Sheep In Wolf Clothing

Eat Humble Pie

2009-03-23T08:50:00.003+08:00

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Ever wonder if you are right and most people are wrong. That is scary. For one, you will be wondering how it could be. Especially when people who say that you are wrong are those of the main stream, or worst, they are the church leaders. You will be wondering if your heart have deceived yourself.

What do we do? Do we rise up and rebel or start a new crusade or should we quiet ourselves and let those who are the leader continue to preach what people think is right and behave as if they are right.

Jeremiah have something similar in here, as I see Jeremiah lived his life, we see a humble man who continue to preach what most people rejected. I come to one conclusion...

If you want to be right, eat your humble pie.

Do what need to be done, but remain humble.

Too many people have split up churches or start their empire because of that. But here we see a humble man who continue to cry to God. Jeremiah did not stop his massage, it fact it get more unacceptable.

Jeremiah in Chapter 27 told the king to do an unthinkable task. To accept an evil king advances since Jeremiah say that God is going to use him as his servant. Unthinkable, as this is the first time a Jewish King are given such advice..to work with a pagan King, a evil pagan king. To the rest of his collegue, they would think that Jeremiah is wrong and would advice the King, that as a Jews, a God Chosen race, will need to rise up against the King. Even as I first read it, I thought it would be a no brainer thing to fight this evil king.

I wander what "persecution" would Jeremiah face...I have my fair share of it, even my best supporting friend would turn against me...as if the holy spirit have stop prompting me. I know I have sinned and in many time, sinned so badly, does it make me someone who would not know God truth anymore.

It is when I realise that I have sinned and thus humbled myself, I see the error of people who would fight all the way for the truth to be people of pride. I begin to understand Jeremiah decision. My response would be similar to Jeremiah....to cry to God and face it along with those that stand against me.

How Romans change my life?

2009-02-04T15:36:00.002+08:00

Year 2008 is a eye opening year...I can say I went to the dark side, coming out leave many remenent of things behind. We human are strange, only unless we know we are bad, will we be humbled and see God as almighty.

Only then will I realise how wrong I was in the pass, to view people who never seen to get out of their struggle, and maybe even enjoy their sin that they are struggling as lower level Christian. Of course, no one will outright say that, but we treat them like that. Eg. They can do anything in church but never to lead a Bible study, or never should they involve in life... it is like they are the failure of our Christiandom and nothing good can come out of them.

Would we say only young christian can fall and older one should not, if they do, then they are not older one? When an older christian sin, we ranked the sin to see if it is the serious one or just forgiveable one.

And if older christian did something unacceptable to the community, it is kept quiet at all cost, we may even remove the person as if he is not a soul that we should care for. Such dilemma...

It is in such time 3 books hold me on....1 is Romans, then 1 Thess and last is from John Piper, "When Darkness did not lift". I pray everyday for my full return to God...and I know I will...if he wants to kill me, why take so much trouble, why not just don't save me in the first place....i pray and continue to pray.

Shin Mun birthday.

2007-10-30T23:28:00.002+08:00

The Return of the Eric

2007-09-06T16:55:00.000+08:00

Its have been many moon since i wrote this...i kind of let my younger leaders take over...be it willingly or complusory.

Well, its been about 2 years...and i am back since they no longer use this site for their communication...i hope to write my thoughts again.

As for personnally, i just got my 10 years award for my work place...thank God for this 10 years..n i pray tat he will substance me for another 10 more.

Why are you leading?

2006-05-20T00:58:00.000+08:00

Last year in “love joy peace” we shared the gospel to our students. This year in covering the book of Mark, we challenged our students to have a passion for God, since they said that they believe.

Our studies on being a “Woman of God” and “Men of God” are not about how to be a man or woman. Studying it from this perspective is just a means to an end. They are about how we can and should have a passion for Christ. Focus on this as your prepare your lessons. It’s not about how you can only relate to an issue as a man or a woman.

What are we doing when we go to ACJC every week? Is it just to go there and get it through? To sit down and keep quiet and let others lead? Are you leading because it’s your turn and you have to?

The real question I ask myself is: What am I doing here?

Why lead Sec2s? I’m teaching to change lives.

… so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:12b-13

And that’s what we’re doing. We have some responsibility over how our students eventually turn out, and it’s about turning that ‘just believe’ into a passion for God.

I know it’s hard sometimes, wanting them to have a passion for God when we struggle to have a passion for God ourselves. I know I struggle too. We have a purpose to fulfill, so let’s not crash and burn.

Yipeng

Mark 16

2006-05-06T07:14:00.000+08:00

As you can see we have 3 incident, so we will split to 3 groups.

First group to touch on 1-8, Second touch on 9-11, last group to touch on 12-13.

Ask these question for the group

1. In each case, how did the people receive the information that Jesus is risen?
2. How did the people response to the information?
3. Do you think the response is expected or surprising?

Then get each group to send a representative to read the passage given and give the answers of the above question.

Yipeng will sum up the first part. especially o the response in question 3. He will generally talk about people response to the gospel in today world.

- 1. We believe
- 2. We modify what we hear to suit whatever we do not believe.

Yipeng will also touch on that people know of Jesus is risen from someone telling them too.

Gather back to the same 3 groups and do- 14-20

Question
1- How did the discipler finally believe? Why do you think Jesus reproach them?
2. Summaries what Jesus say.

Basically, the summary must have this 2 pointers
1. Tell others of what happen to Jesus and what will happen to them.
2. The task for knowing all this is to perform the role of the prophet. To tell the truth of the kingdom of God.

( The second part would be difficult for the student, so you may need to step in to summarise for them. Notice 16-17 signs are all signs from the old testament prophets, from Isaiah who talk about the days where strange tougue would be spoken as a warning, and to Moses which in the event of bringing the people out of Egypt, handle snakes, and lastly, Jesus who heals the sick. All of them have 1 thing in common, to tell and bring people to God.

We must not get too engross with the detail of these things and ignore what is the real issue that need to bring out)

Gather back, and YiPeng will summaries. He will get the people to read Luke 24:13-16. That unless God open our eyes, we remain to be in disbelieve. He will also challenge them to consider the commission that Jesus is saying that we must consider to tell others if we believe. If we do not tell, what really are we saying of about ourselves?

lesson 9

2006-04-20T21:12:00.000+08:00

hey, pple!!..

i've already sent the lesson as a microsoft wrd attachment to your respectv emails..pls go read up!!..

if i've missed you out pls msg me 91272112 with your email add, ya??..thx

btw..wad i've sent you is jus a guide : dont need to follow 100%..if u feel certain qns are redundant, dont ask them..if u wanna add in qns of your own, be my guest..

happy reading & preparing!!

=]

megan

lesson 8

2006-04-04T21:38:00.000+08:00

hi everyone

sorry that this week's lesson came out so late. i needed to work on it for a little longer than i expected.

it's going to be sent to you by email because i've already nicely formatted in microsoft word. anyway it's going to be easier to print.

if i miss you out in the email, contact me at daeeee@gmail.com or leave a message (i don't always pick up my phone) at 81130294.

thanks! :)

daena

Lesson 7

2006-03-22T17:25:00.001+08:00

You should have already recieved lesson 7 (part 1) via email. Leaders who have yet to recieve it should email me at ______ or call ______ .

Thanks and regards,

Yipeng

What must I do?

2006-03-12T16:21:00.000+08:00

1 The aim of this lesson, based on Mark 8:27-10:52, is to educate on (a) what is the Kingdom Jesus established, and (b) what must we do to be part of it.

"To kill an infidel is not murder; it is the way to heaven." –boy at Messina, Crusader port to the Holy Land, in Orlando Bloom’s "Kingdom of Heaven".

Part I - Table layout

2 To not waste time, I’d like all leaders to quickly set up the tables and get into position. Once you get into the class, form 4 squares in the classroom, and ensure all Sec 2s sit around these squares (I’d redistribute the sex ratio later if necc). One i/c to each table group - a) Yipeng, b) Meihuan, c) Roger, d) Joshua - do tell me by the Fri if u can’t lead. Recommend u choose an assistant of the opposite sex to help out. Each i/c, pls bring one maganize/newspaper, glue/bluetack, markers, and scissors for your group.

Part II - Hook Appetif

3 Let’s play a game all together, called "SimKingdom". I’d paste up 4 sheets on the board, outlining a magical kingdom where rules made come true instantly. Each group is tetrach (ruler over a quarter of the land), and has to cut pictures/think about what they want a particular aspect of their kingdom to be like. Group 1 is in charge of the treasury, Group 2 the king’s residence, Group 3 the king’s reputation among his people, Group 4 the population.

4 I’d give ~10 min for each group to cut and paste/scribble on their vanguard, then send a rep up to present. I’d then say that this how the world thinks, but not what God wants, then introduce the study topic. From here, each group takes over and ends on its own. Please keep to timing.

Part III - Main course

5 First establish that the disciples knew that Jesus was the Christ (8:27-30). At that time, Israel was an unwilling and rebellious province of the Roman Empire. The Jews looked forward to an earthly powerful Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and restore freedom to Israel, removing Roman taxes from the people, and ridding the land of pagan unbelievers. In fact, Simon the Zealot, one of the Disciples, was part of a group that fought for independence.

6 It was hence likely the disciples, and the crowds, hoped that Jesus would do as they wanted, also giving them riches and high positions in the new kingdom. Get the Sec 2s to read out verses that seem odd with an earthly Messiah: 9:9-13, 30-32. Ask them why this seems odd. Then explain that the disciples found it unacceptable and puzzling that despite being the Messiah i.e. deliverer of Israel, Jesus would have to face suffering, rejection and death, instead of wealth and fame. Little did the disciples know that Jesus’ kingdom would be very different from expected – refer to the responses of SimKingdom.

7 To explore what is Jesus’ kingdom actually like (point out it is very different from SimKingdom), ask the Sec 2s to read the following verses, and explain what these show about the real Kingdom of God:

a) Who is the greatest (9:33-37)
b) Pharisees and divorce (10:1-12)
c) Little children (10:13-16)
d) The rich young man (10:17-31)
e) Suffering and Servanthood (10:35-45)

8 In each case, point out how the response by the people/disciples then had not changed even in this modern age. Emphasise that the Kingdom of God for us is not a matter of power, or riches, or wealth; it is one of servanthood and love.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is here, and here" – knight pointing to the head and heart, when teaching Orlando Bloom.

9 So, now that we know what is Jesus’ kingdom about, and want to be part of it, how do we make sure we’re in? Refer the group to John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth…. Also, back to Mark 10:15 – childlike faith is the key.

10 Hence, to be part of the Kingdom, you need to trust in, and only in Jesus. You need to do what he asks you to do with childlike faith and obedience; and what he asks you to do are reflected in the examples a) to e) just studied. They way is through humble dependence and trust; the way to be great in the kingdom is to be a lowly servant. And as Jesus suffered at the cross, we who follow Him in the Kingdom must also prepare to sacrifice our comfort for God’s sake.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is a Kingdom of conscience, or it is nothing" – Orlando Bloom, after refusing to kill his rival to become ruler of Jerusalem.

Part IV - Dessert

11 As the conclusion, I’d leave you to put the following points to the Sec 2s, in a manner suitable depending on how the lesson plays out then:-

a) Read the 2-stage healing of a blind man in 8:22-26. This depicts the current state of the disciples. While they realise Jesus is the Christ, they are blurry on what his Kingdom is really like, and what they should do. The Sec 2s could also be at the same stage: they have head-knowledge of what they should do to follow Christ, but the crucial step is to put that into practice.

b) Aonther blind man (10:46-52) is a model of true discipleship. He hears Jesus, asks in faith for something, and having receives it, follows Jesus immediately. Explain to the Sec 2s that this is a model to follow.

c) Provided there is sufficient time, ask the Sec 2s to share one way they can follow Jesus closer in the week ahead. Then in closing, ask then to pray that God will give them strength to actually do so.

Thanks to Paul n Hannah for their assistance.

Who do you think i am? - Mark 6:45- 8:26

2006-03-01T20:36:00.000+08:00

Very simply, we will start off with a game, ‘Who do you say I am?’- which is basically an adaptation of charades. (I’m not that good with my language, so stef, could u help me explain the game? Thanks)

(Erm.. I have no idea of how to split the sec2s into various groups, so I would need help in this area. Ultimately, I would prefer 4grps, so if u have a working suggestion, please feel free to sms me. I would really appreciate it. )

The aim of the game is basically to outscore their opponents by guessing the occupations acted out by the people acting.. so the groups have to be competitive for the game to be fun..
Each group would send 1 person up during their turn.. That person would be the one miming.
Scoring of points: 1 point – the person who answers correctly and the person miming is from the
same group..
2 points – person who answers and the person miming are from different
groups..
(I’ll get something for the winning group.. lollipops I think..)
This game should last about 15-20 mins.

I will sum up the game.
I’ll need 4 people to lead the groups – Yi Peng, Mei Huan, Roger and Ming Wei, to lead the 4 groups (if you don’t mind). The remaining leaders split up evenly into the 4 groups.

Turn to Mark 6:45-56.
Q1. Ask them who is Jesus? Is he God?
Contrast these verses with those in Mark:
- He walked on the sea (Psalm 77:19)
- He was about to pass them by (Exodus 33:19,22 & 34:6)
- He provoked fear (Exodus 18-21)
- He told them not to fear (Isaiah 41:13)
- He seemed to calm the wind (Psalm 65:7)
Q2. Why do the disciples respond the way they do? What’s wrong with them?
Flip back to the first sea-crossing incident in Mark 4:35-41.
Q3. Have the disciples progressed in their understanding?

Now, turn to Mark 7:1-30.
Q4. What is the real problem of the religious leaders?
Q5. The Syrophonecian woman is a Greek, a foreigner, one of the unclean, with whom Jews were not to associate. Yet, how does the woman’s response to Jesus compare to those we have just seen? What is the state of her heart?

Read Mark 7:31- 8:26.
Q6. What is your impression of the disciples during the feeding of the 4 thousand (given the previous feeding of the 5 thousand in chapter 6)?
Q7. According to Jesus, what problems do the disciples have?
Q8. Looking back at the conversation in the boat, if the disciples are ever to understand, what must happen to them?

In closing, Mark not only gives us a powerful description of Jesus, but also the hostility of the religious authorities, and the baffling ignorance of his closest associates.

God himself has come amongst the disciples, yet Jesus’ own followers –like Israel’s leaders– are too dull to see it.

Both the deaf mute (7:31-36) and the blind man (8:22-26) are pictures of the disciples. They have ears, but do not hear. Eyes, but do not see. They need someone to heal them – to open the deaf ears and blind eyes.

Fortunately, like the mute whom Jesus healed, Peter’s tongue is loosened and he begins to speak freely, confessing what we (as readers) have known all along: “You are the Christ”. At last, the disciples openly recognize who Jesus is.

Looking at ourselves, how can we help others who don’t know Jesus?

The Sheep & their Shepherd

2006-02-19T22:29:00.000+08:00

For this week’s lesson, it will not be conducted as a whole group so the entire lesson will be dependent on you leaders to conduct.

After much consideration, I changed the game to ‘Follow Me’. As I would require the use of the tables and chairs, I would like some of the leaders to help me arrange the tables and the chairs in the other room (you will see why later.) Basically the students are supposed to walk and crawl around the tables blindfolded. The course is up to you to decide, but do ensure the course is not too long as they would need to do it twice in 15 mins (please do not exceed 15 mins for the game.)

Materials needed: blindfolds. Cindy & I will cut the garbage bags for you.

Arrangement of the tables: I have already informed those who were not involved in the Tackle games how to arrange the tables. Please take the initiative to inform those who are not aware of what was discussed.

Go into your respective groups (as in the boys’ group and the girls’ group. Not the ones that we had for the past 2 weeks) and choose a leader among the students. Bring the ‘leader’ into the classroom and show him or her the course. Bring the ‘leader’ back to the group and blindfold all. Then have the ‘leader’ lead the others through the course (via holding each other or giving instructions)

Repeat the game again but this time choose another ‘leader’ but do not blindfold the ‘leader’ this time.

After the game, settle into your respective groups in another classroom and explain to them the rationale of the game. The blindfold basically symbolizes our sins that blind us. In the first part, the leader is like the Pharisees or other religious leaders who are also blinded by their own sins and hence have a high tendency to lead others astray as seen when the group bumps against the tables.

In the second part, the leader who is not blindfolded is like Jesus who is sinless. He basically has a clear view and is able to direct us better. Then also ask them about whether they feel more secure when the leader is not blindfolded. Please observe whether the students who are blindfolded tend to hold on to their surroundings as they walk. If they did, you can touch on the fact that the leader gives us clear and precise instructions. However, as we are blinded by sins, we have a tendency to depend on ourselves instead of listening to the instructions that have been given to us.

After explaining that, you can tell the students that hence today’s lesson is on Jesus as a perfect leader and how we often tend to reject Him and his instructions.

Read Mark 4:35-41

It is evident that Jesus had the ability to control such a difficult situation (you may want to explain that His followers were seasoned fishermen so hence it would take a very terrible storm to make them lose their cool) and that He had performed so many miracles in front of them.

1) So why is it that that the disciples ask the question (v. 41)?

Do touch on the fact that even in later part (Mark 8:27), the disciples were doubtful that He is the Son of God even after being with Him for so long.

Read Mark 5: 21-31 & 6:1-6

2) What is so strange about the response in Nazareth? What are the reasons for the people response?

Do mention about the fact that the people in Nazareth saw Him grow up and perceived Him as only a carpenter and were also jealous of the fact that He had such wisdom. Hence this serves as a reminder for us to not underestimate others because they seem to be less knowledgeable or different from us.

Read Mark 6:30-44

3) What does this show about Jesus?

Do touch on the fact that Jesus it unlike any other leader or possesses any of the qualities that the world looks for. Example: He shows compassion for the lost sheep. (Mark 6:34) and that He is a Provider; He provided both spiritual and physical food for them. (Mark 6:34, 39-44)

Read Mark 7:1-8

4) What problem does Jesus say that Israel’s leaders have? Why were the leaders hard-hearted? (Or why did they harden their hearts?)

After seeing the contrast between Jesus as a compassionate leader and the Pharisees as self-centered people.

5) What makes a leader worth following?

Continue on with the fact that Jesus is a sinless and compassionate leader who puts His people before self and was willing to offer His life for the redemption of our sins. Since He is such a perfect leader then why do people not have faith in Him? (You can remind them of their reliance on themselves during the game or refer to the people of Nazareth)

End with this open question:

6) Are you truly a follower of Jesus or have you been like sheep without a shepherd, just blindly following what the world says or what we your leaders say.

Special thanks to Cindy, Ming Wei, Si Jia & Stephanie for their help.

Please feel free to post any comments especially on the parts that may have not been well explained.

This is what the kingdom will be like -

2006-02-11T09:20:00.001+08:00

Dear Leaders,
In view of the Tackle Games on Sunday, we would try to end the lesson early. But please DO NOT RUSH through your lesson, but if we try to start as early as possible, we would be fine. We will try to keep within 1 hour.
_________________________________
Pre lesson Preparation:
All leaders:
1) Please bring News papers and at least one pair of scissors.
2) Read Mark 4:1-34
_________________________________

Lesson Plan:

This week, we will continue with the girls and guys group again. We will split down to four groups like what we did last week. These four groups would be led by the same workshop leaders who led last week (with the exception of Joshua who would lead one group for this week), namely, Yi Peng, Ming Wei, Mei Huan and Joshua. The rest of the leaders you are free to join any of the four groups. However, please also ensure that there is an even student – leader ratio among the 4 groups.

After we have divided the class into 4 groups, we will move into the workshop first

WORKSHOP:
Part 1 (10mins)-
Workshop leaders please get the students in your group to cut out the news articles that they feel contain the most pressing issues for their parents. Then ask the students to share with the group.

Discuss and ask them questions like:
i) What do you think people are trying to gain by battling with this issue?
ii) What chances do you think they have of success? Is there any assurance that their hopes will be realized?

Part 2 (10mins)-
Now ask them to search the newspaper again and look for THEIR most pressing hope for the future and ask them to present it in the grouping.

Discuss and ask them questions like:
i) What is the most pressing hope for the future?
ii) What do they long for and dream about?

Workshop leader tell your group that:
Most of our human dreams and hopes are shot term dreams that span our earthly lives. These are elusive dreams of ours that may or may not happen. As Christians we should work towards the kingdom of heaven where we will be spending eternity.

Part 3 (30 mins):
Then quickly move on to the book of Daniel and the 4 Parables to see what the Bible has to say about the kingdom of God would be like.

-------------
Yi Peng and Mei Huan’s group will do the promises found in the book of Daniel.

Ask one of your students to read the following and ask them what each passage expects will happen.

i) Daniel 2:44
ii) Daniel 7:13-14
iii) Daniel 7:17-18, 26-27
iv) Daniel 12: 1-4

Get your group to answer the question how does this kingdom meet the longlings of humanity?

Then get another student to read Daniel 12:1-4; 8-9; 13, Mark 1:14-15. Now ask them when was the kingdom of God expected?

-------------

Ming Wei and Joshua’s group will do 4 Parable:

Get your students to read Mark 4:1-34 then answer the following questions:

1) What does the parable of the sower say about potential responses to the announcement of the news?

2) What does it say about Jesus’ ministry? (Ref: Mark 4: 21-22)

3) What is the promise and warnings given in Mark 4: 24-25?

4) What does this parable lead you to expect? (Ref: Mark 4: 26-29)

5) What does this say about the kingdom? (Ref: Mark 4: 26-29)

6) What does the parable lead you to expect? (Ref: Mark 4: 30-32)

7) In summary ask them the question what does these parable lead you to expect.
-------------

Part 3 (10 mins):

After you have completed your respective parts, we will gather together again.

Group leaders please nominate a student to present to everyone on the questions you have discussed (i.e. the 4 parable and the part on the book of Daniel).

Kenneth and Roger will conclude this session.

As one who had authority- Mark 1:16-3:35

2006-02-10T20:18:00.000+08:00

This week we do it a bit different.

For the first time, we will try combining the girls and the guys group. No other reason but that this week we have 4 character we need to study. So we are going to split into 4 groups. So I need all leaders particpation and assistance when we split the people up.

As this are simple questions, leaders, don't be worry, just read thru the question and understand. You need not give them the answer here. Let them try.
The 4 character are

Fishermen - Mk 1:16-20 - lead by Yi Peng

Synagogue - Mk 1:21-28 - lead by Mei Huan

The sick - Mk 1:29-39 - lead by Roger

The leper - Mk 1:40-45 - lead by Meng Wei

All those who are leading, pls find 1 assistant to assist you.

The rest of the leaders, form the 5th group.
which will do MK 3:22-29
Q1- How does Jesus' riddle answer their charge (vs23-27)?
Q2- Why does Jesus give them such a stern warning (vs28-30)?

Fisherman
Q1- What does Jesus promise to do for these men?
Q2- If they follow him, what are the consequences?
Q3- What does this encounter tell us about Jesus the king?

Synagogue
Q1- Why are people impressed by Jesus in Capernaum?
Q2- What does the evil spirit know that the crowd does not know?
Q3- What does this encounter tell us about Jesus the king?

The Sick
Q1- How is Jesus' authority shown in this section?
Q2- From Jesus' actions and words, what did he think his mission was all about?

The Leper
Q1- Why do you thik the leper was hesitant about asking for healing?
Q2- What do you find surprising about this incident?
Q3- What does Jesus' encounter with the leper tell us about the sort of king he is?

At the end of their discussion, they are to select someone in the group to read the version when I call upon them, and some of to represent the group in answering the last question they have done.

I will conclude the phase 1 discussion that in the Synagogue incident, we would notice that there contrast between the religous leaders of the day. In the next presentation ( which the leaders) we will see open conflict.

That is where the leaders group will present. Q1 and Q2. (since I have given the question to you, pls prepare first before doing the discussion. Joshua, pls assign 1 leader for each question presentation. preferably 1 guy 1 girl leader).

I will touch something about the "blaspheme the Holy Spirit"

Afterwhich, the people in the leaders group, pls join the students group (your choice of which group you want to be in, but make sure you have the ration even up).

Then answer this question, and end it.
1. From whatwe have read so far, what was Jesus offering people of they follow him? Is it still the same today?

2. What does Jesus offer us today that religious leaders cannot equal?

3. What is radical about Jesus' authority?

Some read up:
The people of Jesus' day were confronted with a choice. They had traditionally found out about God by following thir authorised religious leaders. But now a new teacher had arrived on the scene, one who oozed authority in everything he said and did.

Look at ourselves, did we follow what our leaders say blindly or do we really follow Jesus?

Mark 1:4-8

2006-02-03T23:25:00.000+08:00

I want to apologise for the late submission. The reason is because I have been looking at the notes on Jesus, I find it too much knowledge but touch little on application.

After some searching, I have found a material that would suit us, I will send you the notes my mail, next week.

The following are the questions:

Read Mark 1:4-8
1. Why did the people come to John? What were they looking for?

2. John is protrayed by Mark as the "messenger" of the old testament prophecies. According to John's message, what will happen next?

3. According to the old testament prophecies we looked at above, who was supposed to come after him?

vs 8, you may want to touch on this to make your student interested. It is quite side tracked. Ask them what do they under of baptism in the Holy spirit.(some version says as with the holy spirit). All the same. It does not refer to Christian baptismal practices, nor to what some churches refer to as the second blessing. Both mistakes try to read later church phenomena back into the gospel. Instead, we must understand John's reference to baptism in the light of the situation in Jesus' time. Notice that John compares a symbol of what he does with the reality which is what God will do.

Baptism simply means a washing, which is a natura symbols for cleansing or purification. Baptism in the holy spirit is the cleansing or purifying that God will do. This what the people wanted and what OT had promised. It is later that Jesus will reveal that the baptism he perform according to God's plan is his death.

Read to them Mark 1:9

And explain below

In a dramatic scene, Jesus is endowed with the HS and hears a voice from Heaven. Seen to be a straight forward thing to say. God is declaring from heaven that he loves his Son, and that he is very pleased with him. But there is more to it than that. God is repeating words tat he had spoken many hundreds of years earlier in the OT. Read Ps 2:7 and Isa 42:1-4. The verses is self explanatary, but what matters is tha God spoke it as a future tense then, but a present tense in Mark 1:9.

Now get them to read Mark 1:14-15

What is Jesus doing? You don't need to get the answer from them. Tell them that Jesus begins to proclaim his message of the kingdom of God. According to Jesus 2 thing will happen

1. The kingdom will come
2. His hearers will have to make their minds up how to respond - either accepting his message or rejecting it.

End with 1 open question post to the student,

What do you thing why did Mark wrote this portion of the gospel, what do you think he wants to bring the point to us?

I will end this time round.

Jesus Purpose of Coming to the world

2006-01-21T01:21:00.000+08:00

Before we start, i would want all leaders to take some time to pray for your fellow leaders. You may know of some of their struggles and their pitfall, and yet you are helpless. What would you do? I pray that you will learn to hate the sin and not the sinner. And that your love for the person would compel you to pray for them.

Now back to our proper.

Remind your members of what we touch 2 weeks back, on who is Christ is to us? And also that if we are to call him as who he is, we will have his commission, and his work...Like all work and commission, it would mean hard work, tough time. Sound like suffering to me!

If we are to choose a life to suffer for Christ, we better ask ourselves, what so great of this Jesus that I would do such things.

We will bring ourselves back to the first question, why on earth is he here for? We are actually asking, what is his purpose of coming?

Please refer to the notes on Jesus Purpose. ( leaders, I would propose that if you have a big groups, group them up to smaller groups like 2 or 1 member to 1 leader, than answer one of the questions, then group back again and do a presentation of it, girls, you may want to do that as a bigger group).

For the sake of the late notes delivery, I will put the question in here.

Jesus purpose stated.

What do these passage say Jesus came to do?

Matt 20:28
How did he serve? what does the word ransom imply?

Matt 26:26-28
How does Jesus' blood being pourd out relate to forgiveness of sin?

Luk 19:10
What do you think Jesus means by lost?

John 3:16
What does saved mean, ie saved from what?

1 Tim 1:15, 2:3-6
what makes Jesus abl to be our mediator?

What has Jesus done for believers?

Contrast the position before God of a person prior to and after recieving Christ.

Col 1:13,14,19-23
What does Jesus offer to do for us?

Ephasians 2:1-9
What kind of death is spoken of in ver 1? In what sense are we made alive?

1 Pet 3:18
What does "the just for the unjust" mean?

Now For the girls, get Mei Huan pls get someone to summarise for them, and for the guys, Roger, please do the same too.

Summary,

Where do you think you stand in relation to God? How have you responded to Jesus' offer? If you were to die tonight, how certain are you that you are saved and would be allowed to enter heaven? For what reason(s)?

All this answers point to one single person. Jesus. Take away his name, and you find yourself no where is God world. We are just too ourselves. Sinful. Jesus is the answer for our sin problem, not just our pass sin, but our present and our future. For a moment, we find it ok to accept it. But if you look at the detail, you will find it hard.

It mean that when you sin in the pass, you ask for God forgiveness because of Jesus, but the very sin that you sin in the pass was what you are having problem now that you still ask God for forgiveness because of Jesus, and that you will continue to sin the very sin in future knowing that you will continue to ask God for forgiveness.

That is unacceptable. What kind of a man is that? such despicable act. But that is who we are as sinner. And God knows that. When we see that we are as such, all the more we go to God in humility. For there is non righteous. For it is in recognising our sin, we see Jesus as the answer.

Such will be the attitude of Christians, all over the world, so long we ernestly realise how junk we are, that we see how great Jesus is.

Ask the student, do they? Do they see them selves as junk, or that they are OK. If we are fine without Jesus, then why should we have him in the first place. Then we will be proud, and God hate pride.

After which, break into the small groups again, and ask them to ponder and pray.

Who is Christ to me?

2006-01-07T01:16:00.000+08:00

This will be the theme for this sunday. By now, you will recieve the attachments I send. Please print them for your students to do.

And also remember to bring paper A4 side pls to write on the above mentioned?

This year, we will do the study on Jesus. So to start this, we must begin with this question. Collect the question from them, pls put the name.

Then we will do Matt 16:13-19

Ask the following question.

1. Summarise what they have just read.

2. Ask them to put in terms that they do not understands.

If they have non, then ask them this
1. What does it mean for Christ in Peter reply? vs 16. And terms like son of living God. In vs 13, son of Man.

3. What was the response of Jesus on Peter answer?

Basically, ask them to is the response of Jesus a promise, a commission or a blessing. The answer is all of it.

4. Ask them what are the pointers that Jesus tell Peter? Ask them what do you think is Jesus intension to give such promise to Peter?

Answer is simple. Peter have got it, and if he understand who is Jesus, he would know what would Jesus desire to do. Then it would be his desire too.

5. Finally, ask them again who is Jesus to them today? What would Jesus response to their answer?

Emphasize on this. Make sure they do not answer with their head knowledge but question them what is their real design and would they response to Jesus back if that is what Jesus would tell them to do. What are the things they would consider to fulfill what Jesus have commissioned.

For ref, please see below.
http://www.cresourcei.org/biblestudy/bbmatt13.html

REMEMBER: to split question well to your groups leaders.

We will gather back once we finish.

We will do Godliness- Leader Guide

2005-12-09T22:08:00.000+08:00

i know you don't have this so..I will walk thru with you. Anyway, this Sunday, I will give you the worksheet on Sunday.

Well, basically, I will ask you to get the student to

Imagine 3 people- a star athelete, a supermodel, a music legend (rock star). There will a list of talents and trait which is in the worksheet. They are to put an A next to all those that would make an athlete a star. Do the same for model (M) and music legent (L). Some of the talents or traits may get more than one initial, its OK.

Then ask them to put "C" next to all the above traits they think would make a Christian a superstar in God's eyes.

Then get them to read the following verse
The Verses is Psalm 15.

A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

The easier version
O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.

Ask them to list down in verses (except for verse 1, which is opening question of the psalm) what are the traits that GOd looks for in people.

Ask Is it possible for the supermodel, star athlete and music legend to have none of the traits mentioned in Ps 15 an still be super successful in their line of work?

How?

Is it possible for a Christian to have none of these traits and be a godly person?

HOW?

Discuss at this point.

You may want to conclude with them too.
That...no one is perfect and Paul say in Rm 3:10. The only one with the traits is Jesus.

Last week since we concluded about doing the will of God. Then what is the will of God for us? It would be Pursuing Godliness. But before we talk about pursuing...what is Godliness. Is to desire for the things that God desire. Which is as written in Ps 15.

Can we achieve it? No one can be sure...but one thing for sure..Someone give us the know how....and the teacher and trainer... and a recharger so that we can be forgiven once we fail...now with all this in mind, what do you think is your chance? What best is that when we are in such things, one thing for sure there will be some that we are good at, and some we are weak in. We need to realise what causes us to be weak in and what we are strong in...sometimes it lies in the way that we live. especially at work or study.

Then finally, put a check mark by the two godly traits from quest 3 that you think you're doing well at. then put an arrow by 2 others you think you need to work at the most.

Leaders, I want all of you to split according to what we did last week. Yes, the same small groups. Now do this and then collect the check mark, bring it to the camp.

God's Will- Leaders guide

2005-11-29T23:39:00.000+08:00

I want the leaders to reflect on yourself first of all before embarking on preparing for this lesson. Ask yourself have God's will can be done in you?

Being a Christian is not about obeying God's will...but about believing that Christ die for you...and thus cause you to want to be in God's will. Yet it is not easy even to do that, and as i say before, we fail many time. It is not the failure that matter, but when we fail what did we do to ensure that we do not again.

It's like taking driving test. When we fail the first time, did we give up. No. Our determination enable us to ask what mistake did we committed and try again, this time avoiding those mistake made.

Therefore, we will see change. slow or inconsistent. But we will see change.

It have come to the end of the lesson. I believe, you have many reflection on yourself, and your student. Yes, That is what I want you to do.

This week lesson would be simple. I would do the starting first, and we will do Eph 2:8,9. and will end by asking them to question themselves that if they say they are Christians, then do the gospel compile them to what to change and go thru the pain of change.

Then instead of spliting to your normal groups, I want only to be 1 leader in a small groups. Why? I want you leaders to ask them to do the bible quiz on the last page.

If your student still play around, you should know the answer of my question.

Ask them, the first question we ask the beginning of the year. "If your parent did not ask you to come, would you still come?" whatever they say, ask them what make them not come the last time?

Then I want you to share of your experience leading this group, your gain and pain. your struggle and failure, and your success story. (if you do not have, I would need you to be honest, and share your struggle that you are still strugging).

Finally, I want you to tell them what you view of them, if you can, tell them individually of what you feel of him. And if you can warn them of what you think of their challenge.

Then ask them to write in a small piece of paper of one they they want to change and find themselves difficult to.

Put that in their bible, and pray and close.

Be Wise Fear God..Leader's guide

2005-11-25T23:15:00.000+08:00

Firstly, get your student to do the "choice is yours" worksheet. Which mean, please photocopy for your students.

For those with bigger groups, you can do all the verses with them for q5, but those with smaller one, you can consider 1 verse would do.

So split the questions equally among the leaders.

As for the end part, go to lesson 14 lesson plan, and do the presentation on James 3:13-18 with them, get them to point out what is the wisdom from above and what is the wisdom not from above.

You may want to split the groups to 2 to do that.

After which ask the group to answe the 2 question in page 25

1. What is wisdom?
2. How are we to become wise?

Ask them to write down on a piece of paper, and get them to split into smaller groups and share it with one leader in the groups (Main leader, you need to split down to smaller member, so that the rest of the leaders can play a personnal part in praying with them)

I would encourage all to close in prayer in smaller groups.

Read Lesson 14 & 15 teacher's guide before enbarking.

Tressure- Leaders guide

2005-11-12T22:58:00.000+08:00

First I would need all the leaders to bring the this picture for your section,

I will upload it, print it up.

And bring it, place them on table or floor for your group and ask them to rate then in order from the "you wil most hate to leave behind" to "those that really would not matter" when your life on earth is up.

Get them to read Matt 6:19-21 ( on the left hand side of the worksheet)and get groups members to share their thoughts, I would suggest groups that are bigger be further split down to small one to do this.

Select only 1 verse for the right side of the question. Ask them to answer the question.

and continue to "Love of money corrupts our hearts by making us...". Get them to share on occasion in their lives whe they recieved some money and trusted in their money. If not, you may want to start first, to get the ball going.

Get them to consider the verses they did and take time to think and pray that God would teach them to find true value in Money.

Act 13 Leader's guide

2005-10-28T19:15:00.000+08:00

http://www.filefactory.com/get/f.php?f=8cbb53dac455d4df4118b9f1

Go to the above site to download. Detail of lesson will be up later.

Oh..1 great problem, I am oversea next Sunday which is for the fasting. So who can close?mmmm I would think to get Roger to close for the guys and Mei Huan to close for the girls....any violent objection?

Guess not.

Acts 13...a passage for the sceptic. You see 3 actually. One is Paul, then the Jews.

For Paul, you see a sceptic becomes a believer.
For the false prophet, you see a sceptic who experience of God wrath yet we did not hear of him.
For the jews. you see a sceptic who thru due to personnel pride, cannot accept what is the truth.

The difference between Paul and the rest, is humility, thru suffering of God's wrath on him, it humble him whic take away his own agenda to follow Christ.

Pointer to note
1. When you are doing this passage, you may want to skip vs17-41 as it is the message to the jews. However if you want to do, its fine.

2. On the note of fasting, it would be interesting to bring in what would you think they are concern of so much that they would rather devote their time on praying and gathering then to eat. Obvious right, it would be concern for the soul of the lost. A new teritory, and unknown level, a new place.
3. It is pride that make us sceptic, and the solution of pride, is God going extreme to reach us such that it lower our pride....the chance is trials.

Fasting- Leaders Reference

2005-10-22T21:48:00.000+08:00

Before I start, I would want all to pray for our selves as leaders. By now you would realize that we ourselves are bleeding. Through the last 9 month, we see the splitting of the fellowship. Sound like LOTR, but in a way, it is a journey, and sad to say, casualities are high in this journey. But one thing for sure, it force us to grow up and ask question that really matters. But let me assure you one thing, we have not seen it all yet, for I believe, the next 2 month would have more casualities. We will continue to see that many would not want to pay the price, and move on.

Sound scary, so what is the word of caution? Simple actually. It would be Humility.

It is when we are so sure that we are OK, that we to start to make decision that will make us make wrong decision tomorrow. We make compromise and say that is nothing wrong with it, as if we can manage it. And before we know it, we are suck back to where we come from. Pride creeps in when we start to think that we are OK and that we can handle it. Sad to say, some of us never manage to break the pride and ourselves to realise how actually vulnerable we are. I ask all to pray for all of us as I believe, some of us are already deep inside this pride thingy. We would need God to do such miraclous act, the same act that touches our hearts when we first responded to God.

Now, back to the lession plan.

Since it is fasting month, it would be right time to ask what is fasting in the perspective of our context.

To start off, what is fasting not?

Get them do the question on the extreme left side of the Fasting sheet. Which is
Roman 14.3, Heb 10:19 and Matt 6:16-18

Get one leader to sum this up (you can read the note on the left side of the sheet.)

Then get the student to do 2 Kings 22:10-13 or 2 Sam 12:1-23 or Daniel 9:1-6.( For those with smaller groups, just need to do one. For bigger groups, you can split your leaders to smaller grouping, to do all 3, gather back and present.)

What to present?

Ask them to summaries what they have read, in point form. 1 way to do so, make sure the student close the bible and recite what they can remember. That would help.
Ask them from the event, what do they think is the key thought of the passage.
Ask them what do they thing is the key words..( That is words that keep repeating or different words but similar meaning that keep repeating)
Ask them if they select the key verse. Then finally,
Give a title for it.

I would suggest leader to prepare this before hand, else, you would be as blur as them.

Then final touch would be to chose one leader to summarise what is fasting then. Read the notes on fasting. and you would know.

The hint on fasting.... is a reaction. Just imagine, what would make you not want to eat your meal? When, you are not feeling well, you are busy, you want to go on diet.and the most important one. When something most concern you bother you so much so that you have no more desire to eat, what else would you do? Obvious right. You pray too.

Some of us would find it too simple to accept. But if you think it too complex and religious, you would enter into what Jesus say that we have make all this practise to replace him.

Acts 12 leaders guide

2005-10-16T15:01:00.000+08:00

Another simple straight forward lesson. Leaders by now you should know what to do.

For Roger group, you may want to split your lesson to 2 groups, since you have so many leaders with you including Sunand.

For Joshua group, you may want to get your leader to prepare the ppt presentation instead you preparing it.

For the girls, Mei Huan would know best...thats because I really don't know what to do with you. Keep encourage leaders who are not frequent.

Last week the pointer is towards Satan counter attack on the ministry internally- that is pride. What make it fail, is the people ready to be taught, and their readiness to be corrected.

This week we see Satan counter attack on the ministry externally- that is persecution and opposition.

Go to this site to read more of this King Herod.
http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_agrippa_i.html

or go to this site to see the whole family of Herod is so close to the gospel but yet miss it altogether
http://community.gospelcom.net/Brix?pageID=3553

Pointer to consider
1. Authority. One external inference that can stop threaten our ministry with God.
2. We chose to believe what pleases us. When Herod did what was pleasing to the Jews eyes, they view him as the messiah.
3. Why did James have to die and Peter lives? A sign of God Sovereignity. If God chose to do something, no one can stop Him.
4. But in here, we see that been a Christian cost. And the highest price can be our life. Why, simply because we are at constant war. And in any war, life is lost. But this war is not the same as the normal war, that is even in death we won.
5. Miracle will happen and is still happening. But we are not seeing it. The reason is because we chose to look at the miracle we chose to see. And many times, we fail to see the real miracle that keeps happening. That would our life transformation.

Act 10

2005-10-08T14:37:00.000+08:00

Before I start, this lesson is from the Acts series. Please get the notes first and do the question.

Basically, it is about Corelius, a gentile and someone who feared God. And how Peter responsed to them, and thru it, one interesting issue was realised and settled.

Do the same method with your leaders on spliting the questions.

Do read the additional notes for Leaders. By now, you should have recieved the worksheet. If you still did not, just contact any leaders.

Some interesting pointers to note, beside those from the additional notes:

1. Notice the reaction the apostles and brothers reaction to Peter. Who do you think they sound like? The pharisee of Jesus time? but the good thing is that after Peter spoken, they realised their error and humbled enough to accept it, unlike the pharisee.

2. Pride- comes when we least expected it. We thought it only happen to the pharisees, but it can happen to time when we thought time with God is great. Especially when we work hard to be acceptable by God, Pride creep in without our knowledge.

3. The Solving of pride problem is simple, to be humble and be willing to be humble. How? by the word of God, through people or directly from His word. Just like Peter case, which he tells the rest of his dream.

4. When a non christian like Cornelius feared God. It also mean that he is a humble man. Look at how he treated the people and Peter. He is an official and need not do all that, but he did...for the fact that he humbled himself.

5. So in application, we should consider to do one thing. Have an attitude that we do not know every. but and that God can use even the lowest and youngest to teach us.