Welcome to Montana

“Big Sky Montana” is aptly named. This often ignored destination is a hidden gem. However, the beautiful scenery and friendly, laid-back locals are not the reason which inspired me to make the 1, 500 kilometer drive to Lakeside. Rather, the small town of Lakeside plays host to a large YWAM (Youth With a Mission) campus with a strong missional conviction to see the Gospel and the truth of scripture penetrate difficult and unreached locations around the globe. Specifically, YWAM Montana facilitates and operates a frontier bible-teaching ministry known as Titus Project. The goal of Titus project is to “equip SBS (School of Biblical Studies) graduates with teaching skills and mobilize them onto the field”. Typically this ministry begins with three weeks of preparation which is followed by eight to twelve weeks of intensive teaching outreaches in countries starved for discipleship and bible teaching. Nearly ten days into the program, we have received teaching on various topics such as ‘The Heart of the Teacher’, ‘Preparing a Lecture’, ‘Presenting Your Lecture’, ‘Reaching Oral-Communicators’, ‘Effectively Communicating to Differing Learning Styles’, and ‘Expository Preaching’ with more to come in the ensuing weeks. We have finished one of five practice teaching sessions where we teach/preach to a panel of fellow-students and staff for evaluation and constructive feedback. Last week we taught a 45-60 minute overview of the Inductive Method of bible study, showing believers how they can effectively study the scriptures for themselves. The program currently has twenty participants which will be dispersing to four different outreach locations; Ukraine, Tailand, Nepal, and Kazakhstan. Personally, the past week has greatly opened my eyes to the mammoth task and responsibility of the modern bible teacher, and equipped me with skills for practically communicating the gospel and God’s word in a way that will bring lasting change and transformation to the hearers. I am falling in love with teaching and God’s word all over again. The goal is that by the end of the seminar program that all participants will have an arsenal of different styles and experiences teaching. Specifically, we will have learned how to teach Inductive Bible Study Overview, Bible Overview (The Meta-narrative from Genesis – Revelation), expository sermons, and individual books of the bible or topical studies. Pray for the upcoming outreaches and for those that will be impacted and empowered by God’s word. More on Titus Project coming soon…

Cheers,

Joshua