First Week of SBS

Sunbeams we saw on day 1 of travel.

It is with joy and excitement that I get to write about the first week of SBS! Ali and I arrived at Lakeside MT on Saturday the 20th, at first we were a little unsure and overwhelmed but once we got to our room and began moving in and unpacking our belongings we became very excited for all that the next nine-months will offer and teach us. On Sunday we took it incredibly easy, relaxing and taking a much needed Sabbath, a few times Ali and I said to each other "oh we should do ______ before it's too late." To which the other would respond, "It's Sabbath, we're not working." It was a nice day. But once Sunday was over, we hit the ground walking on Monday. We had some orientation things to do on the base and a general introduction to both this YWAM Base and the SBS as a school. We met our staff and began meeting more of our fellow students during our Ice Cream social that we had in the evening. Tuesday was much the same and finally on Wednesday we began doing much more of what I would call "Studious Activities".

On Wednesday we started learning about the Method we would use for the rest of SBS, the three step process known as The Inductive Method, a process of Observation, Interpretation, and Application that SBS students are taught and use to study the Word of God. We practiced how to use the method on some low pressure situations, studying videos, pictures, and even song lyrics. In every case we were encouraged to take a slower approach observation, seeking to observe as many details as possible before we began to interpret what the author or artist meant. This was both difficult and freeing as it gave both the opportunity to take as much time as needed, but also meant we had to very intentionally slow down. In an age of lightning fast information and short form content, slowing down is a very rare luxury and even rare of a luxury is being able to slow down to study the Word. By the end of Wednesday, we had two classes and had slowly read through Philemon three times taking ample time to look at all the details, taking note of repeated words and ideas, contrasts, comparisons and descriptive words. As for that day, we were still, simply in Observation land.

Over the course of Thursday and Friday, we dove into Interpretation and Application, asking questions of the text, using Historical, Literary, and Biblical context to answer our questions. Then drawing Timeless Truth from our interpretations to make Applications to our own lives.

Once such truth I saw while studying Philemon was drawn from verse 20. Paul mentions that he wants Philemon to gain some benefit from him in the Lord, Paul wants Philemon to "Refresh my heart in Christ." As I read and thought on that phrase I was struck by the conviction that all too often in the last few months I have sought rest and refreshment from games, music, and conversation rather than turning to God. My heart has longed to be close to my creator and I have not sought Him. In light of this conviction, my Final Application of Philemon was to wake up at 06:00 on Sunday to spend some time alone with God in Silence, Worship, Prayer, and Meditation on the Scriptures.

One of our Staff Members, Dani, mentioned repeatedly that Application is the goal of Bible study and over the course of writing this post and reflecting on the past week, I believe her wholeheartedly. I know that this school will be hugely impactful for Ali and I as we continue to apply the truths of scripture to our lives.

Blessings,

Levi R Miller