Getting the Word… At High Speed!

“So is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but… will achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:11) 

What grandparent wouldn’t love knowing their grandchildren are getting into God’s Word more? I know I want to see my grandchildren digging into God’s Word. I don’t think there’s anything like reading the Word, but the second-best option is for them to listen to it regularly. I know if I can get my grandkids to listen to the Word, they are very likely to start reading it too.

That’s why I’m excited about High Speed Luke. That’s what I said… High Speed Luke. I know what you’re thinking, and when I first heard about this Bible tool, I was very skeptical too. Now, I am believer, and I think you will be too.

So, I’ll let the founder, Tom Helling, tell you about High Speed Luke and how it came about. If you’re a skeptic like I was, you need to read this. After you read about it, if you have grandkids between the ages of 8 and 25, I urge to you to go to the High Speed Luke web site and get your grandkids into the Word… fast!

CGN: What is the mission of High Speed Luke and how did it come to be?

Tom: On a silent retreat in 2005, I experienced a calling to “Feed the Children the Word of God”.  It made absolutely no sense since I am a business person; I’m not a pastor or preacher, nor was I educated in Scripture Studies. God put it on my heart. This mission continues today. I love people and am willing to take relationship risks as true friends do. Fifteen or more people helped develop this free product. To date, we’ve had listeners in 157 countries.  To God be the Glory! 

CGN: So, what is High Speed Luke?

Tom: High Speed Luke is audio recordings of: Luke, Acts, Romans, 2^nd Corinthians, 1^st Thessalonians & Philippians. Readings are done at a high-speed rate (over 300 words/minute) by a natural-born speed talker. It’s a dynamic educational resource for youth ages 8 to 25.  Short on-location videos detail the historical accuracy of the Bible in Israel, Egypt, Turkey & Greece. The speed, music and soft reflective questions between chapters, plus compelling videos, challenge and encourage youth.

CGN: How can grandparents utilize this resource?

Tom: You can play it in your car, on your smartphone, on your computer, or even help your grandchild discover the site on their own devices.  It is in their dialect…fast. Whether listening to a book of the Bible or viewing a historical site, it’s easy via your cell phone, iTunes, TeacherTube, website or MP3. It is an easy segue to a Bible conversation. 

CGN: How does this high-speed reading reach the hearts and minds of today’s kids?

Tom: It’s fast, clear and fun! Youth have a need for speed. Our brains are high speed learning machines. Research indicates the average person (who speaks at 125 to 180 words per minute) can listen and comprehend up to 400 words per minute without substantial loss of comprehension. The high speed keeps their brains engaged.                 

CGN: Why did you choose Luke?

Tom: Dr. Luke tells the full story of Jesus from birth to death on the cross to resurrection. Many enjoy his thoroughness. Luke 1: 1-4.

CGN: What do you see as the value or need of God’s Word impacting young people?

Tom: God makes it clear His commands and truth is to be passed on generation to generation. Parent and grandparent are commanded to tell the next generations. (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:1-9; Ps. 78:1-8). Paul reminded us that faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17).

As you know, most kids never attend a church event. Recent research by the Barna Group says: “Six in ten young people are leaving the American church permanently or for an extended period of time beginning at age 15.” HSL helps strengthen their armor to hold on to their faith because God’s Word does not return to Him empty, “but will accomplish… the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

CGN: How long have you been doing this? 

Tom: This has been “in the making” about 12 years. Until 2009 we only handed out free CDs of Luke. In 2010 we signed a long-term contract with Tyndale House Publishers to add 5 more books and put it on the internet. Then we added “exploring/discovery” videos. The new website for 2017 increases the speed of education for youth, parents, teachers and grandparents. 

Visit the High Speed Luke web site at: www.highspeedluke.com. You can also find it on TeacherTube and iTunes.