Some people regard the Bible as merely a collection of legends and myths, or a catalogue of outdated, restrictive commandments. But Jesus regarded the Scriptures as the authoritative, holy Word of God and the Bible itself confirms that view in numerous passages.

Those involved in translating Scripture around the world often witness the Bible's remarkable power to convict people of sinful behaviour and create in them a desire to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. Such was the case in the small community of Huanoquite, Peru.

Learning to Love

In the highlands of southern Peru, married couples packed a small church building to receive biblical teaching about marriage. Equipped with the Scriptures in their own Cusco Quechua language, the couples began to see how their personal behaviour and cultural norms sometimes contradicted the Bible’s instructions for relating to one another. As their Quechua pastor taught from God’s Word, many were convicted of sin and stood to publicly repent before their spouses and fellow believers.

One Quechua couple, Adrian and Alejandrina, found healing for their troubled marriage at the marriage workshop. “We were both far away from the church, especially my husband,” said Alejandrina. “But after Adrian attended a previous marriage seminar on his own, he decided it was time to change his behaviour.”

“Before,”says Adrian, “I did whatever I wanted. I would go out and get drunk, then I wouldn't come home. But now we're together as a family—I respect my wife and she respects me.”