octolilly [through the years]

I finally made it to Bible Study again. I’ve missed 4 times this semester and I always feel like I miss out on so much. The topic tonight was on “Being a Word-filled Teacher.” As Christians, we are in one of three stages: 1.) Hearing & Doing, 2.) Doing & Teaching, or 3.) Teaching & Overseeing. A baby Christian will be in the hearing and doing stage for quite sometime…learning more about the faith. Doing and teaching will come next after a considerable amount of time has been spent in the former. Teaching and overseeing is more of a pastoral level…and obviously one would have to have learned the first two stages. We discussed these stages for quite sometime and I was quite discouraged to realize that after being saved for 17 years…I’m just in the Hearing & Doing stage. 17 years. I’m not sure that I could truly disciple another person spiritually because I’m still struggling with so much myself.

Side note: During our bible study, there is a Manners class for children that is taught by my former Pastor’s wife. Their class ended early and they snuck in the back of the room where we were to wait for us to finish. Taylor ran through the room and jumped in my mom’s lap and in his “quiet voice” (which can be heard three miles away I’m sure) said, “Hey! What are ya’ll doing?” It was so cute. I tried to pay attention but I kept glancing over at him and he’d give me the cutest little smile.