September Newsletter

Internship

The month of September has been spent in study and in teaching. Jacob has been leading the Life and Doctrine Study (LADS, the midweek study for Providence Church) on the book of 1 John. Teaching this has been very convicting for Jacob. Much of 1 John is about asserting who are in Christ and what their actions should be. It is nigh impossible to study 1 John without questioning our own actions and our own motivations.

In addition to teaching LADS, Jacob has been preparing to teach Biblical ethics for 6 weeks in adult Sunday school at Providence church. The upcoming class will focus on topics like the 10 Commandments, definitions of ethics, and good works.

Jacob's sermon in August at the Rescue Mission went well. There was plenty of constructive feedback received to encourage further preaching. This sermon was on 1 John 1:1-4.

Jacob's sermon in September was on Genesis 11:1-9. The Tower of Babel is a wonderful example of God’s ordering all things for His glory (just like how He is ordering our journey for His glory). Preaching at the mission has been a wonderful opportunity to practice this highly important part of ministry. Jacob is constantly reminded of Romans 10:13-15:

¹³For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." ¹⁴How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

In addition to our web blog about our journey together, Jacob has a new blog,  which is specifically focused on seminary, and God’s Word. http://tomanstome.blogspot.com/  

Family Fun

This month we went on our first trip alone as a married couple. We spent the weekend near the beach in a beautiful hotel.  We had a great time relaxing, spending time together and remembering our past year of marriage. It was such a great time and one I am sure we need to continue yearly.

            The other family event we had this month was attending the Tigers baseball game. We received tickets for Jacob’s birthday and were thrilled! Neither of us had ever been to a major league baseball game. We had a blast, and are so thankful for the tickets. 

 

Seminary

The two courses Jacob is involved in at the moment have been incredibly helpful to personal discipline. One class (Calvin's Institutes) requires a detailed journal be kept of quotes, ideas, and questions. This journal assignment has forced Jacob to spend more and more time in reading, a good discipline which has been conceived during the last year, and now is going through birth pangs. The other class (Early and Medieval Church History) has been fast paced and fun. Currently the class is studying Constantine, the Arian controversy, and the Nicene Creed.

Jacob's class schedule is all set for the spring of 2011. Please continue to pray for employment which would be conducive to the upcoming duties of Seminary.