Village Schools of the Bible

Broadening our Biblical Horizons
By David and Emilie Toll

Sometimes the only way to grow deeper with God is to allow someone else to take us by the hand and bring us nearer to Him. Little did I know that God was about to use my 16-year old daughter to do just that.

Emilie approached me last fall, pouring with excitement, "Dad, Marlene took a life-changing class called Broadening Your Biblical Horizons and I really want to take it, too. They meet every Monday night." Normally, I would respond with a "Great, Em, have fun!" But in this situation, I felt a little fatherly concern. Emilie was already over-committed and I feared that she was spreading herself too thin.

I tried to reason with her: "Emilie, it sounds like a great class, but are you sure you can handle everything you've got going on? Besides you high school classes this fall, you'll be taking three college classes, starting your first part-time job, beginning guitar lessons and going on a two week trip to Belize." Emilie was quiet as I spoke. She went away agreeing to think about it.

Three weeks later Emilie brought up the topic again, "Hey Dad, you know that Bible class at church I told you about? I'm going to do it. Mom said it's okay, but she wanted me to run it by you before writing the check."

"As long as you're sure you can handle everything, Em." And with that, I expected the issue to be over, but the expression on Emilie's face told me that there was more.

She continued, "since I don't know anybody taking the class, and you have nothing going on Monday nights, you could take it with me! What do you think? The first class starts tomorrow night."

Wow. I was totally unprepared for that one. I heard that this course was a lot of work, and it wasn't long ago that I spent five years taking graduate level courses. I wasn't sure I was ready to read through the Bible, pray and write papers every week. Did I really need a class like this? Wasn't my relationship with God pretty good already? Yet deep inside, I knew my answer. Not only did I long to deepen my relationship with God, but so did my 16-year-old daughter. It seemed like a golden opportunity to be involved in her life.

"Okay, Em, let's do it."

At the time, neither of us had an idea what we were getting ourselves into. We thought we said "yes" to taking a nice Bible class together. But Broadening Your Biblical Horizons, taught by Charles Yue, is not an ordinary Bible class. Six months into the course, I can honestly say that God used it to change my life. Each week my heart, my mind and my soul are washed in truth as God spoke to me through His word. Charles often reminded us to humbly seek God and ask Him to speak to us through the reading. I experienced not only His conviction and healing but great joy and freedom. I left wanting more.

The discipline of reading, praying and journaling has had a profound impact on my heart. Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that my daughter and I are walking this journey together. Every week we ask one another what God has shown us. We share our joy and wonder at the God who has captured our hearts. And none of this would have happened without my daughter's insistence on taking this course and inviting me along. Her determination to follow her heart, and God's leading, has resulted in wonderful blessings to both of us.

A Daughter's Viewpoint

Stepping into this class seemed pretty spontaneous, but looking back, I can see God's hand directing us. This class has not only brought Biblical truth into my heart, but has brought me deeper in my relationship with our Lord and Savior. Digging into the word has opened my eyes to see beautiful characteristics of God. It has also brought many questions and yearnings into my heart. At first the weekly essays added a lot to my busy schedule. But they have become a sweet time when I summarize what I have learned in prayer, reading and journaling. Now I look forward to these times when I put into words what God has revealed. Charles Yue said, "What you dig up, you will hold onto." Looking back at this year, I agree.

The biggest experience in this journey is the freedom I receive when I give my all to Christ. Obedience and full submission to God brings a peace that transcends all understanding. When I read the book of Job, it vividly came to life before me. When Job realized the sovereignty of God, there was no need to question why he was at the place he was. He know God was good and in control, therefore he was in a good place. At this point, hi humility and surrender set him free.

There have been many great truths revealed this year through the study. The fellowship has been wonderful as my Dad and I met every week with other people who share the same desire to draw near to God. I am grateful for the privilege to take part in this Bible study, and I am excited to continue to experience God through this journey.

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