When Dr. Thomas Toews, a professor of religion at Union, was asked to write the InVerse Bible Study Guide for this quarter, he saw it as an opportunity to engage in a new and fresh way with a very old book: Exodus. “One cannot encounter stories like the Exodus without being challenged and changed in their own lives to pursue the ideal of leading through serving,” Toews said.
“The mission of Union is empowering students to learn, serve and lead,” he continued. “When students read the stories in this ancient account of the Israelites leaving Egypt, they will find these same themes are what drives this amazing narrative. Moses is called by God in one of the most compelling ‘calling’ events ever recorded to go exemplify leadership through service. Being asked to write this study guide was a wonderful opportunity to engage with material that is at the heart of Union’s mission.”
Toews wrote the lessons in the spring of 2024 while also teaching a full load of classes. His experience with college students at Union over the last decade helped shape his approach to the ancient source material. “I was writing in such a way as to engage Adventist young adults of the 21st century with all of their questions about God, faith, history and culture while staying cognizant that I am also writing on behalf of the broader faith commitments of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church,” he said. “Young people are in a quest for meaning in their lives, and Adventist young adults are no exception. I wanted to write in such a way as to honor that quest and yet do so from the perspective of the faith of the church.”
The InVerse Bible Study Guide is the official descendant of the Collegiate Quarterly which was launched for young adult Sabbath schools at Union in 1979. If you’re ready to go deeper into the Book of Exodus, you can follow his exposition at https://inverse.sspmadventist.org/en/2025-03-cq
If you want to learn from the man himself, sign up for a religion class at Union. Part-time students are always welcome.