leadership integrity family education

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Bible Study: Relationships

Hello guys. I know those of you who anxiously wait for Tuesdays because you miss Bible study on Mondays are disappointed. That's my fault. I definitely did not sleep Monday night and as a result, I slept all Tuesday afternoon and night. But Bible study was GREAT, which is why we are probably going to have two entries today. YAAAAYYY!!

Bible study was taught by Reverend Burrell. If you do not know this man, you must go visit him. He is amazing. Although he doesn't look a day over 45, he has been in ministry for over 40 years. He is a powerful man of God. Monday he talked about all types of relationships: family, generational, friends, husband/wife, and our relationship with God as well as the people to whom we minister.

He reflected on growing up in the 1940s, where the relationship between the generations was so close. Every new generation gets smarter and smarter, but every past generation has wise advice to offer. And with every generation, the gap between the generations has gotten larger. He explained how this is the work of the enemy, who wants confusion and disconnnect because he knows that unity equals power.

Although it was kind of hard to believe, he spoke about his days as a gangsta. I know, right? He even shared with us how many of his friends from back in that time he led to Christ simply by his example that if he could do it, so could they. This led to a discussion on mentoring. He told us about the many men he mentored, and how they were successful men of God now. He reminded us that sometimes, when our lives seem small, God has a purpose for our lives where we evoke change in the entire world. It may be that our calling is like his: he mentored these young men who are doing much bigger things than he ever could, but without him, these young men would not be the men that they are today. They would not be bringing so many to Christ because of their high positions and large faith. We all are special, and we all can change the world.

One thing that struck me as funny was when he stated that at our age, we should not be thinking about having a boyfriend or girlfriend, we should be seeking a husband or wife. He shared with us how he met his wife and how he knew she was the one. He admonished us about dating as the world dates, looking mostly at the physical when we also need to know what we need spiritually for a partner. He shared with us how he knew he would need a praying woman because he was going into full-time ministry and his wife's prayers is what attracted him to her. He claims that she walks a mile every day for each of their children (9!) and prays for each of them, and that sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night to see her on her knees praying for hours. He told us that we should have been praying 10 years ago about our future mates because it is serious. When one gets married, they have to accept the other person fully: their faults, secrets, passions, good, bad, beautiful, ugly, their habits, beliefs, everything.

He talked about how each of these things reflect on our relationship with God, and our relationship with God reflects on every other relationship in our lives. He is a very insightful man, and I could never write down the full extent of what he talked about here. It was very powerful and helpful. Which is why he will be coming back to teach another Bible study!! I will definitely let you know when that will be. See you next week.

~Dove Sister DeAnna~

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