I had the privilege this week of participating in a graduation ceremony for our Panorama of the Bible course. I shared the story of how I was deeply impacted by Max Anders’ book 30 Days to Understanding the Bible many years ago, then took a seminary class on the subject, and was subsequently presented with the opportunity to work alongside friends Jim Battle and John Slye in developing a Sunday School Curriculum on the topic. Jim went on to write his doctorate on the subject and worked alongside EA’s Raydel Riquelme to develop the curriculum as part of our Church Network Development Program.

I was deeply moved, as I heard one of students describe how the course’s impact was reminiscent of Jesus’ interaction with two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, where “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures,” with their response being “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?”

As we together serve Christ’s Church, the sufficiency, necessity, and authority of Scripture are foundational beliefs, echoed in the conviction of the reformer Martin Luther, who said, “I could not live in paradise without the Word of God, but I could live well enough in hell with it.”

Please continue to pray for these students, all of whom indicated a commitment to continue their involvement in EA discipleship, as well as for this vital season of year-end giving towards such impact.