Hi Group,
It’s been a very busy summer, but things are beginning to settle down some and it’s time to start thinking about our study in the fall. I guess most important would be the content which we discussed briefly before the end of the last class session. We’re going to try and take a different approach to this year’s study, departing from our normal practice of working our way through a book of the Bible to making an in-depth, biographical study of the life of David. Among the important personalities of the Old Testament, David stands as unique among all others. No other was ever categorized as “a man after God’s own heart.” No other was ever told, “I will establish your kingdom forever.” And perhaps the greatest accolade of all, the Lord himself accepted the title, “Son of David.”
What I’ve always found immensely gratifying in the Bible is that it’s so honest about its characters. It doesn’t sugar coat anybody. Rather, it shows them in all their glory, obeying their God, struggling with their sinfulness, still covered in all their warts. Just like us.
God molds them, shapes them, instructs them, forgives them, uses them. Just like us. We will probably discover that David was a lot more like us than we ever realized. I anticipate that we will learn much from his life and the way the Lord dealt with him, gently at times, ruthlessly at others.
Next is the matter of venue. The Lord has moved us. This year our class will be held at “The Loft” of the Woodlands United Methodist Church. Rocky has directions and a map already on the website ( www.tnbs.us ) . If you’re not familiar with the location, it is easy to find and easily accessible from IH45. You can create your own map on MapQuest with this address :
Loft Church
9201 Grogan's Mill Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
The class will begin at 7:00pm, September 21 (I will be in Mexico the week prior to that) and run through November 30. Taking the month of December off (Rosemary and I will be in Moldova) we will resume in 2011 on January 4. We will take a spring break March 15 and conclude the class May 17, 2011. Plan on a bar-b-que fellowship November 30 and May 17.
I think that’s it (until Jaimie reminds me of what I forgot). I love and miss you all and I’m ready to renew our weekly fellowship.
Please pray for our class. I humbly ask for your prayers for my preparation.
If you have any questions, just ask.
In Him,
russ
