Since arriving here in Taiwan, I have desired to converse with others in English. Alice’s long-time friend, who is also named Alice (“Ehr-Jing”), helped to organize a group from her fellowship who are interested in attending an English bible study. They attend the Bai-ja fellowship that meets near the Changhua’s university. For the last 2 weeks, I have been blessed to lead a small English bible study with this small group of 4-5 believers. We have been studying the book of Romans on Wednesday evening and book of James on Friday evening. These two nights are like highlights during my week. I am excited to meet with them.
This group of believers have been wonderful. I am just getting to know them better now. They really love the Lord Jesus and have treated me with kindness and generosity. I admire their love for God and their willingness to study the word of God and to pray. I have felt so blessed through their spirituality and their encouragement to trust in the Lord. Each of them have a living relationship with the Lord God and I am greatly encouraged by their love, faith and desire to serve God. Despite our individual weaknesses and failings, I am sure that our mutual examples of love and service to God act to encourage one other.
On a technical note, I have learned that when we doing bible studies where people are using various translations and in various languages, it can be difficult for others to follow what each other are reading. Not only is there a difference in language but there is also a difference in wording. I have found that a more formal translation like the T/NIV, ESV, N/RSV are definitely easier when one is in this type of situation. It just seems to work better. Having a dynamic translation like an NLT or GNT makes it that much more difficult for others to follow. I have been using the fellowship’s NKJV here in Taiwan and it has served me well.
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