Basic Discipleship class - week 2

(posted by Norm Fadelle)

Here are some illustrative photos taken at session #2 of the class on Basic Discipleship; a Chinese fellow -- Caleb Joshua in the front row -- was a walk-in at 7:15 that night, and is scheduled to do the makeup of session #1 with me today; Jerry (man in striped shirt) is the husband who came with wife-student Evelyn to the recognition dinner in Nov, and they both signed up for the Jan classes; she took 2 extra flyers last week to give to her friends (telling me they really needed to come and it was never too late to join in); Edna - the Baptist SS teacher -- takes great notes and shared her thoughts with the class; they were so excellent that I asked her if she would type them up and let copies be given to her classmates -- and she agreed to do so. The participation is so encouraging.  I told them all that I loved to discuss this Bible teaching with them.  The week before, Liz said that the class was just what she needed to address a challenge she was having in the work place.  Lamonte (he is a former Pentecostal; he told me he was a member for years, but learned nothing from the Bible -- it was all feeling and singing etc.; he got disgusted with the dreadful behavior of the pastor) had dropped by the BEC one afternoon and we had a chat for over an hour.  Nancy (woman with pile of  books in front of her, in the front row) hangs out at the BEC a couple of days each week - she has completed the GMP course).  Liane had called in sick, saying she would not be attending that night.  She was keen to have a makeup session, which is planned for this afternoon.  Observation: coming to the BEC has become part of the normal weekly activity for these students. Isn't this great!  Thank you, God. 

 

Other exciting events: (1) this past Sunday, a young man (Max - 2nd year student at community college) came in at 12:30 p.m. to the open shop (while we are having luncheon after meeting in the back); I was on door duty; he was looking for a Bible to read, feeling that he needed to get into the Book; after 20 minutes [due to his eagerness, not my salesmanship] , he had signed up for 2 classes, and bought an ESV for himself, and understood that he could drop in any time for any of the current evening classes.  (2) about noon, an older man had stuck his head in the door of the meeting area, informing us that he had just put his hat and coat on one of the chairs in the BEC; he was doing his fitness walk.  I told him that the risk was entirely his (since we have no one posted in the shop during that time, and we would be closing up in about an hour); he had no problem with that condition.  So just as I was finishing up with Max, the older man waltzed in, got his coat, and left.  Observation: just being there, with an open door to the public, is an opportunity to attract seekers of God's word or to simply provide what is seen to be a haven/service by a passerby. 

(3) the last photo is about the weekly Tuesday night Bible class; it is designed for anyone to "drop in" without any commitment to continue; it is currently led by Ray Pratt (top middle of photo - wife Dana is on his right) and the topic is 1Corinthians;  student James and his wife Teresa (right side of photo) have been constant attenders (offering to pick them up for the class and then drive them home, has been a big help) and have come to a point of asking Paul Zilmer (front left in photo) for some private classes, with intention on becoming members.  So this past Sunday, they came to meeting & SS & luncheon & had their first private session that afternoon with Paul and his wife Jane.  To me, this is exciting stuff.