I wrote this to be included in an article Molly Blass is writing for the WIC newsletter. She’s trying to show, I think, that Bible studies that are straight theology are practical–they have take-away value even if it’s not specified in a topical study.

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I went to the Deuteronomy study hoping to learn to know God better. I ended up gaining some love for my neighbors along the way.

That shouldn’t surprise me, I guess. In Ephesians 5:1 we’re told to imitate God as dearly loved children. Well, how do children learn to imitate their parents? It’s not like Junior says to himself, “Hmmm, Dad sounds pretty cool, I think I’ll speak with a southern accent when I start talking.” No, Junior’s parents smile at him and kiss him and tickle him. They feed him and sing to him and bless him in every way, and the dearly loved, happy little Junior sits in his swing and gazes, with big wonder-filled eyes, at the parents who love him so much.

Next thing you know, Junior is walking and talking like Mom and Dad.

I’m like Junior. Looking into Deuteronomy was like gazing into the smiling face of my Father who loves me with an irrevocable love. He’s bent on blessing me in every way. So when I’d go home from the women’s Bible study each week, I’d smile and wave at my neighbors, not because I thought, “I learned today that God loves the alien and he has commanded me to love them as well, so I need to be kind to my neighbors.” I was simply full of the love of God and I really felt affection for my neighbors.