What students said (EBS 1)
Excerpts of what students wrote after the EBS Session 1
Bernhard, Germany: My wife Sylvia and I participated in the first session of the EBS in Budapest and benefited highly from it. The program has been structured following the model of Jesus’ ministry as it was continued by his first disciples and is to be continued by the church today: As Jesus’ ministry is described as a ministry of teaching, preaching and healing (Mt. 4, 23; 9, 35), the first day of the EBS was designed to equip the participants for better preaching, the second for more mature counselling, while the last two days were devoted to an in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew. All the speakers did an outstanding job: Kelly Petre stressed the importance of expository teaching and explained this method in detail; David McAnulty, a trained clinical psychologist, while giving very practical instruction, at the same time put much emphasis on the proper attitude and self-awareness of the person who wants to offer counselling. Steve Kinnard’s lessons on the Gospel of Matthew were very enriched by numerous references to the history of ancient Israel and illustrative material of the land itself. Fortunately all the lessons were recorded, so that it possible to restudy the material. The times between the lessons were as valuable as the lessons itself: They provided a great opportunity for all sorts of connecting activities. Maybe the assignment of advance reading and more time for discussion and exercises will make future sessions of the EBS even more effective. Thanks to the Budapest church for her great hospitality and to everyone who helped organize this event!
Vangjel, Albania: I want to say that the EBS was very helpful for me. I realize after the workshop that I had to change a lot of things in my leading in Albania. I learned how to listen more, how to be more patient. I learned how to be more organized with my preaching and teaching. I learned how to go deeper in the Bible. I think we need these workshops, because we need more experience, to learn to think and do things in our churches in God way. I think we need more exercises during these workshops. God bless all of you who had this great idea.
Iveta, Czech Republic: I am really grateful that I could come to the first session of the Euro Bible School in Budapest. Thanks to the organizers I felt that I had everyhing what I needed. It was very encouraging to meet the disciples from all over the world and to spend time together learning, having practical exercises, learning what God had done in the different countries. Budapest sightseeing on Thursday and Saturday was great as well. The possibility to be there inspired me how I can understand the meaning of the scripture better and motivated me for deeper Bible studies, to consider historical - cultural context of the Book, geography, politics, religion, economics and social background. Personally I got a big impuls how the meaning of the text applies to real - life situations today. After Budapest a few people noticed and told me that there are some healthy changes in my life. I also appreciated the open hearts of the teachers for the feedback.
Manol, Italy: I quite enjoyed the four days of teaching, sharing and fellowship. The teaching was very good and helpful. Meeting other people from other churches and hearing their stories inspired me. I really like the idea of periodically getting teaching times for everybody, especially for those who teach on their churches. In the Scriptures there are a lot of times when God appeals to our memory, for us to not forget the basics. (Jer 6:16). And these times I believe are times when we remember again those things. Yet in the Scriptures God also calls us higher in our knowledge of Him, not to remain in the basics (Heb 5:12-14). These teaching days are also days in which we go deeper in our study of the Scriptures. What’s more is that we have a chance to talk personally to the teachers of the Kingdom, so we can discuss questions with them, which would be a more difficult thing to do from distance. So I am totally fond of the initiation, and this first session of it was really inspiring. Thank God for the effort made by the brothers in organising it.