Laying a Firm Foundation

This past month we have been blessed to be a part of our churches first "Firm Foundation" class. Pastor Stephen had asked me (Matt) to teach this 6 week course which would overview such topics as The Authority and Reliability of the Scripture, God's Nature & Character, God's Plan of Redemption, The Purpose & Nature of the Church (Local & Universal), The Essence of & Essentials for a Christian, and lastly, The Who, What, Where, When, Why & How of Baptism. Although any one of these topics could serve a complete course in a Bible School, yet our purpose was to help bring a simple understanding and biblical backing to each of these things. Stephen has also been translating both the notes (to use as handouts) and the teachings each week to aid those who aren't able to understand English as well. Overall this has been a most rewarding time both for me as a teacher and also the members of the church. There has been an average of 12 people coming each week (all Kenyans) and since our average number for the church is between 35 to 50 people that means that 24% to 34% of our church is in attendance (not bad at all). One of the things that I have found most enjoyable is to help give a solid and clear understanding of what the Gospel is and what it really means to be a "Christian". It seems that not only here, but all over the world, the term "Christian" has been being misused and misrepresented by so many; and now no one is really sure what meaning it carries with it these days. We know of a couple people in attendance that seem to be not saved yet, and so we are praying that as they have taken an interest in the Word, and our Church, and have been clearly presented with the Gospel, that they would come to that point of making a decision for Jesus. Please be praying for these people. Next week we will have our last class, and subsequently offer a time to sign up to be baptized if there are any who have not been since giving their life to Jesus. Although when it has been talked about the past few weeks, people have been either shy to pursue being baptized or have said that they already are, we are hopeful that if there are any who have not yet been baptized that they'd take this opportunity. It is such a blessing to the church to watch people from their own body step forward and show their commitment to Jesus in this way. I look forward to taking all that I've learned through this time of teaching the class, and to help make the next time we plan this class to be even better. We are praising the Lord for the opportunity He's given us to help lay this firm foundation on Jesus Christ and His Word for these people at Calvary Chapel Lakeside!