These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Brent Mitchell is an area pastor serving in the New York and New Jersey congregations. In a recent forum addressed to the students of Living Education-Charlotte, he delivered sound wisdom on how to build trust.
Trust in Teams
Trust in an essential ingredient in teams—however, the absence of this important trait can lead to poor outcomes and ineffective communication. Mr. Mitchell heavily emphasized the importance of trust and trustworthiness as not only being important virtues to embody, but also the fact that trust is an outcome—it is the product of action and effort.
Foundation of Trust
It’s important to understand trust as an outcome—this dimension changes it from a static trait into an active result. It should also prompt us to ask: who do we trust? And who trusts us? How effectively do we embody trustworthiness? As Mr. Mitchell explained, we learn to do so by developing in character and competence.
Building Trust
Mr. Mitchell described seven key character traits that help us exhibit trustworthiness toward others.
Honesty –Being able to honestly express our feelings and opinions based on what you know. Honesty is a critical aspect of being truly trustworthy. Proverbs 12:17 states: “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.” If we want to be truly trustworthy, we should be completely free from deceit.
Courage – Being honest and trustworthy takes courage, especially when we face external pressure.
A Pattern of Good Works – Having integrity and a reputation of being upstanding and moral goes a long way. We should be striving not only to build good, godly habits, but to do good to others.
Dependability – Other people may rely on us, and we should strive to be dependable for those who need our help. Dependability drives trust.
Transparency – Sometimes it’s important to share our cards with others and to be transparent about our side. This is an important factor in exhibiting trust.
Kindness – Kindness is deeply important for building trust. Helping people know that they are cared for and looking out for their best interests is deeply critical to facilitating trust in teams and interpersonal relationships.
Authenticity – Having a clear conscience helps us have a positive alignment of our actions and beliefs. This means being genuine—not pretending to be someone you’re not.
Embody Trustworthiness
Mr. Mitchell encouraged the students to give people time and work at exhibiting trustworthiness. He also referenced the Parable of the Talents—with the tools and opportunities God gives us to build relationships and work in teams, especially in the Church, we should take full advantage and work hard to be trustworthy. If we want others to trust us, be trustworthy.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/un-perfekt-handshake-4040911-1.jpg8171500David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-27 14:41:372026-03-27 14:42:09Mr. Brent Mitchell: The Result of Trust
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr Htoowah Laybeh is an Area Pastor serving in Myanmar and Thailand, overseeing a large area of congregations. In a recent forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte student body, Mr. Laybeh presented some important questions and exciting facts about the Work being done in Southeast Asia.
Why Are You Here?
Mr. Laybeh prompted the students to answer this question for themselves. Why are any of us here—not only at Living Education, but in the Church? With the work that we support, what is the benefit? What’s in it for us as we follow Christ?
Mr. Laybeh shared a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This lesson should prompt us to base our success on service to others, not at the expense of others. The Work being done in this region of the world is directly impacted by the support and effort of many people, including members far away. The brethren’s needs are met through the hard work and dedication of people who have a heart to serve.
The Work in Thailand
The Church’s efforts in Thailand go back to the days of the Worldwide Church of God. Today, the Church operates as the Foundation in order to maintain operations in the country. Work began in order to register in Thailand back in 2016. In 2018, we officially registered as a legal entity, enabling us to operate legally within the country. Today, the Church, through the Foundation, is able to serve its members through this vehicle. The Church’s office in Mae Sot works on processing mail, hosting services and Bible studies, fulfilling literature requests, and more in order to serve the brethren throughout the country.
Thailand has a population of over 67–71 million, with only around 30 individuals currently in the Church, indicating there is still an opportunity to do the Work within the country. He also shared valuable life lessons, noting that amid the intense challenges and trials faced by many of our Chin brethren in northern Myanmar, it is important to keep praying for them and never take things for granted.
Education
Another aspect of the work in Thailand is the involvement of Living Education. Each year for the past 3 years, Living Education has sponsored volunteers—alumni of the Living Education-Charlotte program—to assist schoolteachers in teaching English to students. With the help and efforts of these students, the Church’s positive impact on the community at large helps foster a stronger relationship with officials in Thailand.
Serve Others – Growing through Serving
Mr. Laybeh reminded the students that we’re here for a purpose. We are here to learn, grow, and, especially for our Living Education-Charlotte students, to go back and serve. The brethren in Thailand benefit a great deal from the efforts and service of volunteers working hard to meet their needs—this important lesson should be an example for all of us within the Body of Christ as we learn to lose ourselves in the service of others.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sasint-grand-palace-1822487.jpg5781500David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-27 14:39:532026-03-30 08:40:30Mr. Htoowah Laybeh: The Work in Asia – Growing Through Serving
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Dr. John Cole attends the local Charlotte congregation, and as a licensed Property and Casualty Agent, has accumulated many years of experience in business strategy. In a recent forum message addressed to the students of Living Education-Charlotte, he shared several important tips and lessons for developing a solid business strategy for your own life.
SWOT Analysis
Dr. Cole encouraged the students to utilize the tool of a SWOT analysis when making important career decisions. SWOT stands for: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Making a list of what falls under these categories can help inform those important decisions. Whether you’re applying for a company or planning to be an entrepreneur, as you construct a strategy for your life and career, doing a SWOT analysis is an important tool.
Know What the Company is All About
What if you’re applying for a position at a company? Dr. Cole encouraged the students to research and understand what the company is all about beforehand, and to determine if working for that company would align with your values, as well as your long-term goals and overall business strategy.
This principle also applies to entrepreneurs starting their own business. If you’re going to create a company and market yourself, you should have a clear business plan and solid idea not only of what your company does, but what it’s all about. This will help your company’s success in the long term, as well as how it’s perceived by others.
Reputation
In learning to navigate the world of careers and entrepreneurship, it’s important to keep your reputation in mind. Employers and interviewers check up on applicants to see if they should hire the person. Dr. Cole reminded the students to guard their reputations—when ethical challenges or other situations arise that bring your character into question, you can have a clean conscience and even welcome the scrutiny that proves your character is solid.
Envision Success and Pray for Guidance
Dr. Cole told the students to assess whether they would want to climb the corporate ladders they might come into contact with. Make sure to embody trustworthiness and confidentiality, and to have an employable character. Take the time to envision the success of your business strategy, and put in the hard work to achieve it. And in any undertaking, always involve God in the process. We should always remember to pray for guidance as we pursue any endeavor and develop a strategy for our life.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rawpixel-action-2277292.jpg10241500David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-19 18:30:002026-03-19 16:29:32Dr. John Cole: Business Strategy
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Marc Arseneault is a pastor serving in the Quebec and New Brunswick areas of Canada. Recently, he delivered a forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte students.
The Great Commission
Mr. Arseneault quoted Matthew 28:18, stating: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This commission directly applies to our lives today. Mr. Arseneault encouraged the students to remember that we can all have a part in this Work.
Be Witnesses
Jeremiah 1:5 says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.” God has a plan for each of our lives, and He expects us to follow Him and to contribute to His Work being done. This includes our commission to be witnesses of God’s way of life and the Gospel message.
To be witnesses of this way of life, we can do many things to be lights and examples to other people. Mr. Arseneault encouraged the
Use This Year to Start a Change
To be witnesses of this way of life, we can do many things to be lights and examples to other people. Mr. Arseneault encouraged the students to bear these important truths in mind and to live accordingly—use this year to make a change. To be of benefit to other people could mean many things—taking of our time to serve them, or even learning another language. Seize the opportunity you have to do the right thing and to be a light and witness of God’s way of life to all nations.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/yuri_b-map-of-the-world-2401458_1280.jpg7671280David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-13 17:30:002026-03-13 14:52:56Mr. Marc Arseneault: Reaching the Nations
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Michael Brown is a pastor serving in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Western Ontario, and in a recent forum addressed to the students of the Living Education-Charlotte program, he delivered helpful advice on social interactions and developing confidence.
Commanded to Be Courageous
Joshua 1:9 says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God encourages us to be courageous in the face of adversity. Sometimes, those difficulties come in social settings. In Proverbs 29:25, we read: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
We all often face fear of men. We have a natural fear of judgment for the things we say or do. That fear prevents us from being courageous and speaking the truth—we’re worried about what people may say or think.
Mr. Brown reminded the students that it’s important to remain courageous, and offered four keys to overcoming that fear—through the acronym of FEAR.
F — Framing
The first step to overcoming social fear is learning to frame narratives. In conversation, people often frame a narrative. We need to be able to recognize how someone else might be framing their side of the conversation and what they’re trying to say or build up to. It also means being intentional about how we frame what we say so that it is well-received and accurate.
Sometimes people might challenge you or present a logical fallacy that is intended to trick you. In order to avoid affirming a false premise in an argument, be aware of conversational framing and what the person is trying to say. You can politely express your disagreement, ask for permission politely to disagree, and set boundaries for the discussion—when a conversation becomes uncivil, you have made it acceptable to politely exit the interaction because the other person has violated an agreed-upon rule.
E — Emotions
To be strong and of good courage, it’s important to rule over our emotions. Our worst decisions come when we’re feeling extremely emotional. Those different emotions can lead us to making snap decisions that ultimately have adverse consequences.
When interacting with someone, or listening or watching something, remember that what they’re saying may not necessarily be true. Some media are designed to attack your emotions—ask yourself if you should be reacting in this way. Furthermore, always remember to ask God to help you control your emotions.
A — Authority
There is often an authority figure in a social setting—even if the authority figure is not present in the conversation, the dynamic may still affect our interactions. We need to have a humble and accurate view of ourselves and how we may fit into a particular dynamic. How we view ourselves in relation to others, and how much authority we may or may not have to use, affects how we conduct ourselves.
This requires a healthy balance. If we have a measure of influence or authority, we should use it positively and not at the expense of other people. Conversely, while we should remain humble and teachable when we are not given as much authority as someone else, we should also not be dejected—our interactions and social confidence benefit from maintaining confidence and assertiveness. We have the ability and the room to assert ourselves, even if we’re uncomfortable with it, and as we do this, it will become easier.
R — Righteousness
Proverbs 28:1 says: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Everyone wants to be bold and confident—no one wants to be insecure. Mr. Brown reminded the students that in order to not be insecure, you have to live righteously.
In your interactions, if your intentions are honorable, pure, and righteous, it dispels that fear of judgment from our minds. We should pray to God to help us develop pure motives and to help us be a light to others. This changes the entire reason we assert ourselves or even interact at all—if it’s done out of a sense of wanting to preserve the relationship with the other person’s best interest at heart, it removes that insecurity from our hearts. If our motives are based in righteousness, we don’t truly have anything to be insecure about—we can hold our heads high and have confidence.
Do the Hard Thing
Mr. Brown encouraged the students to do the hard thing. Applying these principles can cause some discomfort in social interactions—but the important thing to remember is that as you practice them more frequently, they will become habits that come far more naturally. Keep practicing, keep trying, keep doing.
When our motives are rooted in an outgoing, selfless sense of righteousness, we are naturally eliminating any room to be insecure. Keeping this in mind helps us qualify our relationships and interactions in a godly context, and gives us the confidence needed to keep practicing and improving in social settings.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sasint-achieve-1822503_1920.jpg12481920David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-09 17:04:552026-03-09 17:04:58Mr. Michael Brown: Four Steps to Social Courage
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Phil Sena is an area pastor serving in the Ohio region, and in a recent forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students, he offered important lessons from the example of Biblical characters on how to show willingness to God’s will.
An Attitude of Willingness
The Bible gives us many examples of those who showed willingness and served God. Willingness is characterized by accepting God’s will and being willing to follow His direction no matter what. This trait is expressed in the phrase: “here I am.” Spoken by many biblical figures at key points, this phrase should be our go-to response when God gets our attention.
A Personal Relationship
One way we can cultivate a willingness to say “here I am” is by developing a strong personal relationship with God. Mr. Sena gave the example of Abraham in the book of Genesis. Genesis 22:1-2 is the account of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac—a very difficult test that Abraham did not want to do. But this verse shows Abraham’s response to God was purely humble and faithful, and God revealed that it was a test later on by allowing Isaac to live. Interestingly, Abraham even said “here I am” before he had even heard God’s request. Hebrews 11:17 says that Abraham offered up Isaac “by faith”—he trusted that God would work it out. Abraham was able to say “here I am” because he already had a strong personal relationship with Him, and knew that He would honor His promises.
Personal Hardship
Another way we learn to say “here I am” might be by learning lessons through personal hardship. One example of this is the story of Jacob. Jacob was a highly confident individual who tricked his father and brother. But he had been humbled after being tricked by his father-in-law, Laban. God then humbled Jacob further by taking him out of where he had been living, and back to the land of Canaan. There, he experienced the heartache of losing his son, Joseph, who he thought was dead.
In Genesis 46:2, God appeared to Jacob and told him not to fear—he would meet Joseph in Egypt, and would eventually bring them back to the land of Israel. Interestingly, Jacob’s response was identical to Abraham’s: before he had even heard God’s statement, he said “here I am.”
In his youth, Jacob had been a confident, smooth-talking individual. But a life of hardship and humbling from God had helped him get to a place where he could finally say “here I am.” This might be familiar to us sometimes—it’s easy to get satisfied or even overconfident with our ability to figure things out for ourselves. But just like Jacob, we can’t figure everything out ourselves. Sometimes God allows us to be humbled before He makes His will known—after He knows we’re reading to show willingness.
Unexpected Ways
Mr. Sena also reminded the students that God can make His will known in unexpected ways. How will we respond in those situations?
Giving the example of Moses, Mr. Sena pointed out that God did not appear to have had contact with Moses during the 40 years he lived in Midian. Moses had left his life behind and was living as a shepherd—and he may have thought that’s all there was to it. But, seemingly out of the blue, we find in Exodus 3:1-4 that something happened that would change Moses’ life once again. Happening upon the burning bush, Moses heard God’s voice call his name. Moses’ response was the same as his ancestors—before he even knew what God wanted, he responded with “here I am.” This unusual setting for God to communicate His will didn’t stop Moses from presenting a willing heart, and we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in unexpected ways in our lives either.
Anyone Can Be Willing
Another important point to consider is that anyone can show willingness—we shouldn’t wait around for the right time. Like the examples of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, we should be ready to faithfully follow God even if we don’t know what He’ll require of us. God can call anyone He chooses, including young people or those without offices. Mr. Sena pointed out the example of young Samuel—before he was ever a prophet, God spoke to him in the night in 1 Samuel 3:1-14. Samuel, unsure of what he was hearing, still listened for God’s voice, telling Him: “Your servant hears.” God often calls and uses young people and children.
And in the New Testament, a miraculous healing was performed by a Christian disciple who never appeared to have ever held an office. Acts 9:3-17 tells of the story of Saul’s—later Paul—conversion. Stricken blind, God used Ananias—a humble Christian in Damascus—to heal and baptize Saul. Paul would become one of the most prolific and charismatic apostles who spread the Gospel across the known world, contributing greatly to our modern biblical canon. Ananias was never ordained and not much is known about him as a person, yet God used him in a small but important part of Paul’s story. While God made a unique exception in this case to fulfill duties reserved for the ministry, Ananias was willing to overcome his fear of Saul and to serve him by presenting himself before God as a humble servant.
How Can I Know God’s Will?
These examples and the lessons we can learn from them give us a template for how to respond when God makes His will known to us. But you may be thinking: I am just as willing and want to do the right thing, but I don’t know what God’s will is.
Sometimes, God doesn’t always make His will immediately clear—it can be difficult to tell what He’d like for us to do. And sometimes, we face choices between two things that are not inherently bad at all—both choices could be good, and the decision falls to us to make.
In general, we do know God’s will. We know He wants us to obey His word, follow the Ten Commandments, and stay focused on the Kingdom. There are fundamental things that we can know for sure, but the hang-up is often on specific things. What, you might ask, is God’s will for me?
Look For the Open Doors
Mr. Sena advised the students to look for the open doors. What doors and opportunities are open, or opening? If there is a smooth and consistent path forward that doesn’t require us to force our own will, we can be confident that God is blessing it. Sometimes we shut those doors or try to force our own way, but the results will not turn out well. But if we aren’t hitting hard spots, we can show willingness to follow God by walking through the doors He’s opening.
Seek Wise Counsel
It’s important to seek wisdom and counsel from those around us. Sometimes a choice isn’t necessarily between something good and something wrong—God might let us make a decision for ourselves. In those cases, it can be helpful to assess our priorities and seek advice from those who know us well. Proverbs 1:5 tells us: “A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
Fleece Test
In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon was trying to understand God’s will. He laid down a fleece of wool on the ground, and asked for God’s will to be made apparent in two steps—if it was God’s will for him to lead the Israelites, in the morning there would be dew on the fleece only and not on the ground; the next day, there would be dew on the ground but not on the fleece. God followed these steps to make it very clear to Gideon what he should do. While we don’t want to tempt or goad God, it seems that God didn’t mind being tested in this way. And after this step, Gideon did obey—if we ask for a sign and are given confirmation, will we show willingness by acting on that confirmation?
Getting on Track
We might also find ourselves on the other side. Maybe we’re facing a difficult question and we may not want to follow where God is leading us, let alone are we sure of what He’s doing. In that case, we can do two things to help us get back on track:
Ask God For Willingness
Pray to God to ask Him for a willing and humble heart to follow His will no matter what.
Fasting
Fasting will help us draw closer to God and develop humility.
Say “Here I Am!”
Throughout our lives, we will all face situations where God tests us, calls us to follow Him, or faces us with a decision. Our attitude should be one of humility and willingness to serve and follow Him, even if we don’t yet know what He might require of us. And while it might take time, we should continually cultivate a strong personal relationship with God and be receptive to His direction, as well as His correction. When God begins moving in our lives, our response should be a wholehearted and earnest “here I am!”
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/himsan-prayer-2544994_1920.jpg12851920David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-06 15:37:522026-03-06 15:38:59Mr. Phil Sena: Here I Am
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. John Strain is the local pastor for the Charlotte area, and has been a faithful long-time minister in the Church. In a recent forum message, he gave helpful advice to the Living Education-Charlotte students regarding trust and reinforcing relationships.
What is a Con Artist?
Sometimes in life we have people try to sell us things, and sometimes those people are con artists. What is a con artist? As Mr. Strain explained, a con artist is someone who attempts to get your money specifically by gaining your trust—your confidence. These individuals promise something too good to be true, often selling something that falls short of expectations.
Selling Something
But selling something isn’t always nefarious. In reality, we’re all selling something—if anything, we are selling the idea of ourselves to other people, trying to gain their approval and trust. Even the ministry of the Church works hard at selling God’s way of life to people. Life in general can be a bit of a con game—in the right sense. The trust we extend is a way to develop relationships with people, which can be long-term investments. A big part of that investment is founded on trust.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is an important component that we offer to others. We must consciously and intentionally offer and display trust in order to develop strong relationships. Hebrews 12:14 states: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” We should be striving to have a positive relationship with others founded on trust.
Fulfilling Trust
God does this with us. He sets a precedent for trustworthiness by affirming that He will keep His covenant with us. In a similar light, our relationship with others is reflective of our relationship with God. The relationships and endeavors we invest in throughout our lives should reflect a mindset of love toward our neighbor, which is founded on trust.
For those attending Living Education-Charlotte, all students write a reason why they are interested in attending the program during the application process. For many, it’s to further their knowledge of the Bible, to be part of the Work, or to develop stronger relationships with other young people. To that end, the Church has placed trust in its students and treated them as an investment. The students who go through the program reciprocate that trust and work hard to fulfill the investment they have been offered.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/conout-handshake-1823741_1920.jpg12801920David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-06 14:39:422026-03-10 15:38:22Mr. John Strain: Trust
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Jonathan Bueno is an area pastor serving in the Pacific Northeast area. In a recent forum message at Living Education-Charlotte, Mr. Bueno spent time asking and answering an important question about Scripture: Does the Bible contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have?
God Communicates With Us
Hebrews 1:1 states: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” This verse is important because it establishes the precedent that God does communicate with His people.
As the Bible was put into writing, we see a clear pattern from Moses onward in which communication occurred through inspired writings. Today, our complete Biblical canon forms the basis of our faith—our ability to carry out our mission as Christians depends on living by every word of God.
Is Something Missing?
Some denominations, such as the Catholic Church, also rely on various traditions and sacraments. Many of their foundational doctrines are based on oral tradition not found in recorded Scripture, yet are regarded as equally important and valid. This raises important theological questions. Does the Bible indeed contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have? Is God’s revelation through the Bible really complete?
Mr. Bueno offered three reasons why God’s Church rejects the oral traditions of the Catholic Church.
God’s pattern for preserving truth among His covenant people is through inspired writings, not inspired sayings.
While there was likely a time before Moses when God did communicate primarily orally, it is clear that Moses’s effort to record both historical and contemporary accounts of God’s dealings with His people set a precedent going forward. Adam and Eve did know the law, which they likely received directly from God and passed on to their children. However, once God began working with Israel as a nation, we have an extensive record of history, prophecy, and divine interactions recorded in real time.
Over the years, many scribes and scholars preserved these Scriptures. Towards the end of the first century AD, the apostles themselves contributed to the canon and completed it. Written Scripture is the primary vehicle for God’s revelation.
Oral tradition is unreliable because of human weakness and sin.
Human beings have an amazing intellect and ability to remember. But that long-term memory often falls short, and we are prone to sin. Our intellect and willpower are fallible, making oral tradition a difficult and unreliable way for God to preserve His truth. Over the thousands of years of God’s plan unfolding, it would have been very difficult to preserve that truth accurately. Furthermore, oral tradition is more easily discredited than a written record, which is more credible. God avoided a less effective method of sharing His truth not only to preserve its accuracy, but to keep its validity ironclad.
Oral traditions typically contradict Scripture.
So many doctrines and dogmas that come from “sacred” tradition actually contradict things that the Bible is clear about. If we treat the Bible as the primary and fundamental source of authoritative revelation, there is no room for oral tradition to usurp its role as the primary vehicle for God’s truth.
We Have God’s Word
2 Corinthians 11:4 states: “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” Oral tradition is an unreliable contradiction to Scripture. Instead of relying on mixed messages and unbiblical dogma, we should let the Bible speak for itself and appreciate God’s foresight in having His word written down.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/scroll-1410168_1280.jpg8591280David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-03-02 16:31:342026-03-02 16:32:05Mr. Jonathan Bueno: Oral Tradition or Written Scripture?
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Ryan Dawson, an Assistant Pastor serving in the North Florida and South Georgia area, addressed the Living Education-Charlotte students in a recent forum message. In his forum message, he encouraged the students to make a point of befriending the ministry.
What Will You Take Back?
Mr. Dawson prompted the students to ponder what they would write in a letter to their local congregations about their experience at Living Ed-Charlotte. What stories, experiences, and lessons would you bring back as a result of this experience? Mr. Dawson told the students that while they were the authors of this letter, they themselves were the letter. Your example as a student speaks to what the program is about and the value of what you’ve learned here.
One thing Mr. Dawson encouraged the students to consider including in the vast fold of their experiences here is the opportunity to get to know the ministry better. Being in Living Ed-Charlotte presents a great chance to get to know many ministers and leaders in the Work of God, and the relationships and mentorships formed can have a lasting impact in a student’s life.
5-Point Friendship Questionnaire
As part of this exercise, Mr. Dawson presented the students with a five-point questionnaire to help the students assess and develop better relationships with the ministry.
Do you pray for the ministry?
The ministry are human beings who get tired and who need prayers. In order to more effectively serve the brethren, specific and thoughtful prayers make a difference.
Do you consistently cultivate your friendship with the ministry?
As with all relationships, building a friendship takes time. We as members should be friendly and make the effort to be friends with our local ministers.
Do you give the ministry some of your time?
While the ministry gives up much of their time to serve, one way to serve them back is to be available and give of our time as well, particularly to cultivate a positive and cordial rapport.
Do you value what the ministry has to say?
While we should strive to be friends with our ministers, we should also respect their office. This means being receptive to the correction and guidance they offer at times. We should appreciate and seek out their advice and counsel.
Do you give grace to the ministry?
Ministers are human like the rest of us. Sometimes misunderstandings or mistakes can cause rifts between friends, but, as with all our friendships, we should avoid imputing negative motive on others. Instead, we should give the ministry—and all those around us—grace and the benefit of the doubt if misunderstandings arise.
Start a Friendship
Mr. Dawson admonished the students to pursue positive relationships with the ministry, not only in Charlotte but wherever they go, and encouraged them to seek out a local minister to befriend as the semester goes on—and furthermore, to make a point of developing a good relationship with their local pastors as they head home at the conclusion of the year. Like with any relationship, a close friendship can take intentional time and effort to develop. Mr. Dawson reminded the students of the importance of praying for others—the best way to start a relationship is to pray for the person. As the semester continues and the time comes when our students return home, the value of befriending the leadership and ministry of the Church is an important aspect of the learning experience of the Charlotte program.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mnplatypus-bible-896220_1280.jpg8531280David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-02-24 11:06:232026-02-24 11:06:29Mr. Ryan Dawson: Befriend the Ministry
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Chet Carpenter is an area pastor serving in the northern California and south Oregon area. In a recent forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Carpenter gave important principles to be prepared for the end-times.
Are You a Prepper?
Mr. Carpenter began by asking this question. Many of us know individuals who enjoy camping and the outdoors, and those who aim to be preppers in case of survivalist situations. The world is an unpredictable place, and the results of being unprepared for disasters can be deadly. The things we hope won’t happen often do, and we should be prepared for physical danger.
As we march closer toward the end and the return of Christ, we see world events heating up. It’s important for us as Christians to be prepared not only physically, but also spiritually for the trials that we know are coming. God expects us to be prepared and ready as we seek to inherit His Kingdom.
Building a Fire
Mr. Carpenter spent time explaining some important elements of prepper skills, beginning with fire. Any survivalist should know how to build a fire for emergency situations—but what about spiritually?
It takes physical action to be mentally prepared. Open the Bible, pray, fast, and meditate—these actions help not only keep us focused on God and His way, but they also build a fire of zeal within us. We should be actively stoking this fire and allowing God’s will to consume us. 2 Timothy 1:6 states: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Maintaining this fire takes effort on our part. As trials come, our motivation, fortitude, and resilience that are rooted in God’s word keep us ignited for His purpose. To be spiritual preppers, it’s important to start and maintain a spiritual fire.
Food
One of the other critical elements of being a prepper is food. Knowing how to find safe food in the wilderness is an important skill, and spiritually, we have access to spiritual food as well. God has given us His word as a source of sustenance, inspiration, and learning, and through it, we are both informed and satisfied.
Water
Water is undoubtedly a necessity of life. Without water, no one can survive very long. A prepper needs adequate water storage. Spiritually, God has given us living waters and the gift of His Spirit to help us.
The other side to this equation is the fact that we must have a thirst for that living water God is offering. Psalm 63:1 states: “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” God offers the only solution to our thirst, and we must appreciate and seek it out by developing a relationship with Him. If we have a deep awe and thirst for what God gives us, He in turn will give us that gift of His Spirit.
Spiritual Shelter
As a natural result of these steps—igniting an internal fire for God, seeking out the food of His word, and relying on the living waters of His Spirit—we can have rest, protection, and true shelter in God.
While there is nothing wrong with preparing physically for emergencies and trials, we should also remember to keep the big picture in mind, follow the right steps, and keep God first. We should always stay loyal and on fire for God and His will, seek and crave His spiritual food, and rely on the refreshing water of life He gives. God loves us and promises to watch over and protect us, and we should take comfort in His promises.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mikewildadventure-camping-7055162_1280.jpg8531280David Markopouloshttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngDavid Markopoulos2026-02-20 10:46:032026-02-20 10:46:09Mr. Chet Carpenter: Prepping For the End Times
