Word Studies: Hebrews

Class: Hebrews


Week #13: December 5- 9
Professor: Pastor Paul Harbourne

Pastor Paul Harbourne

Assignments: Read through Hebrews twice and the textbook, Everyman's Bible Commentary: the Epistle to the Hebrews by Charles F. Pfeiffer, before the final exam.

Pastor Harbourne was born and raised in Toronto. After working in the computer industry for over decade, Pastor Harbourne and his wife, Kim, decided to attend Word of Life Bible Institute in 1993. After graduation in 1994, he obeyed God’s call to come to Owen Sound and minister with WOL Canada. Later, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Prairie Bible College. In July 2008, Pastor Harbourne accepted the call to be pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Collingwood, ON. He and Kim live in Collingwood with their three children, Tyler, Lindsay and Brendan.

"I loved his fatherly approach to teaching and his willingness for us to make sure we could understand everything. Under his teaching, Hebrews became not only understandable, but also applicable."
- Monica, Stratford

The Epistle to the Hebrews is an interesting book from the New Testament. Not much is known about the origin of this letter. Who wrote it, where it came from and was it written to any specific church are questions that remain unanswered. However, because of the many Old Testament references, Hebrews was mostly likely written to a primarily Jewish audience.
The superiority of Christ is the theme of Hebrews. The author, through heavy doctrine, proves that Christ is better than any Old Testament tenets, such as the sacrificial system and the priesthood. But this epistle is not just for Israel. The message of Hebrews is that Christ is enough. Christians need to realize that He is all they need. Not only does the author prove that Christ is better, but the author also presents to believers several warnings about falling away. When looking at the letter as a whole, one will discover that over-all, it is an extremely encouraging book, and some of the last few verses display this encouragement.


"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly."
- Hebrews 13:20-22

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WOLBI's Heartbeat - Personal Discipleship

Have you ever felt the need to just talk to someone? Talk to someone and be able to them about the things that are really bothering you, REALLY bothering you? Have you ever felt afraid to say anything because it might make you seem weird or someone might find out?

Discipleship is really what sets us apart at the Owen Sound campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.

“I really enjoy the personal discipleship here. The disciplers are really interested in you and want to see you grow closer to God in your spiritual walk.” Student Class of 2012

“It has been an amazing year to grow closer to God and learn. In two months I believe I have learned more at WOLBI than in my year at another Bible college last year.”Student Class of 2012

Some would consider discipleship as meeting with people and simply asking, “So, how are you?” “How’s work?” etc. but is that really what Jesus had in mind when He put forth the command to “Go and make disciples”? Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing ungodly about just ‘getting together’ as a form of informal discipleship. We seek to provide just that through the many social activities such as banquets, crazy game nights, and other merely fun and social activities that dot our calendars allowing students and staff to connect. However, if this is our only definition of discipleship, I believe we are being blatantly disobedient to God’s desire. Let’s look at Jesus’ words:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”
Matt. 28:18-20a

You see discipleship is more than just what we call “fellowship.” It is teaching people to obey everything that Jesus commanded – the whole counsel of God! This grand a task cannot effectively be done shooting the breeze over coffee with idle chatter. It is transparent, purposeful, and diligent inter-personal ministry.

“A big blessing for me has been discipleship. There have been times when I feel like I am the only one struggling with the issue that I have. Through discipleship, I have learned that my struggle is actually very common and the Bible has the exact answer for it. The more I get into God's Word the more I learn about the mighty God we serve.” Student Class of 2011

“A staff member was used by the Lord to change my life and I daily remember the things he has taught me… He changed the way I used to think and taught me life-values from the Bible. He taught me how to make biblical principles for my life. He taught me how to act proper in the way I treat my parents. He taught me how to deal with many bad situations.” Student Class of 2011

So what makes us so different?  Our daily Quiet Time (personal devotions), evening Dorm Devos, chapels, dorm life, and the voluntary, personal one-on-one discipleship program with discipleship-equipped staff members, all focus on the intersection between God’s Word and our lives and is a powerful recipe for life-change!

“Deans’ chapels have really been applicable and practical in helping me dealing with sin in my life!” Student Class of 2012

There’s no better place to not only learn the Word, but to learn to live the Word.
Why not consider joining us as we corporately and personally ‘provoke each other to love and good works’ and teach each other to ‘observe all the things that Jesus has commanded us.’

 Jonathan Ward, Assoc.Dean of Students



For more on the Ministry of Jonathan and Melissa Ward follow the link and become a fan of their Facebook Page.

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WOLBI News!

Why not take a minute or two and read up on the Discipleship that takes place here on campus. The Bible Institute's website has posted an article written by Jonathan Ward, the Associate Dean of Students and Professor of Bible Survey. The article discusses not only what discipleship looks like here at the BI, but also the lasting impact it has on the lives of the students. It includes some testimonies of just a few of the students whose lives have been changed by this incredible ministry.

Check out the article here!


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Jon & Melissa Ward also have a Facebook Ministry Page for more up-to-date news.

WOLBI News!: Entertainment Central

These past few weeks at the Word of Life Bible Institute have been packed with awesome activities. Here's a quick update on what has been happening here on campus!

First, we had Word of Life's GOT TALENT on November 25. The evening had some intense competition but in the end it was all in good fun. Everyone had a great time, both those who performed and those who came for the show. The talents displayed were as varied as snowflakes, with performances of song, drama, magic and comedy. The judges had a tough time deciding who was going to win in each category: Drama, Instrumental, Vocal (solo), Vocal (group). In the end these were the winners:

        - Drama -  Declare (WOLBI Drama Team)

(left to right) Aaron, John, Tyler, Sophia and Allison

        - Instrumental - Esther, Quebec


        - Vocal (Solo) - Monica, Stratford


        - Vocal (Group) - KMC2

(left to right) Monica, Kayleigh and Christina Anastasiou

The Deans got in on the fun in a very interesting way. Here's a look at their performance.

(left to right) Kevin O'Boyle, Assistant Dean of Men; Jonathan Ward, Dean of Students

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In more recent news, the student council hosted the Christmas Banquet for all the students and staff. Though it was raining outside, a winter wonderland invited the attendees inside. Candles lit the path to the entrance of the dining hall and twinkling lights greeted the staff, students and guests as they entered a completely transformed dining hall. The evening consisted of good food, good fun, and, most importantly, good company. The student council did an excellent job planning out the evening's activities. The students had the pleasure of enjoying a slideshow, giving them a look back at the year so far, the memories made and the friendships built. Student Council President, Marcel Van Der Linde, gave a challenge to both the students and staff, to not forget what they had learned these past few months in and out of classes.



The students now look forward to Christmas break and then a return to classes in January. Also, in January, the students will be going to Missions Conference at the BI in Schroon Lake, NY and, starting in late January, Recharge Snow Camp Ministry will begin.


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Word Studies: Leviticus

Class: Pastoral Epistles

Week #12: November 28 - December 2
Professor: Dr. Tom Davis

Assignments: Students are to read the book of the Leviticus two times. Dr. Tom Davis will be teaching you the Book of Leviticus this week. Dr. Davis received his BS in Bible from Lancaster Bible College, an MDiv from Grace Theological Seminary, took Advanced Studies at Jerusalem University College and obtained his PhD from Nova Southeastern University. He is our Academic Dean of the Bible Institute and a Professor at the Schroon Lake, New York, campus. Leviticus is a tough read. Yet, it is important and needs to be studied. The students have the opportunity to learn about the laws, feasts and the purpose of Leviticus. Dr. Davis does a fantastic job of helping the students discover the purpose of each feast and the laws that God had instituted for Israel. There are so many laws that God put in place for the Jews to follow. One wonders why God is so specific and almost arbitrary in His laws, but God had a point in all this for Israel. The main focus for Leviticus is the core phrase, "Be ye holy (set-apart), as I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45). Almighty God says this to the children of Israel in order to encourage them to be like Him. As New Testament believers in the church, this command is repeated for us in 1 Peter 1:15-16. This is the message of Leviticus and the command from God: to be holy or set apart for the glory of God. BW

Word Studies: Pastoral Epistles

Class: Pastoral Epistles

Week #10-11: November 14-25
Professor: Mr. Dave James

Assignments:
Read 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus twice throughout both weeks of the course.
Read Chapters 1, 4, 5 and 6 of The Pastoral Epistles (Homer Kent) throughout both weeks of the course.

Dave James is a co-founder and the ministry coordinator for The Alliance for Biblical Integrity. Dave served with Word of Life for 22 years, with 16 of those as the founding director of the Word of Life Hungary Bible school. He has attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Word of Life Bible Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary.

These two weeks are filled with solid, Biblical teaching from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus. These epistles expose the truth of what biblical church leadership needs to be. Mr. James enjoys sharing what Paul teaches in these New Testament books in a way which endeavors to involve the whole class. He takes time for group discussions which allows the students to understand that the Bible is straightforward in what it says. In their groups, they are able to come to a conclusion as to what the Bible teaches on various topics found in the Pastoral Epistles. Because of this method, the students begin to realize it is not what the teacher says which makes it true, but it is what the Bible says which makes it true. In and out of class, Mr. James is always willing to share the wealth of wisdom God has given him through years of Bible study and experience and the students are privileged to sit underneath his teaching.

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Missionary Profile: The Burns Family

Today in Dean's Chapel, the students had the opportunity to hear from Wes Burns. The Burns family will soon be calling the province of Quebec their home. Wes Burns and his wife have both been burdened with sharing Christ Jesus with the people of Quebec, specifically southern Quebec. Working with Baptist International Missions Inc. and being sent by the church in which they met, Jacksontown Baptist Church, New Brunswick. The Burns family is excited to be used by God in this amazing work He has planned for them. They have several different goals:

        - Evangelism - Reaching out to the people with the gospel of Jesus Christ

        - Church Planting - Working with the believers to form Bible-preaching churches in Quebec

        - Discipleship - Teaching believers how to base their lives on Biblical principles

        - Children's Ministry - Reaching and teaching children with the Bible


In Dean's chapel, Wes Burns s:hared that both he and his wife have a passion for the people of Quebec. After his presentation, Mr. Burns took time to teach from Matthew 28:16-20,  encouraging the students to be missionaries wherever God leads them in life.

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