A New Year/Teaching Exodus

This month we started a new school year with brand new students in our School of Biblical Studies. We are in the middle of our very first unit as I write this blog. A few weeks ago our students showed up on campus ready and excited to spend the next 10 months digging into the Bible. I can tell already that this is a great class who are committed to following Jesus and learning more about him.

Starting a new school year with new students is such a breath of fresh air. I really do love having the summer available to work on projects, speak at summer camps and raise support, but I also find that it’s really easy to lose sight of what I am working for. Our students are just names on a document during the summer, but getting to meet our class and see the people we will be journeying through scripture it really brings life back to my heart.

We began the school year with what we call “Seminar Week.” During this week, we teach the students how to utilize the inductive bible study method. In this method, the modern reader must lay aside any preconceived notions that they might have about the text. Instead, students must seek to draw conclusions by first examining the text and then see the scripture in its original context.During Seminar Week, the students practice the inductive method by using the book of Jonah. We chose this book because it is a story that many Christians are familiar with through children's books and tv shows. Students have to let go of what they think they might know about Jonah to study it inductively. The story goes from a man being swallowed by a fish to God trying to show love to his enemies through a rebellious prophet. The story evolves from a simple children's story to a deeply convicting call from God for us to search our hearts and show love to the people we believe are not worthy of love.

As I write this blog I have just wrapped up teaching the classroom lecture on the book of Exodus. Exodus, without a doubt, is the biggest book that I have taught to date for the school. Not only is it long (40 chapters) but Exodus is jam-packed with narrative, laws, and plagues (Oh my!). This was the first time that I felt unsure I could get through all of the content in 6 hours. We discussed: when the exodus took place, the plagues against Egypt, the Passover, the Law (and how to follow it) and finally the Tabernacle. Exodus has been one of my favorite books to teach. I loved showing the students how the whole book of Exodus actually shows us our salvation story. The Hebrews were trapped in slavery and cried out to God for freedom. God sent his servant to be their rescuer. Through the blood of an innocent lamb, death passes over God’s people and they leave the land of slavery forever. Then, God gives them his perfect law and dwells with them (even though they aren't perfect). This book gives us a clear picture of how God moved to save his people then as well as how God has moved to save us from our own slavery to sin even now. I was so honored to have the opportunity to make this book come alive in the hearts of our students.

What’s Coming Up/Prayer Requests:

September and October are going to be jam-packed! My next lecture will be 1 and 2 Kings. I am so excited (and nervous) to start digging into these books. Please pray for my prep time, that I will manage time my well and get this big project done. Coming up this fall, we have completely reinvented the Biblical Narrative Series. We are now running two 7 week courses. The first of which is starting on September 23rd. We will be exploring the entire Old Testament. We already have several people signed up for this course and are expecting much more as we continue to spread the word. Getting the word out has also given Emmaus a chance to connect with and speak at different churches in the Oviedo area! Please pray that we will be able to have a real, lasting impact on the local church! Lastly, Please pray for our current students. They are starting a long and good journey through the Bible. Please pray that they just enjoy this season of life and that they get the most out of their year digging into the scriptures! Thank you for your support and prayers.

Hurricane Dorian update: Lauren and I are still trying to figure out where we will be staying during the hurricane. As a nurse, Lauren might be working at the hospital during the storm. Expect another blog update from me with more details to come.