Dear Friends,
Last Sunday was our Bible study’s “Hospitality Sunday”- their first collective effort to reach out to their friends and roommates. Thank you for your prayers! Was it a success? Well….
NO- if attendance is the measure (and should it be in ministry?) There were about twelve on the original list, and as Reading Week approached, many said they were going out of town. Two days before when reminders were sent out, there were four possibilities, by Sunday morning, only one. But the one drove from home- 90 minutes north of Grand Prairie, and that speaks of commitment!
YES!- as that one- Aaron, who hasn’t been to a church in eight years, enjoyed the day and wants to return to church this coming week! He and his roommate in my study were over for dinner last night and he shared about his life, his church/spiritual experiences and his interest in coming back.
YES!- one of the invitees who declined asked about coming another time and when I told him that normally we have a Bible study after lunch, he expressed interest in that. I asked, and he said he hasn’t been in Bible study since high school. I hope God will spark interest in him to join us permanently!
YES!- all the Bible study members agree it’s worth trying again and we’re rescheduling the Bible study content to accommodate two more Hospitality Sundays. We’ll invite the guys in two separate groups so that there is opportunity to have good conversation after lunch. Twenty-one in my house would be a challenge!
YES!- they all agree we need to be more strategic in the conversation around the table so I’m coaching them about how to observe the group dynamics, how they engage in the conversation, how to engage the quieter guests, how to find natural bridges of conversation.
On other fronts:
A former Bible study participant will be joining us for the rest of the term. He graduated from King’s two years ago, and is now back in the after-degree Education program. During the two years away from Edmonton, I sent him B/S materials that we discussed through weekly Skype calls. His weekly study has disbanded and I want to see him continue with his passion to study the Bible.
I’ve been meeting with one of the invitees weekly since September. He has a Sikh background and very interested in the Bible. On Tuesday, we read through the first three chapters of Matthew and discussed and will continue to do so this term. He’s also meeting with one of my Bible study guys three times a week to do the same.
This evidence of God’s working leaves me breathless, exhilarated, exhausted and mostly humbled. What a wonderful season of experiencing God for my study and me! I hope receiving this update sweeps you up as well!
Thanks for your partnership in this work of God!
Bob
