Chattanooga - Day 1

"Well! You're up early enough to kick the dog and wake up the rooster!", the guy in the lobby said this morning. Welcome to Chattanooga, home of picturesque antebellum mansions and hospitality capitol of the South. Everyone here is so nice!

I started the training program today. My first classes are "Studying and Learning Precepts" and they are based upon the three fundamentals of every Precepts Bible study; Observation, Interpretation and Application.

The method involves very careful reading of Scripture with a surprisingly practical way of walking through each passage using other Scripture to affirm, clarify and enhance the text.

Observation involves marking the words, finding the '5w's and an H", and making a list of key words.

Interpretation is a way of understanding what the text means by analysing the context (a favorite of mine), cross referencing, word study and commentaries (as a last resort).

Application is bringing the meaning of the text to bear in our lives. The ultimate goal of application is to know God and to experience a changed life through the study of the Bible.

We spent most of the day utilizing these tools and learning how to get comfortable with them. I am very impressed by the practicality of the method and by the depth of the materials. The staff here is very helpful and passionate about the Word of God. I had the chance to meet Kay Arthur at breakfast this morning. A very gracious lady and also very committed to the truth of the Word.

After a great dinner and a short seminar on software, I'm back in my room and ready to decompress.

Here's a way to learn a lot about Chattanooga. My room is a mini-suite with wi-fi, mini frig, microwave, cable and decent storage space. When I asked 'Evan' how much it was an evening, she said "$44.00." I said, "Wow!", thinking a room like this would be $150 in DC. Evan hesitated for a moment then said, "Well, if you have AAA, I can give you a discount." What a lovely place!