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Instructor From Seattle Teaches His Bible Study Method

By Sam Gaffney

    RENTON, Washington – The Baltic country of Latvia is a long way from Seattle, Washington, USA. Its population is about the same as our metropolitan area.  Though it is small, I believe it is strategic in the building of the church of Jesus Christ in that whole region. You don’t have to be in Latvia very long to be aware that they are still in the process of emerging from the suppression of half a century of communism. There is rebuilding in every area of the social, political, and economic structures.  And along with the rest of the culture, the church is awakening to new hopes, challenges, and opportunities.  Part of this new life is expressed in the Baltic Pastoral Institute. 

    I went to the BPI to teach the students a method of Bible study that I have developed.  My two fold goal was to first give them tools that would help them in their ministry to personally understand the Bible, and secondly that the method would be easily transferable to others to whom they would be ministering.  My week of teaching was very gratifying.  After a short period of getting-acquainted-reticence, the students quickly got involved in the process.

    By the end of the week I was pleased that they seemed to have gotten the message of

Philippians, the book that we were studying. I gave them the tools, they made the discoveries. It is my hope and prayer that they will continue with the method, and build on it as they grow in their ability to “correctly handle the word of truth,” and hopefully teach others to do the same.

    I greatly appreciated all of the advanced preparation with translation and materials that the administration of the school provided, and also the wonderful hospitality while I was there. My host and hostess were very attentive in making sure that I was well cared for with every need met. But better than that was the fellowship that we shared. Viewing a ballet at the National Opera House was an unexpected delight, as well as the trip to the chocolate house! You will have to check this one out for yourself for a unique chocolate experience.

    Most important to me, second to the teaching experience, was the opportunity to get to know some of the Latvian people.  On lunch break, between class sessions, or in the evening, I was able to spend time with students, administrators, Christian workers and even a missionary from the USA. The instant bond that we share, in spite of our national, cultural, or language differences, is an evidence of the essential oneness in Christ that is ours.

    The Lord was kind to me even in the details of the trip. I especially appreciated that, since it was my first solo trip abroad. From the seating on the airplane, to the great weather we had while I was there, to the fact that I beat the volcano by six days on my trip home, the whole trip was a very positive experience.  I hope to be able to repeat it either again in Latvia, or to another spot in the world of God’s choosing.

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