Hi guys, here's something I've learn in my mentoring with Christian. I'm sure you guys have the same material too. Can be found in the third mentoring session. =)

Why Fellowship?

One body, many parts: Read 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 27 (NIV)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some of us are in the habit of doing, but let as encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23 – 25 (NIV)

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 (NIV) – The Christians in Paul’s time regularly met together for fellowship and mutual encouragement!

Fellowship means more than just friendship. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, which means “sharing in common”. We desperately need to share our experiences with other believers and likewise allow them to share with us. The church where we gather to worship God and to hear His Word preached is His appointed place for Christians to meet in fellowship. In addition to church gatherings, other meetings – on campus, at work, in homes, or at other places – can also be extremely helpful. These meetings, however, should never take the place of regular church attendance.

Two reasons for Faith Factor Group Fellowship sessions

1. For intra-group bonding. For group leaders to know and understand their members better, so as to cater discussion/mentoring sessions to suit the latter's needs. For group members to get to know each other better too! Weekly Faith Factor sessions are mostly meant to discuss the questions from the sermon or message preached, leaving little time for the group to talk beyong the allocated half hour to 45 minutes. Youths are also very busy people i.e. they have little time to meet outside of the 5 to 7.30 p.m. slot on Saturdays, so why not incorporate the fellowship aspect into normal Faith Factor sessions to maximise participation?

2. For future fellowship sessions when the group members already are quite comfortable with one another, they can bring their friends on board. In that sense, the fellowship events can also be used as an outreach platform (to be tied down with Outreach committee).

Benefits of Fellowship

1. We can profit from other’s experience - through our sharing during group discussions!
2. We receive mutual encouragement - through our mentoring sessions: it's a two way thing, the mentee can encourage his or her mentor too!
3. We have the opportunity for group prayer; God especially honours united prayer (Matthew 18:19) - Prayer lists, praying for one another during the week and of course, Evangelin and her prayer committee's regular prayer meetings!
4. We can learn what others have discovered in the Bible - through group discussions and mentoring!
5. We can be involved in the planning and teamwork for reaching others with the message of Christ - serving God in whatever way we can, be it through worship, outreach or fellowship events!

Conflict in Fellowship

Being human, differences will definitely arise from time to time. Some of these differences will result in unpleasant incidents and relationships may be strained. But fret not, the Bible gives us solutions as to how to deal with such conflicts.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,

‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.’” 1 Peter 3:8 – 11 (NIV)

It is imperative to work out such conflicts with members of our Chrisian circle, because if we don't, things may become so strained that it becomes almost meaningless to continue the fellowship and we wouldn't be able to function properly as members of Christ's body. And we've seen this happen in our own church before.

Most of you may not remember, but we have lost an entire generation of youths to other churches or even worse, to the secular world. This "missing link" consists of young adults from their early twenties to thirties. Until last year, they were still playing soccer in church on Sunday afternoons, until they disappeared for good. Have you ever wondered why people like Jeffrey, Andrew and Ron are few and far between? They can tell you what happened.

Never again should this happen!

Acknowledgements: The Christian Adventure (Mentoring Material!) Lesson 3: Principles of Growth



Hey everyone! =D

I haven't been blogging in a long time, heh so here's a post for you!

All ye who are having exams now, I hope you're doing fine! Anyway, this post is for you (I think I just said that.)

Anyway, last weekend, I was really impacted by the message. At CBSI, it reinforced being under God's grace. Then on Saturday, Pastor LKY talked about us owning our walk with the Lord. And on Sunday, he reinforced again how our lives should glorify God and not ourselves, and how OTHERS are looking at our lives.

I've been really tired at school these days, but this week, things were pretty different. Instead of waking up complaining about how little I'd slept, I woke up, and somehow was reminded how BLESSED I WAS TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY. Many people live not knowing which day is their last, and some don't even live to see the next sunrise.

With that, I started singing songs and all, especially "It's a New Day!", cos it literally was a new day. In school, everytime I was about to doze off, I would think "Marianne, people are watching you. If you're gonna sleep, what would your friends think?" And with that, I fought hard to keep awake, and I prayed hard that God would keep me awake, and He did. Simply because I sincerely asked Him to! :)

Not that before that I hadn't. I always did, but I think I was too tired to even mean what I was praying to Him everytime I asked Him to REALLY give me strength.

But what really kept me going was the reminder that my life isn't my own, it's God's. And I shouldn't be living each day as a dread, but really living each day to GLORIFY GOD! Yes, my life was BOUGHT WITH A PRICE, and those who've attended CBSI, we're given a new life by God, simply because we (our sinful nature) died with Christ!

So for all of you who're having exams, here's a question for you...
Do you freak out just before the paper, squealing to your friends how terrified you are and that you can't remember what you've studied, or do you sit down with calmness, knowing that God has everything in control and that if you've really put in effort to study, He'll help you through your paper?

It's a choice we have to make, whether or not to let our lives glorify God. So lets choose to FOCUS on HIS POWER, rather than LOOK DOWN at OUR WEAKNESSES! =D

And all the best for those exams! Study hard! =)

Tonight for some reason I was looking through the old grey file of notes we used for Bible study during Youth program last year (remember? those were good times). And a few passages caught my attention once again. This particular one struck me as being very appropriate for the Youth Ministry.

" 'I will do as much as I can,' says one. Any fool can do that. He that believes in Christ does what he cannot do: attempts the impossible and performs it. ... 'Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle.' "

Let's avail ourselves and the rest of the Ministry to be miracles. It's the glory of the impossible. Because then it would be absolutely clear that what we accomplish is not of ourselves but of God Himself.

I don't know about you guys, but sometimes I can't help but feel that sometimes, we treat worship songs as if they were pop songs. Let me explain.

There're many genres of Christian music - Praises, Hymns, Gospel & Religious, Religious, Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian and even Christian Heavy Metal I should think, just to name a few. Nothing wrong with the varied diversity. God has given us a myriad of musical talents for us to express our praise and thanksgiving to Him in many ways!

Why is it then, that the feeling I get during large-scale events like Festival Of Praise, is that of a rock concert, where people go to enjoy themselves and soak up the atmosphere, and where the bands that play seem to be the centre of attention? Why is it then, that some Christian groups market themselves as if they were pop bands? Why is it then, that some "Christian" songs seem to be so secular that they've lost any meaning in them? Why is it then, that some songs aren't "popular" anymore (not hymns though, they're timeless, and many of them are more meaningful than most new songs nowadays), and we'd prefer to sing the "latest" songs that Christian bands regularly churn out once every few months or so? Has worship become that commercialised?

As youths, we crave excitement, visual effects and happening events. Sometimes it's really easy to get carried away by the fast and hip music, "nice" lyrics and slick marketing gimmicks of some of the modern bands. So much so that sometimes we fail to give much thought to what the songs really mean. I guess we really have to be discerning in the bands we follow, and the songs we choose to sing. And when we do sing them, we sing the words from our hearts. And mean what we sing. And live the songs out in our lives. Like when we sing To the Ends of the Earth and Everyday by Hillsong/Delirious. The lyrics in such songs certainly require us to take on enormous responsibilities. As Kimberly said in her entry, "how DO these ppl write such IMPOSSIBLE LYRICS!!! how can anyone give their whole life to someone else???" Not easy huh.

I'm not a musically-talented person myself, but I know that sometimes it's very easy for our youth musicians to be carried away with how they "performed", whether they're up to standard or whether they sounded alright as backup singers. While we should all give God our best in everything we do (including worship sessions), we shouldn't overdo it and after all, it's our motivation and attitude that God looks at. Living a life of worship to God is more important and more valuable than how well we can play certain instruments or sing!

God doesn't need our fancy music or soulful voices. God wants us. Our all.

Remember, at the heart of worship, is worship from the heart!

Acknowledgements: The KPC Youth Ministry's worship committee and teams, who faithfully play and sing for God week after week during Faith Factor. To God be the Glory!

i'm pretty tired. yes, thats a definite. physical lethergy must be cured with physical solutions. but it can be stalled by OTHER ways.

Amanda: " when u draw closer to him, you'll feel like u have more energy"

Me: " huhhh.. but physically tired can meh."

Amanda: "But i believe, naturally when you are spiritually filled, physically there will be an effect also."

our convo was like that or at least along similar lines lah.

how very true. i'm as tired as i was before FF but emotionally i'm so light-hearted and joyful. coz i have MEANING. i have SALVATION. i have STRENGTH and POWER from Above. How awesome.

a few things that hit me during worship.

It's A New Day - "the past has gone and life has begun" ... its all history. my sin is history. i really REALLY dun have to keep dwelling in it coz i've started hence the logically conclusion that i cannot stop.

Mighty To Save - wow. the title is the awesomst of the awesomest of all titles. don't need to even explain.

Hungry - "i'm falling to my knees, offering all of me..." - the 1st thought that hit my mind was, how DO these ppl write such IMPOSSIBLE LYRICS!!! how can anyone give their whole life to someone else??? Another annoying song would be None But Jesus (Quoting: "There is no one else for me, None But Jesus"; !!!!!!!!!!) okay. Disclaimer: don;t get me wrong, i LOVE this song. but it's lyrics are impossible don't you agree?!?!?!?!? and den the next song...

Where the Love Lasts Forever - "so i throw my life upon all that You are..." ?!?!?! i really never got the logic of how u can give ur life away. and i always thought theres something wrong with me. i'm not Christian -y enough. Everyone else is so Christian-ish to be able to sing such a Christian-ing song.

but no. i realized today that i was being naturally legalistic. Looking at that line from a human perspective, asking questions like: how could I possibly do that? how can I place God as my everything?

SO WRONG.

it just suddenly hit me that no, you can never do that. it's impossible for human strength to accomplish that for sure! but through God's power i can. and so this is what i told God: "God, i'm willing to do it but it's ultimately ur responsibility to see it through okay??? my life is in ur hands but u must use it and bring me back to You when i stray okay???"

and a deal was sealed. i'm God's child, for sure!

As for mentoring, its time to get serious le. It's ppl's lives ur investing in. there's no backing out!!! like for me, there is this constant temptation everyweek to NOT come for faithfactor. (sorry pastor ky=( at least i'm honest about it!) coz i wanna do my own things. i feel like i'm too busy. i need my own time. but everytime i go and attend and once it ends and i'm on my way home, i think to myself: man, i could not have made a better decision today.

So now i realized, it's impossible for me to back out of faithfactor. i've already invested. my 2 mentees are my investment and i'm serious about them. this is a big thing we're toking about. and whatever u do has big consequences as Amanda reminded me today. If i back out, whats gonna fill my hole? Who will take over my role awkwardly in the middle of the year to mentor my 2 cutie pies? am i being fair to them? am i being fair to the ppl affected by the hole which once held me?

it's clear we are all playing an impt role lah. even if you;'re just a member, if you decide to leave, there WILL be a hole. Consider this, how are we gonna fill that hole that is so uniquely you??? who will you be impacting??? think of your friends and leaders and even the younger ones that you've played with every once in a while. how would they fill about the hole that once possessed you?

so keep going dearies. press on.=) Jesus loves u and KPC loves you. let's start feeling revival.

and thanks Evan for a great worship today.^^

This is the view from my seat in the (new) office.
Still here writing this Sunday's sermon.
I asked Him for a word for me and for the congregation. And He poured out the entire message in my mind!
So I'm busy typing away!
My God is trustworthy and powerful - able to meet me at the point of my deepest need - always.
Is HE your God too?

The below is an article from Pray! magazine.

The heart of the Shepherd by Sandy Mayle

My husband doesn't like lost things. I"m careful about casually anouncing that I've misplaced my car keys or cannot find my purse, because Dave's not likely to wait for them to turn up. He's immediately on the search. He's thinking about the importance of the missing item, how difficult it will be to replace, what harm might come to it in the meantime, and what dificulties we might encounter in its absence. Lost things weigh on his mind.

Recently, I've noticed something similar about Jesus: Lost things weigh on His mind, too. I discovered this as I read through Luke 15: 1-7 while praying for a loved one who doesn't know Him. These verses reveal Christ's heart toward lost people: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one fo them. DOes he not leave the ninety-njine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep'." (Luke 15: 4-6)

When I'm praying for a loved one who's lost, ,it's encouraging to think about this parable. It has reinvigorated my intercession because it tells me that I'm joining in prayer with a Shepherd who......

....Has a passion for the lost. In contrast to my husband, I've misplaced so many things that I take a more casual approach to lostness. Unless it's needed immediately, I'm not often in a big hurry to find the missing item. Regrettably, I can also get too casual about people who are lost, too. The companionship of the 98 other sheep, the sense of safety, and the comfort of rich food close at hand- they all push the reality of lostness to the back of my mind. I lose sight of what it means for someone to be separated from the Shepherd. My intercession becomes lukewarm, sporadic, and distracted.

But Jesus always years after lost ones. "The Son of Many came to seek and save what was lost"(Luke 19:10). He never grows accustomed to the absence of even one. Although the days may roll by and the distance between Him and the lost hseep widens, He patiently searches, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2Peter 3: 9). When I draw close to this Shepherd in prayer, I"m reminded of His deep desire to see lost onees found. And I"m renewed in my commitment to support the search.

....Cherishes each lost sheep. Jesus repeatedly affirmed the value of the individual to Him: "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these" (Matthew 10: 42); "See that you do not look down on one of these" (Matthew 18: 10); "Whatever you did for one of the least of these" (Matthew 25: 40).

In Jesus'parable, only one one-hundredth of the flock is missing. Yet the Shepherd is not satisfied with the large flock adorning the hillside. Because He cherishes each and every lamb and ram and ewe, the bleating of the lost one is always in His ears. That one is irreplaceable. That one is more vulnerable to the elements of the world and the cunning, ruthless enemy. He knows it won't be able to find the way home on its own.

Jesus knows that I do not posses His boundless ability to pursue every lost sheep in this world. He does, however, desiree me to join Him in faithful intercession for the ones He has laid specifically on my heart. That's my portion and my responsibility, and I must not take it lightly- because He doesn't.

... Underestands each lost sheep. I correspond regularly with a retired physicain, a family friend who slid early in life into agnosticism, then plummeted in more recent years into aggressive secular humanism. He candidly shares his views, and mjy inner response to each of his letters isalmost invariably, What can I say to him? Where is a point of agreement from which we can begin a discussion? How can someone so far away ever find his way back home to Jesus?

The answer, of course, is that I don’t have anything to say, and he cannot find his way back. But Jesus understands the doctor perfectly. “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13, NKJV). This Shepherd knows what needs to be said… or not said. The darkness of unbelief does not limit His vision. He sees exactly what cliff the doctor is stranded on, how close the precipice is, and how dark the night is. And He knows the particular path that will bring the doctor back home.

So I pray, “Lord, share Your understanding of him with me. Out of that understanding, enable me to dialogue with him. Make my words rays of light in his darkness, lighting the way home to You.”

… Has invested Himself in each one. As I pray for a particular lost sheep in my life these days, I think of all the time, energy, and money that I have invested to encourage him or her to follow the Shepherd. Yet my investment pales beside that of the Shepherd Himself. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor.8:9).

Jesus, for humanity in general and my lost one in particular, left heaven to become nothing- first a helpless and vulnerable infant and finally a maimed body on a corss- to make a way home for them. He didn’t wave a wand to create redemption. He forged it step by step. He lived it out to the bitter end. He gave His all.

Knowing what redemption cost Jesus, how can I doubt that He remains vitally interested in this lamb’s every move? As I intercede, I’m encouraged to know that He is far more eager than I am to help the lamb onto the road back.

…. Pursures with perseverance. I tend to storm heaven with insistent pleadings. Then if I see no results, I fall back into a holding pattern of nominal intercession. In Jesus’ parable, however, the Shepherd doesn’t let up until He finds the lost lamb. In other words, the Shepherd’s pursuit is purposeful. It’s focused. And He is in it for the long haul.

Likewise, the Scriptures call us to be “faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12: 12). Jesus wants my prayers to keep pace with His pursuit. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). He doesn’t want me to fall silent when there are no visible signs of progress. He asks me to trust that an unseen pursuit continues- and to remain faithful and expectant in upholding it.

…. Yearns for reunion. Luke 15: 5-6 says, “When he finds [the lost sheep], he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me.’” This is not an exasperated Shepherd who has driven the wayward sheep back to the fold with punishing strokes of the rod. Nor is He a weary taskmaster whom slams the gate firmly on the heels of the wanderer with a factual, “Mission accomplished. One more in.” No, this Shepherd is jubilant. His joy springs from a heart that has been yearning to close the gap and set the lost one on His shoulders. It’s fuelled by a passion for reunion in eternity.

When I join Jesus in praying for the salvation of a lost loved one, I know I’m asking for something that will bring so much delight to His heart that Ha and His kingdom will burst into celebration. Through my intercession, I share some of His travail for the lost one, but I also know that I will share in His joy when that person enters the fold- not only at the time of salvation, but at the ultimate reunion.

These things and more make up the heart of the Shepherd, who prays with me and searches tirelessly for each one who’s lose. Knowing that heart, how can I not be strengthened and reassured and blessed by anticipation as I pray for my loved one today? For with every prayer, I look forward to hearing Him say, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

Sandy Mayle is a freelance writer from Erie, Pennsylvania. She enjoys reading Christian biographies and just finished William Tyndale, Bible Translator and Martyr.







This is what happens when you get too close to them! (News from TODAY)

Last night, my kids suddenly felt like performing. So we gave them a stage... No standard. But if you still choose to watch and waste your own time, don't say I never tell you.

Let my walk speak loud
And my words be true
Let my life be whole
With my eyes on You
Lord I’m stepping out
From the comfort zone
Letting go of me,
Holding onto You
Freedom comes, when I call You Lord
You are Lord, my God

You are the centre of it all,
The universe declares in awe
Your majesty, I surrender all
I make you the centre of my life
Lord, I respond with all I am
You placed in me the song of heaven's melody
Your Majesty, I live to sing Your song

I have found Your peace
It replaces any fear
You have done it all
I can trust in You
So I’m stepping out
From the comfort zone
Letting go of me
Holding onto You

This is Your song, not mine
It is Your song that brings healing to this land
This is Your song, not mine
It is Your song that brings freedom
Freedom comes, when I call you Lord
Freedom comes, when I call you Lord
You are Lord, my God

Your Majesty, my life will sing Your song

I read something in this book called 'How to be perfect' by Andrew Murray. And it was quite an eye-opener.



Aloha! (Snatch other ppl's phrase, muahaha) This is my maiden post on FF blog so listen up! (or rather, read hard^^) i heard something rather inspiring yesterday which i found would benefit more if i placed it here rather den on my own blog, so here it is.

As you guys know, the Presbytery Annual Good Friday service was held yesterday at expo. while many of you guys couldn't join us for it (aww.. we missed u!), it's okie! Just know that this is the day Jesus died for you, died for your sins. And why are we celebrating His death you ask? Coz His death wasn't the end of His story or Mankind's Story. It was followed by His ressurection, the promise of Life UNQUESTIONABLY for all of us 4EVA on the basis we believe! cool right.

So often, on such an occasion, the most famous verse would be quoted. Again. As it is always quoted. At least like 300 times a year.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only begotten Son, so that whosoever that believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16.

Don't get me wrong. This is a beautiful verse. And i would even dare to say one of the principle concepts in the Bible on which many other things and concepts are hedged upon.

But understand this, many of the oldies (that is like the ones who have been in KPC since they were eggcells in their mother's womb; hohoho, i still remember my bio knowledge lorh) have heard this phrase repeated again and again since we were young. So young that we didn't even understand what it truly meant but it was drilled into our heads anyway. At least for myself, i became rather numb to this verse. Everytime i heard it it just went straight over my head. It meant lesser den it should.

But as the verse was recited yesterday, my dad turned to me and asked me: "Do you know who said that?"

"err... John?", i said. coz doh, the verse taken from John right.

"John wrote it. But guess who said that." My dad pauses for effect. "God said that."

??????????????????

"God said Himself that He so loved the world that He gacve His son."

Wow. How's that for reassurance. And God Himself said those painful words implicating sacrifice. For us. God loves you THAT MUCH!! You over the pain of His only son!

I was ministered by John 3:16 that very day. ^^

If you've yet to read Daryl's post, you should. He is generally long-winded, but often relevant.

But I want to share a thought offered me by uncle Osbert - I had a short chat with him at the car-park because he came to fetch nic on Saturday night.

He is the vice-chair (or something similar) of the Boys Brigade in Singapore. And I told him youths today are so busy with loads of activities in school... how can we help them? He agreed 100%. He said the BB has done some soul searching recently and they realized there is only one difference the BB (or church) can make.

Ready for what he says?

He said the only difference is MENTORING.

He said the school simply has to "mass produce" everything. Teachers are simply too busy to mentor a small group of students. And it'll be too expensive to ask outside vendors to mentor students in small groups!

Those of you who are mentoring someone, I exhort you to excel in this task.

Put it as first priority in your ministry with people. Soak yourself in God's word, then go and bless your mentees! Help them to deal with life's challenges (broken relationships, harmful addictions, "Christ-not-on-throne syndrome", too much study, too much play, too much everything!). Pray with them, be the "conscience" in their life and give them your moral/emotional support.

The work of mentoring is a "time-killer". That's why the world won't do it. Only fools do it - I mean fools who are bursting with Christ's love. =)

This is how the church is "salt and light" in Singapore today.




Enough of frustrations, worries and aimlessness! Enough of power-less Christian living!
Decide today to have Jesus Christ sitting on the throne of your life.
Let him lead you in all your decisions.

Honestly, I have yet to meet one man who has given up his life to Jesus Christ and regretted. But equally honestly, I have met many Christians who did not give up their lives to Jesus Christ and later regretted being a Christian (obviously)!

Dear leader kias,

Some of you have missed the YLTC last Saturday. We have a blessed time and that blessedness must be shared. So I've prepared a youtube version for you. Please take 10 holy minutes to view the 2 videos. May the Lord bless you too. (ps. you guys who wish to watch the football video clip again, hop on too!)

Part 1:


Part 2:




I'd just like to share something that I learnt a few weeks ago, in my mentoring with Andrew and Calvin. It's really amazing how much you can learn when you truly study God's Word, and not just take it at face value. We've just finished the book of Galatians, and I thought this particular passage is rather meaningful, especially for those who're mentors and/or group leaders.

Galatians 6: 1 to 10 (ESV) (The text in brackets and in bold are comments or explanations!)

"1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him (refers to anyone caught in transgression) in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (while restoring: correcting/teaching) someone, need to keep watch on oneself too) 2Bear one another's burdens (restoring someone is to bear another's burdens!), and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Verse 3 and the first part of verse 4 explains why we must keep watch) 4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbour (the second part of the verse explains how to keep watch). 5For each will have to bear his own load. 6One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us now grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

In summary: Paul tells the Galatians to bear one another's burdens by instructing those who are spiritually mature to exercise gentleness, by being honest and humble in own self-evaluation, and those who are being taught to persevere in sharing all good things with those who teach, while being mindful of what they will reap in the end.

As mentors, we have been entrusted with the awesome responsibility to befriend, to lead, and to be an older brother/sister in Christ, to small group of younger Christians. We are supposed to be spiritually mature - in our knowledge of God's Word and in the way we live our lives, in order to help restore others, and to avoid being tempting and falling along with them ourselves. As a mentor and group leader myself, I've definitely not lived up to that standard. I've been guilty of not spending enough time and effort to reach out to my mentees, and my group members.

Busy-ness cannot be used as an excuse. As someone serving NS, I can safely say that for most of us who have completed our training phase, we may actually have more time than those in school. This long blog entry is but a testament to that. Just don't use what I say as an excuse to start throwing me all the work! Haha. Sure, we may be stuck in camp for 5 days a week, but if there are no duties or training sessions or exercises or admin matters or sai-kang, we'd be pretty much left on our own (Just ask Yao Qi, who's experiencing this new-found freedom!). I guess it's a matter of time management and prioritisation. Yes, words we use ad nauseum, but it's easier said than done. One of the most straightforward ways to get to know a person better and to get him/her to open up and share their problems with you is to spend more time with them. Time is of the essence and the clock is ticking.

So to any of the Seventeens reading this post, a simple sorry won't really help. ALL of us're really busy people I know. It's been about three months or so since we took over, and I know you all're still trying to adapt to a completely different style of teaching and facilitating. But guess what, Marianne and I're going through the same thing too! But on behalf of Marianne Lee and myself, we'd really try to spend more time with you guys, to get to know you better and to help you grow in your spiritual walk with God. Promise. =)

Spending more time doing frivolous things won't help anyone grow. Instead, whatever precious time we get to spend with our charges should be spent doing BS and having meaningful fellowship (no, not just eating and gossiping!). In other to do that, we should all have the right input. In order to teach and lead effectively and give godly advice, mentors are also supposed to be strongly grounded in the Word. Because "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17, NIV)" Since the mentoring system is highly de-centralised, it is up to each and every mentor to have the discipline and perseverance to study the Bible on his or her own, and with the help and guidance from his or her higher level mentors. In this aspect, I sincerely pray that all mentors would have what it takes to teach and learn diligently, myself included! Sometimes I find it sooo difficult to get down to doing some serious BS. If our mentees see that where we're coming from - that is, from the word of God and not advice that we just cook up ourselves, and when they see that we are genuine in wanting to help them grow, I'm sure that they'd be more willing to take out their time to meet up with us.

Last but not least, the final 2 verses of the passage exhort us to continue to do good, especially to those in God's family i.e. our younger ones! It can get really discouraging to go on every week, to see your class the same as it was, not growing either spiritually or numerically. It can be frustrating in your many attempts to tie down suitable dates to meet up with your mentees, if they want to meet up with you in the first place. It can be tiring having to juggle preparation for mentoring and group discussions with all of life's other commitments. But Galatians tells us not to throw in the towel just yet. For those who sow to the Spirit will reap what the Spirit has to offer us - eternal life. There's nothing more rewarding, when in "due season", we see our mentees growing and maturing spiritually, and as they take on mentees of their own. It's all in God's time. =) As we all learnt from Pastor LKY yesterday, if Christ is on the throne of our lives, all these commitments and interests will fall into place. And with His supernatural power, we'd be able to have that renewed energy to push on. So with this knowledge and assurance in mind, let's encourage one another through our words and actions, and together we can all press on with the tasks at hand, and continue to serve for the glory of God!

Congratulations to those who've managed to read all the way to this point! Haha. Really hope this post would be of encouragement to all who read it. =)

Acknowledgments: Andrew Wahhhh. Who happens to be online all day long, even though he's at work and for speedily sending me all the mentoring material and homework without fail. And also for being my BS leader and mentor for the past 6 years and counting. =)

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