Greetings to you in the name of our Christ and Lord. This week was a busy one. I worked nine straight hours Wednesday for all three jobs since I do not have classes on Wednesdays. This coming week is going to be busy too because symposium is Tuesday and Wednesday. However, we do not have classes those days either so hopefully I can get caught back up on reading and homework. The next couple weeks are going to be crazy as I am traveling to Michigan for a fellow seminarian's wedding, and then am in a wedding in Nebraska for some college friends. It will be a lot of traveling, but I think I can manage to keep caught up as long as I work a little harder while I am here.
I led my first Adult Bible class today after church. Last year the second year guy led it over Job, and the most he ever had was six people. I changed a few things, had two weeks worth of notice in the bulletin, and thought I would be optimistic and make eight copies of my handout plus the original. Then as I was getting the coffee out and all of my stuff ready, more and more people kept coming into the classroom. I ended up with eleven people so a few couples had to share handouts. It was a blessed surprise. I led them through the introduction of Galatians, a few key terms and definitions, and then explained two kinds of righteousness to them as in my mind that is key to understanding Galatians. We then dove into chapter one and got through all of the questions with even some deep discussions and side tangents. I was very pleased with how well it went and thank the Lord that He was with me. Afterwards they all seemed excited to continue on next time and I do hope they all come back. The one little old lady told me I will make a great Pastor. I jokingly told her to hold that opinion until she hears me preach in about a month. I hope it continues to go well, because I would like to keep the motivation to put in the time and effort to be well prepared and intentional about the Bible study which is easier to do if they are excited about it too. I know though it's not just me, but the Lord is with me and my teaching too.
I will either preach the last Sunday in October or the first Sunday in November. I will also continue to be lectern and do liturgy. As active as I am going to be in the church on Sunday's, I will be well prepared for vicarage, hopefully.
One of the themes from our Bible study that is pretty basic but can never be emphasized enough is the love and Christian attitude we use when dealing with all people. It doesn't matter whether they are religious of a different denomination or non-religious at all, the more love and genuine care we show to that person, the better chance of building a relationship with them we have. If someone of a different religion tells us we are wrong, we need to be patient, kind, considerate, and loving to that person. If we just get mad and say, "Am not, YOU'RE wrong!" we sound like a fifth grader and all hope of changing their opinion is gone. However, if we just dialogue with them, ask them what they truly believe and compare faiths with them, we stand a better chance of inviting them to listen to our side. If we remain calm and have a mature conversation with that person we have a chance to plant the seed of truth and pray that the Holy Spirit makes it grow. All we can do is share the truth we know with everyone and hope it is the seed that the Holy Spirit causes to grow. We cannot convince them or try to force them to come to the faith. We are called to share the Gospel, and that means both through our words and even more importantly through our actions in our relationships. So next time someone wants to argue with you over anything, remember to show them the same love and compassion Christ shows you and see what happens. Then afterward, pray for that person that he or she may someday find the truth and become a baptized child of God who knows the truth of His Gospel. All Praise Him who forgives us and gives us His free grace, mercy and love, allowing us to live lives that reflect those unto our neighbors so that they too may know what a wonderful God we have and serve.
Hymn 783 LSB
Dear Father in Heaven,
Take my life and let it be, Consecrated, Lord, to thee,
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord, I pour, At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself, and I will be, Ever, only, all for Thee
In Your name we pray, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment