On the last day before Spring Break, my seniors in Biblical Principles class really inspired me. On the rainy and cold day in Nashville, we did something so simple.
I gave them selected verses from the Old Testament, mostly a short passage from each book, a few with more. It ended up being 7 pages of “the best of the Old Testament” and I had them read for 7 minutes with a little music in the background. After some reading, I had them write a short journal response.
I am sitting in a Starbucks at Green Hills and just finished reading the papers. The following are examples of almost every paper:
“ (that passage) is one of my favorites in the Bible. It is a huge comfort for me. In the midst of all this stupid stuff that we get stressed out about during the day, it’s easy to forget that God has provided everything we need…. I am fortunate that I know a Father who is big enough to handle my worries.”
“I really enjoyed reading these verses. I definitely think that it is important to keep the Lords’ word ‘hidden in my heart’….Thank you for these verses, I really needed something like this in my life right now.”
“I can’t honestly remember the last time I read this verse. To me it is cool to think about the awesomeness of God’s glory…. Our worship will one day fill all that is his”
“I love this verse b/c it has stuck with me my whole life.”
“I think about this verse a lot when I think about my future and my husband. I have made a promise and will hold my heart to him”
“This is a humbling verse, Job had everything taken from him. … This reaction is mind blowing to me. We need to learn from Job and to continue thanking and praising God for what we do have, rather than focusing on what we don’t have”
“This passage hit home with me”
“The part that said ______ hit home with me.”
“I liked this verse because it is like Romans 8:28”
“Everything of this earth will disappear: the cars, buildings, shopping stores- everything materialistic will fade…. But it is God’s Word that’s forever true, forever real, and forever living”
“I chose this verse because I remember memorizing it in elementary school.”
“After reading for 7 minutes I chose this verse…. I think this verse is really cool. It’s comforting to know that God is in control.”
“The passage that stuck out the most to me was…. This says that God is faithful and never leaves even in the darkest hour….That is an extraordinary thing when you realize that your path is already known by the One who protects you always”
I could go on and on- there were 54 passages and only Proverbs 3:5,6 and Isaiah 40:8 was chosen by multiple folks.
The Scriptures are true when they say in Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Thank you to all my seniors, you encouraged me so much today!
If you would like this copy of the “Best of the OT” or “Best of the Gospels” or “Best of the New Testament”- I would be happy to send it in a word document for free. It is the pure milk of the word!
Just e-mail me….
jay.mathews@cpalions.org
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