JAMES & KAILIA BINMORE

Hi,

So you're doing SBS righttt? Refresh my memory, what is SBS?

Well, SBS stands for School of Biblical Studies

• It is normally 9 months, but my course goes for 10 months.

• We read the whole bible multiple times.

• We study every book giving us, at minimum, a foundational understanding of each book.

• The aim is to make progress in being formed into the likeness of Jesus in our character and through our actions.

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And why are you doing SBS?

I love being a part of the formational process where people transform more into the likeness of Jesus; otherwise known as discipleship/ spiritual formation. I believe that to do this, the foundation needs to be built on the word of God (Matt 7:24–25). How are we supposed to be built on the word if we don't know what the word says? Great question, simply; we can't! So, SBS is a way of training people in how to grapple with God's gift to us, the Bible. To build from it lives that are lived in the way of Jesus, whole, beautiful and deeply provocative to the rest of the world. Growing, flourishing and multiplying wherever we are and in whatever we are doing.

So, after I have completed this year, having learnt the method and grappled with the word, the goal is to then help others do the same. If I'm being honest, this whole process has reinforced that I will continue grappling and growing in the word long after this, it is a lifelong pursuit after all!

SBS is a way (not the only way, but a really good way) we can get more of the bible and biblical discipleship into South Africa and Africa. Also, how we can see all the different areas of society be formed into what God originally designed them to be (from the family to politics to entertainment).

I believe that Biblical discipleship:

• Sustains missions.

• Multiplies missions

• Allows all nations and generations to grow and flourish.

• And lastly, will eventually end the need for missions.

"Missions exists because worship does not." - John Piper

Simply, we want everyone to know Jesus, and enjoy him.

I believe SBS is a vital part of that process.

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Okayyy, I understand, and how is SBS going?

If you had asked me before we had Asher, I would have said it was wild.

After Asher, well.. Asher has actually helped me figure out SBS a bit more, and added some more fun challenges.

As of right now, it is fantastic, and I am quite tired haha. It's clear that God has given me and is continuing to give the energy/grace to do SBS and do it well, and also love Kailia and Asher. The leaders have been kind in helping me negotiate this new season whilst doing SBS! I have found being confronted with the truth, love and kindness of God throughout the Bible for the past 6 months has been really shaping for me. It isn't just me, I can see the tangible difference in my class mates too. I cab see that I feel more tender and myself. I am excited to work through the rest of the books and to stay in this SBS world for the next few years at least. It has been a gift and a privilege.

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And, how does SBS work?

That is a great question, it's a well thought out method that I will attempt to explain here. I've provided a good level of detail so you can understand the method, but if this isn't your cup of tea jump to the next section where I share personal stories and the impact of SBS.

So, here we go:

It is founded on an inductive study method.

• Observe

• Then Interpret

• Then Apply

However, these are not equally weighted. We do about:

90% Observation

10% Interpretation

After this we then apply.

That's my over simplified explanation, lets go one step deeper:

The (FFSA) SBS Method:

1. Pray

2. Out Loud Read

3. Paragraph Titles

4. Horizontal Chart

5. Basic Required Information

6. Inside Observations & Colour Coding

7. Outside Observations & Segment Summaries

8. Interpretations

9. Book Summary

10. Practical Application

Before you go on, I advise you to look at the photos as I will try to capture examples of what I am talking about so you can follow along. Don't worry if you don't understand!

Prayer

• Starting with prayer (but it doesn't end here haha, it is in fact throughout).

Out Loud Read

• A group of us take it in turns to read a chapter until we read the book as a whole in one go (yes even Genesis, it took about 6 hours).

Paragraph Titles

• We now work individually again where we take every paragraph in the book and with four words or less summarise the main idea of the paragraph. In our four word summary we can only use words found in the paragraph. Sometimes it works really well, other times it is very clunky!

Horizontal Chart

• We would then begin to structure the book based on what we observed in our reading so far, dividing it into divisions, sections and segments. Divisions being the biggest, and segments the smallest (look at our photos if this isn't clear). We would title the different parts to capture what is going on in that specific part of the book. Here we would find a key verse of the book and title the book with what we believe is its main idea.

Basic Required Information

• This is the part of our process where we go back into the text itself, also using bible dictionaries and encyclopaedias, but not using commentaries. It is kept strictly observational. We do this so we can acquire the basic required information to understand the book and its context. We will find things like who wrote the book, when and where was it written, who was it written to. We will seek to find the historical background for the book so we can understand the books context. Also, we would establish what genre and style of writing that the book is written in. Eventually, we can also articulate what the main point of the book is and the reason it was written.

Inside Observations & Colour coding

• This is where we observe what is written in the text, looking for things that show who (Nicodemus), where (Galilee), contrasts (but), connecting ideas (and, because), key phrases, repeated themes and many other literary devices the author uses intentionally. We may then highlight them in a specific colour for a specific literary device eg. green for who, red for where. We also try to capture parts of the text and whittle down what is essential to its main idea. I often don't whittle it down much as I appreciate that most of it provides context to the passage.

Outside Observations & Segment Summaries

• This is easier to understand if you look at the picture examples

• Here we take what we have observed in the text (who - Nicodemus) and we'll put it on the "outside". This is so we can begin to isolate one or more of our observations which we'd then want to interpret . At this point of the process, we try to summarise what is happening in the specific segment/ passage.

Interpretations

• After this whole process of strictly observing the text and the context it is within, we now have the foundation to begin asking interpretative questions eg. why was this repeated theme of Christ's supremacy significant throughout the book of Colossians? What is Paul trying to communicate to the church in Colassae? What does God describing Israel as his child show about God? We answer these questions with our own interpretation that is guided by the historical background. We can also search the meaning of the original language and allow other parts of the bible (literary contexts) to shape our understanding. We will then finish what we've been building by articulating a specific aspect of God's character and nature that we have observed, and/or stating something that is timelessly true, e.g. C&N: God is above all. TT: God is the Father of humanity, even though they don't treat him like he is.

Book Summary

• This one is quite simple. After we have observed and interpreted, we then attempt to articulate what the book is about. We try to capture the books main themes and what it meant to the original readers and what it still means to contemporary readers today. Here we also contemplate how the main message of the book contrasts a different worldview eg. secularism. Then how someone in a specific profession (eg. lawyer) might change the way they worked, if they understood the main idea of the book.

Application

• Lastly, something that has been revealed to us about God's character and nature needs to be applied and walked out. So we take some of the characters and natures of God that we have found and turn them into values and principles. We then evaluate whether we are or are not living these out (if not, then follow with repentance haha) and how we can make a specific actionable step of obedience in response to what has been revealed.

After all that, we smile, breath, then turn it in, enjoy that satisfaction and then go again!

Special Assignments

• We sometimes have special assignments, they allow us to be more creative and come up with something that is helpful in understanding the book we are studying, e.g. drawing maps for Paul's missionary journeys in Acts; making a timeline for all the kings and prophets mentioned in Kings and Chronicles.

We normally have 2-3 lectures a week, the rest is staff meetings, ministry/ worship nights, prayer sets, local outreach, house groups and lots of self-study.

I can't stress this enough, if you're confused please see my examples aha! But if you're still confused then bless you, I understand, we had 3 weeks at the start of SBS to fully understand the method and I'm still learning new things, or better ways to do things. Please send a message with any questions you may have.

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Wow, that all sounds great, so where are you now in the Bible?

We just did Micah and we're now onto Jeremiah, book 49 (for us).

Our first quarter/ term was all about the New Testament. The second quarter was covering the Pentateuch/ Torah (Gen - Deut), through to the Historical Narrative Books (Joshua - 2 Chronicles) and Wisdom Literature (Proverbs - Song of Songs).

We are now in our last quarter, mostly with prophetic books left.

What's your Favourite book/s so far?

Mark

• Seeing Jesus as the suffering servant throughout the book was sobering, but in a great way. Because this was a facet of who Jesus was throughout his time on earth. He is able to empathise with all of our pain and hardship. Yet, also throughout the book there is a mystery that arises with different characters questioning; who is this Jesus? Causing us as the reader to wrestle with that same question which is just as relevant now as it was back then. My answer: He is the Messiah and Lord.

Ecclesiastes

• A book mostly about the vanity/ meaningless of our lives when it is not connected to God, since he is life itself and the one who knows what we are designed for. Yet, in me it provoked gratitude, as I was reminded that I used to despair in life's meaninglessness. Now I get to enjoy and bring others into the beauty and purposes of God in Jesus.

Deuteronomy

• Whilst studying Deuteronomy I thought it was a good book, but it is only now after studying many of the following books that I really have appreciated its beauty. The whole book is a covenant God made with his people; he was so kind in his communication, clearly outlining expectations and consequences for Israel. I have consistently referred back to Deuteronomy in every other book I have studied since. Ultimately, it really shows who God is and who he wants Israel to be. He is the Father of a people, who were made to be his family, sons and daughters, but often they ran away from him to other lesser things. I have been inspired by the way God fathers.

What is the book you most struggled with?

2 Corinthians

• Not because it was hard to understand, although there are bits that weren't clear at first glance, but because at this point in the school I was really struggling to manage school, prep for a coming baby and everything else. So it was more my tiredness that was challenging. But within this book God showed his sense of humour (keep reading to find out why).

What are some of your favourite things about SBS?

Learning and getting to practice the method, to feel very confident in now being able to steward the responsibility of having access to God's word. Treating the bible, God's words to us, with the reverence and respect it deserves and the curiosity to find him in it.

The people I have gotten to know whilst studying have been so kind and generous towards me and our family. Having a baby in the middle of SBS has been very challenging, but they have helped make us meals and overall been good friends.

I feel more myself, I don't know how to tangibly show this haha. But being in front of the bible everyday for the last 6 months, to the extent I have been, has been exposing, but so good for me.

What have your wrestles been?

Excellent question! Balance, both before and after Asher. Balancing preparing for Asher and now loving my family with an intense bible school which requires 60-70 hours of work a week. I haven't always got it right, but it has forced me to really learn how to prioritise what is most important.

I came into the school thinking I'd have more time with each book which may sound silly, but 9 months for the whole bible is actually quite short. So, now I am realising this is more of a year of building foundations for me that can then be built from for the rest of my life, including when I staff this school in the years to come. Which makes me excited for the future and getting to go even deeper..

What has been your most Poignant Revelation?

Hopefully you remember me talking about 2 Corinthians being difficult (you should, you have just read it). Well right at the end of 2 Corinthians, God had a surprise for me which really caught me off guard. It went from a hard book to one of my favourites that I often refer back to.

*For context, I had just finished 1 Corinthians and was finishing 2 Corinthians and at this point I was very tired, very very tired, and struggling.*

I was at the end of the book eager to finish, which is where I then notice something in the text.

Paul at this point in the letter is defending his ministry to the Corinthian church.

His defence is 4 chapters long and I begin to suspect that it is a giant chiasm. Which is a literary device that is hard to find (when they are so big). It's hard to explain, see the photos for an example.

The whole point of a chiasm is to highlight a single specific part of the text (located in the middle).

So here Paul is defending his ministry and keep in mind that the Corinthians come from a culture that sees weakness as a bad thing and elevates "strong" leaders.

So, what does Paul centralise his whole ministry defence on, Jesus' words to him:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul boasts in his weakness. Because it is Jesus through him, his weakness, is then his strength. Because of the one who then is able to work through him.

Which in my context right then in that moment (it was just before Asher was born), was exactly what I needed to hear. It set me up for newborn parenting so well! And it is what I have taken with me throughout the rest of my studies this year. It is in my weakness that his power is made perfect, his grace is sufficient. It is in your weakness that Christ's power is made perfect. It's okay to be weak, because he's got us. In it we are strong, because of the one we are leaning on.

Amen,

What was your most impactful application?

I'm not sure about most impactful, but what first came to mind was somewhere (it comes up often) I observed how God is so generous. Consequently, my application was to give away something meaningful to me. I gave away a colourful jumper that I love, but I knew the recipient of it loved it too!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Hehe, wow there is actually. We have weekly local outreaches to different places. So, I was in a hospital with my friend, Josh. I had just studied Luke or Acts and we were walking around wanting to talk to people and pray with them. We met someone at the entrance who had pain when he walked, after we prayed for him it was gone, Jesus had healed him. Another man had an infected foot, it had been that way for a whole year so he couldn't walk without crutches and we prayed for him, Jesus again answered, the man could once again walk freely! We told him Jesus' story, that he was the one who had healed him and he expressed that he wanted a relationship with Jesus. Then, we eventually said goodbye and shortly after that we met a father with his son. The son's ankle was fractured, we knew this because he showed us the scan they had just taken . We prayed for him and he was able to walk on it with no pain. We shared the gospel with the son who wanted a relationship with Jesus too. The father saw this whole thing and then as a result also wanted a relationship with Jesus. That day, the two of us saw 6 people experience Jesus' healing and 4 people professed faith in Jesus and wanted relationship with him. It was profound to apply tangibly what we had just been reading and see real people's lives impacted because we simply walked out what we were learning.

Wow.

I know. Jesus is good.

So, I hope you have understood a little bit more of what I am doing with SBS and what my year has looked like so far (when I haven't been cuddling Asher).

Up until this point, we have been able to pay for 5 out of the 6 payment instalments for SBS.

So we have one instalment left to pay...

and we would love your help (yay!)

It costs about 14,000 Zar, which is roughly £600/ 1250 AUD.

To finish the last bit of the school we need to pay this before the 25th of September. If we don't meet this requirement, I won't be able to finish the school.

When I finish the school (in Jesus name), my visa is up for renewal so we will have to leave for the UK. We also need love to raise the money for this. It comes to around £850/ 1775 AUD. Asher will also need a visa, and as of right now it is unknown how much both his and mine will cost.

So in total we'd love to raise a total of £1450/ 3025 AUD

£600/ 1250 AUD by September 24th.

And an additional £850/ 1775 AUD by December 1st.

God has provided thus far, and we believe he will again. We just wanted to make our need known and give you the opportunity to partner with what God is doing with us and what he is doing here in South Africa! Please do pray about how you can help!

If you want to know how you can partner with us financially click here:

https://linktr.ee/thebinmores?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

If you enjoyed learning about my time in SBS, what I am learning, and even want more..

Please let me know as I have lot's I can share!

Thank God with us:

• Asher is doing really well, he has been sleeping, gaining weight and is a very happy lil laddy.

• It's a miracle that James has been able to do SBS and be a dad of a newborn simultaneously. It has been very worth it, James is getting so much out of it. God is using it in many ways to make his heart more tender. Those James has had the privilege to meet along the way have also been impacted by God's healing power and love.

• God has provided everything up until now 5/6ths of the SBS payments, which has been a major plus with this season being as crazy as it is.

Please pray with us:

• Citizenships, Passports & Visas (in that order). Asher has lot's of documents he needs so he can travel and then be welcomed back into South Africa. We need them to be approved quickly!

• For Kailia to have more community now that she is a mum.

• For provision. We need to pay the last instalment of SBS, for flights, visas and eventually a car.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, in a distracted world we know that a person's attention is precious, thank you for giving us some of yours. Thank you for all the support. Please have a wonderful day.

Love from Potch, South Africa,

James, Kailia & Asher

The Binmores