At the end of the Annual General Report (last posting), I had a section "Looking Ahead" as it was written for the beginning of March.
The Sunday and Thursday studies were successes in many ways. Everyone, myself included, appreciated the more academic/theological approach to Bible study with excellent questions at the end of each chapter for application. There was good conversation about keeping personal disciplines in perspective and how accountability was helpful.
I continued to meet with the Sunday participants on an individual basis, but also start meeting with a few more not in the study groups. The topics of discussion were mostly but not always "spiritual"as other life issues came forward. As we headed into April, conversations focused on summer jobs and for some, re-entering the home environment and for others, living on their own for their first summer; living arrangements for next year, planning coursework and careers and possibilities for next year's involvement.
Summer? (Here in Edmonton we wait for spring to arrive... however....)
Although most students have left for the summer, there are a few who are still in town that want to continue to meet with me regularly. I plan to pull have a few Sunday luncheons as well to keep them in community and network them in with others at Calvary.
I also have two groups who want to continue Bible study over the summer! Amazing! One group is doing Job for personal growth; the other is doing 1 Timothy in preparation of leading it as a study for other students in the fall. Both are from the LifeChange series. Although mostly scattered across the country, we will stay connected through a facebook group.
For me, I plan to do a few trips to Calgary, lots of books to read, and I am considering taking some courses for personal and professional growth.
It has been a wonderful and fulfilling year. At the church's annual general meeting, I shared that this was a personal fulfillment of Psalm 37:3-6:
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dweil in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
And he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
Trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
And the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Bob
