Second Week of SBS!

Yes that's right, last week really was the second week of SBS. Ali and I are now officially moved in to our room, we have gone through two books, Philemon and Titus, and we have been continually blessed by this community and this school each and every day.

Much of last week was about doing more independent work on Titus. When we studied through Philemon there was not as much independent work necessary since we were still learning the Inductive Method of study, however, with Titus, it was much more independent. This new found independence was very delightful and rewarding and I know Ali and I were both a little intimidated by what was new but grateful for the opportunity to rise to the occasion and grow. When studying Titus I noticed the emphasis Paul gives on the instruction of discipline. The beginning of chapter 2 is a series of lists that Paul gives for the behavior of believers. Much of it is very straight forward, but the underlining theme of it all is to live counter-culturally. During our lectures on Titus we learned the historical context into which Paul was writing. Titus was a left on the island of Crete to lead a church, however, leading a church on Crete in the 1st century is a lot more difficult than it seems. The presence of false teachers, dissenters, and deceiving Cretans (1:10,12) is what made this a challenge for Titus. The solution for the church of Crete was for Titus to raise up Godly leadership that would not teach falsely but would "...teach what accords with sound doctrine" (2:1) and to live in such a way "...that the word of God may not be reviled" (2:5). An application that I took from the book was to know and recall daily how I ought to act. I am taking to read and think on Titus 2:6-8 every morning and evening this week. My hope is in reading it repeatedly I am able to memorize it and have the words and instructions live in my mind.

But in addition to all the studying of Titus we did, we also got a lovely break over the weekend! One of our staff members, Theo (whose full name is Theoden), hosted a brunch on Saturday which was a lovely time of community among all of us SBS-ers. Ali and I stayed a little late to play some card games (an absolute must for our Sabbaths and weekends). On Sunday we heard a sermon about Ephesians, which coincidentally is the book we studied during the first half of this week went on an ice cream date (courtesy of Ali's fellow Camp Nathanael cook, Kaitlyn) shopped for toiletries and enjoyed a little bit studying before the work week began.

One very exciting thing that happened this week was that I got confirmation from an organization called EquipNet that our tax-deductible Donation page is now live! Ali and I owe so so much to the people who have supported us and being able to make tax-deductible donations available is so important to us. EquipNet has made it so so easy for us to set this up. EquipNet is a non-profit started by retired missionaries that wanted to create an organization that handled funds and donations in a way those missionaries wish they had when they were in the field. One thing to note, in order to continue serving people, EquipNet takes %5 of all donations (which may seem like a lot, but it's one of the lowest percentages among mobilization organizations).

I mention this in here because Ali and I still need $1099 for our tuition for this first quarter, if you or someone you know are feeling the Lord's call to give, sending money via our donation page here on our website, or through EquipNet (link down below) are both great options. God has been faithful to provide us with the money to make it this far and I know that He will continue to provide for us.

That's all from me, I hope that this blog post has been a delight to read and an encouragement for you all.

EquipNet link: https://www.equipnet.org/missionaries/lamiller Blessings,

Levi R Miller

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything

set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity,

seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that

those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to

say about us. ~ Titus 2:6-8