Bulletin 3/29/20206
The Searchers
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days (Job 12:12).
Last spring, a new patient showed up in my podiatry office, a man I had not spoken with in 25 years: Don England.
During that visit, Dr. England, my former chemistry teacher, began telling me about a class full of Christians who desire to search the scriptures with humility, knowing that there is always more to learn. Hence the class name “Searchers.”
He had recently stepped down as teacher for the class he began teaching over 40 years ago, when he was about my age (he made sure to add). I mentioned how much I enjoyed teaching during my time in West Memphis, and if you know Don, then you've seen the all-knowing grin and twinkle in his eye as he invited Shanna and me to visit.
We accepted, and after our first Sunday, were somehow already on the class roster and email list. Since we have been married only 17 years, we became the "newlyweds" of the group.
Though enjoying wonderful guest teachers, the class was looking for a permanent facilitator, so Don asked me if I would be interested. I had wanted to teach again and to renew a greater commitment in my life to study, but in a congregation like College Church, filled with so many gifted scholars, I never thought I'd be needed.
It was intimidating because I already knew I would learn more from the members of our class than they would ever learn from me, but it’s hard to kick against the goad, especially when it's Don England. So I did agree.
Now teaching this class has become something I look forward to all week. We've become a part of the Searchers family. Conveniently, I already had the grey hair, but never had to wear the glasses until recently. “Length of days” can bring unwanted physical changes, but also the “wisdom and understanding” I see all around me each Sunday.
I am thankful the Lord placed Don back in my life. He taught me a lot as my professor but has taught me more now as my mentor and friend through his example and encouragement. I invite you to visit Room 102, certainly not for the current teacher, but to be blessed as I have by a class filled with saints who love the Lord and the study of his Word.
Just don't be surprised if you start receiving class emails the very next week.
Andrew Clothier
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days (Job 12:12).
Last spring, a new patient showed up in my podiatry office, a man I had not spoken with in 25 years: Don England.
During that visit, Dr. England, my former chemistry teacher, began telling me about a class full of Christians who desire to search the scriptures with humility, knowing that there is always more to learn. Hence the class name “Searchers.”
He had recently stepped down as teacher for the class he began teaching over 40 years ago, when he was about my age (he made sure to add). I mentioned how much I enjoyed teaching during my time in West Memphis, and if you know Don, then you've seen the all-knowing grin and twinkle in his eye as he invited Shanna and me to visit.
We accepted, and after our first Sunday, were somehow already on the class roster and email list. Since we have been married only 17 years, we became the "newlyweds" of the group.
Though enjoying wonderful guest teachers, the class was looking for a permanent facilitator, so Don asked me if I would be interested. I had wanted to teach again and to renew a greater commitment in my life to study, but in a congregation like College Church, filled with so many gifted scholars, I never thought I'd be needed.
It was intimidating because I already knew I would learn more from the members of our class than they would ever learn from me, but it’s hard to kick against the goad, especially when it's Don England. So I did agree.
Now teaching this class has become something I look forward to all week. We've become a part of the Searchers family. Conveniently, I already had the grey hair, but never had to wear the glasses until recently. “Length of days” can bring unwanted physical changes, but also the “wisdom and understanding” I see all around me each Sunday.
I am thankful the Lord placed Don back in my life. He taught me a lot as my professor but has taught me more now as my mentor and friend through his example and encouragement. I invite you to visit Room 102, certainly not for the current teacher, but to be blessed as I have by a class filled with saints who love the Lord and the study of his Word.
Just don't be surprised if you start receiving class emails the very next week.
Andrew Clothier
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