A Summer of Bible & Theology

This summer I took a break from my regular responsibilities to serve in the Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS), which provides biblical and theological training for Cru staff members. 

The Bible informs all we do in Cru, whether we are proclaiming the gospel, helping ground men and women in the scriptures, or serving in crucial support roles. That’s why it’s vital that our staff members continue to grow in their ability to understand and apply God’s Word to their own lives and the lives of those to whom they minister. 

I helped with three online IBS courses. For two of the classes, Humanity / Christ / Salvation and Christian Worldview and Ethics, I helped grade term papers. Even though I’ve had seminary training, I still learned a lot by reading them!

My favorite course was the one I’ve helped with before, Bible Study Methods. I was one of 17 coaches who each led a small group of seven or eight over Zoom. Using a workshop-style approach, we worked together through a process for studying the Bible, applying it to the book of Ephesians. We covered the entire process of Bible study from start to finish with a special focus on three passages in the book: 2:11-22, 4:1-6 and 5:15-21. For their final project, the students wrote discussion questions to help a small group dig into 2:11-22 and respond to what God is saying in the text.

This is the fifth time I’ve coached a group for this course, and once again I felt honored to build into the lives of missionaries who dearly love the Lord and His people. My group included two senior staff members who serve in support roles at our headquarters in Orlando and six new staff members: four who will disciple college athletes in the US and Europe, one who will use music as a platform for God’s message, and one who will help create conferences to train and mobilize students to share their faith.