Techy Bible Study

“Logos Bible Study Software”

Bible Study at the Speed of...well...your RAM

Bill Mesaeh / www.billmesaeh.com

I've gotten a few questions on how I prepare for my sermons, study Scripture, etc. Well, sermon prep is probably something each guy works through in a way that works for him. That's a process that grows with the preacher.

Seeing as how I never intend to grow up, nailing down my style is probably not possible. So, I'll simply give one timeless guideline that preachers never outgrow: start with the text and let the Bible tell you what to preach. It is dangerous to approach the Bible trying to make it fit an idea you have already decided upon in your head.

That said, once you've got a piece of Scripture that you want to work through, picking it apart and asking as many critical questions as possible is absolutely essential. Never stop asking, "why?"

• Why did he say that?
  
• Why is he standing there?
  
• Why did he NOT say this?
  
• Why is the crowd so angry with Jesus?
  
• Why is this group listening to him and the other group not?
  
• Perfect the art of being a perpetual 4-yr-old.

Where you get your answers to the endless string of questions depends on your resources. Mine: part dusty books, part Logos Bible Study software. It's a completely amazing digital library software system that catalogs and indexes thousands of books. One search properly done has the program spitting back hundreds of pieces of information coming from commentaries, topical books, original manuscripts, Hebrew/Greek grammars, maps, dictionaries, etc. A lot like drinking from a fire hydrant, the task then becomes deciding what to leave out.

There will never be a substitute for solid, deep Bible study perfected through a lifetime of devotion to God's beautiful word. But, there's no reason we shouldn't harness the power of technology to dig through Scripture. I spend approximately 15 hours in study time per sermon. Without Logos, I'd probably have to triple that if I wanted to achieve the same depth of study.

Not exactly a class in hermeneutics/Bible study, rather, this was a quick response to how I dig through Scripture each week. (4-yr-old comes separately.)

Excerpt from Logo's website:

Logos Bible Software is celebrating the launch of their new online Bible by giving away 72 ultra-premium print Bibles at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The Bible giveaway is being held at Bible.Logos.com and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out Logos and see how it can revolutionize your Bible study.

in your service and His,

-bill

Six Months in Review

“Six Months in Review”

November Newsletter

Bill Mesaeh / www.billmesaeh.com

If my calculations are correct, Hannah, the boys, and I have been here six months now! In some ways, it’s hard to believe that much time has gone by. Then, when we look back at all that has changed for us in the past six months, it begins to feel like years since we left Korea and pointed our wagon toward Defiance. So, I thought it would be fun to do a quick review of our time here so far and then look toward the future of DCC.

Our first priority was obviously finding a home, and that took longer than we expected. Even though we were comfortable and well taken care of by George and Joyce, I didn’t want them to claim us on their taxes. So, Gary Reis spent countless hours driving me around and showing me an endless number of homes. After a while, they all started to look the same. Add in the fact that I was searching solo (remember, Hannah stayed behind for a while), and we found ourselves quickly wanting to make a purchase. Finally, a home in our budget presented itself 2 miles from the church, so we jumped on the opportunity and have been happy ever since. A lot of work and time have gone into the home so far, but we now feel moved in well enough to entertain and invite all of you to come by for a visit. Plans are in the works for an all-church open house as well. More on that to follow as Hannah makes the arrangementsJ.

Even larger than the purchase of our first home was the birth of our second son: Elijah Alan Mesaeh. He came to us this July, born right here in Defiance making him a native Buckeye! William has adjusted wonderfully to being the older brother and is usually “helpful” around the house.

As if this weren’t enough, our summer and fall were rounded off with VBS, trips to tour Lake James, chaperoning a CedarPoint trip, 16 Baptisms!, joining the Air National Guard as a chaplain, seeing my life-long best friend get married (finally!), Relay for Life, church picnics and kickoffs, planning and construction for The Well, etc. Many of you have had us in your homes, and we greatly appreciate that. It has helped us feel very welcome here. I would also like to thank Bryan for taking the time to introduce me to so many seniors and help me become familiar with places like Laurels, Twin Rivers and our local hospitals.

Now that we are moved in and settled down, I would like us as a church to turn our attention toward growth and expansion into the community. 2010 will be an exciting time of planning and preparation as we look to intentionally target and reach the church of tomorrow. I am very blessed and excited to be a part of this congregation, and I ask all of you to unite for the cause of expanding Jesus’ kingdom through DCC.

in your service and His,

-bill