In education, equally important to complete the module syllabus and the academic obligation, is the focus on the value of student’s holistic learning. My lecturer took time to allow interaction with and amongst students to enable the development of mutual understanding and peer-learning. He incorporated both in and outside classroom learning experience, in both formal and informal learning. I like his method of helping student come up with the answers rather than give the answers directly for us to copy. This helps us learn better. Learning is made interesting and has a greater impact when one finds the answers then just copy it. However in this methodology, the flip side is that there is always a shortage of time to complete the whole syllabus. I am challenged to apply this method in my teaching but at the same time to learn how to master the art of balancing it with a proper time management. I believe this will greatly help me to be a better teacher to my students.
In reading the Scriptures, especially with familiar passages, often than not, I read the texts with preconceived ideas, thoughts or knowledge which were previously acquired. As such, some basic yet important or crucial facts for to the understanding of the passage can be easily missed out. This proved to be fatal as the original ideas or intention of the writer can be overlooked, and personal or bias meanings can be put into it. It is so easy to ‘spiritualise’ the meaning of a certain passage to suit a situation or our own agenda. We have quite a number of such learning experiences in this class and I caught myself reading without understanding. One example was the reading of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Without much hesitation, I was able to come out with the ‘standard answers’ to the intent meaning of the passage. I was wrong! Through the lecturer’ guidance, I was able to see and understand the original intention of Jesus’ intention for this parable. The answer was right there at the beginning of the parable. Yet in all these years, I have missed it. This is an important lesson I have learnt in this class. That is, to read with understanding via an intriguing mind. It is important for the illumination of the Holy Spirit but at the same time, I must learn to discipline myself when it comes to the reading of the Bible.
One new and fresh major lesson learnt from Matthew is the Magi as the precursor of sincere worship. I have never seen it that way. Instead I always puzzle why they were included in the Christmas story. They demonstrated true worship in that they were willing to sacrifice in their obedient quest for the Messiah. Upon seeing the star, they left everything to follow it. In their humility, they showed the right posture of a true worshiper. In their total obedience to the guidance of God, they have displayed their wholehearted devotion and worship to God. It was quite unthinkable that a ‘heathen’ like the Magi could demonstrate such an act of true worship that many of us who are called Christians failed. Upon understanding this passage’s true meaning, I am challenged, by the grace of God, to develop these areas in my life in order that I can truly be a true and sincere worshipper of God. A true worshipper is not just one who is associated with a name or one who is diligently ‘working it out’. It has to begin from within the heart to develop that love for God. ‘Work” is than the by-product of that true love expressed.
Biblical knowledge and the art of preaching the Biblical knowledge must not remain academic or even scholastic. It is so easy for the student of the Word to develop pride and self-sufficiency as he gathers more information about the Bible. If we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of indifference. We can become dull to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is some truth to the joke that Bible seminary is Bible cemetery. It is a place where pride can easily develop that chart the downfall of many unaware students of the Word. Biblical knowledge must be experienced. It must cause us to make application in our daily walk with the Lord. Unless and until we know the God of the Word, we will not know the Word of God. There will be no conviction or power in what we preach or share from the Word. There will be no true life imparted except academic exercise. I want to be an anointed preacher of the Word. One that is full of passion and conviction, delivering powerful life-changing messages. However, I can only do so when I am convicted by the Word and experience the powerful Word of God in every area of my life. To do so, I not only have to be a diligent student of the Word, I must also be one who apply and do the Word.
We learnt the art of “Arking” which is use to diagram narratives. It was an interesting learning experience. Unlike the diagramming for epistles, Arking was much straight forward for me. Language is my weak area thus the diagramming for epistles proves to be quite a challenge. Arking, on the other hand, is not as technical. It requires one to dissect the passage according to the scene of the narratives. The challenge is to be able to unlock the truths and to come up with the number of pointers for the passage. Nonetheless, a careful and diligent study on the passage should pose no problem to the challenge. I am determined to work on and master this Arking so as to enable me to unlock the many truths in the biblical narratives. This will greatly help me in my reading and understanding of the biblical narratives. It will also provide a good foundation for biblical teaching and preaching when necessary.
