Several minutes into the lesson and I sensed a lecturer with a difference. First, he explained patiently his invite to us to NT Encounter, an online learning and sharing platform he had specially created for his students whereby we are to submit our discussions and assignments. This also enables him to understand who the active participants are for fair grading. I also agree with him wholeheartedly on his view about using the internet to attract others to the Kingdom. To further emphasise this aspect, we were to 'blog' the learning experiences that we have picked up in this module.
Here's thus my reflection:
1. Importance of friendship
Bro Casey impressed upon us the importance of friendship that 'learning begins when you have friends' that it is a shame when we call ourselves classmates but not know each other. What truly impressed me was his stand on not simply gaining head knowledge and passing the paper but in developing the heart area as well. The only lecturer I have come across so far who promotes 'eating together because we study together', this was no idle remark as the class had lunch together on the full-day classes culminating in the final lunch celebration on the last day of class which he kept reminding us about. His concept about study and learning - it is not all about passing the paper but it is about knowing and relating to each other as a group, as Christian brothers and sisters should. It could be that probably I am very much a people-person hence this is big deal to me.
Bro Casey came across as a friend, not merely as a lecturer. His spontaneity and openness in sharing a personal and painful experience to explain to importance of keeping our temper in check the right way touched me. We truly need to practise what we preach. No wonder Christians are considered a highly hypocritical lot. We preach the gospel but do not give the love that is required of us.
2. Group Dynamics
He made us sit in specific groupings according to our programs and it was in this setting that the ideal teamwork was to be cultivated and experienced. All team members were expected to contribute to all the projects with evidence on Wiki. This is my first group experience when no one 'slacks' for any reason, plausible or not.
Ideas came from everyone but each one of us had specific roles in every assignment. Four out of five of us in my group are working full-time but nobody shirked from his/ her responsibility when it came to putting the final touches to the assignment. Suffice to say we were not unanimous on all accounts but we would argue and convince each other and eventually reach an agreement. This arrangement has certainly provided me the opportunity to know my team members much better, their styles, their mannerisms, etc.
3. Interpreting the Text
In my church, we are often being reminded the danger of reading the Bible out of context. Now I am actually learning what to look out for and the usual pitfalls to avoid; the systematic ways and questions with which we are to apply and ask to discover the theological principles; the importance of the historical and cultural backgrounds upon which the stories were being built; all to uncover the meaning and application of the stories to this present world and to my life. Indeed, my eyes have been opened and my mind being stretched to a completely new world of interpreting the Bible and understanding it, suffice to say I have lots more to learn.
This course has also inspired me to want to study Greek and Hebrew, the former which I had initially decided not to pursue. The beauty of the literary context contained in the Bible stems from these two languages and I believe a proficiency in them will help me greatly to unlock the meaning in God's message.
I am being amazed at each lesson seeing God's wondrous literary creativity in imparting His Word to us. Learning to appreciate the different literary genres in that they illustrate the message more beautifully and effectively certainly presents the Bible as a piece of great literary art. Whoever says the Bible is boring definitely does not know what he is missing.
Another important lesson I am taking away with me is about not to be distracted or swayed by the subtitles in the Bible. I learnt now that they are being placed there for easy reading and I need to be alert and again, to read the passage in its entirety. A good example is the Parable of The Good Samaritan. A mind-blowing revelation it was to me when Bro Casey explained the implication of the parable is not the widely and popularly accepted 'Love your neighbour' theme, instead the proposition of the parable is that just as the robbed man was dependant on the grace of whoever passed him by to save him, we are also dependant on the grace of God to be saved. 4. Casting my net wide
I am being challenged to broaden my mind and to cast the net wide and wider, not sticking to the stereotypes that I have come to know as in the abovementioned example. What we did wrong out of ignorance in the past, God will forgive but now that we know better, STOP! A good example would be the common interpretation of Romans 8:28: 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him...' in that we interpret the message as ALL things are good. Bro Casey explained otherwise that not all things are good but that in the midst of some bad things, God turns them around and brings a good out of them, for example, a true story of a young Christian man who died tragically in a traffic accident (that is not a good thing). However, an uncle of his came to the Lord some months later (which is a good thing that arose from the tragic that befell this family) after his death probably because his late nephew's pre-believer parents held a Christian funeral and the gospel was being preached at the wake.
5. Conjunctions and conjunctions
Never did I once imagine that conjunctions would become a big part in my life. My knowledge of conjunctions has now been expanded and although diagramming seemed tedious and complicated initially, it proved to be both challenging and interesting towards the end. The internal discussions and exercises within my group certainly helped boost my understanding and confidence in tackling this step.All in all, it has been a very enjoyable, enriching and fulfilling experience. Not only have I learnt the different approaches and methods to unlock the meaning of the Scriptures, Bro Casey's words bring to mind that biblical interpretation is not simply about interpreting the Bible what it says; rather, it is about being able and willing to obey God and applying what He teaches us to our lives. Bro Casey's approach in his teaching style and methods are totally in sync with the subject he lectures on - head knowledge has to go hand-in-hand with heart knowledge - to quote him "an 'A' in studies also needs to be applied as an 'A' in our lives."
It probably could have been a 'heavy' and profound subject but Bro Casey has imparted his knowledge in ways that can only be described as precise, interesting and enlightening. Clearly, I have benefited much from his lectures and although I realise it will not be easy to put into practise all that I have picked up these past two weeks, I will still give it my best shot because I want to know Him more and more and also that when I need to explain the Scriptures, I do not provide a distorted version of it. I will also remember with relish the lovely home-baked cookies and tiramisu. Thank you, Bro Casey. I thank God for an excellent lecturer not only for his knowledge but also for practising what he preaches; for his warmth and love towards this students. God bless you, Bro Casey.
That's a very positive experience & reflection!
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