Last Bible Study Meeting

I'm really getting excited now.   We finished up with our last full group meeting at The Plex with both the basketball camp group, the canopy build team, and the well drilling team.

We've been meeting twice a month for the past three months and every Monday for the past 4 weeks.  We've been doing a study called "Before You Pack Your Bag, Prepare Your Heart: A Short Term Mission Preparation Guide".  It has 12 Bible studies that we've gone through individually and in our small group teams.

Lesson 1 talked about having a willing attitude.  A "whatever it takes" mantra.  We're definitely in for that.  With a huge language barrier, in a country far from home, teaching a sport they may know nothing about, is definitely going to take a "whatever it takes" attitude!

We read Matthew 25:31-46, where we learn that by serving others we serve God and utlimately we'll be judged by what we do for those that need help and compassion.  We also read Matthew 28:18-20.  Jesus gives his disciples his last instruction, telling them to tell all people about Him, the father, son, and Holy Spirit.  Tell them everything that He had taught them.

Lesson 2 dealt with the benefits of a mission trip.  The benefits for those for whom the mission is for, our group, and us, individually.  God will use this trip in all facets.  We'll bring encouragement, energy, resources, to the Bolivians, many of which will already be Christians.  As a group we'll learn a different culture, perspectives, values in a larger worldview.  Individually we'll use our gifts, be challenged spiritually, appreciate the blessings we have, and see God work through us.

If there's one thing I've heard over and over from other dads, since we've committed to this trip, is the opportunity for Tucker and I to grow our relationship.  I've had Grandpa's, dad's of college aged kids, high schoolers, young kids like Tucker, all appreciate this opportunity I'm getting.  This is the one thing I'm most excited to see God grow.

In Lesson 3 we took a look at the "how", more than the "what".  "How" are we going to accomplish our work.  It's more than just putting on a basketball camp, it's "How" we go about it.  Our attitudes that will exemplify Christ.

In Phillipians 2:3-4, is the passage


"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."


I spoke with Jon Ziegler about his trip to Africa.  His group had a plan, a schedule that they believed would produce the highest reward.  It was based on production and getting as much completed in the amount of time they had.  But what they found out was God was going to teach them something about patience and compassion.  To work alongside the locals, not as leaders, but as co-laborers.  Their schedule and way of doing things meant nothing to the villagers.  But their willingness to help, and subtleness to teach went the furthest.


We'll need to remember that as we're trying to teach basketball.  It's not going to be "what" we teach, it needs to be "how" we teach it.  With humility.


I'll do the other 9 lessons that we went over in the next few days.  It'll be good for me, since I may not have done them all the first time.........

I've got to get to packing!