Recap of SBS

After 9 months of intensive 8-12 hours of Bible study a day, it is difficult to comprehend that SBS is already over. I had the privilege of reading through the Bible 5 times in the last 9 months in Cambodia through YWAM SBS (School of Biblical Studies). Before this, I had never read through the whole Bible before. I became a Christian in 2009, and between that time and SBS, I had just managed to make it through the New Testament. SBS has been one of the most life changing seasons of my life, as I learned how to study the Word of God in context and saw the complete story of the Gospel and God’s heart through the Old Testament.

It is easy to rely on pastors or other theological books or sermons to find truth. However, the Word of God is the source of truth. Jesus is the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and truth, and He speaks to us today primarily through His Word. We discern the voice of God and His leading primarily through the Bible. I have come to see that though I just read through the Bible 5 times, I have merely scratched the surface of the treasure that is to be found. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Holy Spirit speaks to everyone who is open to hearing, and studying the Word of God in text leads us to knowing the Person of Jesus.

After reading the Old Testament, I am very sad that many sermons are only New Testament focused. The OT has often been forgotten, as if it were less than the NT or no longer practical or needed. My favorite quarter of SBS was studying through the prophets of the OT. Their lives challenged me deeply. The OT has become very precious to me. I encountered more deeply God’s heart for justice and restoration. The story of rescue, redemption, and restoration is seen through the story of Israel. God’s love and mercy are seen through His righteous judgment. So much of God’s character can be seen through the study of the OT. Jesus the Messiah is seen through the OT, centuries before He is born. Promises of the hope that is to come through this man are seen scattered throughout the OT.

Favorites! (It was difficult, but I narrowed them down somewhat…) 

New Testament: 

HEBREWS. Why? Because I saw how Jesus is supreme over everything. The Jewish Christians were contemplating turning back to Judaism because they were facing severe persecution shortly after becoming Christians. The author of the book was showing them that Jesus is the better way. In Christ, we have redemption through the blood of Christ. I saw the power of Jesus’ blood, the purchase of the cross, and the importance of living by faith. There is no turning back, because the only way to life is in Christ. Christians will face persecution in some form or another, but the Christian life is the better way because no other religion has the power of the cross, which cleanses our conscience.

EPHESIANS. Why? Because I saw how through Christ, all people can enter into the inheritance of the saints, becoming one in the body of Christ, through the grace of God. Paul wrote the book to explain to the church in Ephesus that both Jews and Gentiles can enter into Christ, becoming a new creation. The saints in Ephesus were starting to lose the identity that God gave them because the beliefs of the culture in their day began to influence them and cause them to go back to their old life. I learned the importance of knowing who I am as a child of God so I can stand firm in my faith and not allow anything to pull me away. There are so many precious promises for those who are in Christ in this book.

REVELATION. Why? Because I saw how the church will experience tribulation and death, but it will be triumphant in Christ, who will judge the unrighteous and save the righteous. The seven churches that John wrote to were facing hostility, infiltration by false teachers, and were being forced into Caesar worship. The book of Revelation gives insight into the second coming of Christ. When Jesus comes back, it will be the final judgment where He will conquer over evil. Though evil, pain, and suffering will persist through the church age, the end will be swift and is sure: Jesus will come back to bring His justice. Jesus wins. He will easily defeat the enemy. Justice will be brought to the earth. The wrong will be made right. The people of God will be united with Christ and will worship Him forever in eternity. Believers will behold the glory of Christ and reign with Him. He will make all things new.

Old Testament:

ECCLESIASTES. Why? Because I saw how life without God is meaningless. Solomon wrote to his people to show them that the meaning of life is walking in the fear of God. God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Only what’s done for Christ will last. Christ is the purpose of all things. Life without God is meaningless. Anything done without God is vanity; it is worthless and futile. I saw my need and dependency in greater depths through the study of this book. I am absolutely nothing and my efforts on earth are nothing without the empowering life of Christ working through me.

EZEKIEL. Why? Because I saw that though God must judge rebellion, God’s heart is to restore His people and be their God. Ezekiel was writing to the exiles in Babylon to comfort them by telling them of the hope of restoration that God has promised. Israel’s sin and continual rebellion led them into exile, but God’s love is relentless to pursue. God did not give up on Israel, but promised restoration. Ezekiel’s life showed me a picture of radical obedience to God in the face of major opposition. Ezekiel had a very difficult calling, but He said yes to God through it all. In the face of major opposition and no fruit, he obeyed God. The study of this book was a major heart surgery for me. God was asking me, “Is there a limit to your obedience?” Am I willing to walk in obedience to Him no matter the opposition and difficulty I face?

MICAH. Why? Because I saw how real worship is following God’s will and acting justly with others. Micah wrote to Judah to condemn them of their sin and tell them of the future hope of salvation. Judah was in a place of moral and spiritual decay. They walked in injustice and idolatry. They oppressed others and exploited the poor. God’s heart is for justice. The foundation of God’s throne is righteousness and justice. God requires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. I saw that we must seek justice in our community and in the nations. We must worship God by loving Him and loving others. We must love kindness and walk in humility before God. In a world that is full of injustice, we must choose to be a light that shines in the darkness. We must live out God’s heart: to see those who are oppressed set free, to help the poor and needy, to bring peace and good news to the darkest of places.

HAGGAI. Why? Because I saw how God’s people are called to walk in obedience and finish the work they are called to, no matter the opposition. Haggai wrote to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to encourage them to walk in obedience and complete their work of rebuilding the Temple. They were faced with a ruined city and opposition in rebuilding upon their return from captivity in Babylon. They were discouraged and hopeless. The believer today, now called the temple of the Holy Spirit under the new covenant, is called to build up the temple of God in their hearts. We need to be obedient to move forward in building the inner sanctuary of our heart. There will be enemy opposition that comes with this, but God is with us, and He gives us the indwelling Spirit to comfort us and empower us to move forward in obedience. We must be obedient to the call to walk in sanctification and guard the work of the Spirit in our heart. We must be obedient to walk in the calling God has given us to be a surrendered vessel for God’s Spirit to possess.

Studying the Bible is exciting! I used to hate the Bible before I became a Christian. Before I surrendered to Jesus, I did not want to hear the Word of God preached. I thought the Bible was boring and impossible to understand. When I began to seek Jesus, I did not know how to study the Bible, though I desired to learn more. I learned primarily from listening to sermons and reading spiritual books. Though it is good to learn in this way, personal study of the Bible is the most important way to know God. He speaks to us in the study of His Word. I recommend getting a Bible Dictionary (in SBS I liked using Tyndale’s Bible Dictionary and Nelson’s Bible Dictionary), and learning about the historical background of the book, such as who wrote the book and who was it written to. What was going on in the church (NT), or what was going on in the history of Israel (OT)? (Bible Dictionaries can also be found online for free). Reading a few pages of a Bible Dictionary to get the context puts the book into perspective and protects us from pulling verses out of context, which is easy to do without knowledge of the book’s setting. Then, as you read through a book, you can ask yourself what the author wants the original reader of the book to understand. Though each book was written by an author to a specific audience in that day, there are timeless truths which can be gained and applied to our life today. Our purpose of Bible study should be to apply the truth that is revealed to us by Holy Spirit to our everyday life, becoming more like Jesus each day. We typically have time to spend hours of our week on facebook, social media, or watching TV shows. Are we willing to spend time seeking after what is of eternal importance and value? We are promised refreshment in the presence of God. Knowing Him and abiding in His presence is what will sustain our soul.