“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8
Dear church, please allow me to share a bit about my discipleship journey in this church.
I am thankful that many years ago I was introduced to God through Christian school friends and my journey to becoming a Christ follower started from there. Being a part of the community in YCK Chapel since I decided to worship here has helped me to sharpen my focus and involvement in disciple-making over the years. The church has been instrumental in my growth spiritually through its Word-centred pulpit teaching, its Berean series on learning to handle God’s Word, its evangelistic skills equipping sessions, my cell group Bible study and also through other groups outside like BSF. Given opportunities to serve in the church has also kept me on track and made me more intentional in my walk with God.
I am always reminded from Titus 2:1-8 that everyone of us must grow into spiritually mature men and women and be in the position to teach and mentor younger men and women. This is one of the most effective ways to grow the church.
Today, I still belong to a Small Group in church where I receive regular dosage of P.A.G.E. (i.e. Pastoral care; Authentic sharing; Growth spiritually; Evangelistic outreach). Over the last year, outside of my SG, it has been my privilege when God brought four young ladies into my care for follow up. In this smaller follow-up group with the four young ladies, I was empowered to help them grow in understanding God’s Word; share with them how to read, meditate and apply the Word into their lives; share my own journey as a disciple of Christ in an intimate and authentic way which helps them to open up to me; and find ways to walk alongside them on issues that they are grappling with in their lives. Even as we share lives together, we are in turn being discipled by the Word, by the disciplines of prayer, confession and encouragement.
This month, the church is focusing on the importance of Small Groups (SGs) in our church community. It is in SGs that we can connect more deeply and openly with one another regularly and where we can hold each other accountable. SGs allow us to be church for a group of believers without the physical building, the formal classroom or ordained leadership structure. It empowers us to be that older disciples who can come alongside to mentor younger ones to help them learn how to love God with passion and faith (Luke 10:27) and how to love others.
Being SMALL is IMPORTANT. Starting small and GROWING DEEP is even more important. Jesus demonstrated that with the small beginnings of twelve disciples; and his core team of Peter, James and John. Twelve men caught the vision, embraced the mission of Christ and gave their lives to multiply the Christ life in others. The purpose of small groups is ultimately to make disciples who will teach others to obey Christ until He returns.
Dear church, God has empowered each of us to grow His kingdom on earth; the secret is God’s presence and His empowerment through Small Groups. May God help you and I to be faithful to that calling. Be a part of a SG today!
By Har Lee John, Pastoral Staff (YCKC Bulletin 2&3 May 2015)