Customer Reviews

Leading a Worthy Life: Sunday Mornings in Plains: Bible Study with Jimmy Carter

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First I have to admit to being a Democrat and a fan of Jimmy Carter's public life after the Presidency, using his name recognition to fund public health initiatives in third world countries. However, I can't claim to be of a particulary religious bent. These lessons are very informal, recorded in Jimmy Carter's home church in 1998 and the sound quality isn't great--when someone in the audience speaks it's very hard to hear. But in the informality and simplicity lies its charm. Jimmy opens each lesson by telling what he and Rosalind have done in the preceding week, asking what other dominations or states/countries are represented in the guests who have come to listen to his lesson, and then asks for a prayer from someone in the audience before he begins. The lessons are from letters that Paul wrote and JImmy presents the message, often by asking questions of those present, in an unadorned, sincere way. This is not a smooth, professional delivery nor a pulpit-thumping evangelistic sermon. It is, as the title suggests, a country church Sunday school lesson but, whether you are religious or not, the principles presented are universal, the topics germaine to everyday life, and the goodness that comes through genuine. I don't see how anyone could listen to this set and not feel better at the end.

The president has been teaching Sunday School since his Naval Academy days and his grasp and scope of the subject matter discussed is impressive. He invites questions and participation from the audience (congregation/class?) and the sessions are spirited and informative. His talent for taking current secular issues and relating them to specific areas of the scriptures is invaluable with surprising conclusions in some cases. Not afraid of tough problems or questions he plows through each lesson with charm, focus and an easy charisma.

Jimmy Carter, a former president, gave a set of bible lessons on the Epistle to the Ephesians. Ephesians is written in the voice of Paul (separately there's controversy about whether Paul authored this book and I don't have a position on that). Paul was a prisoner in Rome at the time awaiting execution. Paul explains about being a prisoner for the lord.

Carter was impressive in this taped set of Bible lessons given at various churches. He clearly understands the lessons of the Bible and I learned much more than I expected. Carter related the lessons of Ephesians to world events and the current era in the most natural and perhaps flawless way.

I had no idea that Jimmy Carter could give such direct, folksy Bible study lessons. Further, I had no idea he could connect so well with the audience. This former president is inspirational and if you haven't paid attention to him for many years, you'll probably be as surprised as I was.

The lessons themselves are excellent because they apply to our lives. For example, Carter explains how natural it is to think of oneself as superior to poor people in poor countries, just as it was during the time of which Ephesians was written. Carter explains how damaging our words can be when we say bad things about others. He does this in a manner of a wise and humble elder imparting common sense to the teachable.

I wondered what made it possible for a former president to be so humble yet so capable. This is uncommon. Maybe Carter's faith and Bible teachings are responsible. I would certainly attend his lessons if I could, and that's saying a lot.

Another thing Carter did that I think almost nobody would note is that he explained basic things about his travels to the audiences attending his Bible studies. For example, he had gone on a big family trip to Mexico and, without giving away the material, he had a facinating way of describing everything there based on what average people would want to know. He'd explain an Indian village and describe the physical appearance of the indigenous people. He told of his experiences talking with a famous artist and then described how much this artist's works sell for, and that's exactly what an average person would want to know. It seemed that Carter can connect with people.

Through this series I learned several good life lessons through Carter's explanations of the book of Ephesians. But I also learned a bit about the state of the world too. I felt perfectly comfortable listening to Carter's voice (he's the speaker) and quickly ordered another one of his Bible study books, again to my own surprise.

When selecting this book,I thought that it may be a bit dry but worthwhile. I have discovered a great treasure! In reading this book, I have come to a special joy, and appreciation of God. In short this book is a tool to percieve life, past, preasant, and future.