My reflections on the Corinthians Class.

As Bro Isaac brought us through Corinthians 1 & 2, I managed to have a glimpse into the culture of the people in Corinth. When they became a believer of Christ, they brought their culture into the Church and conceptualised the Words of God into it resulting in distorted teaching and unwanted behaviour. With their ignorance, they opposed Apostle Paul’s teaching, challenged his apostolic authority, conflicts among the family of Christ and wrong interpretation of God’s Words. I see that the new wine into old wineskins parable found at Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2 and Luke 5 tells us that old wineskins will not be able to contain new wine. It is due to the lack of flexibility. We too may have problem taking in new teaching and idea, applying newly taught skill will therefore never happen, even if it does, it will be distorted. Our College 2018 theme calling us to “be smart and be open” using Bible verse Luke 5:1-7. Be smart to let Jesus into our ministry and study in order to be transformed and to be His follower, we need to be opened to do. Just as Peter cast the net as told though his experience told him that it will logically not work. For this, I pray that I have the courage and boldness to depart from my old mindset in order to perceive new ones. Pray that I will be weak enough to just purely depend on my own old logic, so needed newly taught styles and skills to overtake the old. I need the strength from God to walk me through.

Next, I must take this opportunity to praise the Masters Group for their presentation style. They have showed me how to make explanation simple. They brought in some example of our distorted thought and belief and corrected it by affirmation of God’s word. I was ministered to and convicted by their explanation too. It is indeed impacting and I will try applying it whenever there is an opportunity.
Last but not least, Bro Casey has brought us through the teaching of the Lord’s Supper. His explanations changed my view towards the purpose of taking Holy Communion. The true value of taking Holy Communion is in remembrance of Jesus’s work in my life. I am to live a life to honour His name. In the past, Holy Communion is a time for me to unload my sins onto Jesus. With a heart of thanksgiving, I murmured a few words to thank Him for being forgiving and merciful to my weakness and I consumed it. This teaching dawned on me that we not only need to understand the word correctly, we also need to know the true value and the purpose of its teaching. It can help correct my belief and my commitment will flow along.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team Sis Charmaine, Bro Shawn and Peter for this teamwork, it is an awesome experience to work in this team. To Bro Casey & Bro Isaac, your extended care and love for the students are indeed felt by me. Give thanks!

AM I AN IGNORANT TEACHER?

I have just completed an intense block course of two weeks on Creative Teaching. The question “Why I teach” trigger me thinking.. and my answer is, I have never want to be a teacher by profession at all. But again when I became a mother of two and proficient in accounting work, it allows me to share my knowledge and experience. Due to my love to share my knowledge and skill, I was invited and paid for by client to teach their staff. It is a natural process and can do it without stress. But when I’m called to be a Life Group leader, I realised I cannot just teach them head-knowledge but the duty to share God’s word. Hoping that they too will long to draw near to God and be transformed by Him just as He has done in me progressively. I reckon that changes can only be the work of Holy Spirit. So honestly speaking, like a frog living in the well, I did not expecting much from this course. The need to complete one more module to get my basic Certification of Theology is the reason why I am in this class.

 Well, it is not the case at all!!! I have come across a few methods in this class that I should adopt. What was taught make some logical sense in me that I can be more efficient when imparting my skills and knowledge and very importantly hoping to impact lives with quality and in quantity for God. I am not gifted in “teaching”, so a lot more afford to practice are required. I must intentionally force myself to put together and apply what was taught so that I can be more creative and effective overtime. Below are points that I would like to share on what I can make me a better “teacher” that  serve like a vessel for God blessing to flow.

Firstly, the one thing that is absent from my teaching is the focus point that term as “Big Idea”. One positively stated short sentence with single idea that can be easily recollect by learners. From here that help me to derive a “learning goal”. What I did all this while was to feed them with a big chunk of aimless words thinking it is better to let them know more. My first few try during class time was a no where close to satisfactory. Though disappointed I but cannot give up because I realised I need more prayer and time to prepare in order to be led to getting the God directed “Big Idea”.  From here, I can work towards leading to a doing or action that allows learners to commit to it. Next, using Hook, Book, Look and Took plan (HBLT) is good lesson organizer. It bring can help bring out the “Big Plan” in steps which eventually lead to highlighting learning goal using the 8 step plan. Take (T) home an action plan that keep them spiritually awake and eventually life changes. It is a good time management tools too. Last point to share what was highlight to me was phrase “We teach who we are” by Parker Palmer. That make me recalled a few teachers in ACTS College that fit into the term. They are humble and very focus on nurturing the students. Thank you Teachers!

Will just end here and take this opportunity to thank you my classmates for your word of encouragement when I am weak and fumbled when I was delivering my project. All I can say to cheer myself now is “Jiayou”.

Why Do I Join and Stay Part Of a Community?

Being a Life Group Leader & Befriending Team Leader etc, I am hoping to be more efficient not only to get things done, most importantly is to see that the members be rooted In Christ and equipping them to be ready for God’s ministry. As much as we want to let them learn, their respond can be just lukewarm. In this “Learning in Christian Community” class, though we learn quite a few big terms in theory but I also do a lot of soul searching and brain storming.  Bro Francis shared that “we need to learn to unlearn to relearn” which I want to give him a high five. Yes, indeed I may sub-consciously resist improving or to change or not knowing there is a need to change. So are my cell members or the people whom I minister to. The article by Graham Cheesman on Making Wine caught my attention. Indeed, I would be moved by someone’s compassion and care, secondly, work out together to identify the cause of the problem and direct me into meeting the need. It resulted in life transformation that I wish to share with many others the joy inside me.

What makes me a happy learner?
 Being an adult, yes, a combination of instruction, construction and co-construction paradigms allows me to learn, explore to learn and exchange and share to learn with view of others. I need to adopt the Meta-learning where I’ve to know what I am learning for allows me to be more aware the progress and in control of it. With Collaborative learning, explain with associating with something, can help me relate, reflect and remember better.  So, to identify my need and purpose to learn can be a good head start for me.

What can help me convert the learned knowledge or belief into value?
Even by putting myself with the community that practices it or initiates to practice it can be too big a term to me to live it out. Church has been sending us to talks hoping that we can use it to serve but how many percent of what we learned is up and running? Bro Casey shared the A(agency must be strong as in collective decision, action and interdependence), B(belonging), C(cohesion in working together) & D(diversity where we can embrace others differences and unite to form a body) model do help me to be more practical, lessen frustration and disappointment. I tend to fail or fall out when I overstate my expectation without preparing for the unexpected. But again, I’ll never make good progress as my blind area can be my obstacles.  The Johari Window model can help do my blind spot checked with feedback check from people I closely knitted with.

What practices can sustain me in a Christian community?
Yes, why sustain me and not others? Matt 7:12 “...do to others what you would have them do to you..” So, by knowing what sustained me in a community, I will know what to do to others.  Christine D. Pohl stressed on the practice of truthfulness and hospitality and keeping promises and show gratitude. Of which, I would choose to share here about the challenges of being truthful. The statement “to speak the truth in love” in real scenario may cause our friendship even fidelity is track and motive of doing it is check beforehand. Therefore, I must not disagree if someone who comes to tell me something what he or she claimed to be speaking the truth, I should learn to pray over it as I may not agree with the spoken truth on the spot. Trust that God will vindicate the truth telling messenger at His timing. 


Bro Casey also prompted that we must know who we are in God’s plan and we are members that are of one body in Christ with different function citing Romans 12:3-5. Indeed I am called to be ambassador of Christ, how could I not participate in the community? I must have faith that being heir to our heavenly father, He can strengthen me so that I can live it out instead of enslaved by my own narrow mindset. 

Have I Been Reading And Responding to The Word Of God Correctly?

This Biblical Interpretation lesson is a soul awakening experience. What make me say so? Being a Christian since 1998, I have been reading my Bible book by book and verses after verses religiously. It is a way to be close to God and hoping for GOD’s life transforming logos (the Word of God) to speak into my life. All these years of devotion time, I came to God with all kind of emotions, needs and prayers. I always find that every verse ministered to me in the way that I needed it most. I used it to share and speak into someone lives.  But is it really the right way to interpret God’s word?

Historical Context and Contemporary Context

"We do not create the meaning. Rather, we seek to discover the meaning that has been placed there by the author"(Grasping God's Word by J. Scott Duvall Pg195). But most of us inevitably read our bible verses with our emotion and always with presupposition. One must know that bible is not for readers to read just for the sake of information and become knowledgeable. I’ll briefly share steps that I have picked up on how we should study & apply God’s Word.

Our first approach is to read the text without interpreting it. Just read though it by coming to the text empty and not to expect any immediate understanding.

The Bible was written centuries a part but how do we derive meaning and implication so that we can develop application being in this contemporary world yet does not go out of context. In a simplified way, these are step taken so that we will minimise error in interpreting the Word of God. "Exegesis is the spadework for interpretation."(Biblical Interpretation by w. Randolph Tate Pg11). The term exegesis is to reading through the text with the understanding of what was the original message that the author intended for his targeted original audience.  We need understand the world behind the text by studying the historical context include knowing the author, original recipient of the letter, occasion, purpose of writing, and the specific historical context. Then, we must read into what is the general principle that is brought across through this message. To help us grasp the Words in the Bible, we need to know the world within the text. It does include the understanding of genre, word study, grammar, sentence structure and time factors as well. Every setting does carry the actual purpose and meaning. Each literature comes in different genres and to share a few main genres; law, prophecy, poetry and the narrative of gospels as well as epistles. Coupled with the study of world around the text by knowing in intended purpose of the book, the chapter and related contended around the verses. After all the above, we will know the universal message that God intended to bring to the audience or the recipients through this author

From here, we proceed to Hermeneutics; a process where how the general principle is telling to the contemporary world. What is this universal message from God written by the hand of the author meant for us; people of 21th century; the world in front the text.

Homiletic is how to apply and respond to the message by the hearer or reader of all nation, tribe & race; the world in front the text. It should result in fruit bearing or progression with the leading of Holy Spirit.

Here to share how Bible verses were used before my BI lesson. Some time back, I had an unpleasant encounter that reduced me to a corner of my room crying. At that point of time, though feeling helpless but the deep in me I know the love for God remains inside me. I still continue reading the Word of God with my tears flowing nonstop. These verses caught my eyes;

Luke 19:41-44 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."

I instantly responded to it with a prayer “In the name of Jesus, satan, return the peace Jesus has given to me” And that point, I felt victorious. I have treated “peace” as a property; an item that Jesus given to me but taken by satan. I wanted it to return to me. At this point, if I were to share with people around me the word “peace” before this lesson, I have got the message wrong across to the hearer. But after the BI class, it changed my understanding of the word “peace”.  With the good news that Jesus; our saviour come for sinners like us that doom for destruction, this word “peace” mean “salvation”, my response too will change. I’ll pray in this manner “Dear Heavenly Father, I give thanks to You. Thank You Jesus for your mercy and grace. Being a child of God, what sorrow and pain do I fear? Nothing will rob me of your unceasing love. All glory to You. I pray in the name of Christ Jesus, Amen!” So, isn’t the salvation I have received put me above all pain and sorrow that the world brought to all of us?

This is just a initial baby step taken to apply what I’ve learned in the class. I strongly believe that such interpretation skill can sharpen over time if I continue applying it. It will be more responsible of me stay within the context when dong our small group study or sharing it with others. Give thanks to God for how Holy Spirit guided us when we are still ignorant and also for sending Bro Han Hui to lead us through using appropriate steps to interpret His Word.

The What, How and Why about Hospitality

What attracted me to enrol into Biblical Hospitality in Ministry course? To be truthful, it was when I saw that one of the Course Module Requirement “Participate in Two Shared Meals” with your classmate and yet will still be graded. It is the easiest mark scoring assignment for my type of character and therefore, I signed up without much thought. On the other hand, I do not want to short change myself with just eating and stop short of adding new ideas, knowledge and some practical skill when the course ended. So I started my reading, did my pre-course reflection, on-site visiting followed by report writing and was ready a week before the course started. All of us prayed for our lecturer Sis Davina, our classmates and ourselves asking God to add upon us His wisdom, His strength, His love, a teachable and learner’s heart to be added to every classmate. While writing the blog, I just realised that our prayer for one another is also a practise of hospitality too.

From the books written by Henri J.M. Nouwen and Parker J. Palmer where “space” was mentioned. In this class, I am very much into this space where the teacher and students entered into a fearless communication. Sis Davina fearlessly share her weaknesses and I, being a newbie, also fearlessly shared some of my simple thoughts and seek clarification when needed. On the other hand, we stayed within the boundaries where we followed as closely as possible the instructions and rules that were clearly spelled out verbally and on written instructions. Needless to say, in this Hospitality class, all of us are of very different personality but that does not stop us from receiving each other including our struggles, sharing our own viewpoint with openness, respect and care. There is a lot of laughter in this class because a handful of the classmates crack a joke once a while.

I am so blessed to be able to look into how hospitality was practise over a good few centuries within an hour or so by the thoughtful arrangement of Sis Davina. The few centuries that catches my attention most was firstly, the 4^th Century where Hospitality was taught not to be extravagant to the extent of drunkenness so that funds and resources can be wisely used to assist the poor and needy. Secondly, the 16^th Century (John Calvin) where a Christian is seen as a steward of God and whatever they have or own are from God and how true hospitality is been practise. They are bounded to take care and love their fellow brothers and sisters. Not just towards Christians but also to others. They show love and practise hospitality not for selfish ambition but because the image of God is in the stranger/other. Seeking only blessing from God and not to seek gain from human. The third and also last century I would like to share is the 18^th Century where John Wesley restored hospitality at home. This was where small group ministry was recovered with love feast and communions at home were restarted. He also started homes for homeless women, orphanage and also to the needy. What I take home from these three Centuries are:- need not be extravagant when we practise hospitality to an extent where it does not glory God, do good to others out of love and not to have selfish ambition and gain from them because the image of God is in them and not to expect reciprocation from them . We can start hospitality in small step and or practise hospitality within a small group at home. We do not need to wait for a big amount of funds before practising hospitality to strangers or others.

The most practical point that I have picked up is the part is “send on one’s way”. Many a time being in the position as a host, receiving guests (from other countries) into our house we will try to understand their health condition so that we may provide them the need like what a mum would do to their child. Thinking I’ve shown care and love enough. When the last day for the guest to leave for their country, I just see them off or at most sent them to Airport, Bus Terminal. In this lesson, I realised that I have omitted on the point “propempō” with meant to send with good wishes. Now, I know that it is our duty to see that the guest is provided with what he needed to take him to reach his next destination. It ranges from Ticket for Air flight, Ferry or other means of transport, food and any other needs like medication if necessary as well as a prayer for journey mercy and blessing.

What is most challenging to me is not the point where we are to be hospitable to strangers and others, neither is the fear of unpleasant unforeseen circumstances arises that will hold me back from being hospitable. My biggest concern is what will bring harm to my immediate family members or disagreement that may lead to argument and dispute. Therefore without full agreement, blessing and support from everyone, I will not extend my assistance to strangers/others. In time of crisis, we can put our thought and ideas together to resolve it as a team. The bottom line is I WILL NOT scarify the harmony and safety of my family for a stranger. The only solution I can think of is to serve it as a team where “hospitality is a risky business” is a concern.

Bible has clearly revealed to us, God being the host and we being the guests on earth. Being a stranger to this land, it is impossible that we will never need to depend on others. I “may be” to an extend gracious in giving or blessing others, but will I still be graciously receiving assistance or support when I am down and out? Will my pride and ego become an obstacle when being host by someone when in need? Are not both the host and guest a created of God? Throughout our life, we have been a beneficiary of His love, grace and mercy. Now I have learned that whoever hosts me in time of my need is sent by Him. Just give thanks the Him and the host. All glory to God and may all host be blessed abundantly.

Thank you Sis Dav and cheers to all readers of this blog.

Reflection of my New Testament Foundation Learning Journey

Very quickly our course on New Testament Foundation is ending soon.  I’m starting to like going to class.  I am so blessed to be in the same class with this group of learners. Their learning spirit, team spirit and their ever ready to care, share attitude touches me. In fact, I feel the need to better myself all the more. They are my role model indeed.

My decision to attend this New Testament Foundation is, hoping to read these books in New Testament (NT) the way I have never before.  I would like to share a few information that I picked up in this lesson.

Firstly, Alexander the Great through Hellenization, influenced countries that he conquered by introducing Greek States, Greek language and Greek lifestyles. NT was written mainly in Greek instead of Hebrew as in the Old Testament. Next, I would like to share that before the lesson I knew well that there are there 27 books in NT, the first four books are four Gospel books. Now I have learned that gospel written Matthew, Mark and Luke are synoptic gospel but not John’s. What it means is that the first 3 gospels have its story line synoptic that overlap 91% of what is written in Mark’s Gospel is found in Matthew and 83% that is written in Mark’s is found in Luke.  Needless to say, John’s way of writing was completely of different setting as compared to the first three books. John’s way of writing the gospel was base on what he witnessed and also his intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. The theology of John is highly advanced, especially its Christology. He understood pretty well the thinking of Jews people of their lacking, needs and wants. He borrowed the idea and thinking or mindset of others and Christianize it with his choice of words used in writing so that the whole concept is to bridge salvation that Christ was about to bring.

Secondly, our lecturer also elaborated and helped us to define on the method or style of gospel or books in the NT was written. My lecturer led us into identifying the storyline. We started with the plot, the setting and the character as three main big points. The character alone were categories it into “The Hero”, ‘The Evil” and “The Agent” with the main character flowing with “full-fledged” of emotion from sad, angry to joy etc. In it, we also learned that to clearly express on the conflicts and followed by the solution is also one of the important factor.

Last but not least, I would like to share my “personal” breakthrough. It is something to do with my long identified “stage fright” issue. My usual self in the past will feel the symptoms include a racing heart, a dry mouth, a shaky voice, trembling, sweating and temporary lost of hearing while feeling nausea or giddy. This time round, although this stage fright feeling did still attack me but it just came and go within seconds. Not only that, I started having fun with the group while trying to bring out as much as possible the requirement of the presentation. Praise the Lord my God and all glory to Him.

What my best take away in the lesson is, I started to see a higher calling in our lives. I’ll try to constantly remind myself to read the Bible, reflecting and executing the teaching with a heart of a learner. Every single word of discipline and teaching in the Bible is to lead us to be obedient to the will of God from right inside of us. Not just outward look like that of scribes and Pharisees are self-righteous as written. This brought us to relational perfection (Christian by “Love”) instead of moral perfection (Pharisees by “Law”). It teaches us to Love and not just telling us to stop hating someone as well as to go beyond the basic instinct and move towards truth and integrity.

Here, I would like to thank our Team leader Sis Aggie and each and every Team A members for supporting me through this course. Special thanks to our lecturer Rev Casey & Ps Eileen having to lead us through such a long hours of teaching. Deep in my heart, a big hug to my beloved Sister Jeslyn that in my time of feeling terribly unwell, she took the trouble to gather a few sisters and brother to pray for me. I was healed in an instant. Give thanks to God for sending a group of prayer warrior to my aid, all glory to Him.

My lesson on Research and Ethics

I’m back to school! My first day of school is at ACTS College started on 4 January 2016 after almost 30 years of working life. Study is never my choice because of a bad experience I’ve had in 1973 when I was primary one. I have a phobia of getting back to school again. Nevertheless, I did it, not because I wanted to but because of pure submission to the calling of my God; the healer of my soul and saviour of my life.

Hmm, under the recommendation of the Student Counsel, I enrolled into this class that touches on a subject called “Research and Ethics”. I’m surrounded with classmates from all walks of life and of different age group. Yes, I am so blessed to have very nice and friendly classmates as my peers. My heart settled a little during self-intro session. Then, we are put into groups. I was placed in a group of 8, labelled “A” for group discussion and projects. With this grouping, my heart was more assured as they were a group of really sincere and helpful teammates.

Our lecturer always fills our class with humour while trying to bring across his points to us, this made it easier adjusting to school. In this class, we get two lecturers and by only paying one fee, seems like you got a good deal. Buy one get one free. Hahaha... In my second day of school, came a young looking man saying that he will be leading us through the lessons and we are to address him by the name Bro David. His style is different from the first lecturer and he teaches the class with a punch. So with the two amazing lecturers, I never get a chance to doze off no matter how tired I am.

Well, let me share on what I have learned in the class. Firstly, I will start with the part on research. I’m given a topic about ABORTION to draft an outline on the “Title”, “Problem”, “Thesis Statement” and “Approach” followed with the “References and Major Sources”. It was to be submitted on the second day of school. Though it was an easy and simple instruction to everyone, but my mind has been dormant for nearly 30 years, what can come out of it is extremely limited. My husband comforted me with a word of prayer the night before I sleep. The next morning, a “Title” that I felt is close to the heart of everyone, came into my mind. When I’m back to class, I was told about “incomplete statement” and “3 main point” method. So it added to my knowledge. Secondly, the topic on Ethical issue forms a major part of this lesson. A lot of theory though, but along the way, our lecturer got every student to ask and share our experiences. What impacted me most is on the topic of “Poverty”. We were posted a question on whether we feel guilty that we are not doing something practical to help. My answer was “I can only feel heart ache and sadness over it because I’m too small and weak to do anything thing about it.” The lecturer asked once more, “Do you feel guilty?” This question haunted me. Yes indeed, who on earth would need my so called “pity, heart ache and sadness”. Will it do any help to relieve the problem? You guys know the answer. I’ll start to pray over it and surrender this “heavy heart” to my Saviour, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. In it I added “My five loaves and two fish, I give thanks, You lead and I submit.”

To conclude, I’ve added if not all but most of what have been taught in the class to my knowledge. It is just pure knowledge and awareness to ethical issues. Now, I will start to ponder on how to apply this valuable knowledge to become a practical skill. I must first achieve how not to hurt others while learning how to help them with a touch of “LOVE” and “SENSITIVITY”.