After being formally accepted into the Moody Theological Seminary for their Master of Divinity (online) program, I still needed to fill out a form or two and also to send in a $100 non-refundable deposit (all completed).
Today, I spoke with an adviser over the phone while in the Moody student website and managed to get enrolled for the first two classes. The first class runs from August 26 to October 13 and is titled “Old Testament History, Literature, and Theology” and the second class, “New Testament History, Literature, and Theology” runs from October 21 to December 8.
Interestingly, since this online program runs year round, and the classes are taken one at a time, the classes aren’t aligned as if in semesters. Neither are the payments. So, for the fall section, I will have these two 3 credit hour courses. The spring section will start in January and consist of three 3 credit hour courses. Then there were be one or two summer courses and then the fall courses again.
They don’t have a schedule completely ready for publication, but that’s the gist of it. Thus, the payment due for August will be for 6 credit hours @ $385 plus a $30 distance learning fee. That comes to $2340. This divides into thirds at $780 which corresponds with the amount we need to see come in for the Timothy Scholarship fund. Any funds given through our church that exceed this amount will be held for the next payment period which should be in either late December or early January. A third of the next section should come to $1,165.
Overall the program is 90 hours. I’m excited to have the opportunity to grow in my knowledge and understanding of Scripture and our God who inspired them and made Himself known through it. In a weekly Bible study I led this evening on the book of Ephesians we came across Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers in the closing verses of chapter one. He didn’t pray for their physical well-being or needs, but rather…
1:15-18 (NLT)
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
This is the prayer we should have for ourselves and for each other. There are other things to pray for and about, but there is nothing more important than praying for and attaining spiritual wisdom and insight and growing in our knowledge of God.
Does spiritual wisdom and understanding just appear out of thin prayer in some sort of mystical, spiritual miracle? It comes from the source of wisdom and understanding…the Word of God and the God of the Word. Without God’s Word we’re at a standstill for gaining such wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
May God use the many, many hours of study in the coming years to grow within me spiritual wisdom and understanding and a deeper knowledge of God.
If you’d like to contribute toward the Timothy Scholarship on my behalf, the following directions will be helpful.
1) Make your check payable to “Bethel Baptist Church”
2) On the memo line (and possibly with a note) mention “Timothy Scholarship Fund for McManus” (if that’s too long, try something shorter like “McManus Moody Scholarship”…something that ties it to my name and a scholarship)
3) Mail your check to the following:
Bethel Baptist Church
15 Bethel Road
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Gifts can also be given through our mission as normal support from which I can submit for reimbursement of expenses paid toward these studies. To do that online via our mission’s website, go here and click “Give.”
Thanks so much for your prayers and your gifts if you’re able to help in that way.
Knowing Your ABCDs 