theological papers followed by discussion,
3) introduction of biblical resources for schools and churches,
4) discussion groups on theological issues, and
5) sale of used theological books at low prices.

ETC is sponsored by ABC and guided by the ETC Council of Advisors who represent various theological organizations.

If you have any questions or need any further information please do not hesitate to reach out to Justine