SBS Montana 24-25
What a Season!
This 9-month school has definitely been the hardest school I have ever attended, but also the most worthwhile. I was challenged in various ways as I went through the scriptures and was transformed by the word. One quote that stood out to me this year was from my school leader.
“We can’t just be fat caterpillars, but we need to be transformed into butterflies” - Ryan Horwath
Another quote that stuck out to me was from one of the school founders.
“You aren’t just going to go through the Bible, but the Bible is going to go through you” - Judy Smith
This was a transformative year in how I view God and how I view life in general, the good and the bad.
I learned a lot about who God is and how worthwhile He is to follow. God is merciful and gracious and also just (Exodus 34:6-7). God is to be worshiped and deserves all the honor and glory. God has authority over all, and His judgment is just. God’s love is everlasting and beyond full comprehension. God is greater than I have ever imagined, and His guidance in my life is perfect.
Coming into the school, I really didn’t know what to expect, what classes would be like, what school work would be like, and what the community would be like. I found that the work was so much harder and in-depth than I imagined, and the community was much sweeter than I thought it would be. Our average work day was from around 7:00 am to 9:00 pm every day, whether in class or having independent study time. This was definitely the most work I have ever had to do, and by the end of the 9 months, I was ready for a good break. Though the school was hard, I still cherish it so deeply. Getting to spend 9 months studying God’s word was an opportunity I want to look back on a not overlook. It was so sweet spending many hours studying the word and being transformed by it. During this time, many things I thought I knew about the scripture and about the Lord changed to actually align with the scripture and not just with what I’ve heard growing up.
I’ve learned to trust the Lord truly because I’ve seen how He has been faithful through years of history.
I’ve learned that the Law in the Old Testament had an astounding purpose to make an unholy people holy so they could dwell with the Holy God.
I’ve learned that the study of the scriptures needs to be through the lens of who the books were written to. (Galatians, written to the church of Galatia by Paul the Apostle) This is a major point in Bible study, for it really makes the scriptures come alive and make sense. The Bible was not written to us, but for us.
I’ve learned that there is more symbolism in the Bible than I expected, and this symbolism adds to the art of the scriptures. (7 = Perfection, to the east = away from the presence of the Lord, 6 = imperfect. Garden language is used to remind the Original Readers of the Garden of Eden and humanity’s original design.)
I’ve learned that God has intended for humans to live in community; we aren’t meant to be on our own, but we are meant to rely on others.
This is one of the biggest lessons I have had to face in this school. I was presented with an amazing community around me, but I often wanted to figure this out myself when I was having a hard time. I have often struggled with relying on others because I have just seen how people fail over and over again. I have expected people to be perfect, but we as humans are so far from perfection. I have had to learn to recognize that if God has grace for these people, then I need to view them with that same kind of grace. I can’t live life just wanting to be by myself. I’ve had to transform that mindset to allowing myself to ask for help and ask for support, and ask for prayer. I have had to learn how to open up and let people in and be honest when someone asks me how I’m doing. Am I perfect at this? No. I still have so much to learn, but I know it will take time and actual application.
I’ve learned that I am not saved by the law or by works, but simply by believing in Jesus and what He did on the cross. (You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4.)
I’ve learned that Jesus really is the messiah, and the scriptures prove that over and over again. Jesus is worth following, and His word is true!
There is so much more that I could say about this school, and I may add to this as the summer goes by, but for now, here is what I have learned and how SBS has impacted me. If you would like to hear more, please reach out!
