Back to School, Back to Learning

Bible Study with Gene : A monthly column by retired CoB ordained minister and scholar Eugene F. Roop———————————————————————————————————————————

As August arrives, the scent of sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks used to fill the air.  Now it's Chromebooks and Smartphones. Be that as it may, for students, parents, and educators, this season marks more than just a return to classrooms—it’s a return to the rhythms that shape our lives.

Over Seventy Years in School

Beginning when I was 5 years old, my life was shaped by the rhythm of the school year, first as a student and then as a teacher/student. I did not stop learning when I started teaching. In fact, biblical study underwent significant changes during my decades of study and teaching. In my early years, biblical scholarship in the Protestant tradition was accompanied by historical inquiry. A narrative was “true” if it could be validated by historical research.

Then, as we started working with our Jewish and Roman Catholic friends, we rediscovered the importance of narrative and poetry. A story or a poem can convey truth, whether or not it is an exact historical report. While the value of historical research remains, its most important function is to provide cultural and historical context for the Bible.

Stories about Jesus are not assumed to be historical reports just because they appear in the Bible. They convey truth, regardless of whether they meet the criteria set by historical research. Some clearly meet that criterion, while others less so. Therefore, the four accounts of Jesus' death and resurrection are all true, even if there are differences. The same applies to the creation story in Genesis 1.1-2:3 and the narrative in 2:4-24. Both are “true” even if they tell the “story” differently.

Biblical study also evolved as more women became part of the scholarly community. The presence of women in the Bible is more significant than previously thought by scholarship. The Roman Catholic tradition may have recognized the vital role of Jesus’ mother, Mary, in the Christ event, which we have not fully acknowledged. 

Educational signal

August provides an educational signal that we all must recognize, regardless of our age.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, we’re reminded: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” The back-to-school season is one of those sacred times—a moment to recommit ourselves to learning, community, and the calling God places on each of us.

Whether you're a student beginning another school year or a new educational location, a teacher preparing to inspire, inform, and listen, or a grandparent praying over your grandchildren’s school year, this is a new start. Let’s pray for wisdom, patience, and courage. Let’s encourage both compassion and curiosity.

This August, may we all go “back to school” in spirit—ready to learn, to grow, and to walk more closely with Christ.

Church Community:

As a church community, we have a special call to encourage, support, and pray for all those returning to classrooms—students, teachers, children, adults, and seniors. Let’s remember that learning encompasses the liberal arts, science, medicine, technology, and discovering the various gifts God has placed within each person.

A Back-to-Learning Blessing:

As you begin this new learning year,
May God grant you the

Curiosity to discover,
Compassion to care,
Courage to try new things, and
Confidence as God’s cherished child.

May God go before you, behind you, and beside you,
Every step of the way.