Nicaragua Fall 2011 Day Three
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates” (Dt. 6:4-9).
Today’s classes were focussed around this passage from Deuteronomy. From it, we studied three different applications. 1) Parents must build relationships with their children. 2) Families would do well to establish traditions which reflect God’s will in their homes. 3) Parents must teach their children God’s Word.
Today seemed to be very beneficial. The students minds were in tune with what was being taught. Over the past two day I have split them into geographical groups. I wanted them to be able to brainstorm with those whose communities were most alike. I have been thrilled with the outcome. During the lecture times I have provided them with many examples to “jump-start” their thinking. However, in their groups they have developed suggestions that I have never thought of. For that matter, I have never heard others think of some of their ideas. I know I sound like a broken record, but it amazes me each passing hour in class when I see the devotion of these men. They understand the importance of passing God’s Word from generation to generation. Even better, they are already developing plans for the congregations they work with. I attended a youth devotional at the Jinotepe Central Church of Christ tonight. A group of the students from B.I.C.A. put to use some of the things we have talked about this week. The outcome was awesome to witness. There are not many times as a minister when you get to see the things you have taught put to practice firsthand, but tonight I was blessed with the opportunity to see just that!
Tomorrow is my last day of teaching as there are a few other matters I have to tend to before leaving. I have to admit I can already tell it is going to be hard to say goodbye. While the 8hrs. of teaching is rather exhausting, it is extremely encouraging. This is such an amazing thing to be a part of, and an amazing culture to be surrounded by. Each time I come to Nicaragua I fall in love with the people and the culture more and more. I am truly blessed to call these people brothers and sisters!
