TC Talk “Did one day of creation really have 24 hours?”
“Is it biblical to have women in an eldership position of a church?”
“What does Jesus say about the kingdom?”
“Can Christians lose their salvation?”
“How did Paul plant churches?”
When I started School of the Word, I had an opinion on most of these as well as other questions. I had read something, I had heard someone teach one it...I got it from somewhere. What other people think might be good, but maybe not a good enough as a foundation for my life. Of course, I do need a teachable heart and a good preacher in my church but I can't get away with just adopting other peoples opinion and hope that the storms of life will not hit my little house. Fact is: storms will come; fact is: they will hit hard and fact is: if my life will not be built on the word of God - the rock that will never change - I will find out quickly that my house was built on the wrong foundation. Nice location maybe, great view, but unfortunately a beach full of fine sand.
School of the Word has not answered all my questions but it has given me more ground to stand on - solid, strong and unshakable. And I will ask and study and pray that God will build my life on the rock more and more. Building is hard work sometimes but it is worth it. Just imagine one very stormy day of my life I will look out of the window of my house and know this: it can't be shaken, it is safe. Built on the One who is the Word Himself. And just imagine one very stormy day of my life my house will be able to be a shelter for those whose houses have just collapsed above their heads - homeless souls, wandering along a beach full of sand, desperate for a safe place. Yes, building might be hard work, but it is worth it, for more than just me.
Daniela Helfrich School of the Word (2007-2008)
The amazing thing that has struck me about coming to do a course like School of the Word is that, as you align yourself with God and press into knowing Him more and more, He will use not only the course, but all the things in your life to reinforce what He is teaching you. I have been fascinated to see how many times the messages of the books have been reflected in my everyday circumstances. He does not just want to fill our heads with more knowledge but fill our hearts with Him, a true understanding of who He is so we can become who we are meant to be. But this message is not just for us. More and more I can see He is showing us glimpses, starting right from Genesis, of the big picture: what God intended, what has gone wrong and how He is bringing restoration. When we understand this and let His Kingdom reign in our lives, then His life can truly come to those around us.
Nicky Kendall - School of the Word (2007-2008)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
God is POWERFUL, and naturally it would stand to reason that the Word is POWERFUL. This year I have experienced the power of the Word first-hand. My desire in conducting the year was not to become Bible-savvy and rack in points if ever I found myself at a Bible quiz, but to genuinely seek God and learn more about Him and His ways through His Word. I can safely, and joyfully, say that this has been accomplished. I have been presented with a God who has challenged all my previous mind-sets and paradigms that were safely (and comfortably) in place.
The added bonus is that I have found my mind has become renewed through the power of the Word (Romans 12:2). My thinking patterns have changed and I have found my perspective to be more and more in alignment with His ways. My Spirit has also become far more discerning between the ways of the world and the ways of the Spirit (Romans 8). Above all, I have found that my God is an awesome God, He cannot be put in a box, limited, or even defined – at least not by human standards. He is set apart.
The really exciting part is that a renewed mind leads to transformation, and upon concluding the course I feel I am much better equipped to go out and continue upon a path that will lead to the progressive transformation of my character so that I become more like Him, and more effective for Him.
Christie Koekemoer - School of the Word (2008-2009)
Beginning YOT in September was the realisation of a dream for me; I had wanted to do the course since I was young. However, no amount of anticipation could have prepared me for the amazing things God has done. Before the year, I was very much enslaved by fear, particularly fear of man. I was at the point where even having a conversation with somebody would make me panicky and nauseous. However, throughout the past couple of months, Jesus has been radically transforming me. I have always been afraid of my peers, yet, due to living in community with the other students, it is impossible to avoid talking to people. Through this environment, God has given me so much more confidence, making me able to better follow His will in my life. I am now able to interact with people, being able to build friendships that glorify Him, and I can only look forward to the rest of the year with excitement.
Hannah Liversedge - Year of Training (2008-2009)
