Study Leave

People wonder what it is that Pastor’s do on study leave. A wide variety of activities can fall under study leave. We can go on a retreat and engage in prayer. We can spend our time immersed in the Bible. We can dive deep into the pages of some theology book. We can take classes, etc. All of these are meant to rejuvenate and inform the work of the pastor.

This study leave I decided to begin a long term project that dives deep into The Lord’s Prayer. I decided to write an in-depth study that would challenge me to research this amazing resource that Christ gave us to bring us comfort and to enhance our faith. I have spent the last week doing some of the necessary research, formatting, writing, and researching some more. All this work will eventually take the form of a book that can be used by congregations for Bible Study. So, I am hoping that my study leads to an expansion of knowledge and understanding not just for myself but for others as well.

I have done a project like this before. It is an in-depth study of the Ten Commandments. I worked on it during breaks between semesters while in Seminary and have found that the work I produced has been beneficial to others. I learned an incredible amount about the Ten Commandments in writing.

Yesterday I finished the preface and the first chapter of my study of the Lord’s Prayer. I know that I have learned a lot in the process. I have been delving into seven different books on the Lord’s Prayer written by the likes of Luther, Wright, Sproul, and Crossan, as well as into commentaries and have even been delving into the original Greek. It has been a rewarding experience. I plan to continue this project in future study leaves.

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