Rev Chai, pastor of Moriah Bible Presbyterian Church Chinese congregation, invited me last year to help translate the message of the speaker of the graduation service of this Bible institute.  It was there that Rev Chai recommended me to the faculty.  I was later invited to teach.  Last week (9-12/11), I taught a class of slightly more than 20 students, most of whom were doing their third year of theological studies.  Several alumni who are presently pastoring churches also attended the course. 

Besides helping them understand the message of Matthew, I also showed them how to discover the main point of narratives (stories).  I also showed them how to interpret difficult verses by understanding the flow of the passage (context).  As several students later shared, hopefully, this course has demonstrated to them the ability to read contexts allows one access to the richness of God’s Word.  I thank God for the privilege of serving the Lord amongst these very needy students. 

Looking back, I did some reflection on the work in the Bible institute.  The Bible commands pastors (and Christians) to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).  To achieve that, students need to master the skill of interpreting the Bible.  With that skill, I told them, they will be able, like a top notch doctor, to heal all manners of spiritual sicknesses.  Second, I also urged the students to master systematic theology.  I was quite surprised that topics like Arminianism and Calvinism (our church’s position) were not taught.  These topics have a bearing on Christians’ understanding of salvation. 

We thank God for providing the institute one or several well trained lecturers who are stationed full time there.  Still, well trained lecturers are needed urgently.  The academic dean hopes to slowly build a local faculty as reliance on foreign teachers is not a long term solution.  To achieve that, financial funding is needed to sponsor further education of alumni who are potential candidates for the faculty.  Due to our strong Sing dollar, every dollar wisely spent on God’s work in mission fields can do a lot for God’s kingdom.  May the Lord also direct this church to love God’s kingdom not only in our church but also in foreign countries.  We have a command from the Lord to reach out to lost souls beyond our borders: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20).