I was teaching the Adult Bible Study class in the auditorium during the spring of 1997 when I realized that I was tired. Tired of preparing and printing lessons that were left on the pew or taken home and discarded. Tired of spending three to four hours preparing a 40 minute lesson that seemed to make little or no impression on many members of my class. Tired of looking into the eyes of many of my students and receiving a blank stare in return. In the teaching profession we call this "teacher burn-out."
I needed a break. I immediately begin preparing notes to teach Isaiah. I posted a note on the foyer bulletin board asking for serious Bible students to sign up for a one-year study of the prophet Isaiah. The notice went on to state that the study would begin 15 minutes early each Sunday morning, meet in a small classroom, and there would be homework. I limited the sign-up to 20 students.
This study has restored my energy and improved my attitude. The fourteen students that have "stuck it out" have been a joy a teach. Lack of class participation has not been a problem. Homework has been done correctly and on time. Most importantly, the fifteen of us have been able to proceed beyond the milk and delve into the meat of God's Word. We have grown spiritually!
( An excerpt from the introductory notes to a Study of the Minor Prophets follows below:)
Why should we study the Old Testament? Why should we study the prophets? (such as Isaiah)
1. To strengthen our faith:
a. by observing how God has dealt with His believers through the ages and,
b. by seeing the Messianic prophesies and relating them to their fulfillment in Christ.
2. To give courage to the faithful through an understanding of how the prophets dealt with the religious, political, social, and moral corruptions of their time.
3. To make us aware of the fact that God has always attached consequences to disobedience, and to have a better understanding of the principles on which those consequences were and are based.
4. To improve our abilities to deflect and defeat modern day interpretations of OT prophecy.
References:
A Commentary on Isaiah; Homer Hailey (commentary)
The Book of Isaiah; Edward J. Young (commentary)
Isaiah; Robert Harkrider (workbook)
For all practical purposes the notes that follow are a synopsis of Hailey's commentary, generally following Harkrider's outline. The class discussion was based on these notes and Harkrider's: Applications for Today and questions found at the end of each lesson in his workbook.
Thanks be to God and our Bible class for making this a labor of love.
Carey Dillinger April, 1998