Sunday, 23 September 2007

Idea... I Need an Idea... OKAY, I HAVE AN IDEA!

So on Friday, I wanted a response from anyone in the Bible Studs who wanted to lead Monday night's discussion. I had none, so I guess that means I'm on deck, which is fine. I love teaching. At least, I certainly hope I love teaching, being an education major and all.

But this year, figuring out what to teach is more difficult. The approach we've taken is different, sort of like the tail end of last year-exploring topics of interest rather than snowplowing our way through a book of the Bible. We did that for two solid years, which was sweet-I can't help but think of the Bible Studs now whenever I read stuff out of Nehemiah, Hebrews, Romans, or Malachi. But a switch is healthy. We don't need to get stuck in what we've always done.

That also means, however, that the topic is never just laid in front of me. There's no chapter that I'm in charge of dissecting, analyzing, and drawing meaning out of for the others to ponder. I have to figure out what we'll be thinking about, and then formulating some sort of plan of discussion (or lecture, I guess) from there. I'm such a teacher.

Little did I know that so many seemingly different factors would converge to inspire me for Monday's lesson. It blows my mind to think about them...

1. Working on my first Senior Sem project forced me to confront some painful spiritual issues from my past. It was emotionally difficult, but necessary.
2. At Chapel Choir retreat, Jordan (not you, big bro) asked me sort of out of the blue why I believe in Jesus as my Savior. I would have never expected to be asked that question then, but I'm glad he did. I finally realized that weekend that I had an answer ready if someone would ask me.
3. Jeremy Camp read several passages of Scripture while talking to the audience on Friday, but the one that really resounded with me was in II Corinthians 5:17-19. It refers to the new creation and God's reconciling those of us who are in Christ to Him. After working on my project, that hit home. It was refreshing.
4. Ross asked me what was going on in my life spiritually as we were coming home from Lansing. As I had already written, I badly needed to talk to a close, trusted friend about what I had to work on for Senior Sem. and what it had done to me. And I also wanted to tell someone so badly that I had finally learned to let go of those bad memories.
5. At Engedi this morning, Pastor Brian continued the idea of restoration beginning first by wrapping up Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the well, mentioned in John 4 and then the account in John 9 of healing the blind man. He then moved on to talking about sharing testimonies, the topic for this Sunday. The supporting passage he began with was... II Corinthians 5:17. The new creation. The reconciliation. The same thing Jeremy Camp had just read to everyone only two nights before. I almost fell out of my chair.

I think I have an idea now.