Something special happens in the heart when the Bible is read. There is a power behind its words that touches a person’s heart in a unique way. I am unsure if it is due to the invisible presence of God or that He has wired our minds to react to it. This helps us understand the apostle’s statement that faith comes from hearing the Word.

The School of the Bible continues to be used by God to bring His word to the searching. Providentially located on the main avenue of downtown Recife, thousands pass by every day. Some of these are motivated to stop and check it out. Many of these decide to take a course. Last year, 613 enrolled in one or more of the forty Bible classes offered. Eighteen of these chose to bury their old life in a watery grave and to be raised to a new life in Christ.

This year continues to be plentiful. A ten-week semester of seven courses ends today. One hundred and seventeen students took one or more classes. I taught a course on the Book of Romans. It had twenty-four people ranging from their early 20s to older adults. Half of these were members of one of our local congregations seeking to deepen their understanding. The rest were visitors from the community, some of whom are now visiting the church assemblies.

Starting next week, a new semester begins. Lord willing, I will teach a course on the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel). That is a LOT of material for only twenty class hours. Pray with me that God´s Word reaches receptive hearts who respond positively to His message. The time is short.

“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55