When we read the Bible, something amazing can happen – we can be transformed.
This is what Good for Life is all about. It’s about equipping you with the tools you need to dig deeper into the Bible so that you can experience that transformation.
Below you’ll find the Good for Life resources available to you.
Ngāti Torehina’s encounter with God
Many know the story of Christmas Day, 1814, when Rev Samuel Marsden stepped ashore at Oihi and shared the Gospel message with an estimated 300 Māori. But, in the powerful video below, Te Hurihanga Rihari, a direct descendant of Māori that invited Marsden to Aotearoa, shares the little-known story that this wasn’t the first time Ngāti Torehina had encountered God. Some 500 years prior to the arrival of the Bible, his people lived at Rangihioua under the blessing of God.
Ngā Tīmatanga/Beginnings – The early story of the Bible in New Zealand
This is the story of how the Bible arrived in New Zealand and how it spread quickly amongst Māori throughout the country. As the video below documents, it’s a story that began on Christmas Day in 1814, when Rev. Samuel Marsden accepted an invitation from Māori Chief Ruatara to lead the first-ever church service in New Zealand. With over 300 local Maori in attendance, Marsden preached from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2 verse 10, “Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy.” And so the Bible began its journey in New Zealand.
The story of Tārore
This story of forgiveness and reconciliation begins with a 12-year-old Māori girl named Tārore, who was murdered in the Waikato in 1838. To discover how this event was instrumental in spreading Christianity around the North Island and throughout New Zealand, watch Mokoro Gillett from Ngāti Hauā recount Tārore’s story in the video below.
The short version
The full version
THE BIG PICTURE: A Short Film of the Epic Bible Story
Experience the Bible story as you’ve never seen it! From the creation of the world, through to the growth of the church, this incredible Bible Society made short film gives you the “Big Picture” overview of the entire Bible and will inspire you to find your role in God’s great story.
Words of Life Video Series
These inspirational videos are of everyday Kiwis for whom the Bible has had a life-changing impact.
Words of power - Ate's story
Words of protection - Mark's story
Words of peace - Dinn's story
Words of transformation - Duwain's story
Words of hope - Chris' story
Words of inspiration - Lyall's story
Words of truth - Jeannie's story
Words of comfort - Emma's story
Get to know the people behind the mission
There is a Māori proverb that says:
“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
That sums up what is at the heart of our mission organisation – it’s our generous supporters who enable us to continue to help make the Bible accessible to everyone and encourage interaction with it.
In the video below, you will discover the lengths our supporters have gone to help bring Bibles to people in New Zealand and around the world!
Want to watch the individual stories from each of our volunteers? Just click on the tabs below to open each video.
Les Marsh
Phyllis Wilks
Sophie Brown
Quinn McLeish
The Wrights
Dr Mel Bowen
Val Smith
Other free online resources for you
Manna’s Community Website
Our team at Manna Christian Stores have developed a new community website with an abundance of resources for your access! Our aim is to create a place where people can connect, be encouraged, equipped and sustained on their journey with God. To enjoy the latests articles, podcasts, free resources, visit the community website here.
LYFE small group resources
LYFE is a comprehensive small group resource now available to you or your church for free. LYFE helps individuals and small groups discover a deeper life with God. Based around six key spiritual formation themes including prayer, social justice and the Bible, the sessions are easy to lead and highly relational. Continue you faith journey by joining LYFE for free here.
1827 Māori Scripture booklet
We have re-issued one of the first books ever published in te reo Māori in 1827, which featured selected passages from the Bible and some hymns translated into Māori. Our reissue features a brand new contemporary 2021 translation of the same Bible passages alongside scans of the original book from 1827. Download it for free here.
Reflections on the promises of God
Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, we utilised our internal resources and digital channels to share daily Bible reflections into the homes and hearts of Kiwis around the country. We have now combined these reflections into a beautifully designed document for you to download here.
A survivor’s guide for spiritual first aid
This spiritual first aid guide is designed to start an ongoing process of healing after disaster strikes. It does this by highlighting common spiritual and emotional reactions to trauma and teaches the skills and resources that will aid in recovery. You can download it here.
Te Paipera Tapu App
The free app features the very latest edition of Te Paipera Tapu (the Holy Bible in Māori), which is not available on any other app or website, was reformatted to include macrons in 2012. Download it for free here.
What better way to encourage regular Bible reading than to take a challenge together? The Six Month Bible Challenge will see your church reading through the entire New Testament in six months. There are individual reading plans available for kids, youth and adults (each with the same readings). LEARN MORE
There are four different small group Bible studies available for free download. These include a study through the Gospel of Luke for youth, plus some fresh and creative new studies through Exodus, 1 Timothy and the Parables in Matthew. These are all available as pdf documents and there are some explanatory notes to help you. LEARN MORE
Our newest publication – The Big Little Bible – is designed to help parents share the Bible with young readers. This book features beautiful illustrations by a Wellington artist and discussion questions for adults to help kids engage with the stories. The Big Little Bible is also available as a mobile app.
LEARN MORE
Want to make the message stick in your church? Then get one (or all three!) of these large A1 and A2 sized posters. There are six to choose from and will not go unnoticed on any wall! These posters are $9.99 each (plus shipping) and are a great reminder of the importance the Bible should have in your faith journey. LEARN MORE
One great way to understand the Bible is to learn the overarching story of the Bible. Believe it or not, all of the books in the Bible tell one story – the story of God’s relationship with the masterpiece of his creation – us humans. This short summary of the entire Bible shows how that story unfolds and leads to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the formation and spread of his church. LEARN MORE
Do you sometimes find the language of your Bible strange and difficult to understand? A different translation will probably help. There are many English translations available – in fact Bible Society stocks 25 different ones. Compare some of the most popular editions to see which one will suit you best. LEARN MORE
July is Bible Month – a great time to help uphold the importance of the Bible in your church. We’ve got sermon notes available along with some children’s ministry resources available for free download. Encourage your church leaders to stick up a poster, watch a video or even dedicate a whole service to the Bible – Bible Month is flexible and designed to cater for different approaches. LEARN MORE
Have you ever wanted a manual for the Bible? Well, it’s here! The Field Guide to the Bible will help youth, new Christians and anyone wanting to reignite their Bible reading make some sense of what sometimes can be a complicated book to understand. LEARN MORE