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    With the title of “Be shepherds of God’s flock” we had the 8th annual CBF Teacher’s conference on November 19, 2016 at the Leningrad house of Chicago center. There were 31attendees, mostly CBF/BBF teachers with several out of Chicago. We began this meeting with delicious lunch together and prayers by M. Birgit Pierce and Young Lee.

• Keynote speech: “Be shepherds of God’s flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-5) by Isaac Choi 

    There are three key words in order to be shepherd for God’ flock which God wants us to. 

First, not because you must, but because you are willing. The word ‘must’ signifies a sense of obligation. On the other hand, the word, “willing” gives feeling of freedom. Willing heart comes from one’s compassion. No one wants to touch leper, rather stone or run away from him. But our good shepherd, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, and said, “I am willing, be clean!” (Mk 1:40-41) Indeed it is God’s heart.  Second, not pursuing dishonest, but eager to serve. In order to serve others, we need humility. Proud person cannot serve. More than that, “eager to serve others” requires one’s humility plus sacrifice. Jesus’ servant-ship and his sacrifice on the cross brought us his eternal salvation in the kingdom of God (Php 2:6-8). Third, not lording it over, but being examples. Jesus is the most high God Almighty. Yet he did not use his power and authority to command us to serve him. Rather, he uses them to love and serve us from our sin and the dead, particularly set good examples as a serving servant (Jn 13:5, 15).

• Special lecture: “How to study the Bible” (2 Timothy 2:15) by Dr. Mark Yang

    The Bible is God’s word to us. God speaks to us, like a father to his children to guide us into an intimate relationship with him so that we may grow in his image. There are many ways to study the Bible for us. However, we should first discover what the Bible truly says, what it means, and how to apply it to our life. The best way to do this is through the process called inductive study. 

    There are two basic types of reasoning: deductive and inductive. Deductive reasoning starts with general principles and uses them to drive individual facts (ex. Mathematics). Inductive reasoning begins by accumulating facts and, from there develops general statements and conclusions (ex. Natural sciences). The inductive method is a safeguard against subjective interpretation. Inductive study is the best way to approach and handle with respect, as the word of God. Inductive Bible study consists of three components: observation, interpretation, and application.

Observation asks, “What does the passage say?” Observation is simply the gathering of all the facts of who, what, where, and how. Careful examination of the facts is the foundation upon which we build accurate interpretation and proper application of God’s word. Careful examination of anything requires time and practice. We can say that good observation in the beginning of good interpretation.

• Requisites of observation are “will,” “exactness” and “persistence”.
• Observation begins with reading the book.
• Identify the type (genre) of literature.
• Discover the facts: ask the 5 W’s and an H.
• The five things to look for.
• Get a big picture.

Interpretation asks, “What does the passage mean?” Interpretation flows out of observation. For often, as we carefully observe the text, at that very moment we begin to see what it means. However, interpretation can also involve separate steps that go beyond merely observing the immediate text. Interpretation is both a science and art. It is a science because it is done through a logical, orderly classification of the laws of interpretation. Interpretation is also an art because it is an acquired skill demanding both imagination and an ability to apply the “laws” to selected passages or books. 

    Qualifications of an Interpreter:

• The person is born again (Jn 3:3. 1Co 2:14).
• The person has a passion to know God’s word (Mt 13:44. Ac 17:11).
• The person has a deep reverence for God (Isa 55:8-9).
• Spiritual purity (1Co 6:19).

    General Principles of Interpretation

Principle 1: Depend on the Holy spirit: Pray for the Spirit’s illumination.

Principle 2: Interpret the Bible literally, not allegorically or mystically.

Principle 3: Interpret the Bible in its context.

Principle 4: Let Scripture interpret Scripture: correlation.

Principle 5: Interpret the Bible through Christ.

Application asks, “How does the meaning of this passage apply to me?” Application is the goal of Bible study. It takes place anytime we are confronted with truth and decide to respond in obedience. It leads to a transformed life and a deep and intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. Bible study without application produces hypocrites. On the other hand, when we apply, we can be nourished and grow and be ready to serve (2Ti 3:16-17). The question is this: Even if people did read and study God’s word faithfully, what would they do about it? What practical difference would they let it make in their lives? We can apply God’s word to our personal lives, family lives, church lives and our work lives. There are many ways to internalize the words of God in every area of our lives. 

• We need to examine ourselves before the word of God (Jas 1:23-24, 2Co 13:5a, Ps 139:1-30
• It is important to find the root cause of our problems.
• Here are some helpful guidelines to apply the Scriptures:

• Memorize Bible verses (Dt 6:7-9)
• Meditate on the word of God day and night (Ps 1:1-2, 19:14, 119:15. Ac 1:8b, 13:20)
• Put them into practice (Gal 5:16-17, Ro 6:13, 1Ti 6:11-12a, Mt 6:33, Jn 13:34, Col 3:13)

    What is the process of life-change all about? It begins with the word of God. The Bible is God’s divine means of bringing change into our lives. But notice, the Word must first change my life. Then, it can begin to change my world. When God’s truth changes my life, I can become a change element in my sphere of influence. How can I bring about change in my society? The only way to bring about permanent and significant change is by changing individuals.

• Symposium: “ Teaching to Change Lives” written by Dr. Howard Hendricks

“The Law of the Teacher”- Tim McEathron

A professor said, “I would rather have my student drink from a running stream than from a stagnant pool. Likewise, “the Law of the Teacher, simply stated, is this: If you stop growing today, you stop teaching tomorrow”. The teacher is primarily a learner. It is because you cannot impart what you do not possess. At the same time, you learn from the past, but you don’t live in it. Neither personality nor methodology can substitute for this principle. A good teacher always have self-evaluation after teaching with three questions: What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? What do I have to change?  In the search for good teachers, we look for FAT people—those who are Faithful, Available, and Teachable. What they know in their heads is not the determining factor. But are they faithful in what they have done? Are they available to teach---without arm-twisting? And are they willing to learn?

• “The Law of Education” - Stephanie Polvi

As an effective teacher, you must not only know that which you would teach---that is, your content—but you must also know those whom you wish to teach. You are not interested simply in inculcating principles; you want to infect people. Therefore, “the way people learn determines how you teach. This is the Law of Education.” The teaching process involves stimulating and directing the learner’s self-activities---that’s the key expression. The teacher must excite and direct the learner’s self-activities, and, as a rule, tell the learner nothing---and do nothing for him---that he can learn or do for himself. Therefore, what’s important is not what you do as a teacher, but what the learners do as a result of what you do. The teacher is primarily a stimulator and motivator…not the player, but the coach who excite and directs the players. The learner is primarily an investigator, a discoverer, and a doer. 

• “The Law of Activity” - Joy King

“The Law of Activity tells us that maximum learning is always the result of maximum involvement.” That’s true, with one condition: The activity in which the learner is involved must be meaningful. Psychologists tell us that we have potential of remembering only up to 10% of what we hear. If we add seeing to hearing, psychologists say our potential for remembering goes up to 50%. What about adding doing to seeing and hearing? The psychologists say this combination brings the percentage of memory up to 90%. Meaningful activity is planned with a purpose. Before you choose an activity, ask yourself these questions: What will my students learn from this activity? How will this activity involve them in learning and applying biblical truth? Is the activity appropriate for the interests and age of my students? What do I need to do in order to guide this activity? A meaningful learning activity does not always involve only physical activity. It may involve mental, emotional, or spiritual activity as well