Goff publishes practical lessons inspired by granddaughter
Chris Pepple |
Bob Goff (’59) doesn’t let much slow him down in his retirement years. After teaching and coaching at David Lipscomb High School for over 30 years, Goff retired in 1998 to spend more time with his family. While at the high school, he taught American history, Bible, psychology, speech and driver’s education. He also coached football, basketball, softball and wrestling.
During retirement, Goff discovered that he had a previously undiagnosed diabetic condition that left him without his central vision. He didn’t let this slow him down, however. He realized that reading books became difficult for him, but reading from a large computer screen seemed easier. He relied on audio books and his computer for study material, and then turned to writing his own devotionals as a new interest. He relied on his peripheral vision and large font sizes to complete his first book, Meagan: If I Were Young Again.
“This book was inspired by my youngest granddaughter, Meagan, who is 12 years old. She’s a wonderful young lady. One day I was looking at a picture of her when she was three years old and sitting in my lap. I thought there must be a story in that picture. There are so many lessons that I want to pass along to my grandchildren,” said Goff.
“I wrote this book from my experiences growing up. My family life and my work in ministry and in education gave me a chance to be around so many young people in their formative years. I learned that it can be hard to open up conversations with children and teens. Other people could tell my three daughters things that they didn’t want to hear from me as a parent. This book helps people open up conversations on topics that need to be discussed, truths that need to be shared.”
The book is written in 30 easy-to-read chapters filled with Scripture. In each chapter, Goff looks back to his own experiences growing up and shares lessons he learned or wished he had learned in his youth. Discussion questions follow each section. The topics for discussion include: time, money, moderation, ingratitude, choices, books, habits, marriage and common sense. Each topic reflects a grandfather’s love for a grandchild and passes along insights from one generation to the next. The book can be used for family devotionals, Bible classes or individual reading.
“I look forward to reading this book and sharing it with my daughters. I remember my days as a David Lipscomb High School student when I had Bob Goff as my driver’s ed teacher. He had nerves of steel when he taught that class. He was loved by all of his students,” said Kristi Jones (’88).
Goff is already writing his second book. He also teaches an adult Bible class on Sunday mornings at Granny White Church of Christ and preaches on Sunday nights at Radnor Church of Christ. Goff earned graduate degrees from Lipscomb University and Harding Graduate School of Religion. He has faithfully served in ministry for over 40 years. He and his wife, Peggy, have three daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.