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David Arthur is this year’s special guest of the Precept Ministries Mission at the Precept Ministries Moldova Festival, which takes place from July 16 to 21. David Arthur gave us an interview about the service he does, as general director of Precept Ministries International, about his visit to Moldova and about the book Esther, which he will teach at this Festival.
We want our audience to know you better. Please share how God called you to this mission?
David Arthur: Because I grew up in the Arthur family, I was expected to follow in my parents’ footsteps in terms of mission. However, my adult career began with activity in the business sphere. After working in a company, a few years later I started my own business in the field of information technology.
In the mid-1990s, the pastor asked me to help lead a Sunday school group. Then I discovered the gift of teaching that God gave me. Shortly afterwards, I began working for the Precept Ministries mission, for the youth wing of the mission. After 5 years I went to get my master’s degree in theology and then I served as a pastor for 8 years. I love the church very much!
I was involved in helping a friend who led the “Give Generously” mission, teaching the biblical message of generosity, but I returned to the Precept Ministries mission, this time to lead the teaching and training department. In 2012, the board of directors elected me as general manager of the organization. To this day, I lead a staff of 67 members at the mission headquarters in Chattanooga, TN. I spend half my time teaching and writing Bible studies.
We are very happy and grateful that we have the Precept Ministries mission in our country. What message would you like to send to Moldovan people who love to study inductive Bible studies?
David Arthur: Moses tells people in his last speech in Deuteronomy 32 to remember and to take to their hearts all that God’s Word has to say for them, and he explains why in verse 47:
“Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you will command your sons to follow carefully, all the words of this Law. For it is not a trivial matter for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47 NASB)
I encourage my fellow believers in Moldova to cherish God’s Word, the Bible, to take seriously everything that is written in the Bible, and to apply these teachings to every aspect of their lives, because indeed the Word is our life.
We will study at the Festival the manual of inductive Bible study based on the book of Esther, recently translated into Romanian and Russian. Why is this book relevant today?
David Arthur: The Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 15:4 that “whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” This means that every book in the Bible can inspire believers and give them hope to follow Christ no matter what the circumstances.
The book of Esther presents a fragment of history in which God fascinatingly showed His power, even though God’s name is not mentioned once in this book. I am convinced that after a thorough study of the book of Esther, participants will be encouraged to live according to their beliefs in times of trial, in difficult times, with a good understanding of God’s sovereignty.
Why is it important to study God’s Word? How can God’s Word make a difference in people’s lives?
David Arthur: The last epistle written by the apostle Paul is 2 Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul makes this powerful statement:
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
God reveals Himself to us in His Word with much goodwill and great grace. We desperately need God’s Word because it is good for us, as explained in these two verses. We need to be corrected and made perfect, because God has great works for us to entrust to us to do. The Bible is the direct way in which God equips His people to be worthy of any good work. If being a Christian means truly knowing God and following Him with all your heart, soul, and mind, then Bible study is vital, extremely important.
Do you have a specific message for our readers?
David Arthur: My job as general director of the Precept Ministries mission brings me to many countries around the world. We carry out our mission in 180 countries in 70 different languages. From China to Africa, I have witnessed the impact this mission has on the global Church. But I must confess that Moldova is among the top countries, where you can see an effective mission. The team from you, led by Vasile Filat, is truly remarkable. I can’t wait to come see and meet you in person.
Translated by Ina Croitoru