A, B, C. 1, 2, 3.

I am grateful to have the privilege to study God's word at the Los Angeles Bible Training School.  For three years now it has been a such a valuable means of grace in my life that my words fall short in explanation.  Show me a school that offers college-level Bible education, that's cheap, sound in doctrine, and church-oriented all at the same time, and I'll show you a thousand that aren't.  There is a famine in this land of the Word of God, the Church is in great need, and the Los Angeles Bible Training School is one of her mightiest reservoirs-a place where pastors and teachers from local Churches can come learn how to study the Word of God for themselves.  LABTS doesn't just feed men fish, it teaches them how to fish, and then because of its high view of ecclesiology, instructs them to do the same to others.  To my utter astonishment, I've even heard one professor comment, "Our mission is to shut this school down!  Why?  Because when it's all said and done, we'll know the Lord's Church is being fed by men who teach the Word of God, and who don't need a school to train them how to rightly divide."


In my three years at the school I have yet to shake the hands of the men and women the Lord uses to allow we students to attend for such an inexpensive price.  LABTS charges only 50 dollars a semester, to anyone, as long as they're a born-again Christian, and receives most of their funds from generous donors who share in the school's vision.  Whoever these generous men and women are, every semester I grow more eager to serve the Lord the way you do.  I'm in awe, and can't begin to imagine what your rewards will be in heaven.  I am indebted to you, dear friend, and pray the Lord will graciously allow me to make your acquaintance someday.  


With all that being said, LABTS has a slogan, "Set your heart to study the Word of God."  That slogan is derived from the seventh chapter of Ezra, verse 10.  The text reads, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10)  Recently in my personal study time, I sat down and reflected on just how meaningful this verse is and how important it is to have as a slogan for all those who are studying the Word of God.  Allow me a moment to point this out to you, because I think I can help us both understand exactly why the school chose to have this verse permeate throughout their motto.  Upon first reading the text, it's easy to rush through without taking careful notice of detail (as is usually the case with any section of holy script).  I invite you to take note with me of the three steps Ezra took leading up to his instructing the children of Israel. 

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel."

Ezra 7:10

1) He set his heart to STUDY the Word of God diligently.  It was an ongoing work that Ezra had resolved in the core of his being to do.  He gave himself to the work of studying each jot and each tittle till he knew them inside and out.

2) Secondly, Ezra PRACTICED his study.  In other words his learnings became his life, and that which he studied was fleshed out in his own personal walk.  Ezra wasn't like those spoken of in the book of James who are described as hearers of the word, and not doers.  These men were like those who looked in a mirror and saw their natural face, but upon walking away immediately forgot what kind of person they were.  Ezra did no such thing, for he had resolved in his heart not only to study the statutes of the Lord, but to walk in them.


3) Lastly, and only lastly after doing these things, Ezra began to TEACH the Word of God to the people of Israel.


A couple thoughts to close this blogpost...  Know this, reader: before we can begin to teach and instruct others the way of the Lord, we must first be people who walk in the way. 

 Before I can begin to give the Word to others, my life must be given to the Word. 

This is must be done both in study and in practice.  As the famous saying goes, "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"  Secondly, before we can know how to live at all, before we can even as so much have a hint as to how we are to walk in this world, we must first be students of The Book!  For how will we ever be able to live that which we don't know?  And lastly, these three steps are meant to be an unbreakable chain.  Wise is the man, wise is the woman, who strives with all fervor to follow these steps in order.  A, B, then C.  1, 2, then 3.  And remember: it will all be accomplished by His grace, and for His glory.

Soli Deo Gloria, Saints! 
-zach 
1 Cor. 2:2


Lord, pray you stay fast my heart, that I may keep my own words, lest I bring hypocrisy to fruition.  Knowing I'm weak, and apart from thee I can do nothing, I set my heart to STUDY the Word of God, after that to PRACTICE what I study, and lastly to come alongside others and TEACH them to do the same!  
Kyrie Eleison, LORD.