Principles of the Christian Life I
This was one of the very first classes that I took at GBS. It was a wonderful starter course to kick off my college classes. The class was nine weeks long, and could be broken down into two sub-categories. The first half of the class was spent on lessons that involved Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). The second half of the course covered lessons that addressed Loving our neighbor as our self (Mark 12:31). Although, these two sub-categories seem to suggest a limited range on lessons addressed, in all actuality this was hardly the case. This class covered such topics as: the authority of Scripture, honoring the Sabbath, Fear of the Lord, Entire Sanctification, Worldliness, Christian Liberty, and dating/courting relationships for Christians; just to name a few topics.
The paper that I have attached to this page is from the final week's lessons. This is my reflection paper from the end of the class. In hindsight, I can clearly see areas that my paper could have been written and structured better. However, this was one of my very first classes at college. In addition, I had not yet developed my writing abilities or style. I do however, appreciate the transparency, faith and trust in the Lord that this paper demonstrates.
The paper that I have attached to this page is from the final week's lessons. This is my reflection paper from the end of the class. In hindsight, I can clearly see areas that my paper could have been written and structured better. However, this was one of my very first classes at college. In addition, I had not yet developed my writing abilities or style. I do however, appreciate the transparency, faith and trust in the Lord that this paper demonstrates.
Principles of the Christian Life I (Fall 2011)
Chuck Chapman
Gods Bible School and College
Class Reflection Paper
Reflection Paper Guidelines
The reflection paper assignment has the following purposes:
Introduction
When I had signed up for this class it had been about a year and a half since my fall. I had relapsed in my walk. For time purposes I will just say that I had known sin in my life, and I was given ample time to deal with it. I would like to say that I had succeeded but that was not the case. The Lord lifted the hedge of protection from around me and I paid the price. I repented and got back on the right path. I wish it was as easy as the previous sentences have made it sound, but that is not the case. I sat in my apartment for over a year and a half mourning, depressed, broken, ashamed and unable to forgive myself. This all now brings me to the benefits of this class and my reflection. After a year and a half of living in defeat my Pastor said “if nothing changes then nothing changes.” At this point the Lord opened the doors to God’s Bible School.
Part 1Requirements:
Please reflect on what you have learned in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. Questions that may help you reflect include …
My Response to Part 1
In this class; along with a few others, I found my healing for all areas of my life of defeat. I have done a lot of studying in my five years with the Lord; however what I have learned in the course of a couple of months has blown all of that out of the water. The “Authority of the Christian Life” lesson was phenomenal. I have studied the majority of all other false teachings; however I never really focused on the accuracy of our own. I now have the historical facts to back my belief in the absolute truth of God’s Word. And I will carry this absolute truth until my dying days. I was reminded in the lesson on “Delighting Ourselves in the Lord” about the true importance of the Sabbath. Even though I was living in defeat for over a year in my apartment that does not mean I was inactive. As a man pursuing God with all his heart along with having a full time job, attending college, ministry, and being a full time single parent; having a Sunday to rest in the Lord’s presence was in my mind for other Christians. Of course I was wrong and this class showed me the biblical examples of this and the practical application to make it happen. I am now resting in remembrance and worship on Sunday’s again. These lessons are just a few of the gems I have obtained from this class. My biggest “ah-ha” moment was obtained in the lessons on “The Second Greatest Commandment.”
Part 2 A Requirements:
On the class syllabus for Principles of the Christian Life I, there were four “values” objectives. The syllabus stated that at the end of this course:
My Response to Part 2 A
The first half of the semester was of the utmost importance; Loving God. However the second half; Loving my neighbor is the thing that ended my weeping and restored my joy. As I mentioned earlier I was active during my season of defeat; however there is a difference between doing your job and wanting to do your job. For over a year and half my thoughts and concerns were directed towards only myself. All I could think of was “how long until you restore me Lord?” I am ashamed for my thoughts which carried over to my actions. I dropped out of service work and focused on self-betterment.
The “ah-ha” moment came in this lesson (Love your neighbor), and is my answer to all four “values” from the reflection paper syllabus. I was reminded that true love for God takes action, and that action is; to love my neighbor as myself. I stopped worrying about myself and turned my focus towards others. I had lost a level of intimacy over a year and a half ago because of compromise and disobedience I tried to work my way back unsuccessfully. However, when I got my heart and my mind to thinking that “rather I regained that intimacy or not” I would love my neighbor like myself, that is when I went from living in defeat and despair to living in victory, and walking in the spirit.
This would not have been possible without this class. By turning my attention to my neighbor I took my eyes off of myself and thereby I started taking a greater delight in the Lord. I also appreciated more how I live my life because I realized others were watching. In addition, the “Fear of the Lord” and standing in judgment for leading others astray by my actions changed the way I behaved with my new friends. And this simple act of faith, brought on by the lessons in loving my neighbor, rekindled the fire of my love for God, and has truly affected every aspect of my life to bring Glory to His name and not my own.
Part 2 B Requirements:
On the class syllabus, there were three “skills” objectives. The syllabus stated that at the end of this course:
My Response to Part 2B
My Brother “Greg” has just recently received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Now I will not claim to be the reason for that. However modeling all three of the topics has been a contributing factor to his conversion. The growth in love for God and others has shown to be the beacon light to my brother in his hour of darkness. I did not have to preach at him to do this. My brother seen me in my season of darkness and witnessed my turn around along with my consistency. Since his conversion I have been able to explain from Scripture the topics listed on the syllabus as per his questions in an easy, understandable, and applicable way. Finally, my interaction with worldliness; more so my stand against it is the very thing he said gave him hope that someone could actually “walk in the light.”
Conclusion
I have acquired the above listed skills; not 100% but none the less I have acquired them and I continue to grow and be a light to a dark and dying world. I thank you for being that same light to me in my darkness, and the heart knowledge I have learned I will carry always.
Chuck Chapman
Gods Bible School and College
Class Reflection Paper
Reflection Paper Guidelines
The reflection paper assignment has the following purposes:
- To assess the accomplishment of the course values and skills objectives.
- To provide you an opportunity for focused reflection on the knowledge, values, and skills acquired in this class.
- To provide a method for you to reinforce the knowledge, values, and skills gained over the semester.
Introduction
When I had signed up for this class it had been about a year and a half since my fall. I had relapsed in my walk. For time purposes I will just say that I had known sin in my life, and I was given ample time to deal with it. I would like to say that I had succeeded but that was not the case. The Lord lifted the hedge of protection from around me and I paid the price. I repented and got back on the right path. I wish it was as easy as the previous sentences have made it sound, but that is not the case. I sat in my apartment for over a year and a half mourning, depressed, broken, ashamed and unable to forgive myself. This all now brings me to the benefits of this class and my reflection. After a year and a half of living in defeat my Pastor said “if nothing changes then nothing changes.” At this point the Lord opened the doors to God’s Bible School.
Part 1Requirements:
Please reflect on what you have learned in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. Questions that may help you reflect include …
- What did I expect to learn in this class? Were my expectations met? Exceeded? Be specific.
- In what ways have I grown in this class? Evaluate your participation, level of effort and time invested in the class, and correlate with your growth.
- What has been the most valuable aspect(s) of my learning experience in this class?
- What was your most significant “ah-ha!” moment this semester?
My Response to Part 1
In this class; along with a few others, I found my healing for all areas of my life of defeat. I have done a lot of studying in my five years with the Lord; however what I have learned in the course of a couple of months has blown all of that out of the water. The “Authority of the Christian Life” lesson was phenomenal. I have studied the majority of all other false teachings; however I never really focused on the accuracy of our own. I now have the historical facts to back my belief in the absolute truth of God’s Word. And I will carry this absolute truth until my dying days. I was reminded in the lesson on “Delighting Ourselves in the Lord” about the true importance of the Sabbath. Even though I was living in defeat for over a year in my apartment that does not mean I was inactive. As a man pursuing God with all his heart along with having a full time job, attending college, ministry, and being a full time single parent; having a Sunday to rest in the Lord’s presence was in my mind for other Christians. Of course I was wrong and this class showed me the biblical examples of this and the practical application to make it happen. I am now resting in remembrance and worship on Sunday’s again. These lessons are just a few of the gems I have obtained from this class. My biggest “ah-ha” moment was obtained in the lessons on “The Second Greatest Commandment.”
Part 2 A Requirements:
On the class syllabus for Principles of the Christian Life I, there were four “values” objectives. The syllabus stated that at the end of this course:
- You should find yourself taking more delight in the Lord, rejoicing in His will, desiring continually to please Him, and seeking your happiness in Him.
- You should appreciate the importance of loving God for how you live your Christian life.
- You should be more conscious that you will be brought into judgment for everything you do or say, and thereby be motivated by the fear of the Lord to avoid what is wrong and cling to what is right.
- You should be motivated by your love for God to order every aspect of your life so that it brings glory to His name.
My Response to Part 2 A
The first half of the semester was of the utmost importance; Loving God. However the second half; Loving my neighbor is the thing that ended my weeping and restored my joy. As I mentioned earlier I was active during my season of defeat; however there is a difference between doing your job and wanting to do your job. For over a year and half my thoughts and concerns were directed towards only myself. All I could think of was “how long until you restore me Lord?” I am ashamed for my thoughts which carried over to my actions. I dropped out of service work and focused on self-betterment.
The “ah-ha” moment came in this lesson (Love your neighbor), and is my answer to all four “values” from the reflection paper syllabus. I was reminded that true love for God takes action, and that action is; to love my neighbor as myself. I stopped worrying about myself and turned my focus towards others. I had lost a level of intimacy over a year and a half ago because of compromise and disobedience I tried to work my way back unsuccessfully. However, when I got my heart and my mind to thinking that “rather I regained that intimacy or not” I would love my neighbor like myself, that is when I went from living in defeat and despair to living in victory, and walking in the spirit.
This would not have been possible without this class. By turning my attention to my neighbor I took my eyes off of myself and thereby I started taking a greater delight in the Lord. I also appreciated more how I live my life because I realized others were watching. In addition, the “Fear of the Lord” and standing in judgment for leading others astray by my actions changed the way I behaved with my new friends. And this simple act of faith, brought on by the lessons in loving my neighbor, rekindled the fire of my love for God, and has truly affected every aspect of my life to bring Glory to His name and not my own.
Part 2 B Requirements:
On the class syllabus, there were three “skills” objectives. The syllabus stated that at the end of this course:
- You should experience growth in your love for God and for others
- You should be able to explain from Scripture
- What it means to love God and others.
- What it means to fear God and how fearing God relates to loving Him.
- What God’s glory is and how it relates to living the Christian life.
- How living a holy life relates to loving God.
- The potential limitations that loving others places upon your life.
- How loving God & others relates to issues like the Sabbath, entertainment, and music choices.
- You should be able to apply the Biblical principles relating to worldliness to your interaction with your culture and discern whether a given attitude, action, belief, or item is “worldly.”
My Response to Part 2B
My Brother “Greg” has just recently received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Now I will not claim to be the reason for that. However modeling all three of the topics has been a contributing factor to his conversion. The growth in love for God and others has shown to be the beacon light to my brother in his hour of darkness. I did not have to preach at him to do this. My brother seen me in my season of darkness and witnessed my turn around along with my consistency. Since his conversion I have been able to explain from Scripture the topics listed on the syllabus as per his questions in an easy, understandable, and applicable way. Finally, my interaction with worldliness; more so my stand against it is the very thing he said gave him hope that someone could actually “walk in the light.”
Conclusion
I have acquired the above listed skills; not 100% but none the less I have acquired them and I continue to grow and be a light to a dark and dying world. I thank you for being that same light to me in my darkness, and the heart knowledge I have learned I will carry always.