February 2015 Student Newsletter

Words from the Director

Russell Haffner

School Director: Russell Haffner

George Fillmore Swain, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, stated in the preface of his book How To Study, "Education is an opportunity, nothing more. It will not guarantee success, or happiness, or contentment, or riches. Everything depends upon what development is produced by it and what use is made of it." Our academic program is structured to be both rigorous and challenging. We have found that students learn best when they experience tasks that push them to do more. Everything we do is with the greatest of intent, and we pay close attention to making use of the best practices in education. Our goal is to help you to obtain the best understanding possible of God's word. What you do with that knowledge is in your hands.

Swain also said, "What the student gets out of his education depends largely upon what he puts into it. The student is not an empty vessel to be pumped full of learning; he is a complex machine which education should help to run properly." Our students are not "empty vessels" to merely be filled. Our students represent a rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds and differing life experiences. We view this amazing diversity as one of our school’s most important strengths in an increasingly global and interconnected world. I am deeply proud of the school and am honored to have a small part in your education as you study the Bible. Your zeal and enthusiasm is a constant encouragement to me. May God receive the glory for the work of the school and your education.

In His Service,
Russell Haffner (Director)
WVBS Online School

Words of Encouragement

Why should we memorize the Bible? In Colossians 3:16 we find Paul telling the Christians in Colosse to, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…" Memorizing God's word places it in our hearts and minds where it is always available to us. It transforms our mind so that we can know God's will for our lives (Romans 12:2). The memorized word helps us to stand against the temptations of our day to day challenges in this life. The Psalmist expressed to God, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalms 119:11). Memorized Bible text is a weapon to protect us against the worldly lies that surround each of us. As part of our Christian armor we take "…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:13-18). When we put God's word into our minds we are better able to encourage others. In 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Paul told the Christians to comfort one another with God's word. Having the holy scriptures readily available in our hearts and minds is a great asset to our daily lives.

Pressing On

For over 28 years now WVBS (www.wvbs.org) has made teaching and study materials available for others to better learn God's word. Their goal is the same as it has always been, to serve God and His people by doing His will to the best of their ability. They are committed to producing and distributing excellent quality, scripturally sound, inexpensively priced Bible study material through video, audio and the written page. They also have hours of other great teaching videos online for free viewing at (www.wvbs.org/video). We are genuinely grateful for their willingness to provide their instructional videos to the online school for free viewing. The work of the school could not continue without their help.