Ben's Bread

So, fasting, huh? This discipline assignment was a set up from God. I did the 30 Hour Famine last December at my church in Colorado, and the recent national date for it was the weekend we had our SOBA spiritual disciplines assignment (we each took a chapter from "Celebration of Disciplines" and had to practice it). I wanted to do the 30 Hour Famine fast again, but really didn't have the motivation. When I went to class that Friday and was handed my discipline book, fasting was the chapter I opened. I immediately thought. “Oh man, I'm gonna end up getting that. Bummer.” I did get it, but not as a bummer. I enjoyed the fast and the realization of how much more focus I can be putting on God. I really enjoy learning these things about God! It is so awesome how he can bless us with gifts, and even work His glory through giving up something.

I have found that almost every area of normal life can serve as a distraction to hearing God's voice, and that goes for food too. Focus is very hard to obtain in this modern lifestyle with cell phones, internet, fast food, billboards everywhere, music on the radio everywhere you go, and the constant allure of entertainment. But in order to hear God, many times we need to remove distractions so that we can focus on Him. And that is what fasting does. For me, not thinking about food frees a large part of my day to focus on God, and every time I feel hungry, or see food, I am reminded that I am sacrificing for God, which pulls me into worship and focus on His voice. Pretty cool how going without a comfort can actually tune in your spiritual senses. While fasting from food really helps me focus, other areas of life also distract me constantly. Basically, anything that I do often, and decide to give up in order to hear God, will focus my attention. That thing I give up really just makes more time and serves as a reminder that God wants to speak to me.

In the Bible, major things have happened when people fasted. The Jews in Media/Persia fasted while Esther went into the king. And God worked wonders, saving his people from the plot to kill them. These things can still happen. Once when France was threatening to invade Britain, the king set up a country-wide fast. The whole country came together to worship God and pray, and France didn't invade. So fasting also opens the door to God answering prayers when you are praying earnestly for God to do something.

Sally on Local Outreach

WOW! The SOBA class had their first topical week, and my goodness did we have a great time! Having just finished studying Colossians, we were all pretty keen to find out the religious views of the people around Boise. Was the religious culture today still one of confusion and vast differentiation? Was the culture of Collosae and the culture of Boise alike in any way? We sought to find out how the people of Boise felt about their spirituality, religion and the church. Our aim was to make a documentary of what we found through interviewing people on camera, and to connect with the people in our local community.

For me personally the experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to really put myself in a position of uncertainty; I really did not know what I was going to hear or feel. Prier to heading downtown I took some time to pray. I wandered up the beautiful Camel’s Back hills and looked over the city and asked God to show me what He was going to do that afternoon. I felt God say that the SOBA students were not only going to plant seeds in people’s lives, but also grow seeds that had already been planted. Keeping that in mind I headed downtown with the other students and upon arrival I went to find some coffee. I found myself directed towards Starbucks and was greeted by a couple of very chatty girls behind the counter. Whilst deciding on my order I felt that I should start my project with the girls behind the counter. I took the opportunity to get to know them a little before asking them both the questions that we had outlined for our interviews. Asking the question “What do you think about God?” to the girl behind the counter in Starbucks, by myself, in Boise Idaho was a pretty big leap of faith! There was a moment or two of shock and horror on their face, but then they both just said, “Wow, what a good question”. Taking the step of faith to follow His direction really gave me an opportunity to witness to a couple of strangers in Starbucks about Jesus. After finding out that they both had grown up in church, they asked what I was doing in Idaho and what I believed. As we talked it also became apparent that one of the girls had been hoping to visit the Vineyard; someone had told her about it and she just hadn’t gotten around to visiting. And suddenly it all clicked – growing seeds that have already been planted – and I invited her to church that Sunday. As I was about to leave, she just smiled and said “I just love it when things like this happen!” And I agree. God is willing to lead us in every day of our lives, in situations that are scary and safe. God is just longing for people to step forward and let Him move through them. I am the first to admit that I do not always listen, or allow myself to be open to Him moving at any time in my day. But, when we do……this world gets changed just a little more. Taking a minute in Starbucks to chat or buying someone their coffee to simply bless them can plant a seed of Jesus in their lives, or grow one that has already been planted, and it can potentially change their lives. I can only encourage you to be open and have fun with God!
(Written by Sally)

Brittany Forgives

My name is Brittany Clark, I am 19 years old. I came over to Idaho from a town in mid/southern Maine. I came here to try and find myself, not in myself but rather what God has for me in life. Not really planning on dealing with my past, it was a surprise when, through various events in SOBA including our study of Philemon, I emailed my father saying that I forgave him and asking for him to forgive me for not forgiving him sooner. When I was young (the first 10 years of my life I think) he was less than a nice guy. Leaving me with quite a few negative ideals of myself, and of how love should be. I had known I should confront him about it one day, but always found reasons not to. But in reading Philemon we were shown through the word how important forgiveness was and is. I prayed a lot about it and God thankfully gave me the courage to email my father bringing up his treatment of me as a child. After more prayer before sending it one of my friends and I prayed more and in a dramatic event pressed the SEND button. The next morning I saw I had gotten a response but I couldn't bring myself to read it. Later that night another of my friends (from back home) talked me into reading it. My dad took it extremely well and I think it really opened up our relationship, though now that I am almost 3000 miles away I'm not sure how much that can blossom. Through finally confronting my father about it I hoped to be able to put it in my past and not have it as a crutch for why I fear so much. So now I hope to be able to get through my fears and be able to grow in who I am and in what God wants me to do with my life.

Devin's Application of Grace

This past week we have been studying Titus and oh wow! I thoroughly enjoyed studying it and really getting the fact that it's only by God's grace that we are saved. In the book of Titus, God is calling Titus to instruct the Cretans on how to live a Godly lifestyle... not because it will earn them brownie points and not because they will be loved more by God, but because it is a response to His grace.

We had to do a creative application from all that we learned from Titus, so my classmate Sally and I decided to go to Moxie Java and buy the first three people who walked through the doors their lunch or drink of choice. We prayed that God would show up and give us divine appointments... and sure enough, God and his humbling sense of humor kicked in.

1. The first woman was a successful older business woman, who shot us down and immediately said 'no'. We pressed on, and though at first we didn't get a 'yes', we did get a 'why?' We explained to her what we had been learning and how we were living out what God was teaching us and putting on our hearts. The woman was astounded. We got to talking and she opened up about her life and all her accomplishments, (and man did she have some!).
2. The next couple came in (elderly folks) and we got the same 'NO' response, but the first woman got involved and said... 'Ask them why!' So they did and we explained to them the same thing we told the first woman.... so the couple let us buy them their coffee. We then found ourselves in a huge discussion with all of them... both parties seemingly touched by the fact that someone had blessed them and noticed them that day.
3. The third person walks in... a quiet and somber young woman, timid and shy, trying to move around us without being seen. But we saw her. Poor girl... if only she knew what she was getting into. :) We got the same 'No' followed by a 'why' response, but eventually she gave in once we explained to her that we just wanted to bless her. Sally started talking to her while I was still talking to the other three people, and she found out that the young woman had studied in England (and Sally is from England), so they connected and talked for a few moments until the girl eventually backed away and sat down to eat her lunch in quiet. But she was noticed, and there was no denying that that was the very thing God had wanted for her.
   

In the end the first woman gave us her business card and told us to stay in touch, the elderly couple thanked us and went on their way, and the young woman just sat in silence and ate her lunch. But then we saw the real work God was doing. The Moxie Java girls had stood there the whole time in shock and in excitement about what we were doing. Two of the girls, a BSU student & a Jehovah's Witness, saw our actions and the love we had for God and His work. They asked questions and wanted to know more... which was very exciting. So a simple application has turned into the beginnings of a relationship with these girls that we hope to continue to grow this year, so that they might feel God's love and the worth they have in him. Thank you God for all you have done and continue to do! Isn't He awesome?!

Thoughts from Sam...

Since I have started SOBA, God has been giving me many new experiences and a much more broadened perspective on things. I have adapted and discovered how to encounter God in ways I’m not used to…mostly through His Word. Many lies I have been living in have finally been brought to light. My identity in Jesus has been growing more confident and I have begun to see who I am in Him. I have been able to let go of things in the past that have been slowing me down my whole life. I have been able to forgive myself, others, and ask forgiveness from them of anything in the past that has been a roadblock. My character has, and is continuing, to improve. I have been surrounded by a group of staff who has goals for me and is willing to do all they can so I can reach these goals. They are always seeking to give me feedback to help make me a better person and carry the character of Jesus. I can’t wait to see how much God is going to continue to mold and shape me in His image over these next 7-8 months.

God has revealed to me a whole new and refreshing way to approach and encounter His word. So far I have learned how to get out of the Word all that He has intended. I have been able to go deeper and apply into my life what I read and learn. I have learned to observe things I would have never before noticed. I have learned how to interpret these observations and find their meaning and purpose. Now, unlike before, when I study the Bible the Holy Spirit reveals things to me and creates an adventurous atmosphere. He is my leader and guide throughout all the hidden treasures in this beautiful Book. He is steadily using this Bible study method to change my life for His glory so I can be prepared and equipped to be a useful tool in advancing His Kingdom.

~ Sam (student)

And we're off!

Have you ever been a part of something that just seemed to gel? Where God just seems to do it and show up? That's what this school has felt like for us. The last few years have been a long journey of hard effort, time, energy, lots of prayer, tears, and opposition, but from day one of this school, it's been clear to all of us that GOD IS IN THIS THING. God was always in SBS (our previous bible school which ran the last 2 years), but for whatever reason, he is making it very clear by his presence, that this school is just right for this group and for this season. Every class, every event, every exercise and teaching, has gone so smoothly and produced so much fruit already, that we just praise God for doing it and using us in the process. It's as if God has just taken all of our human efforts and simply breathed on them with his abundant life that is not going to come back to us void.

Michael & I (Terra) faced much personal opposition when we were praying & deciding to create this school as a combination of a discipleship school & sbs (School of Biblical Studies). Within the few days we had to decide, we lost hope of a salary, our furnace went out, we needed emergency auto-maintenance that required a few thousand dollars, and my computer broke. Some people might have seen those things as red flags signaling to not move forward, but in our hearts we knew it was just confirmation that we were to push ahead full-throttle. We weren't sure how it would all work out, but God spoke personally to us & confirmed it... so we decided to give it a go.

We now see why we were facing that opposition. The enemy didn't want this to happen! Just in three weeks, we have seen our students:

WEEK ONE:

• Grow strong community and trust with each other
• Learn how to be open, real, & vulnerable
• Face their own individual "poser" and take steps toward seeing him shrink in their lives (we explored this concept during our amazing retreat with Randy & Terri; basic concept found in the book "Posers, Fakers, & Wannabees"
• Examine why they do or don't trust people & take steps toward growing in that
• Face their strongest fears in life head-on and burn them in the fire
• Support each other with accountability & agreements
  

WEEK TWO:

• Learn the basics of the inductive Bible-study method
• Discover the rich depth in Philemon's 25 verses
• Experience true forgiveness from the ones closest to them in their lives (Actually sending letters to those they wanted to forgive)

WEEK THREE:

• Learn more details about the inductive method through the book of Titus
• Experience how to give and receive feedback with each other --just as Titus was able to give hard feedback to those who he was discipling
• Experience and meditate on the value & function of Christ's grace
• Practice showing grace to others through a lifestyle of good works

So in three little weeks, we have revealed our brokenness, seen Christ bring healing, leaned on each other in love, and gained more tools for our own self-discovery and for relationship with others. We have likewise gained more biblical tools for understanding our Father in heaven so that He can continue to teach us his transforming truth-- that we might be made whole IN Him and FOR Him. Because He has given us all the grace we could ever imagine, we can extend that to others and bring His upside-down kingdom into our broken world. I'm excited for what is to come next week as we study humility and unity in the book of Philippians!
~ Terra Montford