Today was the first day of training men in the Grace Life Bible College. We were a bit surprised that there were only eight men who started the class. Pastor Situma had been expecting 35 to come. However, for the first class of a new school eight was the number of men raised up by the Lord. Two more men are expected to join us tomorrow for a total of 10 students. The men came hungry for the Word, and eager to learn theology. Pastor Rick did a really great job in explaining the material and pointing men to the sufficiency of the Word of God. Today the topic was Prolegomena which deals with the big picture of the necessary things to understand before diving into Bibliology. The study was very clear and presented in a way that was very easy to follow and understand. Pastor Rick encouraged the men to be humble as they study theology and put to practice things that they are learning, lest the Spirit of God be grieved and then quenched by the sin of pride. The end goal of systematic theology is knowing and enjoying Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father. The men were so hungry for the truth, and they were asking some great questions. During this time I was able to take notes and think strategically through the material and come up with some questions for tomorrow's quiz.
During breaks we were able to fellowship with men and get to know them better. Pastor Situma also had the ladies from the Church come and prepare a lunch for us.
Also, after our class was done we had a great time sitting together and talking, and then again it turned into a prolonged Q&A. The men were asking Pastor Rick different kinds of questions as he would answer and provide Bible based responses. This was another opportunity to bond together with the men and see how hungry the men are for truth. I believe this will be a very beneficial and a great time with these dear men.
After we got to our hotel, we studied for the next day and I finished writing questions for tomorrow's quiz and also got ready to teach a chapter from the text book entitled: "What Do We Mean by sola scriptura?" I am very excited and privileged to be involved in teaching these dear brothers. I am also looking forward to our time of fellowship together.
Please pray for God to continue to give us strength to be serving in the power of His might, and for God to work in the hearts of these men and give us discernment in how to patiently work though different theological issues.
We are grateful for your prayers.
By grace,
Paul and Rick
We're praying for you. Just as Jesus took the few loaves and fishes, may He take these 8-10 men you faithfully train and use them to feed the Gospel to thousands upon thousands.
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