Long Term Effect
So, you ask, what was the long-term impact? It was more than substantial. I became a
Bible Class leader on a regular basis. The pastor knew me and trusted me with leading
a class on just about any topic. As you might expect, I usually picked a book of the
Bible and covered it thoroughly. Sometimes that is not so good. I distinctly remember
Ron mentioning "the eternal study of Isaiah". I learned to change topics after six or
seven weeks. One of the best experiences came from a suggestion by Ellie that we do
a "Through the Bible" study that covered the Bible in a year. While one could not
adequately cover all the material we read each week, we did pick some interesting
and important topics out of each week's reading. Then I would put a five-question
quiz in the Sunday bulletin to tantalize the congregation. That worked. I remember
Marie coming to the class to find out if it was right for a widow to remarry. She
was a regular attendee after that. She must have liked the teaching that she could
get remarried!
But what might have been the greatest result of my Bethel Training was the subsequent
involvement in Home Fellowship Groups. Having an overview grasp of the Bible, with
memorization of concepts throughout, placed me in a good position to lead weekly
Bible studies in small groups. I remember the occasion that our church decided to
form small groups. At the time, I was responsible for "assimilation" at Christ Lutheran.
Home fellowship groups were deemed an assimilation project, so they put me in charge of
forming the small groups. That was relatively easy, but I did not see myself in a small
group. So I got two other couples that I knew were also not inclined to want to be in
a small group. "Let's form our own small group" was my suggestion. They liked it, and
guess what: These other two couples are, to this day, numbered among my closest
Christian friends. Amazing!
Then I retired from the aerospace world, and moved to Reno NV. Guess what: I am still
called on to lead Bible Classes in our church, and I am the Home Fellowship leader for
two Home Fellowship groups. While the leadership in our church here in Reno may not
know about the Bethel Bible Series, they can see by my involvement as a student in
classes led by others, that I have a good grasp of the Bible. So here I am surrounded
by Christians who have a sincere desire to know the Word and how it should be applied
in ones life. I couldn't have better friends than those in my Home Fellowship Groups.
One more thought: What got me off the dime, and writing out this letter? Well, I was with
my son, David, and his friend, also named David, on a fishing trip. And my son's friend
brought his father along too. That fellow and I had so much in common that it was mind
boggling. The more we talked, the more we found in common. Surprisingly, our discussion
brought out the fact that he had gone to school with Harley Swiggum. Yes, one of us must
have mentioned the Bethel Series, and out came this little bit of information. I explained
to George what an impact the Bethel Bible Series had on my life. And I got to thinking
that I had never shared that with you, Harley. So, here was the impetus, and now you
know that it was George Schenck that got me off the dime. Thanks to George from Barry.
And, thank you, Harley, and let me say that I am still doing my best to memorize new
concepts. You had an impact!
Barry Pearce
To read Barry's entire letter in one frame, click
The Whole Letter here, or in the frame on the left.