WELCOME TO 1-WAY

I began 1-Way to fill in. Let me back up. I finished my Bible Study Fellowship class this year last Monday night. This, my fifth year, was a concentrated, intense study of the book of Romans. And what a great study it was!

If you live in a community of at least 250,000 people, then there's probably a class for you.

In the Phoenix area there is one men's class which meets Monday nights from 6:55 PM to 8:45. We begin with meeting in the church sanctuary for introductions, announcements, and two traditional hymns. Then we break into our small groups with our discussion leaders. We go over our answers for the week's study. For Romans, it was generally half a chapter per week plus additional readings from other books of the Bible. For 38 minutes we share our answers and our ideas about the lesson. At the end, there is a short session for prayer requests and praises for other group members.

After that we return to the sanctuary where we sing one more hymn and listen to a 40 minute lecture on our reading for the week. It's a great reinforcement and in depth look at scripture.

So when I said my 1-WAY blog was a fill-in, I meant it was a way that I could stay in the Word through our summer break before we begin the study of Matthew in September.

Bible Study Fellowship is a seven year program that focuses on Genesis, Exodus, Israel and the Minor Prophets, John, Matthew, Romans, and Acts. It is designed to study 80% of the Bible in seven years. If you can't tell, I'm really sold on it.

It is my wish that everyone could experience BSF. If not, then make a plan to read through the Bible this year, even this summer. I have a book that focuses on reading the Bible in 90-days. You can do it! And it is so rewarding.

If not, if that's too big a chunk, then pray and ask God to work in your life; ask Him to show you what you should be doing in your daily life to strengthen your faith. Try to do it daily. And, of course, you are welcomed to read my blog 1-Way. I'll end this entry the way Red Skelton used to end his tv show--"and may God bless".