Tomorrow evening, June 5th, I get to do something that I haven’t done in more than a year – and that is teach a Bible study. With all the issues that Janet and I have faced this past year, we decided to go on furlough with our group and we pick up where we left off this week. You would think that teaching is something that you can do in your sleep, especially after all the years I have done it – but that isn’t the case. Generally, it takes more than 2 hours of prep for each hour of teaching and that is only if you have really perfected your research skills. In fact, may people don’t realize that a sermon in church on Sunday, assuming that it is original, takes upwards of 20 hours to prepare correctly.
Since the move, I finally have the library unpacked and all the books in their proper places – thanks to the help of our friend Pat. In fact, the whole house is pretty much livable at this point so we are looking forward to having the group here. Later tonight I get to ramp my study habits back up to speed as I prepare to dig into the Gospel of Mark and prepare for teaching. It’s amazing to me that every time I study the Bible, no matter how many times I have taught a passage, I gain additional insight into God’s word and some current application for my own life.
The completion of Mark this season will also accomplish another goal I have had for several years now – the fact that I will have taught all four of the Gospels – the synoptics and John. I don’t know where we will go from here, but the Holy Spirit will be convicting one way or the other and our small but mighty group will hopefully stay together for many years to come.
The verse for tonight speaks to the importance of teaching and assisting God’s people to understand the promises and commandments of God. We are told, in Psalm 119:27, “Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.” That’s encouragement for me! My encouragement for you is that when you are open to God speaking into your life, miraculous things happen. My prayer is that you will make it a point to study God’s word and realize that there is no way you can ever learn it all – no matter how hard you try! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…
Our small group just finished studying 2 Peter, 2&3 John, Jude in the Warren W. Wiersbe series. We’re going to do a little different study in July. A book titled “When Helping Hurts” (How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor….and yourself.) by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. I’m excited about this one too. It is needed in this area.
My prayer is always that this “older” mind can absorb and remember all of this wonderful information!
Have a wonderful study.
Brenda O.