Trucker’s Bible Study
Oak Grove, Mo., #20
May 16, 1999: In Revelation we read about the church at Ephesus which had lost its first love. Today we had a trucker who has that first love of God’s word.
Although baptized as a teenager, he had drifted away, but just within the past few months (35 years from his teenage commitment) he finally has come to truly seek God and his ways. I found it fascinating to hear him describe the little, seemingly innocuous events that finally led him into God’s word. People just happened to be at the right place at the right time to plant just the right seeds and water them. This reminded me of some studies I have come across which indicate that someone must hear the gospel seven times before it finally sinks in. In other words, we might not even know the impact we will have on others. This is a case where one planted, another watered, but God gave the increase.
As a trucker, he is on the road most of the time, as he has decided to change to another company in order to spend more time with his family. How could he know whether it was God’s will to take this other job?
We turned to Ephesians 5:17, which says that we must understand what the will of God is. Paul then goes on to talk about the lives we are to lead, and the context of 5:17 implies that it is God’s will that we live lives worthy of our calling, part of which is being a good family man (v. 25-33). So whether we take a certain job or not is the wrong question. God is more concerned about eternal things. Take that job if it will help reach toward his Kingdom and build a stronger marriage, for that is God’s will.
The other trucker was quite knowledgeable, realizing not only that Christ will return, but also that there will be a millennial rule of Christ, and after that a new heaven and new earth, where all suffering will cease, and that even the food laws of the Bible are provable scientifically. Once again I am impressed by how much truth someone can come to know by just taking the Bible for what it says. More than that, I can’t figure out why it should surprise me.
Finally (because one of these men is from Colorado) I asked him what the impact has been of the Columbine High massacre, and he confirmed that it has caused so much shock that people are beginning to look to religion as an answer. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. As an adjunct to that, we looked at Ezekiel 22, which talks about God looking for a man to stand in the gap. What can we do as individuals to stand in the gap? Tough question to answer. Maybe it is just being who we are and having the courage to stand up for our values.
We ended the study after an hour, but the two gentlemen and I stood around and talked for another 30 minutes or so. It’s rewarding to be able to provide a place for people to come together and share what they understand from the scriptures. There is a real hunger for that kind of thing.
—Lenny Cacchio
705 Ne Bryant Dr; Lees Summit, Mo 64068; lenny_cacchio@hotmail.com
We hope other Servants’ News readers will try to share in work and rewards of which Lenny Cacchio speaks. You may not serve truckers, but have opportunity to conduct a study in your home, work-place or school. Right now, many people are searching for truth from the Bible. A simple ad for a "non-denominational Bible study" in a phone book, in newspaper church-pages, or on a bulletin board will often get a study started. Then, it will grow by word of mouth. We encourage our readers to try it. The two biggest fears are easily solved: What if nobody ever comes? Then you know that the Eternal does not want you to have the study. What if someone asks a question you cannot answer? You simply say "I don’t know". May the Eternal bless your study! —NSE