A 40-Day Journey of Listening to the New Testament

What is "You've Got the Time"?

This is an initiative that invites the members of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches to listen to an audio version of the entire New Testament.  Our church will experience YGTT during the season of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday.

Why are we doing this?

Baptists have always considered themselves "people of the Book."  But sadly, we know that we are often busy and distracted and do not open ourselves enough to hearing God speak through Scripture.  The basic goal is to be formed afresh by the Holy Spirit through a period of sustained encounter with the New Testament.  A perfect time for doing this is Lent, which is meant as a season of preparation and renewal in anticipation of celebrating Christ's resurrection on Easter morning.

Moreover, all Scripture was written to be read aloud, since most people were illiterate in biblical times, and hearing the word can reach us in ways that reading does not.

 How do I and my family participate?

There are many options for listening to the New Testament for YGTT, most of which are absolutely FREE because the hope is that as many people as possible will participate.

1. Our church will receive copies of mp3 CDs that will be available for individuals or families to take and keep as their own.  These are not normal audio CDs, however, because of the length of the audio New Testament.  Mp3s are digital files that can be played on:

• computers with a CD and/or DVD drive
• home DVD players connected to TVs
• portable Mp3 players (you will need to copy the files from the CD to a computer and then to your mp3 player)
• recent audio CD players that are also labeled "mp3 compatible"

2. Audio CD sets can be made available for purchase.  So, if you and technology are not best friends, you can just pop the disc in any CD player and let it play.

3. You can listen to the New Testament online with this audio player available at the CBF web site.  You can select the book, chapter, and different Bible versions - even in other languages!

4. A dedicated and simple mp3 player, complete with headphones and the New Testament already loaded and ready to go, can also be made available.

5. A special Kidz Bible mp3 CD, with shorter selections of stories from both Testaments, will be available for your children.

The following video offers a clear visual explanation of how to use the mp3 CD:

What are some ways to keep this 40-day plan intentional and meaningful?

1. Read this listening guide for a suggestion on how to make the daily audio segment a personal devotion time, individually or with a group.

2. Consider this plan for daily reflection questions.