2020 April - Covenant Evangelical Free Church · 2020. 3. 27. · 12 Worship© 2020 COVENANT...

2020DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

April

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he

might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Mark 3:14-15

DJ April 2020 FINAL.indd 1 12/3/20 11:34 PM


Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL 2020April

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he

might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Mark 3:14-15


4 © 2 0 2 0 C O V E N A N T E V A N G E L I C A L F R E E C H U R C H

January And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” MARK 1:11 (ESV)

February And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”MARK 1:38 (ESV)

March And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”MARK 2:17 (ESV)

April And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. MARK 3:14–15 (ESV)

MayWhen he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.MARK 6:34 (ESV)

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MemoryVerses 2020


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June And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” MARK 8:34 (ESV)

July For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it. MARK 8:35 (ESV)

AugustFor what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? MARK 8:36–37 (ESV)

Septmber And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” MARK 9:35 (ESV)

October Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”MARK 10:29–30 (ESV)

November“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”MARK 10:45 (ESV)

December And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”MARK 14:36 (ESV)



Foreword

So as Senior Pastors, we will lead Covenant

EFC in 2020 into a Year of Greater Discipleship to:• take our Personal Discipleship deeper (keep digging into God’s Word and obey Him); • take our Family Discipleship higher (keep modelling Jesus and grow together); and • take our Disciplemaking further (keep sharing our faith and disciple others).

We believe that the Gospel of Mark ia an appropriate book to study together as a church to grow towards Greater Discipleship. Uniquely, Mark was the first Gospel written and the shortest one. It was written for a

WE WILL NEVER graduate from

our personal discipleship. We

must always return to the basics and

fundamentals! But we must also ask God to take us to

new heights.

by Senior PastorsYEAR OF GREATER DISCIPLESHIP

2020



Roman audience and moves very quickly with various snapshots of the Servant King’s ministry. What is intriguing is that it was written by John Mark. We first see John Mark in Acts 12. Thereafter, he went on a missionary trip with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 12:25; 13:5,13, but for whatever reasons, John dropped out halfway. When we come to Acts 15:36-39, we witness the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over taking John Mark on the second missionary trip. Because of him, the two spiritual giants parted company. This is the John Mark whom scholars believed wrote the Gospel of Mark through his close relationship with Peter. How amazing it is that John Mark who was regarded by Paul as a dropout and failure was used by God to write the very first Gospel! This only goes to demonstrate that it is not about us, but about the grace and

power of God. That sealed our decision to preach through the Gospel of Mark for 2020.

May God greatly bless you as you use this Devotional Journal to spend time daily in worship, prayer, Bible reading, reflection and application. Our prayer for you is reflected in this very old song, “Day by day, O dear Lord, three things I pray — to see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more closely, day by day!”St. Francis of Assisi wrote: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Whether it’s about our personal life, family, work or church discipleship, the wisdom of this quote applies. Let us grow in Greater Discipleship together!

In Christ,Rev Tan Kay Kiong andRev Tony Yeo

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you

are doing the impossible.”

St Francis of Assisi



GuideTo Using

THIS DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Step OnePREPARE YOUR HEART IN GOD’S PRESENCE• Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning

before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed.

• Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down.

• Begin with a song of worship. Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune.

Examining your life is essential in your faith journey. Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

SOMETHING TO PONDER

(Refer to the list of worship songs provided.)

• Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.



Step TwoALLOW GOD TO S.O.A.P. YOU WITH HIS WORD AND SPIRIT• Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the

Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you.

• Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly.

• Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone.

• Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer.

We have provided prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff every Tuesday and for the Generations every Wednesday. Every Thursday, a prayer pointer is included for Outreach/Missions/New Life Leaders. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for SGI Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders and Assistant CG Leaders). A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday. Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

PRAYER POINTERS FOR 2020



Pray forSouth East

Asia

Thank God for the prosperity of the South East Asian countries in recent years. Yet, in many aspects, our

brothers- and sisters-in-Christ face a drastically different reality — the frequent natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons which devastate parts of Indonesia and Philippines, the threat of radical terrorists to churches, the illegality of openly sharing the Gospel, the young children left behind by mothers who work as domestic helpers abroad and the poor who cannot afford education in rural villages.

T H E C H U R C H B E Y O N D

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good

things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:11-12(ESV)



For churches in South East Asia to consciously and regularly

come to the Heavenly Father to intercede for their land and ask

for good gifts from the Father — capable and corruption-free

government, religious freedom and harmony, protection of

young ones from exploitation, and so on.

That South East Asia experiences lasting growth in authentic

discipleship and intentional disciplemaking through Covenant

EFC’s IDMC conferences and clinics, so that believers in this

region will live transformed lives from the inside out. For churches

not to trust on their own understanding but to completely rely

on God for wisdom, guidance, power, strength and provisions to

carry out His will (2 Chron 6:19), to have a renewed fervency to

align their priorities to God’s agenda, to abide in Christ and His

Word, and to bear much fruit for God’s glory.

For faster, bigger and deeper Christian community-development

works (e.g, orphanages, schools, Sunday schools and Steady

Readers programme) to take place in order to impact various

communities and divert the next generation away from abuse,

illiteracy, drugs, and other addictions. For young people to

encounter Christ and love Him deeply. For many people to

see the believers’ good works and praise our Father in heaven

(Matt 5:14-16).

Protection of churches from radical groups (Psa 91), and

Christians to forgive those who persecute them and continue

doing good to their enemies (Matt 5:43-48).

That the relief work in the wake of natural disasters to continue

being a beacon of light pointing many people to Jesus Christ,

and for the churches planted in devastated areas to be God’s

balm to those affected.

Pray



LET THERE BE LIGHT

S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E RWorshipSongs

March-April

WHO YOU SAY I AM

Verse 1Who am I that the highest KingWould welcome me?I was lost but He brought me inOh His love for meOh His love for me

Chorus 1Who the Son sets freeOh is free indeedI’m a child of GodYes I am

Verse 2Free at lastHe has ransomed meHis grace runs deepWhile I was a slave to sinJesus died for meYes He died for me

Chorus 2In my Father’s houseThere’s a place for meI’m a child of GodYes I am



BridgeI am chosen not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me not against meI am who You say I am

Tag(Oh) (Yes) I am who You say I am

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan© 2017 Hillsong Music PublishingFor use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 7102401CCLI License # 324618



Verse 1How great the chasm that lay between usHow high the mountain I could not climbIn desperation I turned to heavenAnd spoke Your name into the nightThen through the darkness, Your loving-kindnessTore through the shadows of my soulThe work is finished, the end is writtenJesus Christ, my living hope

Verse 2Who could imagine so great a mercy?What heart could fathom such boundless grace?The God of ages stepped down from gloryTo wear my sin and bear my shameThe cross has spoken, I am forgivenThe King of kings calls me His ownBeautiful Savior, I’m Yours foreverJesus Christ, my living hope

ChorusHallelujah, praise the One who set me freeHallelujah, death has lost its grip on meYou have broken every chainThere’s salvation in Your nameJesus Christ, my living hope

Verse 3Then came the morning that sealed the promiseYour buried body began to breatheOut of the silence, the Roaring LionDeclared the grave has no claim on meJesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!

EndingJesus Christ, my living hopeOh God, You are my living hope

Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham© 2017 Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 7106807CCLI Licence # 324618

LIVING HOPE



Verse 1There’s a placeWhere mercy reigns And never diesThere’s a place where streams of grace Flow deep and wideWhere all the love I’ve ever foundComes like a flood Comes flowing down

Chorus At the cross, at the crossI surrender my lifeI’m in awe of YouI’m in awe of YouWhere Your love ran redAnd my sin washed whiteI owe all to YouI owe all to You

InterludeJesus

Verse 2There’s a place where sin and shame Are powerlessWhere my heart has peace with God And forgivenessWhere all the love I’ve ever foundComes like a flood Comes flowing down

BridgeHere my hope is foundHere on holy groundHere I bow down Here I bow down

AT THE CROSS (LOVE RAN RED)



Here arms open wideHere You saved my lifeHere I bow down Here I bow (down)

EndingJesus

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jonas Myrin | Matt Armstrong | Matt Redman© Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch))For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 7017786CCLI License # 324618



Verse 1I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemiesI raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbeliefI raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melodyI raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me

ChorusI’m gonna sing, in the middle of the stormLouder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roarUp from the ashes, hope will ariseDeath is defeated, the King is alive

Verse 2I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of meI raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness fleeI raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mysteryI raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!

BridgeSing a little louder (Sing a little louder)Sing a little louder (Sing a little louder)Sing a little louder (Sing a little louder)Sing a little louder (Sing a little louder)

BridgeSing a little louder (In the presence of my enemies)Sing a little louder (Louder than the unbelief )Sing a little louder (My weapon is a melody)Sing a little louder (Heaven comes to fight for me)Sing a little louder

EndingI raise a hallelujah

Jake Stevens | Jonathan David Helser | Melissa Helser | Molly Skaggs© 2018 Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 7119315CCLI Licence # 324618

RAISE A HALLELUJAH



Verse 1 Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You We turn to YouHope is stirring, hearts are yearning for YouWe long for You‘Cause when we see YouWe find strength to face the dayIn Your presence all our fears are washed awayWashed away

ChorusHosanna, hosannaYou are the God who saves usWorthy of all our praisesHosanna, hosannaCome have Your way among usWe welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Verse 2Hear the sound of hearts returning to YouWe turn to YouIn Your Kingdom broken lives are made newYou make us new‘Cause when we see YouWe find strength to face the dayIn Your presence all our fears are washed awayWashed away

Brenton Brown | Paul Baloche© 2005, 2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)CCLI Song # 4662491CCLI Licence # 324618

HOSANNA



Verse 1Grace, what have You done?Murdered for me on that crossAccused in absence of wrongMy sin washed away in Your blood

Too much to make sense of it allI know that Your love breaks my fallThe scandal of grace, You died in my place So my soul will live

ChorusOh to be like You (To) Give all I have just to know You Jesus, there’s no one besides You Forever the hope in my heart

Verse 2Death, where is your sting? Your power is as dead as my sin The cross has taught me to liveIn mercy, my heart now to sing

The day and its trouble shall comeI know that Your strength is enough The scandal of grace, You died in my place So my soul will live

BridgeAnd it’s all because of You, Jesus It’s all because of You, Jesus It’s all because of Your love And my soul will live

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 6428750CCLI Licence # 324618

SCANDAL OF GRACE



Chorus Jesus we celebrate Your victoryJesus we revel in Your loveJesus we rejoice You’ve set us freeJesus Your death has brought us life

Verse 1It was for freedom that Christ has set us freeNo longer to be subject to a yoke of slaverySo we’re rejoicing in God’s victoryOur hearts responding to His love

Verse 2His Spirit in us releases us from fearThe way to Him is openWith boldness we draw nearAnd in His presence our problems disappearOur hearts responding to His love

John Gibson© 1987 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 165487CCLI Licence # 324618

JESUS WE CELEBRATE YOUR VICTORY



Verse 1Our Father everlastingThe all creating OneGod AlmightyThrough Your Holy SpiritConceiving Christ the SonJesus our Savior

Chorus 1I believe in God our FatherI believe in Christ the SonI believe in the Holy SpiritOur God is three in OneI believe in the resurrectionThat we will rise againFor I believe in the Name of Jesus

Verse 2Our Judge and our DefenderSuffered and crucifiedForgiveness is in YouDescended into darknessYou rose in glorious lifeForever seated high

BridgeI believe in YouI believe You rose againI believe that Jesus Christ is Lord

Chorus 2I believe in life eternalI believe in the virgin birthI believe in the saints’ communionAnd in Your holy ChurchI believe in the resurrectionWhen Jesus comes againFor I believe in the Name of Jesus

Ben Fielding | Matt Crocker© 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing For Use Solely With The Songselect Terms Of Use. All Rights Reserved. Www.Ccli.ComCCLI Song # 7018338CCLI License # 324618

THIS I BELIEVE (THE CREED)



Verse 1All to Jesus I surrenderAll to Him I freely giveI will ever love and trust HimIn His presence daily live

ChorusI surrender allI surrender allAll to Thee my blessed SaviourI surrender all

Verse 2All to Jesus I surrenderHumbly at His feet I bowWorldly pleasures all forsakenTake me Jesus take me now

Verse 3All to Jesus I surrenderMake me Savior wholly ThineLet me feel the Holy SpiritTruly know that Thou art mine

Verse 4All to Jesus I surrenderLord I give myself to TheeFill me with Thy love and powerLet Thy blessing fall on me

Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 23189 CCLI License # 324618

I SURRENDER ALL



Verse 1You are here moving in our midstI worship You, I worship YouYou are here, working in this placeI worship You, I worship You

Chorus(You are) Way Maker, Miracle Worker Promise Keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who You are

Verse 2You are here, touching every heartI worship You, I worship YouYou are here, healing every heartI worship You, I worship You

Verse 3You are here, turning lives aroundI worship You, I worship YouYou are here, mending every heartI worship You, yeah, I worship You, Lord

TagThat is who You areThat is who You areThat is who You areThat is who You are

BridgeEven when I don’t see it, You’re workingEven when I don’t feel it, You’re workingYou never stop, You never stop workingYou never stop, You never stop working

Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu© 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Song # 7115744CCLI Licence # 324618

WAY MAKER



What is the significance of Jesus’ command to His disciples to stay wherever they were being hosted “until you leave town” (v.10)?

Mark 6:7-10

THE SPECIFIC INJUNCTIONS given by Jesus to His disciples (Mk 6:8-11) do not apply directly to all Christian workers or missionaries everywhere of all time, but for those disciples in that

particular mission. The instruction, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town” (v.10), was given in the social and cultural context of the early Christian missionaries depending on the hospitality of others as they travelled from place to place1 (Acts 16:15; 3 Jn 1:5-8). Hospitality was among the highest of values in the Middle East, both ancient and modern.2 Jesus’ purpose behind the command “stay there until you leave town” was to guard against “the natural human tendency for the travellers” to “move up the social ladder, accepting better and better accommodations from wealthier people”3, which is a form of favouritism4 and is sinful (Jas 2:1-13). Favouritism is both giving special attention to and seeking special treatment from well-known and well-to-do people. This can easily happen in our present celebrity culture. Jesus wants His disciples and servants to have simplicity of lifestyle and contentment with the provisions that they have. But sadly, there are modern ministers who, in all their affluence, have forgotten these things.

1 Mark L. Strauss, Mark, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2014), 2522 Mark L. Strauss, 2523 Mark L. Strauss, 2524 Mark L. Strauss, 255

Deeper Reflection

WEDNESDAY1 April

S C R I P T U R E

O B S E R V A T I O N

2020“Stay There Until You Leave Town”



2020What changes do I need to make in my life with regard to favouritism? A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:

For the Silver Generation:

To be careful to treat people

with impartiality

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Write a prayer to God

as your response from

your med9itation on and

application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

1 Mark L. Strauss, Mark, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2014), 2522 Mark L. Strauss, 2523 Mark L. Strauss, 2524 Mark L. Strauss, 255



What is the significance of Jesus’ directive to His disciples to “shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against” the places that reject them (v.11)?

Mark 6:7-11

JESUS’ DIRECTIVE TO HIS DISCIPLES to “shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against” “any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there” (v.11)

must be understood in the biblical context of salvation history: the Gospel mission of Jews to Jews. That is, it is not applicable in a Gospel mission to Gentiles. Paul followed this directive of Jesus, but only in his Gospel mission to Jews (Acts 13:50-51; 18:5-6). God had given Israel a special calling and heritage, including “the human ancestry of the Messiah” (Rom 9:4-5; Matt 1:1-16). Hence, Israel’s rejection of the Messiah and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was a very grave matter. Jews who travelled outside Palestine were required to shake themselves free of foreign dust when returning home lest they defile the Holy Land.5 What Jesus prescribed was “a symbolic act in the tradition of the ancient prophets to indicate first a warning and then judgment if rejection of the message and the messengers persisted”6. Jesus’ commandment is “tantamount to declaring a Jewish village heathen”7. In mission work, when does one decide to leave or continue in an unproductive area? “Mission work is a never-ending task, and one must be careful before writing a place off as a failure or chalking another up as a success.”8

Deeper Reflection

THURSDAY2 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Judging Results in

Mission Work



2020How do I judge results in Christian ministry and mission work?A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For Outreach/Missions/

New Life leaders: To serve

faithfully regardless of the

results

Pray for significant people:


Pray for self:

Write a prayer to God as

your response from your

meditation on and application

of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

5 James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, Apollos, 2002), 181

6 James A. Brooks, Mark, The New American Commentary (Broadman, 1991), 1027 James R. Edwards, 1818 David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 1996), 250



What characterises the mission for Christ as reflected in the portrait of the mission of the Twelve in verses 7 to 13?

Mark 6:7-13

FOR MARK, the mission of the Twelve (vv.7-13) functions as “a charter for all subsequent Christian mission”9. Essentially and fundamentally, the mission of Jesus’ disciples is “an extension of Christ’s work in the

world”, going “as the voice and action of Christ”10. It is as Paul puts it: “I speak in Christ” and “Christ speaks in me” (2 Cor 12:19; 13:3). The mission for Christ has a fourfold character. The Walk: “they should take nothing for their journey, except…” (vv.8-9). It is a faith journey of commitment to God with total self-sacrifice, confidence in God to supply all our needs and contentment in whatever God has provided (v.10). The Word: “They went out and preached that people should repent” (v.12). But Jesus points us to the reality of rejection, that sowing the Word of God means we can expect to find that some ground will be unproductive (v.11). The Works: “anointing with oil many sick people and healing them” (v.13b). In early Christianity, Word and works go together: “There is no proclamation of the Gospel without powerful deeds and no powerful deeds without proclamation of the Gospel”11. The Warfare: “They were casting out many demons” (v.13a). Christian mission is the Kingdom of God invading and overpowering the kingdom of Satan as demonstrated in its first manifestation of power in Jesus’ ministry (Mk 1:15, 21-28).

Deeper Reflection

FRIDAY3 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020The Character of Christian Mission



2020Which aspect of the fourfold character of Christian mission do I need to pay particular attention to in my ministry?

A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For SGI leaders: That Christ

speaks through them in their

ministry



Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

9 James A. Brooks, 10010 David E. Garland, 24811 James R. Edwards, 178-79



How do verses 33 to 41 and Mark 6:7-13, 47-52 tell us if the Twelve were adequately prepared for their first mission work that Jesus sent them out to?

Mark 4:33-41; 6:7-13, 47-52

JESUS “APPOINTED” THE TWELVE “so that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to cast out demons” (Mk 3:14-15). And now at this

point, Jesus “began to send them out…and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (Mk 6:7). The question is: Were they adequately prepared for this mission work? Can we be adequately prepared for what God calls us to do? The Twelve were “uncomprehending and ill-prepared”12, as their two stormy-sea encounters with Jesus that sandwich their first mission work (Mk 6:7-13) show: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (v.41) and “they were astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves and their hearts were hardened” (Mk 6:51-52). It is anthropocentric when we look at ourselves and ask if we are adequately prepared. What really matters is: It is the Lord who summons us, sends us, gives us His authority (Mk 6:7) and instructs us (Mk 6:8-9). This is a theocentric perspective that will shape theocentric posture. “A genuine call to ministry always calls us to that which we are not adequately prepared. It is only in awareness of such that the Christian experiences the presence and promise of Jesus Christ, and learns to depend not on human capabilities but on the One who calls and in the power of the proclamation to authenticate itself [Mk 6:12-13].”13

Deeper Reflection

SATURDAY4 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Can We Be

Adequately Prepared?



2020How do I respond to my sense of inadequacy in serving the Lord?A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For church board: To depend on

God utterly in life and ministry



Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

12 James R. Edwards, 18313 James R. Edwards, 183



2020

S C R I P T U R E



P R A Y E R

SUNDAY5 April

Sunday Journal



What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

R E V I E W

The Past Week



What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

R E F L E C T

R E S P O N D

The Past Week



ACTIVITY BITEGet a big bubble blower and a small bubble blower. First, blow big bubbles, then burst them and discuss with your family what big and terrible sins are. Then, make small bubbles, pop them and share what are considered small or not-so-obvious sins.

CHAT TIMEQ1: Share a past situation where someone had wronged you. Was it

hard to forgive that person? Why or why not?Q2: Why do I need to forgive? Q3: How does God forgive sin?

LEARNING POINTDo you notice how the bubbles pop the same way, no matter if they are big or small? Similarly, no sin is too small or too large for God to forgive. We have sinned against God. Instead of giving us the punishment we deserve, Jesus Christ took all our sins away. Those who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven. God forgives us not because we are good, but because He is good. Likewise, just as God forgives us, it is then possible for us to forgive people who have wronged us. Only when we begin to realise how much God has forgiven us in Christ can we learn to forgive others.

ACTION POINTTell your friends how grateful you are because Jesus has taken away all your sins. Tell them that you also want to forgive them if they ever wrong you in the future.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTSThank God for forgiving us each day. Ask Him to teach us to forgive because of Jesus.

Jesus takes away our sins.Scripture: 1 John 3:5

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL APRIL 2020 WEEK

1 EASTER: GOD FORGIVES US



What motivated the crowd to come to Jesus the way they did (vv.8-11, 14)?

Matthew 21:1-17

YESTERDAY WAS PALM SUNDAY, when Jesus finally entered His city of destiny. All 33 and a half years of His life and ministry reached its pinnacle. The crowds were giving

Him the red-carpet welcome (v.9). It was a time of massive anticipation and heightened political fever. “Jesus is finally here to save us from the Romans! Hallelujah!” But do you see the twist in the story? Kings coming for war don’t ride on donkeys, but horses and chariots! This is what we would expect Jesus to do, if He came for a hostile takeover. But He rode on a donkey and even emphasised His need for it.14 How come? He re-enacted the coronation of King Solomon15 who fought no wars during his 40-year reign. Like King Solomon, Jesus came not as a King of war, but a King of peace as He entered the City of Peace (the literal meaning of Jerusalem). Except that for His coronation ceremony five days later on Good Friday, it was not a golden throne He would sit on, but a wooden cross He would be hung on. He would not be wearing a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns. Pontius Pilate would not be hailing Him as a king, but nailing Him like a rebel. Jesus didn’t simply answer the people’s heart cry to be saved from Rome – their political enemy; or from sickness – their physical enemy (v.14). He exceeded their heart cry in order to save them (and us) from sin – their (and our) ultimate enemy!

Deeper Reflection

MONDAY6 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020What Is Your Heart Cry?



Giving

Le

ade

rs

Sig

nifican

t pe

op

le

Those in need

Self

2020What is my heart cry to God this season (write it out as a prayer here; what if God were to answer it in a way beyond what you expect or wish for)?


P R A Y E R

King of Peace, You rode into Jerusalem

to do something greater than just

releasing Your people from their

circumstances. King of Peace, come

into my heart. Keep me in perfect

peace. Let my heart be steadfast,

even when I don’t understand. Even

when things don’t turn out the way I wish

or prefer. I trust You not only to answer

my heart cry, but to exceed it. In Your

name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

14 Luke 19:31, 34.15 1 Kings 1:44-45.



Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem?

Luke 19:41-48

HERE WAS THE CROWD having a massive celebration when Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Lk 19:38). But here

was Jesus drawing near in tears (v.41)! Our English translation is mild. Literally, he cried aloud and wailed.16 Why? He saw beyond the here and now. The Jewish War took place about 37 years after Jesus was crucified.17 Rome surrounded the city of Jerusalem completely by ramparts for three days. No one could go out or come in. The supply to food and water was cut off. Those bent on fighting the Romans retreated to the Temple, which was burnt to the ground. A total of around 1.1 million Jews were killed and 97,000 captured. Roman soldiers had to step over dead bodies to keep on killing. Jesus wailed over the City of Peace that was destined to offer peace to others but never experienced peace herself. She had missed out on fulfilling her God-given destiny and had a tragic repeat of history.18 “Would that you…had known…” (v.42) “…because you did not know…” (v.44) Had they known, they could have repented and avoided God’s judgment. But they rejected this King and hung Him on a cross. God in tremendous mercy gave them another 37 years after that to repent. But they didn’t. Jesus wept. And wailed.

Deeper Reflection

TUESDAY7 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020What Do You Grieve Over?



2020What do I grieve over in my life (ask God to give you new tears for what really matters, e.g. family and friends heading for an eternal destruction without Jesus if they do not repent and believe the good news)?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For pastors and staff: To have

new tears and grief for the

spiritual destiny of those

without Jesus



Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

16 From the Greek word klaio, which means to sob, wail or cry aloud: Strong’s Greek dictionary. 17 AD 70.18 Centuries ago when the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem in 586 BC, the city was destroyed and the temple burnt to

the ground.



Why did Jesus make such a scene when people came to worship and bring sacrifices?

Matthew 21:12-17

AFTER ENTERING JERUSALEM, the crowd would have expected Jesus to march straight to Pontius Pilate with His disciples. Perhaps in the same fashion as Moses, He would

declare: “Let My people go! If you do not let My people go…” But He went first to the Temple. And turned over the tables of money changers, driving out those who were selling doves and sheep. Imagine the doves flying, the sheep bleating and running away, and all the crowd commotion that ensued. Why was Jesus so worked up? Especially when the money changers and animal sellers performed a service for the pilgrims who could not offer their animals as sacrifices if they were injured during their journey. Quoting from Isaiah 56:6 and Jeremiah 7:8, Jesus made clear that the Temple was meant for different nations to draw near to God. But the Jews became distracted. Instead of a house filled with the sounds of prayer, it was filled with the noise of bargains. Like the time in Jeremiah, the Jews thought if they kept the Temple and sacrifices going, things would be fine, even if greed and idolatry persisted in their hearts. And the greatest tragedy was that the Temple and people had been like this for as long as they could remember. No one thought that there was anything wrong with it. The revolution that Jesus came to bring about must begin first at His house. Because unless His people were first put in order, the watching and waiting world could not follow suit. Let us repent of our sins and ask God for forgiveness. May we deeply desire that God be glorified through the sanctification of His Church!

Deeper Reflection

WEDNESDAY8 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020What Must You

Put in Order?



2020When it comes to worship, what distractions must I remove and what must I put in order (e.g. starting the day with prayer and God’s Word rather than text messages and the news, coming to church service early, leading your family in devotion)?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:


To have a new zeal for God’s

presence and for God’s

Church to be the place where

unbelievers will draw near

to Jesus


Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers



What scenes did Jesus re-enact when He led the Passover meal?

Matthew 26:17-29

THE PASSOVER FEAST is one of the three major feasts for Israel. Led by the head of the family, it re-enacted how God delivered Israel out of Egypt. But when Jesus uttered the words,

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (v.28), the immediate picture that came to the disciples’ minds would probably not be the first Passover scene alone. They would also recall how God appeared to Israel in a cloud over Mount Sinai after they came out of Egypt. After Moses came down from the mountain and read the law to Israel, he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings from bulls, splattered their blood on the altar and the people and said to them, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words” (Exo 24:8). The disciples could not have missed this allusion. By initiating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus took the place of head over the new spiritual family purchased by His blood. By repeating the words that Moses had said to Israel, Jesus took the place of head over the new spiritual nation purchased by His blood. After they finished the Passover meal, they sang a hymn (Matt 26:30), likely to commemorate God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt.19 We are not just saved from bondage to sin, but saved for worship to God.20 Let us the redeemed people of God ask Him for a new heart of worship!

Deeper Reflection

THURSDAY9 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020How Will You

Worship Jesus?



2020How will I worship Jesus with a renewed heart, knowing what He has done to save me from sin and for worship (e.g. give unhurried time to praise God and meditate on His Word, make every effort for personal holiness, commit time to serve God, make financial pledges for God’s work, and so on)?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For Outreach/Missions/New

Life leaders: That the way they

worship Jesus with their lives

will speak volumes so as to

witness for Him



Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

19 Such as the Hallels in Psalms 113-118.20 Cf. Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1; 8:20; 9:1; 9:13; 10:3.



Why did the centurion say what he said about Jesus?

Matthew 27:32-54

WHEN JESUS CRIED OUT, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani”? (v.46), the Jews should have known better than to think that Jesus was crying out for Elijah. Jesus was quoting from

Psalm 22:1 to show that He was really the awaited King and Son of God who was foretold by king David’s life.21 In contrast, the centurion, who presumably had little or no background in Judaism, saw a unique man on the cross – totally unlike the many criminals he had previously crucified. In that crucified position, a person’s lungs would collapse (due to his weight resting on his wrists and feet) and he would gasp for air. He could push against the nail on his feet to catch a breath for survival, but the excruciating pain would cause him to drop back down and his lungs to collapse again.22 This happened to Jesus for six hours! Anyone nailed to a cross would seek to conserve his strength as much as possible. Yet Jesus used His precious breath to pray for His enemies (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Lk 23:34), speak to His mother (“Woman, behold, your son!” Jn 19:26) and to His disciple, John (“Behold, your mother!” Jn 19:27). Later, Jesus would use His dying breaths to cry out with a loud voice to God (v.46) and again as he yielded up His spirit (v.50). Hearing Jesus’ words on the cross and seeing the earthquake and signs that followed His death, the centurion – a highly trained and hardened Roman military officer – could not help but declare the truth, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (v.54).

Deeper Reflection

FRIDAY10 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020What Would You Say

About Jesus?



2020If my pre-believing friends or family members were to ask me about Jesus, what would I say and what evidence would I give (pray for them by name that they would likewise see and declare that Jesus is the Son of God)?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For SGI leaders: To always be

ready to talk about Jesus in a

way that shows that He is truly

the Son of God



Pray for self:



your meditation on and


Prayer Pointers

21 In fact, the entire Psalm 22 was fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion – such as his enemies mocking him (vv.7-8), his bones being out of joint (v.14), his enemies piercing his hands and feet (v.16) and dividing his garments among themselves (v.18).

22 https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/terasaka_david/misc/crucify.cfm



Who came to bury Jesus and what did they risk when they buried Him?

John 19:38-42

THE BURIAL OF JESUS was a quiet event. None of His earthly family members was at the grave as required by Jewish customs,23 because no mourning was allowed for those executed

under Roman law.24 Present at the burial was Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple of Jesus (v.38) and a respected member of the Jewish Council or Sanhedrin (Mk 15:43). Joseph did not agree with the Jewish Council’s decision and action in handing over Jesus for crucifixion (Lk 23:51). Also present was Nicodemus (v.39), who was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Council (Jn 3:1). He had been impacted by Jesus’ teaching (Jn 3:1-21). Early Sunday morning, two women came to Jesus’ tomb (Matt 28:1) – Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus delivered from seven evil spirits (Lk 8:2) and “the other Mary”, who was the mother of James (Matt 27:56). According to the Old Testament law, anyone who touched or came near a dead body would be unclean for seven days and required an elaborate process of cleansing on both the third and seventh days; failure to comply resulted in being cut off from Israel.25 Perhaps the greatest risk was taken by Joseph when he asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He could have been exposed as a follower of Jesus and therefore considered a rebel. This was a move that took courage on Joseph’s part (Mk 15:43), for if the Jewish Council were to find out, it would certainly land him in serious trouble. Are we prepared to take risks for the Lord? Will you ask God to give you the courage to do so?

Deeper Reflection

SATURDAY11 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020What Will You Risk

for Jesus?



2020What am I prepared to risk in order to fully follow Jesus as He leads me (e.g. a sense of control over my time and finances, scrutiny and mockery by my family and friends, the prospects for career advancement, and so on)?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For church board: That they

will follow decisively the Lord’s

leading, even if it means having

to take risks



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers

23 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bereavement_in_Judaism#Burial24 Carson, D.A., Matthew. Minneapolis: Liturgical Press, 1984. Vol. 8 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Matthew

27:61, Ed. Frank E. Gæbelein. 12 vols. 1976-92.25 Numbers 19:11-20.



2020

S C R I P T U R E



P R A Y E R

SUNDAY12 April

Sunday Journal






R E V I E W

The Past Week





R E F L E C T

R E S P O N D

The Past Week



ACTIVITY BITEAsk your family members to each get a piece of paper and draw their dream house − a place where they want to live for as long as they want. It should have many rooms. Get everyone to share their drawing and who they will allow to stay in their house.

CHAT TIMEQ1: What conditions would you set before you allowing someone to stay

in your dream house?Q2: How did Jesus get the power to rise from the dead after dying on

the cross?Q3: Why would Jesus give us life to live with Him forever?

LEARNING POINTJesus died on the cross because He took the punishment of sin on Himself. But He rose from the dead on the third day to show that He has power over death and the power to give life. Because of this, He can give us eternal life, so that we can live with Him forever in Heaven. Just like no one can just walk into your dream house without your permission, God gives permission for anyone who believes in Him to live in heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven. So no matter what may happen on earth, we can be confident that one day we will be with Jesus in heaven forever.

ACTION POINTTake a photo of your dream house and show it to your friends. Take the opportunity to share that they too can live in a big and beautiful place in heaven with Jesus if they believe in Him.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTSGive thanks to Jesus for allowing us to have eternal life. Pray that God will give us the opportunity to share with our friends about the life that Jesus wants to give them.

Jesus gives us life to live forever with Him.Scripture: Hebrews 9:28


2 GOOD FRIDAY: GOD RECEIVES US



What is the command that God gives to his people concerning the poor among them?

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

THIS COMING SUNDAY is New Life Friends’ Day and in these six days of devotions we will consider the overall theme of “Building Bridges”. There is a Jewish mindset that the presence

of the poor in society is testament to the failure of love among the people of God. The Old Testament Scripture teaches clearly that God’s people should help the poor. The practice of charity is an antidote to our fallen human inclination to close our hands and hearts to others. Scripture exhorts us not only to give, but to “open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land” (v.11). Therefore, building bridges to the community around us can never be initiated or sustained by organisational programmes or activities alone. Love has to be the motivation and power of God’s people to help and give to the poor and needy. Opening wide our hands, however, is not just about giving money. It is about giving of our lives to people left behind in society either through their own doing or circumstances beyond their control. It is about availing our time to walk with those who have needs, even if only for a season of time. It is about opening our doors to new friendships that build hope and strength for the weak and weary. Ultimately, it is about embracing others with the unconditional love of Jesus so that the Gospel can be communicated to them through both our actions and words.

Deeper Reflection

MONDAY13 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Building Bridges



2020In what ways can my life be a bridge of friendship and hope to the poor and needy around me?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:



Pray for self:

Lord Jesus, I confess that,

left to myself, I will only

close my heart and hands

to the poor and needy

around me. Please fill me

now with Your abundant

love, so that I can truly

open wide my hands to

those who are “down and

out” within my community,

thereby building bridges

instead of walls. Amen.

Prayer Pointers



What are the basic moral requirements that God is looking for in His people?

Micah 6:6-8

VERSES 6 TO 8 are a diagnostic check for true spirituality. From God’s perspective, He is not impressed by the many things done in our lives in pursuit of our vertical relationship with Him. He is,

in fact, repulsed by a human religiosity that feeds off self-justification, even great efforts driven by extreme zeal. But true relationship with God, unlike complex religion, is essentially very simple. What is God truly looking for in His people? Verse 8 summarises this plainly: (1) do justice, (2) love kindness and (3) walk humbly with God. Thus, any relationship with God that misses these marks inescapably degenerates to a religion of legalism, no matter where the starting point was. Anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”26 Likewise, there’s no clearer demonstration of our Christian soul than treating others, especially the weak and vulnerable, with justice and kindness. Theologian Eugene Peterson paraphrased it well: “Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love.”27 If we want to be whole in our life as a disciple of Christ, we should start with the basics of showing compassionate love to people around us. Because we are undeserving recipients of God’s grace, mercy and love, let us grow in empathy, act in courage and reach out in kindness to those in need. God doesn’t require much else from us in our horizontal relationship with others!

Deeper Reflection

TUESDAY14 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020To Do Justice and

Love Kindness



2020In my discipleship journey, how can I reach out and take a step up in showing compassionate love to people who have genuine needs?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For pastors and staff: To show

compassionate love to people

around them, not just those

within the church but also

the unchurched



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers

26 Quoted from Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund website https://www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com/news/nelson-mandela-quotes-about-children

27 Quoted from Micah 6:8 in The Message paraphrase of the Bible.



What does it mean to declare God’s greatness from one generation to another?

Psalm 145:1-9

GREAT IS THE LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (v.3). The greatness of God transcends everything, every boundary known to humankind – geographical

distance, cultural barriers, time and generational gaps. But in our limited human experience bound by physical space and time, we often restrict our praises of God to our own culture and generation. Therefore, when we build bridges with the wider community around us, the two blind spots we need to pay special attention to are our own cultural walls and generational barriers. We must not let these two barriers restrict our praises of God that could otherwise flow from our lives to people different from us. “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (v.4). The next generation of Singaporeans really need mentoring by godly mentors. Many do not have good role models in their lives to look up to and emulate. Others grow up in life without anyone believing in them and thus have low self-esteem and confidence. Worse still, many youths today live their lives helplessly imprisoned in their isolated worlds, enslaved by paralysing addictions and crippling emotional afflictions. Depression and anxiety have already claimed one life too many in our society. But there is hope! And it is the great hope of a great God whose praises are to resound throughout all the earth, to all human beings in all generations. As authentic disciples of Jesus Christ, let us be part of the intentional disciplemaking church movement of God’s people who declare God’s mighty acts from one generation to another!

Deeper Reflection

WEDNESDAY15 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Mentoring the

Next Generation

“



2020In what ways can my life be an intentional channel of God’s blessings to the next generation?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:


That they will mentor the next

generation for God’s glory


Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



Who are we to show hospitality to and what does that involve?

Hebrews 13:2; Romans 12:13

HISTORICALLY, HOSPITALITY PLAYED an important role in the heart of many ancient cultures. Even today, in many collectivist cultures, especially in the Global South, hospitality is a way of

life. Hospitality may be defined as being loving and generous to guests, like providing shelter and food as a host. But one can also host a guest in one’s heart, by availing oneself to attentively listen to the guest’s story and empathising with the pain and struggles thus revealed. The author of the book of Hebrews singled out the neglect of hospitality as a real possibility for Christians in his culture and generation. How much more is this reminder significant and relevant for us now in our contemporary age and culture driven by urbanisation, individualism and consumerism? In our Christian discipleship today, how can our hearts power forward against the currents of our time and grow the capacity to embrace strangers in a world full of fear and suspicion? The author of Hebrews may well have had in mind Abraham’s hosting of the three visitors in Genesis 18 when he wrote about entertaining angels unawares (v.2). Jesus Himself said with respect to Christian hospitality, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt 25:40). To be sure, there are real risks of opening our doors to strangers or our hearts to people who are different from us. Yet, Scripture exhorts us to a discipleship of Spirit-led risk-taking that mysteriously lifts us up to the supernatural – a possible scenario of encountering angels, meeting Christ or ministering to God.

Deeper Reflection

THURSDAY16 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Reclaiming the Lost Art of

Christian Hospitality



2020To what extent does my current practice of discipleship reflect a hospitality that ushers in the presence of God to the people to whom I minister to? What growth steps will I take?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:


New Life leaders: To be

empowered by the Lord for

Christian hospitality as a natural

way of outreach to unbelievers



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



What are the timeless principles behind the civil laws found in verses 9 to 10?

Leviticus 19:9-10

IT IS PROBABLY NOT WRONG to say that most committed Christians are charitable and have a heart for the poor. But what we truly find ourselves lacking in our lives is a workable margin for the marginalised in

our society. As it is, our modern lives are already crowded (legitimately) with work, family, ministry, relationships, travel and many other endless demands that creep up on us unannounced and often uninvited. Do we have space for anything else? For the marginalised? The Levitical prescriptive in the agricultural context is graphic and illuminating even for us modern Christians today: “…do not reap to the very edges of your field…Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen” (vv.9-10, NIV). Three principles can be gleaned here: (1) The principle of intentionality. The space for reaching out to the marginalised is not an afterthought. It is a calculated action and a purposeful move. (2) The principle of contentment. Creating space for the poor is done at the expense of a lowered, non-maximised economic gain. The mathematics and accounting of contentment work differently from the world’s ways. (3) The principle of love. Increasing our margin for the marginalised is an act of love. We remember the universal debt of love we owe to one another (Rom 13:8). As we celebrate New Life Friends’ Day, may we consider how we can ask God to help us stretch our margins as disciples of Christ to include the marginalised in our society – people whom God holds closely to His own heart!

Deeper Reflection

FRIDAY17 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Increasing Our Margin for

the Marginalised



2020What are some things that have cluttered my life which I should (and can) dispense with, so as to intentionally increase my margin for the marginalised?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For SGI leaders: To allow

the Lord Jesus to increase in

their lives and embrace what

He values



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



Who are the people that we are commissioned by Jesus Christ to disciple?

Matthew 28:18-20

THE GREAT COMMISSION is all about calling true followers of Jesus Christ to a life of active and full obedience to God. “Make disciples of all nations”, Jesus commanded. Yet, as we consider

the very cultural milieu and context in which this command was given, two things stand out. (1) Christianity burst forth from a very exclusive people group. Jesus clearly defined the scope of His commission to His Jewish disciples: “all nations” or more accurately, “all ethnic groups” in the original Greek. The disciples’ default Jewish mindset would have tuned out these words. However, the Gospel spread in spite of the young church’s natural inclination towards exclusivity. (2) The process of discipleship began before disciples became believers. Jesus intentionally directed the focus of disciplemaking upon people without the church, not within. As theologian Eugene Peterson vividly paraphrased the Great Commission: “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life” (v.19, The Message). When Jesus selected the Twelve as His disciples, they had not yet understood the Gospel – that Jesus would die, be buried and on the third day, rise again. Would they all have believed its message? Clearly, the disciples were initially people who had spent time with Jesus, and many of them misunderstood, doubted or had little faith in Him along their discipleship journey. Reaching out to the wider community outside the walls of the church is an integral part of our disciplemaking. It may start with you spending some time mentoring a few wayward kids in the neighbourhood through New Life. And it may lead to the birth of future Christian disciplemakers!

Deeper Reflection

SATURDAY18 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Discipling the

Unchurched Community



2020How can the focus of my disciplemaking shift to include spending time with people currently outside the church?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For church board: To break out

of mindset barriers so that they

can strategise bridge-building

to unchurched communities



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



2020

S C R I P T U R E



P R A Y E R

SUNDAY19 April

Sunday Journal






R E V I E W

The Past Week





R E F L E C T

R E S P O N D

The Past Week



ACTIVITY BITEGet a big piece of paper and take turns as a family drawing an object, animal or anything that God created on earth. Then, ask everyone to guess what was drawn.

CHAT TIMEQ1: Try to name one thing that you think is not made by God. Share your

reasons behind this.Q2: What is one thing on earth that God gives so that all living things

may live? Why does He do so?Q3: What would make the earth a boring place if God didn’t make it?

LEARNING POINTAll things in the universe and on earth, whether living or non-living things don’t exist by chance. The planets, stars, clouds, mountains, trees, birds, lions and whales – where did they come from? They must have been made by somebody who is really powerful. And we know that this somebody is God. He is so powerful that everything comes into existence by Him just saying the word. However, there are people who will not believe. They say that all things may have come by chance or through evolution. But the Bible says in Revelation 4:11 that God Himself is the creator of all things. This is the truth which we believe in.

ACTION POINTGet a magazine and cut out pictures of the earth or any living things and paste them in your notebook. Show these pictures to your friends and share with them that God made all things.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTSThank God for being our marvelous creator who made all things. Ask God to help us share this amazing truth to our friends who don’t know Him.

Everything is created by God.Scripture: Revelation 4:11


3 GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE



How does the story of the death of John the Baptist show the powerful dominating the weak (vv.21-28)?

Mark 6:14-29

Deeper Reflection

MONDAY20 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020The Powerful

Dominates the Weak

IN THE STORY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S DEATH (vv.14-29), John himself was “merely a pawn in the events leading to his death”28. The story is entirely dominated by the personalities of King Herod,

Herodias, her daughter Salome and the guests who were “high officials and military commanders and leading men” (v.21). In Herod’s birthday party, a power play was taking place – actively and passively – among these powerful people over one matter: putting John to death. The dance of Salome was powerful, for it “pleased Herod and his guests” (v.22a). And what kind of dance was it that prompted Herod to promise her “up to half my kingdom” (vv.22b-23)? A powerful “lewd dance”29. Herodias was the “prime mover”30 in the story, who instigated Salome to ask Herod for John’s head out of her “grudge” against the prophet (vv.19, 24-25). Herod was “very distressed” by the request (v.26a). But he was “unwilling to refuse her…because of his dinner guests” (v.26b), who were “pleased” with Salome’s dance. Unspoken but powerful was the guests’ influence on Herod’s decision. The king needed their allegiance. In the narrative, John was totally powerless and passive. His presence was described by a word that was repeated four times: his “head” (vv.24, 25, 27, 28). It looks tragic and pathetic from the world’s perspective. But it is “the kingdom of God has come near” (Mk 1:15, NIV)!



2020How do I live in a world where the powerful dominates the weak?A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:



Pray for self:

Lord Jesus, when powerful

people dominate the weak,

among whom I am one, I lift

up my eyes to You, the Faithful

Witness, the Firstborn of the

dead, the Ruler of the kings

of the earth, the First and the

Last, the Living One, who was

dead and is alive forevermore

and holds the keys of death

and Hades, who says to me,

“Do not be afraid”31.

Prayer Pointers

28 James R. Edwards, 18629 James A. Brooks, 10630 James R. Edwards, 18631 Revelation 1:5, 17-18



How does the story of the death of John the Baptist show the weak dominating the powerful (vv.14-20)?

Mark 6:14-29

THE STORY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S DEATH (vv.14-29) is a picture of the powerful dominating the weak (vv.21-28). But paradoxically, it is also a picture of the weak dominating

the powerful (vv.14-20), as shown in two settings. When John was alive: When Herod fell in love with Herodias, he divorced his first wife and persuaded Herodias to divorce her husband so that he could marry her. John confronted Herod for violating the law of God (v.18; Lev 18:16; 20:21). Why would John bother to challenge the king “given the widespread decadence of the Herodian lifestyle”32? This prophet would expose unrighteousness in every quarter with costly courage. He “did not read the polls before speaking and acting, he protected no special interests nor did he predicate what he said and did on chances of success”33. He was imprisoned (v.17). But ironically, Herod was “afraid of him” because he was “a righteous and holy man” and refrained from killing him (v.20). After John had died: The miraculous powers at work in Jesus was viewed by people as “John the Baptist has risen from dead” (v.14). Herod bought into this view and became paranoid (v.16). Herod’s severing of John’s head did not silence his message, for his paranoia that John had returned in Jesus kept haunting him. In both settings, the power of the Kingdom of God is subversively powerful.

Deeper Reflection

TUESDAY21 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020The Weak

Dominates the Powerful



2020How does knowing the subversiveness of the power of God’s Kingdom help me to live in a world where the powerful dominates the weak?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For pastors and staff: To rest

in the subversive power of

God’s Kingdom



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers

32 James R. Edwards, 18833 James R. Edwards, 188



What observations can you make about God’s calling of John the Baptist in verses 2 to 8, 14 to 15 and Mark 6:17-28?

Mark 1:2-8, 14-15; 6:17-28

HIS CONCEPTION was phenomenal (Lk 1:5-17): conceived according to the Word of God (Lk 1:11-14) and miraculously in an “advanced in years” barren womb (Lk 1:7). “Filled with the

Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb”, he was to be born with a great destiny: he will be “great in the sight of Lord” and the “forerunner” of the Messiah (Lk 1:15). For most of his life since childhood, he lived in the wilderness “until the day of his public appearance to Israel” (Lk 1:80). In God’s time, John the Baptist “appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” and pointed the people to the Messiah (vv.2-8). When the Messiah appeared and proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom is near”, John’s God-given mission was over (vv.14-15). He was no longer needed. But he did not return to his hometown to retire. Instead, the rest of John’s life was spent in prison until he was beheaded by a vindictive woman (Mk 6:17-28). Wouldn’t it be strategic for Jesus to recruit John to be one of His twelve apostles as a new assignment? But why did God let a person of such solid spiritual substance waste his life away in prison? Divine inefficiency? Understand God’s calling. The whole of John’s life, from how he was conceived until how he died, was God’s calling for him.

Deeper Reflection

WEDNESDAY22 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Understanding the

Calling of God



2020What changes do I need to make in my understanding of God’s calling?A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:


To faithfully complete their

God-given course


Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers



What is Mark saying through sandwiching the story of John’s death (vv.14-29) by part one (vv.7-13) and part two (vv.30-32) of the story of Jesus sending out the Twelve on mission work?

Mark 6:7-32

IN VERSES 7 TO 32, the story of John’s death (vv.14-29) is sandwiched by two parts of another story – the Twelve sent out to mission (vv.7-13) and their return from mission (vv.30-32). What is

Mark saying through this sandwich structure? The price of following Jesus: When Jesus sent the Twelve out, He “gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (v.7) and in their mission “they were casting out many demons” and “healing” “many sick people” (v.13). At their return, they reported to Jesus what they had accomplished (v.30). But the success and triumph of the Twelve in their mission is tagged to the brutal death of the “holy and righteous” John under a political tyrant. This is a full picture of following and serving Jesus in a world of greed, decadence, power and wealth. It is so easy for us to want and aim for success and triumph, but worry about and avoid any form of suffering for Jesus’ sake. Discipleship is costly. The power of God’s Kingdom: One great messenger of God was immobilised and eliminated (vv.14-29), but there were the Twelve (vv.7-13, 30-31). Death of God’s messengers is not death of God’s cause. No human opposition can defeat or destroy the Kingdom of God. We can courageously pay the inevitable price of following Jesus as we ride confidently on the unstoppable power of the Kingdom of God.

Deeper Reflection

THURSDAY23 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Inevitable Price and Unstoppable Power



2020What changes do I need to make in my Christian life with regard to the cost of discipleship?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:


New Life leaders: To be

courageous to pay the cost

of discipleship



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



What commonalities can you observe between Jesus feeding the five thousand (vv.33-44) and Israel in the wilderness (Deut 8:1-6)?

Mark 6:33-44; Deuteronomy 8:1-6

FOR THE SETTING and event of Jesus feeding the five thousand (vv.33-44), Mark has in mind “the experience of Israel in the wilderness following the Exodus”34 (Deut 8:1-6). Like Israel, the

multitude was in “a desolate place” (v.35) – the “wilderness” (cf. Mk 1:2, 3). The spiritual condition and need of the multitude was like that of Israel in the wilderness (Num 27:16-17): “they were like sheep without a shepherd” (v.34). Jesus “felt compassion” for these “sheep without a shepherd” (v.34). What do “sheep without a shepherd” need? A shepherd to lead and feed them the Word of God. So, Jesus the compassionate Shepherd “began to teach them many things” (v.34). The multitude was also physically hungry. In the wilderness, God “fed” the “hungry” Israel with “manna” (Deut 8:3a) – a miraculous daily provision. Similarly, Jesus “took the five loaves and two fish” and “blessed” them, and “kept giving” them to His disciples to serve the multitude (v.41) until “they all ate and were satisfied” (v.42). Mark has in mind “something more than physical satisfaction”35. God fed Israel with manna to teach us that we live not by bread alone, but by the Word of God (Deut 8:3b). True satisfaction comes not from the bread that Jesus miraculously provides (vv.41-43), but the Word of God that He teaches (v.34).

Deeper Reflection

FRIDAY24 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020The Shepherd in

the Wilderness



2020What does it mean for me to find true satisfaction from the Word of God?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For SGI leaders: To find true

satisfaction from God’s Word



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers

34 James A. Brooks, 108-10935 James A. Brooks, 109



What observations can you make when comparing the two accounts of the disciples’ stormy sea encounters with Jesus?

Mark 4:35-41; 6:45-52

STORMY SEA ENCOUNTERS with the Lord are a vital part of knowing Him and following Him. The two experiences of Jesus’ disciples recorded in Mark (vv.35-41 and Mk 6:45-52) are

illustrative of the many and varied kinds of storms in our discipleship journey, such that we cannot anticipate them. In one, Jesus is present with His disciples (v.38) and in the other, He is absent. In the latter, Jesus “compelled” His disciples to get into the boat and left them alone to face the stormy sea (Mk 6:45-47). But at a distance, Jesus is “seeing” us “in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves” (Mk 6:48a, NLT). He is present in His absence. In one, Jesus is sleeping amidst the storm (v.38) and in the other, He “came to them, walking on the sea” (Mk 6:48b). Note the disciples’ response and Jesus’ response to their reaction. In one, they cried to Jesus, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v.38), whereupon came the caring rebuke, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” (v.40). In the other, they were “terrified,” “thinking He was a ghost” (Mk 6:49-50a, NLT). Mistaking God for a ghost in adversity. But in our furnace of fiery trial, hear the “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid” (Mk 6:50b). In one, Jesus spoke to calm the wind and the sea (v.39) and in the other, “the wind stopped when He got into the boat” (Mk 6:51). Have we “gained insight” and truly know the Lord of the stormy seas (v.41; Mk 6:52)?

Deeper Reflection

SATURDAY25 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020The Lord of

the Stormy Seas



2020How will I face the stormy seas in my discipleship journey?A P P L I C A T I O N

P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For church board: To know the

Lord of stormy seas



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



2020

S C R I P T U R E



P R A Y E R

SUNDAY26 April

Sunday Journal






R E V I E W

The Past Week





R E F L E C T

R E S P O N D

The Past Week



ACTIVITY BITELook in the mirror and draw what you see on a piece of paper. After drawing your portrait, write “I am Special” below it.

CHAT TIMEQ1: What makes you special? Q2: What are some ways that we can fellowship with God? Q3: How can you help someone know that he or she is special in God’s

eyes?

LEARNING POINTMost of us already know that God made all people, but the coolest part is that God made man and woman to look like Him; we are all made in His image. In Genesis 1, we read that God created everything − the plants, animals and oceans − by just saying the words. But for man, He took time to shape him from the dust of the earth because He wants to make him the treasure among all creation. He wants to spend time with man more than with animals or trees. That is why we worship Him only and no other.

ACTION POINTDraw another portrait, this time of your family members and write the words, “You are Special” below it before giving it to them. You can also do the same for your friends.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTSThank God for loving us and making us His special creation. Ask Him to help us be more like Him in character and attitude each day.

We are created to fellowship with God.Scripture: Genesis 1:27-30; Psalm 139:13-14


4 GOD CREATED US



How had the Pharisees and scribes changed in observing ritual cleanliness (vv.1-5) compared to the Old Testament prescriptions (Lev 22:1-7)?

Mark 7:1-5; Leviticus 22:1-7; Deuteronomy 4:2

Deeper Reflection

MONDAY27 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Doing More Than

What God Says

WHEN THE JEWS RETURNED FROM EXILE in Babylon, they “renounced their former idolatry, giving themselves devotedly in obedience to the law as never

before, separating themselves from sinful alliances with their pagan neighbours [Ezr 6:21; 10:10-12]”36. And “as Judaism’s encounter with Gentile culture increased in the post-exilic period…the question of ritual cleanliness took on a new significance as a way of maintaining Jewish purity over against Gentile culture”37. And by the first century A.D., ritual washings that were imposed primarily upon the priests in the Old Testament (Lev 22:1-7), the scribes and Pharisees had begun to practise and attempted to impose on all Jews (vv.1-5).38 The rules and regulations went beyond to cover washing of hands before eating and washing of “cups and pitchers and copper pots” (v.4). Regarding His Word, God has commanded, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it” (Deut 4:2; 12:32). Over time, in their zeal for the law (cf. Rom 10:2), the post-exilic Jews “add” to the Word of God. To add to the Word of God would mean requiring extra things of people which God has not commanded.39 In so doing, we do more than what God says, which is not obedience to, but violation of God’s Word.



2020In what ways do I do more than what God says in my discipleship journey?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:



Pray for self:

Lord, You have said that

there will be days when

people will no longer listen

to sound and wholesome

teaching, but follow their

own desires and look for

teachers who will tell them

whatever their itching ears

want to hear.40 Keep me

from becoming one of

such people. Grant me to

delight in Your Word and

be diligent in handling the

Word of truth correctly.

Prayer Pointers

36 George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Revised Edition (Eerdmans, 1974), 7637 James R. Edwards, 20538 James A. Brooks, 11439 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (IVP, 1994), 5440 2 Timothy 4:3-4



What does the Scripture say about religious forms in verses 1 to 5 and Romans 14:5-9?

Mark 7:1-5; Romans 14:5-9

THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS in Jesus’ days had set religious rules such as prohibition of association with “unclean” people (Mk 2:15-17), requirement of fasting (Mk 2:18-22) and

restrictions on the observance of the Sabbath (Mk 2:23-3:6) – which Jesus rejected. And now they accused Jesus’ disciples of not walking “according to the traditions of the elders” – eating bread without first washing their hands (v.5). The main object of their accusation was Jesus Himself. The issue here is that certain religious forms must be conformed to, otherwise it is considered as not being right before God. There is a place for religious forms for corporate worship and personal devotion to God, except that it does not become imperative and normative. Certain Christian Jews in Paul’s days observed certain days and diet, but they should do so “for the Lord” with thanksgiving to God (Rom 14:6-9), without imposing it on others (Rom 14:5). Religious forms are to be a means of devotion to God and not an end in itself. Years ago, the church that I was part of practised church-wide the discipline of one-hour prayer. One morning, I was set for my one-hour prayer. Placing my watch before me, I started to pray. As I was praying, I opened my eyes to look at my watch from time to time. After a while, God spoke to me, “David, stop your one-hour prayer.” I knew what God was saying to me.

Deeper Reflection

TUESDAY28 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020How Should We Practise

Religious Forms?



2020What changes do I need to make with regard to religious forms in my discipleship journey?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For pastors and staff: To be

consciously Christ-centred in

all that they do



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers



How did the Pharisees and scribes treat the Word of God (vv.8, 9, 13)?

Mark 7:1-13

THE CONTEXT SHOWS US that doing more than what God says (vv.1-5) and doing away with what God says (vv.8-13) are closely linked. The heart of the issue here is authority of words:

the authority of God’s Word – “the commandment of God”, “the Word of God” − and of human words – “the tradition of men” (vv.8, 9, 13). This contrast is also seen in “Moses said” (v.10) versus “you say” (v.11). The “tradition of men” were “the traditions of the elders” (v.3), which were the scribal interpretations that had been imposed on the written Mosaic law.41 The “elders” were “scribes, Pharisees, leaders of synagogues and revered persons in general”42. We can observe a progressive three-step process in doing away with the Word of God. It begins with “neglecting [NLT: ignore] the commandment of God” (v.8). Neglect is the result of failing or unwilling to embrace the supremacy of God’s Word in our lives. Neglect leads to “setting aside the commandment of God” (v.9). The Scripture is no more important to us. Sidestepping God’s Word leads to “invalidating [ESV: making void] the Word of God” (v.13). The Word of God has become meaningless to us. Three questions to ask ourselves: What do we “hold to” (v.8)? What do we “observe” (v.9)? What do we “hand down” to the next generation (v.13)? The Word of God, or our own human thinking, worldview and values?

Deeper Reflection

WEDNESDAY29 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Doing Away with

What God Says



2020What does it mean for me to live under the authority of the Word of God?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

Pray for leaders:


To live life under the authority

of God’s Word


Pray for self:




of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers

41 James A. Brooks, 11642 James A. Brooks, 115



What observations can you make about worship to God in the words of Jesus in verses 6 to 8?

Mark 7:1-13

JESUS’ CHARGE of the Pharisees and scribes of “In vain do they worship Me” (vv.6-7) is sandwiched by these religious leaders’ doing more than what God says (vv.1-5) and doing away with what God

says (vv.8-13) – that is, teaching “man-made ideas as commands from God” (v.7, NLT). The theological relationship between worship to God and the Word of God is clear in this sandwich structure. The object of our worship is God and we can truly worship God when we truly know who He is – otherwise, our worship will be “in vain”. And it is only in the Scriptures that we can know God as He truly is, because it is in the Scriptures that God has revealed Himself. Our idea of God – that is, our theology – can be man-made, rather than shaped by the Word of God. Oftentimes, the God that we have in mind is a God created in the image of man. This is idolatry, a violation of the second commandment (Exo 20:4). Living by God’s Word and worship to God are intertwined. Worship to God without abiding in God’s Word means our “heart is far from Me” (v.6b). And this is hypocrisy (v.6a). A hypocrite is a pretender without sincerity, “who voices lofty and even noble sentiments that are divorced from the intentions of the heart”43. Worship, the Word and the heart form a package.

Deeper Reflection

THURSDAY30 April

S C R I P T U R E


2020Worship, the Word

and the Heart



2020How will I go about knowing God as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures?


P R A Y E R

Give thanks:

For Outreach/Missions/New

Life leaders: To know God as

revealed in the Scriptures



Pray for self:





Prayer Pointers

41 James R. Edwards, 209



Notes



Notes



Notes





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(65) 6892 6811 • @ [email protected] • www.cefc.org.sg


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