What are we doing here? Part 2

Back in September, I wrote a post about the classes that we were taking at the time here at New Tribes Bible Institute. We have gone through quite a few classes since then, so I wanted to update the descriptions of the classes that we have gone through or are currently going through for those of you who are interested.


Just as a reminder, we are here at New Tribes Bible Institute as our first phase in training to (Lord willing) become tribal missionaries. After this semester, we will still have one year here before we move on to the second phase of training, the New Tribes Missionary Training Center, where we will learn more practical skills for living in the jungle and also principles for learning an unwritten language and translating the Scriptures into that language. We are so excited about our journey, the things that we are learning, and God's direction in our lives.


The classes that I mentioned in our post in September that we took were: Biblical Foundations, Evangelism, Bibliology, Pentateuch, Hermeneutics, Acts and the Roman World, and Islam.


The other big class we both took last semester was Old Testement History, where we went through all of the historical books of the Old Testement (Joshua through the Kings and Chronicles). We used this book,

and we learned SO MUCH in that class. We had an amazing teacher and definitely learned things about the Old Testament that we had never learned before. It is so interesting and exciting to see the Bible as one big story--a story of God's grace and redemption. A big part of that story that is not often emphasized it seems, is God's unique relationship with Israel. We are learning a lot about Israel and their dealings with our Lord and their adulterous ways and Lord's judgement and also redemption for them--and how that relates to and affects us.


Last semester, Aaron also took a class on Proverbs, where they used the book Be Skillful by Warren Wiersbe.


He also took an elective called The Love of God, which focused on just that--God's love as demonstrated throughout the Bible.


Currently this semester, we are both taking a two-hour-per-day class on the Prophets. We aren't using a textbook, as reading through all of the prophetic books and studying each one takes a large amount of time! The prophetic books have never really made a ton of sense to either one of us, so we are both so excited about this class. Our teacher is really, really great for this class, and we are learning a ton--again, a lot about the nation of Israel, and even more about God's amazing and unchanging character.


The other classes that we will both be taking this semester include: Life of Christ (a class over the four gospels), Acts, and I Corinthians.


I just started a class yesterday over the book of Pslams that I am really looking forward to. Aaron and Nathan encouraged Rachel and me to take it, even though it is an afternoon class, and that means they won't be able to take it (because they will be home with our kids!). We have the best husbands :) We're excited to have the opportunity to take Psalms.


Aaron is additionally taking quite a few more classes this semester. Currently he is taking Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther (a class that accompanies Old Testament History and uses the same textbook), and Intro to NTM. According to Aaron, this class is absolutely fascinating (learning about the very first New Tribes missionaries in the 1940's) and encouraging, but also very honest and forthright about the obstacles and invevitable hardships that accompany the missionary life. They are reading this book (which Aaron said I need to read also):

Aaron is also taking Theology (the study of God) right now, where they are using this book:

Later this semester, Aaron will also be taking:
Hermeneutics II
Partnership Development
Bible Basis of Missions
Discipleship
Spiritual Warfare
Christology
Anthropology/Harmartiology 


As you can see, Aaron is taking quite a few more classes than me. I hate to miss a lot of them, but I am so thankful for my time at home with my kids. I always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, and it is awesome that I am still able to do that (for the most part) AND take a few of the classes as well.


Here is a picture of all of our classes from this entire first year.

We are just so thankful for the unique opportunity to be here, learning so much about God's word. If you would like to pray specifically for us this semester, please just pray we would be diligent in our studies and that we would be open to God's molding and shaping in our lives as a result of becoming more familiar with the things He says in His word. We so appreciate your prayers!