At a recent in-camp training (ICT), I had to cover the duties of my team I/C. This meant that I had to be in the hot seat and present our plans to the “higher-ups” during the table-top exercise. It was certainly stressful as I only had basic training for that role.

In the army (or any other organization for that matter), an individual is deemed adequate when they have completed a requisite course or training programme for that required role. For example a few months of basic military training (BMT) to become a soldier, or a shorter lecture-style three-week course to take up a staff appointment.

My Team I/C later shared with me that while the course was useful in preparing him for the role, it was the annual ICT which helped him understand and perform the role better. In other words, this is known as “learning by doing”. I also realized that I was able to rise up to the occasion because I had been observing such exercises and how other staff officers fulfilled their roles. In other words, this was “learning by example”.

These two catchphrases are certainly not new to us and you could probably relate to it as you have transited into a new situation or environment such as a new school year or a new job.

As (1) Christ’s disciples, and (2) disciple-makers, we should take note that no amount of formal,   structured “courses” and “training” can replicate the effectiveness of “learning by example” and “learning by doing”. In the olden days, apprenticeship (following, living with and learning from a master) was the only way to acquire a skill or craft.

Today, Bible “knowledge” (be it online or offline) is a lot more available and accessible than my time as a youth. The ability to sift through and discern what is right and sound is another topic altogether (and will take a few bulletin articles, sermons and courses).

So in our discipleship journey, we should continue to facilitate and grab opportunities for “learning by example” and “learning by doing” within the YCKC family. What this means is that as individuals, we should continue to model Christ in our lives, AND as a community, we should be Christ-models (or models of Christ) to each other, sharing our experiences, wisdom and passion for our Lord and Saviour.

By brother James Chia

What is authenticity? These are some definitions offered: Original – affirming and carrying God’s design; Genuine – being real, nothing to hide.

These two words bring to mind a memory from a secondary school trip to Hong Kong. In 1995 (and now), the city’s night markets were known to be a shopping haven for fashion and apparel at bargain prices. We knew the catch of course – these were counterfeit, fake products – usually obvious upon closer inspection, although some could easily pass off as the real deal.

We were undeterred in our adventures of course, because there was also another appeal to shopping at these places – not all products were necessarily fake, there were the “factory rejects”, clothes that were still the genuine authentic product, but because of defects they could not be sold on high street but disposed of at bargain prices in the night market.

Although this analogy has its flaws, it helped me crystallise my understanding of authenticity.

I do not want to be an “imitation Christian” – to merely emulate Christ-like traits or just to do Christian-things. Because upon closer inspection, I will eventually be found out. Even if I could fool everyone, I cannot fool God (1 Samuel 16:7). Perhaps an authentic Christian is more like a “factory reject” – made in God’s design, but with flaws. Fortunately the analogy ends here, because God does not discard the flawed products but actively seeks them out. An authentic Christian does not wish to hide his or own flaws, but asks the Holy Spirit to reveal them, so that it may come to the light and that we may live by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26). May we all be authentic in our walk with God, and allow Him to work in our lives to transform us — inside and outside – into real Christ-likeness.

By Deacon James Chia (YCKC Bulletin 16 August 2020)

Earlier in the year, our study of Matthew 4:18-22 caused me to ponder deeply about the calling of Jesus’ disciples. In this passage, we read that –

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon [Peter] and Andrew…

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John… and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

I asked myself – will I ever be able to model this behaviour and action? These men literally dropped everything, leaving their homes and jobs (even a lucrative business) to follow Jesus. They had such astounding faith, to follow someone they barely even knew! How is that possible? And isn’t it reckless? As a long-time Christian, I have read many devotionals encouraging us to have the same kind of faith and determination at in answering Jesus’ call. Surely this experience cannot apply to me. I had to dig deeper.

No, it was not reckless – Jesus was not a stranger to the four men. They had met before and had personal encounters with Him before they were called. In understanding the call of the disciples, we have to read it in the context of all four Gospels (see Matt 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-31; Luke 4:31-41; Luke 5:4-11; and John 1:29-2:2).

It began with Andrew and John (son of Zebedee) who were disciples of John the Baptist, and after hearing Jesus proclaimed as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”, they became curious and spent time with Jesus. After this first encounter, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus, who renamed him Cephas, which means Peter. It is likely that these men spent time with Jesus witnessing His miracles and listening to His teachings. They were ‘followers’, but not quite ‘disciples’ – yet.

Yes – to answer Jesus’ call to be His disciples requires faith! What is faith? Dictionary.com says that it is to have “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” So when Jesus called Andrew, Peter, James and John to follow Him ‘full-time’ – what faith did they have? Were they convinced, both in heart and mind that Jesus was the Messiah?

We have an interesting encounter in Luke 5:1-11. After a night of futile work, the professional fishermen were instructed by the carpenter to let down their nets again. It is important to note that the nets had been washed and even if they had a meagre catch, would it have been worth the effort? However, owing to the relationship that existed between Jesus and these men, they obeyed and were rewarded with a large catch of fish and the apprenticeship of a lifetime. More importantly, Peter’s spiritual eyes were opened and he recognized his sin, and in that moment of conviction realized the holiness, the greatness and awesomeness of Jesus. We also learn that Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Although it is debatable if the healing occurred before or after ‘the call’; I believe that either scenario would not have changed Peter’s conviction or decision, but reinforce it. Jesus had met a professional and personal need in their lives.

You must be thinking – these were ‘Biblical times’, it doesn’t apply to me! Indeed, I believe that for the most of us, a miraculous encounter of this nature is unlikely. But this does not mean that we have not encountered Jesus Christ or experienced His love at a personal level. The calling of Matthew is an example of a simple, ‘miracle-less’ invitation (see Matt 9:9–13, Mark 2:13–17 and Luke 5:27–28). I do not believe he was reckless or foolish to leave his tax collector’s booth when called by a stranger. The details are scant but Matthew must have learnt of Jesus and His teachings and having encountered Jesus personally, was convicted and took a step of faith to leave his comfortable life as a tax collector and to become Jesus’ disciple.

So – what about you and me? Let us learn from these men – is Jesus a stranger? He knows us, but do we know Him? If we know Him, we need to take that step of faith – to have complete trust and confidence in Him, our Lord and Saviour.

By James Chia, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 21 July 2019)