Classes in Pasay Begin

We started a new class in the Pasay, part of the Metro Manila area. This study is on “Learning to Use the Bible.” (You may want to read this post on the “Philippine Updates” linked above since I have included some of the photos used in the class today.) We first noted how the study would progress from looking at the “Big Picture” regarding the overall purpose of the Bible to then open up more and more detail as we go into greater detail with the books as we go. The saw the overall theme of the Bible is “Salvation in Christ.” We focused today on how the Old Testament fit into that theme, the way the groups of OT book fit into that theme, and what each of the books basically covered.

We took a large amount of time in covering the purpose of the OT books of History and what was in each. We first tried to establish a purpose for the books. We then looked at the period of Israelite History covered by each. We spent a larger amount of time trying to establish the period of history covered by each since that was the area of least familiarity the class. We did much the same with all divisions of OT books, but the books of History definitely required the most time.

We also spent a great deal of time talking about the purpose and place of the books of Wisdom in the OT. We broke down what each one covered and then showed how they all work together to help man live with the various aspects of our lives while trying to serve God. This took a larger amount of time than I expected as a number did not seem to have a grasp of the books of Wisdom, so we spent some extra time covering questions asked. The Lord willing, we will finish the closer focus on the OT books tomorrow and move into the NT books. Wednesday will be spent in practical application of the principles in order to have a greater overall grasp of the Bible and how to use it effectively in study and teaching.

Several have written about the effect of Typhoon Mangkhut (called “Ompong” in the Philippines) and wanting to help. Just as in the case of Typhoon Yolanda several years ago, accurate reports are hard to get at first. Since I am in the classes with Rody Gumpad, I am beginning to hear about damage reports from brethren in the area affected. We do not have a good grasp yet on how may homes of brethren and how many church building have been damaged or destroyed. I hope to have a better idea of how serious things are by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Jerome Forelo, Rody’s son-in-law, now is getting out and checking on the damage in the Cagayan region that was hard hit. There have also been reports of large landslides from the rains and I expect that Kalinga province will also be hard hit in that regard because of its geography and

the large rainfall totals it received. I appreciate the concern of so many who have a love and concern for their Filipino brethren! [Note: the picture above at the left is from the center of town in Tuguegarao. The picture just below and to the right is of the airport in Tuguegarao. Both are taken from the news media here in the Philippines.]