After a few days of visiting the genocide memorials in Kigali and Nyamata, we celebrated the Lord's Day with the Zarephath congregation. It was an inspiring and overwhelming experience. But Monday finally came and we were able begin the work we had come to do - teaching and training church leaders in the Word of God. They were as eager as Frank and I to begin. Many had traveled far and through the night to reach Kigali for this week's training. Most if not all have families they left behind for the week. Most of these leaders left behind jobs that provide a living for their families. There is no doubt that the Word is a priority for these men. Their desire is to "rightly divide the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:5).
Monday began with Frank teaching Luke 12, 13 and 14. Their questions revealed they had indeed worked ahead as Frank had requested at his last visit. The group divided into three smaller groups, each taking one of the chapters and working together to identify the context and main idea. I was impressed with their work. Why shouldn't I be? There is nothing about these men that would necessarily prevent them from understanding the Word of God. They are no different than me in the capacity to understand. All they lack is instruction.
In the afternoon, my turn to teach arrived. We took half the afternoon to cover a lesson on the nature of parables in general and how to read them to find Jesus' meaning. Then we applied that knowledge to Luke 15. One of the most exciting things a teacher experiences is seeing his students eyes open to the significance of what they have learned. There was obvious and genuine excitement as they worked through the parables in chapter 15 with the new methods they had just learned. We concluded for dinner with an assignment to explore two other parables that evening on their own and be ready for discussion the next day. After dinner, the men could be found in small groups all over the house reading, discussing and studying.
Tuesday as Frank taught, we discovered that while the group had made significant progress, there was still work to do. There are questions to answer as they refine their skills, practice the new methods, and discover truths previously unconsidered. But instead of being discouraged, we are excited. These leaders are willing to invest the time to dig deep in God's Word. They want to put in the work necessary to faithfully represent the truth God has for their congregations. I'm thankful for the chance to help them achieve their goals for the Lord's glory.
Monday began with Frank teaching Luke 12, 13 and 14. Their questions revealed they had indeed worked ahead as Frank had requested at his last visit. The group divided into three smaller groups, each taking one of the chapters and working together to identify the context and main idea. I was impressed with their work. Why shouldn't I be? There is nothing about these men that would necessarily prevent them from understanding the Word of God. They are no different than me in the capacity to understand. All they lack is instruction.
In the afternoon, my turn to teach arrived. We took half the afternoon to cover a lesson on the nature of parables in general and how to read them to find Jesus' meaning. Then we applied that knowledge to Luke 15. One of the most exciting things a teacher experiences is seeing his students eyes open to the significance of what they have learned. There was obvious and genuine excitement as they worked through the parables in chapter 15 with the new methods they had just learned. We concluded for dinner with an assignment to explore two other parables that evening on their own and be ready for discussion the next day. After dinner, the men could be found in small groups all over the house reading, discussing and studying.
Tuesday as Frank taught, we discovered that while the group had made significant progress, there was still work to do. There are questions to answer as they refine their skills, practice the new methods, and discover truths previously unconsidered. But instead of being discouraged, we are excited. These leaders are willing to invest the time to dig deep in God's Word. They want to put in the work necessary to faithfully represent the truth God has for their congregations. I'm thankful for the chance to help them achieve their goals for the Lord's glory.
Scott and Stephen, the interpreter, teaching on parables
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