June Devotional Journal by Covenant EFC

June

2020 DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Mark 8 34 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.”

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

June

2020

Mark 8 34

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

Memory

Verses 20

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)

May

When 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)

4 // © 2 0 1 9 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

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)

August

For 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

by Senior Pastors

20 20 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.

YEAR OF GREATER DISCIPLESHIP

o 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

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 and Rev Tony Yeo

St Francis of Assisi

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Guide To Using

THIS DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Step One

PREPARE 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. (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.

SOMETHING TO PONDER 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!

Step Two

ALLOW 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. PRAYER POINTERS FOR 2020

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.

T H E

C H U R C H

B E Y O N D

Pray

Urban Missions Psalm 91:1 (ESV)

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

rban Missions focuses on outreach ministries within cities, in areas such as healthcare, literacy, disaster relief and orphanage work. Covid-19 is a disrupter and has created havoc in global economies, global travel and every strata of society. In attempts to control the spread of Covid-19, many governments have introduced restrictions on people movement and gatherings. Cities are in various degrees of lockdown. These actions have impacted the livelihood of many, as the streets are almost empty, and airports and shops are closed. Everyone stays at home. The Gospel message is the message of hope in such challenging times. The outreach effort never ceases. Let us be of one heart to intercede for the cities in Asia.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

Pray That the outreach effort does not cease, and the Gospel be preached and shared in various creative ways despite the restrictions on people movement and gatherings. That disciples continue to tithe and give to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. That the urban poor will receive proper and adequate food, shelter and healthcare. That church leaders will lead their congregations with more resources to meet such needs in the community. For sponsorship of education so that the education of children and youth will continue. For protection of healthcare workers, adequate supply of personal protection equipment and timely distribution of healthcare assets. That God will sustain them in the prolonged war against Covid-19. That they will receive support and encouragement from the community they serve. For creative deployment of the mobile kitchens meant for disaster relief to feed the poor in Sulawesi, Indonesia. For the Steady Readers literacy programme to be used as a post-Covid-19 outreach platform. For livelihood projects to be supported and implemented by the local community. For the approval of a church-plant in an orphanage community in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Worship Songs

SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER

LET THERE BE LIGHT

May-June

HOW GREAT THOU ART Verse 1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Chorus Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Verse 2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze Verse 3 And when I think that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin

Verse 4 When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then shall I bow in humble adoration And there proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!” Stuart Wesley Keene Hine © 1949 and 1953 Stuart K. Hine Trust (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 14181 CCLI License # 324618

GOD OF AGES Verse 1 God of ages bringing glory here You are good, You are good Son of righteousness You are all I seek with all my heart Pre-Chorus Giver of life Hope for the lost is in You All of the earth shines with Your light Your glory Chorus 1 You are the God who lives You are the God who heals You are my hope my everything Verse 2 In Your promise and Your faithfulness I will trust all my days King forever Reign in majesty be glorified Chorus 2 You brought salvation to us Offered Your peace to the world You are my Lord my everything Bridge I’ll trust in You, I’ll trust in You I’ll trust in You With all my heart Ben Fielding © 2007 Hillsong Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 4869933 CCLI License # 324618

HOPE OF THE NATIONS Verse Jesus, hope of the nations Jesus, comfort for all who mourn You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth Jesus, light in the darkness Jesus, truth in each circumstance You are the source of heaven’s light on earth Pre-Chorus In history You lived and died You broke the chains, You rose to life Chorus You are the hope living in us You are the Rock in whom we trust You are the light shining for all the world to see You rose from the dead conquering fear Our Prince of Peace drawing us near Jesus our hope, living for all who will receive (Lord, we believe) (Lord, we believe) (Lord, we believe) Ending Lord, we believe (Jesus, hope of the nations) Lord, we believe (Jesus, hope of the nations) Lord, we believe (Jesus, Lord we believe) Lord, we believe Brian Doerksen © 2002 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 3540703 CCLI License # 324618

I STAND AMAZED (HOW MARVELOUS) Verse 1 I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene And wonder how He could love me A sinner condemned, unclean Chorus How marvelous, how wonderful And my song shall ever be How marvelous, how wonderful Is my Saviour’s love for me Verse 2 For me it was in the garden He prayed not My will but Thine He had no tears for His own griefs But sweat drops of blood for mine Verse 3 In pity angels beheld Him And came from the world of light To comfort Him in the sorrows He bore for my soul that night Verse 4 He took my sins and my sorrows He made them His very own He bore the burden to Calvary He suffered and died alone Verse 5 When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see ‘Twill be my joy though the ages To sing of His love for me Aaron Keyes | Charles Hutchinson Gabriel Public Domain 2003 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 5077267 CCLI Licence # 324618

GREAT IS THE LORD Verse Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise The city of our God, the Holy place The joy of the whole earth And great is the Lord In whom we have the victory He aids us against the enemy We bow down on our knees Chorus And Lord, we want to lift Your Name on high And Lord, we want to thank You For the work You’ve done in our lives And Lord, we trust in Your unfailing love For You alone are God eternal Throughout earth and heaven above! Steve McEwan © 1985 Maranatha Praise, Inc. (Admin. by Maranatha! Music) CCLI Song # 10769 CCLI Licence # 324618

HEAR US FROM HEAVEN Verse 1 Lord, hear our cry Come, heal our land Breathe life into these dry and thirsty souls Lord, hear our prayer Forgive our sin And as we call on Your name Would you make this place For Your glory to dwell Chorus Open the blind eyes Unlock the deaf ears Come to your people As we draw near Hear us from heaven Touch our generation We are Your people Crying out in desperation Bridge Hear us from heaven, Hear us from heaven, Hear us from heaven Jared Anderson © 2004 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) CCLI Song # 4455392 CCLI Licence # 324618

BLESSED ASSURANCE Verse 1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood Chorus This is my story, this is my song Praising my Saviour all the day long This is my story, this is my song Praising my Saviour all the day long Verse 2 Perfect submission perfect delight Visions of rapture now burst on my sight Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy whispers of love Verse 3 Perfect submission, all is at rest I in my Saviour am happy and blest Watching and waiting, looking above Filled with His goodness, lost in His love Fanny Jane Crosby | Phoebe Palmer Knapp Public Domain Public Domain CCLI Song # 22324 CCLI Licence # 324618

LIVING HOPE Verse 1 How great the chasm that lay between us How high the mountain I could not climb In desperation, I turned to heaven And spoke Your name into the night Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness Tore through the shadows of my soul The work is finished, the end is written Jesus Christ, my living hope Verse 2 Who could imagine so great a mercy? What heart could fathom such boundless grace? The God of ages stepped down from glory To wear my sin and bear my shame The cross has spoken, I am forgiven The King of kings calls me His own Beautiful Saviour, I’m Yours forever Jesus Christ, my living hope Chorus Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me You have broken every chain There’s salvation in Your name Jesus Christ, my living hope Verse 3 Then came the morning that sealed the promise Your buried body began to breathe Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion Declared the grave has no claim on me Jesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!

Ending Jesus Christ, my living hope Oh 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 Australia) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7106807 CCLI Licence # 324618

SHOUT TO THE NORTH Verse 1 Men of faith rise up and sing Of the great and glorious King You are strong when you feel weak In your brokenness complete Chorus Shout to the north and the south Sing to the east and the west Jesus, Saviour to all Lord of heaven and earth Verse 2 Rise up women of the truth Stand and sing to broken hearts Who can know the healing power Of our awesome King of love Verse 3 Rise up church with broken wings Fill this place with songs again Of our God who reigns on high By His grace again we’ll fly Bridge We’ve been through fire We’ve been through rain We’ve been refined By the power of His name We’ve fallen deeper In love with You You’ve burned The truth on our lips

Ending Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Martin Smith © 1995 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 1562261 CCLI Licence # 324618

20 20

Courtship or Christ-likeness?

MONDAY 1 June

S CRIPTURE Philippians 3:1-21

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you notice about Paul’s primary pursuit?

Deeper Reflection

EING SINGLE in a family-based church can feel like we are overlooked or misunderstood. Do we fit in? Where do we fit in? We often hear sermons about parenting, family discipleship and raising children. But what does discipleship mean for a single person? Sometimes, being single can feel like a problem to be fixed, as opposed to a season to be embraced. Conversations revolve around when we are going to get married or whether we have found someone to date. Consequently, the subtle unspoken implication is that the goal and pursuit of life is to have a family and settle down. But as disciples of Christ, is this the chief end of a single person? Granted, desiring to have a family is a good and godly pursuit. Many singles (not all), have a desire to eventually have a family, but is this the chief aim of the person who is single? As a disciplemaking church, we learn to put first things first, to major on the major. Therefore, we need to have a paradigm shift in terms of understanding singles. The chief aim of Christian singles is not marriage, but maturity towards Christ-likeness. Growing towards Christlikeness is the chief goal for every believer, whether single or married. Sometimes, being single in a family-based church can feel like we are “missing out” and therefore a “second-class Christian”. Church leaders and members, when speaking with singles, may subconsciously elevate the pursuit of marriage above the pursuit of Christ-likeness. But let us all be reminded that the chief goal of every believer is Christ-likeness through the pursuit of knowing Christ more and more.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N How high of a priority is it for me to pursue Christ-likeness?

2020

vin

draw me closer to You and to enjoy my relationship with You more and more. Amen.

which needs to be You! Please

to the primary pursuit of my life,

ask that You draw my focus again

nee

of life, no matter what season I am in. I

se in

embrace and accept my current season

Tho

Leaders

Lord Jesus, I ask for the grace to

Significant people

P R AY E R

20 20

Great Expectations

TUESDAY 2 June

S CRIPTURE Psalm 84

O B S E RVAT I O N What do we notice about God’s intentions for us (vv.10-12)?

Deeper Reflection

N MY LIFE’S GRAND PLANS, I expected to be married at 27, live in my own house and have children by 30. Nothing has come to pass the way that I had expected. Perhaps some of us singles have had similar expectations and are now staring down the barrel of an “expectation reality mismatch”. This “expectation reality mismatch” does not just apply to singles, but to anyone who has had their expectations shattered by the present state of reality. How do we respond to this? For many of us, we move towards self-pity, anger, disappointment, doubt and other emotions. The mismatch creates a gap in our lives, a breeding ground for deceptions and ungodly emotions. However, that gap also allows us an opportunity to grow towards maturity. If we can cultivate right perspectives and godly habits, we will mature spiritually and emotionally through our struggles. There is no shortcut to maturing towards contentment, restedness, trust, obedience and godliness. It will be a process, which at times can be painful. But God takes us by the hand and walks us through the corridors of confusion. It is a step-by-step, day-by-day process through which we learn to trust God, grow, fail and trust again in the Author of our lives. There will be disappointments and discouragements along the way. But through it all, our great comfort is that the One who holds us by the hand loves us wholly, deeply and sacrificially. The core reality is that, even when we do not understand what He is up to, God does not withhold anything good from those who are in Christ.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N How does knowing that God does not withhold anything good from me impact the way I respond to disappointments?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To learn to trust God more and more even through disappointments in life Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

What Do I Need for Contentment?

WEDNESDAY 3 June

S CRIPTURE Philippians 4:4-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-10

O B S E RVAT I O N What can you learn from apostle Paul regarding contentment in life?

Deeper Reflection

E ALL HAVE our “If...then I’ll be content” statements. For singles desiring a relationship, the internal script that we hear is: “If I find the right person, then I’ll be content.” But the struggle for contentment applies to all of us, not just for singles. Someone will be content with just one million dollars, another with just one child and the list goes on. We erroneously believe that once we attain whatever it is that we want, we will be satisfied, fulfilled and content. I struggled with contentment through my season of prolonged singleness. It was difficult. God spoke to me about contentment through the life of apostle Paul. Paul was in prison, his friends had deserted him and he had nothing in terms of what the world values. Yet he testified that he was content (v.11) and commanded Christians to rejoice in the Lord at all times (v.4). Paul also encouraged Christians to be content when our basic needs for food and clothing or shelter are met (1 Tim 6:8). In that moment, I sensed the piercing voice of the Holy Spirit, “Son, what do you need to be content?” For me, it was more money, a bigger house, a car, a relationship and more friends to spend time with. But for Paul, it was just food and shelter! It points to the depths of the riches of the joy that Paul had in his relationship with Christ (“in the Lord”, vv.4, 10). Continually being in the Lord’s presence and serving His purposes left Paul’s soul not just deeply satisfied, but overflowing with joy and fulfilment!

A P P L I C AT I O N What do I need for contentment in life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

Pray for the Silver Generation: To experience the joys of daily being in God’s presence and serving His purposes Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

Divine Working in Our Waiting

THURSDAY 4 June

S CRIPTURE Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you observe about how God orders the timing of events?

Deeper Reflection

HE WAITING ROOM. Most, if not all, of us have been there before. It is a time of waiting in the present for what we hope for in the future (e.g. a job, a child, a girlfriend or a boyfriend). God has a specific curriculum of sanctification for every one of us. God will employ the waiting room to achieve what He wants to work in you and me. While in the waiting room of singleness, I found that impatience, fears, loneliness, desire for control and other emotions and thoughts started to surface. What does God want to accomplish in us while we are in the waiting room? First, God uses it as a test of faith. As we wait, how do we view God’s character? Is He still good, faithful and kind? Does He truly know us and love us? Can we fully trust Him with our lives and future? For us to develop an authentic faith, it must be tested. How will our period of waiting impact the way we perceive God? Second, God uses it as a time of moulding. When the fire is turned up, the hidden, darker aspects of who we are will be revealed. God lovingly and gently deals with our fears and our compulsion towards control. He speaks His truth more deeply into our hearts. One precious truth that God taught me was: God’s seeming delay is actually His perfect timing. Things may be on hold, but we are exactly where God wants us to be. Let us trust in Him who “has made everything beautiful in its time” (v.11).

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I recognise that God is working in my waiting?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To trust and wait for God who has made everything beautiful in its time Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

Practising Righteousness

FRIDAY 5 June

S CRIPTURE 1 John 3:4-10; Hebrews 10:26-31

O B S E RVAT I O N What are the contrasts between people who live as children of God and those who live as children of the devil?

Deeper Reflection

NE MAJOR CHALLENGE faced by Christian singles is riding the tension of struggling with our sexual desires and walking in obedience to God’s Word. Some people seek to resolve the tension by reinterpreting the Bible through the lens of their self-will, based on the authority of their own desires: Do the Scriptures really say no sex before marriage? Okay, but those passages were written for a specific cultural context in the distant past and therefore no longer apply to today’s culture. Since God has given us these sexual desires, He must want us to be free to express them! Others emphasise exclusively the grace of God: Yes, I know that what I’m doing is wrong, even wilful sin, but God will forgive me since Christ has fully paid the penalty for all my sins. I believe in salvation by grace and trust fully in God’s grace! The latter approach spurns the Son of God, profanes the blood of the covenant and outrages the Spirit of grace and will attract God’s judgment (Heb 10:26-31). God’s children do not make a practice of sinning. How do we avoid gratifying the desires of our flesh? What is the key to obedience amidst real struggles? John Stott encouraged the redirection of our sexual energy.1 John Piper posits that the only way to overcome the allure and gratification of sin is to know God as “the supreme source of satisfaction for the human soul…our pursuit of joy in Him is essential”2. We walk in obedience to God through practical strategies for righteous living and a pursuit of greater joy and satisfaction in God.

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I pursue a greater joy and satisfaction in God and practise righteousness?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To pursue a greater joy and satisfaction in God and practise righteousness Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

John Stott insightfully wrote, “It is possible for human sexual energy to be redirected (“sublimated” would be the Freudian word) both into affectionate relationships with friends of both sexes and into the loving service of others. Multitudes of Christian singles, both men and women, can testify to this. Alongside a natural loneliness, accompanied sometimes by acute pain, we can find joyful self-fulfilment in the self-giving service of God and other people.”: John Stott, The Message of Thessalonians (IVP, 1991), 84-85. 2 https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/christian-hedonism

20 20

The Purpose Driven Life

SATURDAY 6 June

S CRIPTURE Ephesians 2:1-10

O B S E RVAT I O N How has God created us for good works?

Deeper Reflection

ICK WARREN’S BOOK, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold over 30 million copies and been translated into over 85 languages. For over 90 weeks, it remained in the New York Times bestseller. The book was so popular because it spoke to one of the core needs of humanity: purpose in life. To live a fruitful and fulfilled life, we need clarity of purpose. However, for many singles, the longing for a relationship and marriage leaves us with an unfulfilled desire that can obscure our central purpose in life. We might buy into the lie that says we must be married for God to use us, when the truth is God has a purpose for us right now in our singleness.3 Or we might sideline our desire to live a purposeful life for Christ, because we fear missing out on opportunities to find a life partner. Katie McCoy, Assistant Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently spoke empathetically and insightfully about being in an extended period of singleness. She shared from her own experience that when we look at our life from the end back and consider what God is going to do to move the Kingdom impact of our life forward into eternity, we will see our lives and even our longings very differently. We can then come to a place where we say, “I would rather live with an unfulfilled desire than an unfulfilled purpose.”4 Many key figures in Scripture, for example Jeremiah, Daniel, the Lord Jesus Himself and apostle Paul, lived as unmarried persons and their purposeful lives have left their mark for God’s Kingdom into eternity.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N What has God put upon my heart today that I may obey and live my life purposefully?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To live purposefully today and all their days, thus enjoying a fulfilled life that glorifies God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

God has not placed singles on a shelf to wait for them to get married before He uses them. In fact, being single affords us the opportunity to give ourselves more fully to the service of God and people. For example, the late John Stott was mightily used by God as a globally influential Bible teacher, author, pastor and leader. Stott, who chose to remain single his whole life, remarked that he could not have traveled or written as he has done if he had had the responsibilities of family. 4 You can watch her video here: https://erlc.com/resource-library/video-explainers/what-do-those-in-an-extended-season-ofsingleness-want-the-church-to-know

20 20 SUNDAY 7 June

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW 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?

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

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

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JUNE 2020

ON GOD’S TEAM ( 1 )*

Life is better when we share our lives together. Scripture: Acts 2:41-47, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

ACTIVITY BITE Get your family members to sit in a circle. Then blow up a balloon and tap it upwards. Work together to keep it in the air for as long as possible. You can play multiple rounds of this game.

CHAT TIME Q1: How did you feel when everyone worked together on the same task? Q2: In Acts 2:47, God added to the Church every day. Why do you think others wanted to become part of God’s team? Q3: Why is it good to be on God’s team?

LEARNING POINT The believers in Acts 2:41-147 loved being a part of God’s team because they were a great community. They spent time together and took care of each other. Those who were in need felt that they could trust the other believers to be there to help them. They did this because Jesus told them to love one another just as He loved them. When others saw the believers, they wanted what they had − they wanted to be a part of God’s team too. Even thousands of years ago, they recognised that life was better on God’s team!

ACTION POINT Share a personal story with your family that helps them understand why you love being part of God’s team.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray for the Church to continue to love and care for one another, so that others who are not believers will want to know Jesus too. *Adapted from “In God’s Team, https://open.life.church/categories/303-elementary”

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Discipleship of Sexuality

MONDAY 8 June

S CRIPTURE Genesis 1:26-28, 31; Ephesians 1:15-23

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you observe about God’s creation of human sexuality5?

Deeper Reflection

UR CONTEMPORARY CULTURE has been shaped by society’s institutions and icons and the media over the years and has become highly sexualised. It is not that sex is inherently sinful, as some erroneously believe. Sex is good because it is part of God’s “very good” creation (v.31). God did not create sex in order to test our sexual morality. Rather, as with all things God created, sex was intended to glorify Him (Rom 11:36). God created humankind as sexual beings to populate and rule the earth as His image-bearers through the sexual union between a man and his wife (vv.26-28; Gen 2:24) and for the married couple to meet each other’s needs (1 Cor 7:1-5). But after the fall of man (Gen 3), human sexuality was marred and broken. As a result, humankind abused sexuality to serve ourselves, according to our own desires. Christians must not take a self-referencing approach in matters of our sexuality. We can neither sanctify sexual immorality as acceptable to God, nor can we declare unacceptable what God has sanctified in heterosexual union between man and his wife (Heb 13:4; Matt 19:4-6). All of creation, including sexuality, is to come under Christ’s absolute authority (Eph 1:20-23). Bringing our sexuality under the Lordship of Christ – to be governed, guarded and guided by Him – is what the discipleship of sexuality is about. God, in His grace, has by the Holy Spirit regenerated and renewed us through our faith in Jesus Christ (Tit 3:4-7). Therefore, let us come without shame to Christ in our sexual brokenness to seek His healing and power to glorify Him with our lives!

A P P L I C AT I O N How does my own thinking about sexuality differ from God’s Word and how will I live my life to glorify Him?

2020

P R AY E R Eternal God, our human soul and body reflect Your

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

great creativity, wisdom and purpose in creation. Our entire being is meant to glorify You our Creator.

Pray for leaders:

Please help me to be grateful for my sexuality and to steward it for Your glory. May my experience of sexual feelings lead me into

Pray for significant people:

a greater love for You, who love me more than anyone else. May my thoughts and actions reveal a heart

Pray for those in need:

that trusts and obeys You. Through Christ my Lord. Amen. Pray for self:

“Sexuality” has been defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “someone’s ability to experience or express sexual feelings” or “attitudes and activities relating to sex”: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sexuality (accessed 17 Apr 2020).

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Sacredness of Sexuality

TUESDAY 9 June

S CRIPTURE 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Hebrews 13:4

O B S E RVAT I O N What do verses 12 to 20 tell you about your body?

Deeper Reflection

HE WORLD PROMOTES SEX as a pleasurable activity which one has a personal right to freely engage in with whoever one wishes, so long as nobody is harmed: “Enjoy all the sexual pleasures you wish, that is your inalienable right, after all it is your body…just keep sex safe.” This view of human sexuality rejects God as the Creator of human beings and the Giver of life, and consequently the fact that the human body and sexuality are sacred. The devil’s lie is that one can be “safe” in any kind of sexual immorality; but the truth is it goes against God’s will for people and both defiles and damages — spiritually, emotionally and physically — the persons involved. God’s Word says, “The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (v.13b).6 For Christians, your body is a temple of God’s Spirit who indwells you (v.19). You were bought with the price of Christ’s death on the cross from the slave market of sin (v.20a).7 Therefore, glorify God in your body (v.20b). The sexual act is sacred and intended by God for a husband and his wife within the commitment and responsibility of their covenantal marriage relationship. “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Heb 13:4). Sex with a prostitute, with a consensual partner other than your spouse or with an image through the viewing of pornographic material, is sin for which God will judge the sinner. Therefore, let us “flee from sexual immorality” (v.18a).

A P P L I C AT I O N In the area of my sexuality, what do I need to surrender to the Lord and to trust Him for?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To flee from sexual immorality, so as to glorify God in their bodies Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

John Piper shared some insights: “It is easy for Christians to get the reputation that we are against the body, and that God is against the body as though its needs and appetites are evil, and the only thing it’s good for is to get sick with and, as soon as possible, to get shed of. That is not true. The Lord made the body. And the Lord is for the body. To be against the body is to be against the Lord. If you trust him, he will not be against your body, but for it. If we deny the body some craving in this life, it is because we are for it in the next.”: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/you-were-bought-witha-price (accessed 28 Apr 2020). 7 For a helpful and concise article on this topic, see https://www.gty.org/library/Print/Blog/B110406.

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Sexuality and God’s Love

WEDNESDAY 10 June

S CRIPTURE Song of Solomon 2:8-17; 8:6-7; Hosea 2:14-20

O B S E RVAT I O N What common elements do you observe between a couple’s romantic love and God’s love for His people?

Deeper Reflection

HE SONG OF SOLOMON describes the romantic love between a man and a woman.8 Verses 8 to 17 describe the beauty, intimacy and exclusivity of that love. The Greeks call romantic love eros (ἔρως). C. S. Lewis described eros as the state of “being in love”, such that when a man is romantically in love with a woman, he is thinking only about her in particular, not any other woman.9 Eros drives a couple to become jealously exclusive in their relationship, it impassions their promises to each other of faithfulness and unending love. The Song of Solomon provides an authentic picture of the romantic love between a husband and his wife (Song 4:1-5:1). The potential depth and strength of their marital love is described in Song of Solomon 8:6-7 in sublime language: “love is strong as death”, “its flashes are…the very flame of the LORD” and “many waters cannot quench love”. Despite romantic love’s ideals of covenantal faithfulness and unconditional love, it cannot live up to them due to humankind’s fallen nature. However, what is impossible for fallen Man, God is able by His grace and power to make possible. As Christian couples uphold the Lordship of Christ over their romantic love, the Holy Spirit sanctifies them and enables them to grow in God’s love and keep their covenantal promises to each other. Romantic love finds its ultimate fulfilment in God’s unconditional love — the agape love that Jesus has for His beloved Bride, the Church. The glory of romantic love points people to the surpassing glory of God’s unfailing love for His people (Hos 2:19-20).

A P P L I C AT I O N How can my life and marriage (if applicable) better reflect God’s love?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

Pray for the Silver Generation: To reflect God’s love in their lives and marriages (if applicable) Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

8 9

The Song of Solomon is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. The book’s main themes are romantic love and marital love. See: https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-songs/ C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves (Harcourt, Brace & World, 1960), 91, 94.

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Sexuality and the Dating Single

THURSDAY 11 June

S CRIPTURE 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

O B S E RVAT I O N From these verses, what dating principles can you glean that apply to God’s people?

Deeper Reflection

HRISTIAN MEN are to treat all younger women “like sisters, in all purity” (1 Tim 5:1-2). When a Christian man marries a Christian woman, that sister-in-Christ also becomes his wife (1 Cor 9:5). Desiring marriage and getting married is not wrong, though apostle Paul clearly advocated remaining single to avoid the anxieties of married life and to maintain an undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor 7:32-40). If a Christian wants to get married, one is free to choose one’s spouse, but “only in the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39). This means that the spouse must be a believer in Jesus Christ, which is in accordance with God’s will for His people not to intermarry with people of other faiths (vv.14-15).10 Such a conviction is birthed from within when one’s mind is renewed by the Word of God and one chooses the will of God over one’s own will.11 When a Christian decides to date someone, it should be with a view to marriage as a possible outcome. This determines who one dates, what one does on dates and when should the dating period end and why. For dating couples, there will always be the temptation to seek sexual intimacy prior to marriage. In the Bible, “sexual immorality” (Greek porneia) includes premarital sex. As our feelings can override our thinking, we need to prayerfully settle beforehand our convictions regarding marriage and dating. Dating couples need to prayerfully discuss and set up suitable boundaries in order to “abstain from sexual immorality” and to control our bodies “in holiness and honour” (1 Thess 4:3-4), thereby reserving physical intimacy and sexual relations for marriage.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How do my convictions regarding marriage and dating compare with the Bibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teachings?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To understand the needs of singles and the challenges they face Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

10 11

See further: Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Joshua 23:11-13; Ezra 9:1-4; Nehemiah 13:23-27. Cf. King Solomon in 1 Kings 11:1-4. This is a Lordship decision that every adult Christian must make in his or her heart out of trust in and obedience to Christ. God is loving and faithful to us; His will is in our best interests and for our blessing.

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Sexuality and the Married Couple

FRIDAY 12 June

S CRIPTURE Ephesians 5:21-33

O B S E RVAT I O N What should the Christian marriage relationship be like?

Deeper Reflection

MARRIED COUPLE who desires sexual intimacy is seeking that “one flesh” reality (v.31), a oneness that is physical, yet not limited only to that dimension. The married couple will not experience such oneness in a sustained way unless they develop emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy is founded upon the couple’s mutual submission to each other, with an emphasis on the wife’s submission to her husband’s headship (vv.21-24), the husband’s sacrificial love for his wife (vv.25-30, 33) and the wife’s volitional respect for her husband (v.33). To submit, love and respect are choices that they will have to keep making. Fidelity in the marriage relationship reflects the covenant faithfulness of God towards His people, because the marriage relationship, in a mysterious way, symbolises the relationship of Jesus Christ and the Church (v.32). Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is His Bride, and the marriage feast will take place at His return.12 At that time, the Church will be perfected, the marriage will be consummated and the oneness between Christ and His Church will be fully experienced and forever enjoyed.13 Marriage is meant to glorify God. When both spouses make God’s glory through Christ the ultimate goal of their marriage, they will enjoy the benefits of marriage (e.g. companionship, emotional and sexual intimacy, children and family life) for a lifetime. But if God’s glory is not their ultimate goal, the painful frustration of being fallen individuals living in a fallen world will one day overwhelm the couple. Then it is but a natural step to choose divorce as the solution, even though that is never God’s design nor desire for marriage.

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A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways can my marriage (if applicable) better reflect the attributes, beauty and salvation plan of God? Or how can I pray for someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marriage in this regard?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To build healthy and strong marriages that glorify God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

12 13

Revelation 19:5-9. Revelation 21:1-3, 9-11; 22:3-5, 16-17, 20.

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Sexuality and Our Children

SATURDAY 13 June

S CRIPTURE Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 19:4-6

O B S E RVAT I O N How does verse 6 relate to educating our children on sexuality?

Deeper Reflection

OD CREATED SEX as a beautiful, pleasurable gift for procreation and intimacy between a man and his wife. But human sexuality has been corrupted. At the root is a rebellion against God’s authority that underlies His gift of sexuality. One manifestation of that rebellion is the rejection of God’s design for sexual intimacy to be sought only within heterosexual, monogamous marriage (Matt 19:4-6). Another manifestation is the rejection of one’s God-given biological sex. Parents are called as God’s primary agents to train up their children from a young age in the right beliefs and behaviour (v.6), including in the area of sexuality. The desired outcome is that our children enter adulthood with the knowledge and conviction for living godly, wholesome and fulfilled lives that glorify Christ through their sexuality, whether as single or married persons. In our digital world of Internet-connected devices, it is virtually (pun intended!) impossible to protect our children from the destructive sexual messaging of the world. When young children are deprived of reliable information and loving guidance from their parents, they will grow up and enter their teenage years misinformed and misguided by the Internet and their friends. As such, parents should proactively (i.e. take the initiative) and progressively (i.e. with age-appropriateness) expose their children to the world’s corrupted views and ungodly values regarding sexuality, thereby inoculating them.14 At the same time, the parents work on replacing the world’s lies with God’s timeless truths. For teenagers, this is not achieved by force-feeding them with the truth, but rather by engaging them with God’s Word through humble and compassionate sharing, and gracious yet robust discussions.15

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I equip my (or others’) children in the area of sexuality so as to help them live godly, wholesome and fulfilled lives that glorify God?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To be wise and godly spiritual parents to children and young people Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

We hold the view that children from Christian homes should first learn about puberty, pornography, dating, teenage pregnancy, gender identity, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement, the push for gay “marriage”, etc., from their Bible-believing parents, and not from the Internet nor their peers. One useful resource for parents of preteens is “Passport2Purity” by LifeWay Christian Resources. 15 Parents certainly need to (1) prayerfully depend on God for His wisdom and help in equipping their children, and (2) humbly learn from more experienced Christian parents through equipping courses, books and other resources.

20 20 SUNDAY 14 June

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW 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?

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

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

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JUNE 2020

ON GOD’S TEAM ( 2 )*

Players show respect. Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

ACTIVITY BITE Ask your family members to sit in a circle. Get everyone to imagine that they are players in a football game. Have the first person flip a coin. If it’s heads, he or she must share an action that shows respect to the other players. If it’s tails, then it should be a disrespectful action. Then, pass the coin to another person and repeat the activity until everyone has had a turn.

CHAT TIME Q1: Why should we care about showing respect to others? Q2: Why did God use children in Matthew 19:13-15 to teach us about respecting one another? Q3: How can you show respect to someone, even when they don’t respect you?

LEARNING POINT Respect has to do with the way we feel towards others and the way we treat them. The disciples in Matthew 19 felt that children were less important and were not worthy of Jesus’ time and attention. So they tried to chase them away. But Jesus saw them differently. He treated them just as importantly, giving them the respect that adults receive. We respect everyone in the team because they are loved and accepted by God. They are equally important.

ACTION POINT Choose three things that you can do as a family this week as a sign of respect for each other. Whenever someone does something that shows respect, say to him or her, “Thank you for showing respect to the team.”

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for teaching us respect. Pray that God will help everyone learn to stay together as a team that respects each other. *Adapted from “In God’s Team, https://open.life.church/ categories/303-elementary”

Father’s Day W E E K

15–20 June

Flourishing Fatherhood

his week’s Devotional Journal has a special focus for Fathers, since we are celebrating Father’s Day on 21 June 2020. However, the Observation, Deeper Reflection and Application sections are applicable to everyone, both single and married, men and women. Our theme for this week is “Flourishing Fatherhood”. When fathers carry out their fathering roles and functions well, they and their children will flourish. Not only will their families flourish, the society in which they live will also be positively impacted. Fathering and mentoring the next generation are roles that not only biological fathers can do. Single men, married men without children and grandfathers can also be spiritual fathers to the next generation. Of course, in order to be godly fathers and mentors, Christian men must be walking with the Lord and growing in our knowledge of Him and serving Him faithfully in the areas of our spiritual gifts. Then we will have many personal experiences of the Lord and lived-out truths to pass on to those who come after us. Such investments in the lives of younger people over time will bear fruit for the glory of God. It will require our time, lots of prayer and effort and many heartaches, but it will be so worthwhile, because we will be building up God’s people to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Pet 2:9). Day Day Day Day Day Day

1: Healing the Father Wound 2: Giving Solid Identity 3: Providing Strong Security 4: Affirming Every Potential 5: Establishing Moral Authority 6: The Power of Spoken Words

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Healing the Father Wound

MONDAY 15 June

S CRIPTURE Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-17; 17:1-8

O B S E RVAT I O N What impacts you the most regarding what the voice from heaven said about Jesus (v.22; Matt 3:17; 17:5)?

Deeper Reflection

HERE ARE TWO OCCASIONS recorded in the Gospel accounts when God spoke from heaven concerning Jesus. The first was at Jesus’ baptism (Matt 3:17; Mk 1:11; v.22) and the second was at Jesus’ transfiguration (Matt 17:5; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35). The words were very significant and spoken on very significant occasions — the first at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the second towards the end of His ministry, prior to His crucifixion. With these assuring, affirming and empowering words, the Father (1) stated Jesus’ identity as His Son, (2) declared Jesus as His dearly loved and chosen one, (3) affirmed Jesus as the one in whom He takes delight and (4) highlighted Jesus’ authority to speak God’s words. Notice that the Father’s words were first spoken (at the baptism) before Jesus even began His public ministry and again (at the transfiguration) before Jesus had accomplished His mission. The Father heart of God is clearly revealed. The Father assured and affirmed Jesus as He journeyed to the cross to be a sacrifice for sinners. In the same way, earthly fathers (and mothers) should also come alongside their children to speak tender and loving words of assurance and affirmation to them as they walk the journey of life. But some dads (and mums) may have committed sins or mistakes that have caused hurts and wounds in their children’s hearts. If that applies to you, will you be a dad who seeks God’s help to heal “the father wound” and reconcile with your child? Will you be a child who forgives your imperfect dad? Make a decision as we approach Father’s Day.

A P P L I C AT I O N Is there a father wound I have inflicted on my child(ren) or that my dad has inflicted on me? If so, will I seek healing and reconciliation, and what help do I need from God (pray to God regarding this)?

2020

P R AY E R Heavenly Father, You are a perfect Father, so loving,

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

assuring and affirming to me. Thank You for accepting me just as I am and working to transform me. Please heal the

Pray for leaders:

wounds that I have caused (or have been inflicted on me). Please forgive my sins (or help me to forgive my dad’s

Pray for significant people:

sins). I don’t want these to be baggages that we continue to carry from our past into the future. Make us whole again

Pray for those in need:

in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pray for self:

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Giving Solid Identity

TUESDAY 16 June

S CRIPTURE Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-4:1

O B S E RVAT I O N How do you think Jesus felt when He heard the Father’s spoken words (consider the timing of the event: v.23; Matt 4:1)?

Deeper Reflection

S THIS IS THE WEEK leading up to Father’s Day, our devotions will have a special emphasis on the father-child relationship. As far as possible, we have suggested applications that are also suitable for non-fathers. The phrase “that is my son/daughter” is commonly heard from a parent when his or her child emerges as a winner in a competition, scores a distinction in exams, holds a high position in an organisation or achieves some other success in life. Certainly, it is a cause for celebration when our children do well in life. It makes their parents proud to say, “This is my child.” But what if their child fails or does not perform up to their expectations? Would the parents still say proudly, “This is my child”? Herein lies the challenge to dads (and mums). The key to giving your children a solid sense of identity is to assure them that they are your beloved children regardless of performance. Their identity is not dependent on their success. Your assurance of their identity is not pegged to their achievements. Their identity is based solidly on their relationship with you as their parents and ultimately with God as their heavenly Father! When the Father said to Jesus, “You are My beloved Son,…”, it was before Jesus began His ministry (vv.22-23) and accomplished anything pertaining to His mission. The Father’s words were spoken based purely on the love relationship between them. May our earthly children know from the beginning that their identity is based purely on their relationship to their dad (and mum) and that they are loved simply because they are our children.

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A P P L I C AT I O N As an earthly father or spiritual parent, what are the ways that I can strengthen my child(ren)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity in my family or the church family?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To develop strong, loving relationships with their family members Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

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Providing Strong Security

WEDNESDAY 17 June

S CRIPTURE Matthew 3:17; Jude 1:1; 20-25

O B S E RVAT I O N What does it mean to be loved by your parent and how does it feel?

Deeper Reflection

HEN GOD THE FATHER SAID, referring to Jesus, “This is My beloved Son” (v.17; or “This is My Son, whom I love”, NIV), He was declaring Jesus as His Son, the dearly loved and chosen one. Imagine your earthly father putting his arm around your shoulder and saying in front of many people, “This is my son/daughter, whom I dearly love.” How would you feel? Probably, you would feel really good and secure, knowing that your dad loves you. Children need to know their earthly fathers’ love and receive from them emotional security and physical protection. In the security of a dad’s love and acceptance, the child’s soul will sing with joy and he or she can grow to full potential. There is a safe family environment for the child to courageously try, make mistakes, learn, grow and mature. When Jude wrote to Christians, he referred to them as “called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). That description provides God’s children with such a strong sense of security. We are called by God the Father, beloved in Him and kept by God’s power for the day of Christ’s return. While we must depend on God for His protection and strength to persevere to the end (Jude 1:24), we must also be responsible to do our part to build ourselves up in our faith, pray in the Holy Spirit and keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:20-21). This is a true and wholesome balance that also applies to the father-child (and motherchild) relationship. Both the parent and the child have responsibilities for the latter’s ultimate well-being.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How can I better respond to my children (or those belonging to others) when they make mistakes, such that they will feel secure in my love for and acceptance of them?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

Pray for the Silver Generation: To learn to verbally express their love to their children (and grandchildren, if applicable) Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

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Affirming Every Potential

THURSDAY 18 June

S CRIPTURE Titus 3:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

O B S E RVAT I O N Why did God save sinners who lived in rebellious, disobedient and offensive ways (vv.1-7)?

Deeper Reflection

HAT POTENTIAL did God see in people who were rebellious and disobedient towards Him and the governing authorities whom He had appointed, who were proud, arrogant and self-centred, and who treated fellow-human beings without love and respect (vv.1-3)? Why did God save sinners? Why did He make the ultimate sacrifice of His beloved Son for our sake? The answer: God saw us in Christ. Therefore, God saved us in His mercy and justified us by His grace, and made us His children who will inherit eternal life (vv.4-7). God saw the potential of fallen, sinful and broken people when they put their faith in Christ and their lives into His hands. They will undergo a process of transformation and be perfected at the return of Christ. That was how apostle Paul saw the Corinthian Christians. He saw their potential in Christ and not what they were at that time — divisive and sexually immoral (1 Cor 1:10-11; 5:1). He saw clearly that they were recipients of God’s grace in Christ (1 Cor 1:4). Paul saw them as people who were rich in speech, knowledge and spiritual gifts, and who will be found “guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:5-8).16 Can we as parents likewise see our children – whether biological or spiritual — not as what they are now, but what they will be in Christ? Can we therefore affirm them as our beloved children with whom we are well pleased, in whom we delight (Matt 3:17; 17:5)? Can we continually affirm every potential that they have in Christ and faithfully invest our time and effort in them?

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I develop the habit of “catching” my children (biological or spiritual) showing godly character or doing something good, praising them for it and affirming their ability to do even better in future?17

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To relate to people with mercy and grace, so as to encourage them to reach their full potential in life and in God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

16 17

In other words, Paul saw them no longer “according to the flesh”, but as new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:16-17). “Affirmation is much more effective in education than correction”, Cassie Carstens, The World Needs a Father (2016), 189.

20 20

Establishing Moral Authority

FRIDAY 19 June

S CRIPTURE Matthew 17:1-8; John 17:1-21

O B S E RVAT I O N At Jesus’ transfiguration, why do you think the Father said (referring to Jesus) the words “listen to Him”?

Deeper Reflection

T THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION, Jesus’ earthly ministry was approaching its end. After this, He would begin the journey towards Jerusalem where He would suffer at the hands of the Jews and the Roman authorities and then be crucified on a cross at Golgotha. Ever since Jesus started teaching publicly, His hearers “were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mk 1:22; also Matt 7:28-29). Up till Jesus’ transfiguration, His closest disciples Peter, James and John had witnessed the divine authority that He displayed over demons, sicknesses, nature and death. At Jesus’ transfiguration, when the Father spoke from heaven, “listen to Him”, those words were not just for the ears of the three disciples present, but were for all people in all places and at all times who would hear Jesus’ teaching passed down by all His disciples through oral tradition and in subsequent written form (see Jn 17:1-21, especially vv.8, 13-14, 17-21). When people listen to Jesus’ words and believe in Him as the Son of God, they will receive eternal life in His name. Parents must teach their children to submit to their moral authority. Such parental authority is rightful when it is submitted to God’s ultimate authority, that is, the parents teach what God has taught in His Word. But let us as parents teach our children God’s ways not just by what we say, but also by how we live our lives in obedience to Him. When children learn to submit to rightful parental authority, they will be in a better position to submit to God’s authority.

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A P P L I C AT I O N In what area(s) of my life do I need to learn to take God at His Word, that is, believe and obey what He has said (share this with a fellow Christian for accountability and prayer)?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To grow as authentic disciples who love, obey and serve God in sincerity and faithfulness Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

The Power of Spoken Words

SATURDAY 20 June

S CRIPTURE James 3:1-12

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you observe about the power of the tongue, that is, our spoken words?

Deeper Reflection

N THE PAST WEEK, as we approach Father’s Day this Sunday, we have considered the powerful spoken words of God the Father to His beloved Son Jesus — “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3:22). These were words of wonderful assurance, validation and empowerment to our Lord Jesus at the start of His ministry and, subsequently, a second time prior to His journey to Jerusalem and the cross (Matt 17:5). In James chapter 3, we are reminded that the human tongue, though only a small member among our body, can be used as a powerful tool to injure and harm people (vv.8-9). This should not be our practice, instead we should use our spoken words only to bless others (vv.10-12). We need to see people through God’s lenses, that they are made in His image (v.9b) and therefore precious in His sight. This applies to our children and we should speak to them as people made in God’s image, precious to Him and loved by Him. There are many stories revealing the power of parents’ words to either build up their children (e.g. “You trusted me when the rest doubted me”) or break their spirits (“You didn’t affirm me even though the rest said that I was good”). Of course, there are occasions when our children do wrong and need to be corrected and, if necessary, even be punished. However, there are many occasions when they do right, yet as parents we do nothing to affirm and praise them. Let us learn to speak positively to children so that we may build them up in the Lord.

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A P P L I C AT I O N What will I practise differently when speaking to children, whether my own or those belonging to others?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To receive Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wisdom for communications at home, in church and the marketplace Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20 SUNDAY 21 June

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW 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?

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

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

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JUNE 2020

ON GOD’S TEAM ( 3)*

Players do their part. Scripture: Exodus 17:8-13

ACTIVITY BITE Get 20 plastic cups. Ask your family members to stack the cups on top of each other, mouth-to-mouth and bottom-to-bottom, to form a tower. The objective is to stack them up as high as possible without toppling. Get a family member to hold all the cups and pass it to another person to do the stacking, while the rest try to hold onto different parts of the tower to keep it steady.

CHAT TIME Q1: How did it feel when everyone did their part in building the tower? Q2: Why should you want to play your specific part? Q3: How does Exodus 17:8-13 teach us to do our part in carrying out God’s work?

LEARNING POINT Exodus 17:8-13 tells us that if either Moses, Aaron or Hur stopped doing their part, the Israelites would start losing to the enemy. God wants all of us to be a part of His team and He has a specific role for each of us to play. To build His church, we need people like pastors, musicians, worship leaders, small group leaders and Sunday School teachers. If anyone of them do not play their part, the church will not be built properly. We have a part to play in God’s team, so let’s do our part.

ACTION POINT Discuss as a family what each person’s role is in keeping the house neat and clean. Check on each other daily to see if he or she is playing their part.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for making us a part of His team. Pray that everyone will know his or her role in building His church. *Adapted from “In God’s Team, https://open.life.church/ categories/303-elementary”

20 20

Constant Desperation for the Lord

MONDAY 22 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:24-26; Matthew 15:21-23

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make about the Syrophoenician woman seeking Jesus’ help in the two accounts of her story?

Deeper Reflection

AVING A “LITTLE DAUGHTER” possessed by “an unclean spirit” is no small crisis (v.25), which Matthew describes as “cruelly demon-possessed” (Matt 15:22). The “Syrophoenician” mother, “a Gentile” (v.26), must had been overwhelmed by a deep sense of helplessness and hopelessness. But when she heard that Jesus was in Tyre, she “immediately came” to Him to ask Him for deliverance (vv.24-25). Belonging to Tyre was an obstacle to her going to a pious Jew for help. For Tyre had “a long history of antagonism to Israel” and “represented the most extreme expression of paganism”18. Nonetheless, she “fell at His feet” (v.25) – a posture of humble submission. But Jesus “did not answer her a word” (Matt 15:23a). So, she “kept asking Him” (v.26). Jesus’ silence persisted as He kept walking away and her “kept asking” turned into “keeps shouting”, such that Jesus’ disciples suggested rather cruelly, “Send her away!” (Matt 15:23b). Her persistent and intense asking, “Have mercy on me, Lord!” (Matt 15:22), that turned into shouting, showed the depth of her desperation. Do we go to the Lord with such desperation only when we are in deep trouble? Or do we constantly have a spiritual desperation for the Lord regardless of our life situation? If only we reckon how spiritually broken and bankrupt we are.

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A P P L I C AT I O N What is like for me to have spiritual desperation for the Lord regardless of my life situation?

2020

P R AY E R O Lord, as the deer longs for the streams of water, so I

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

long for You. Earnestly I seek You. I thirst for You with my whole being, in a dry and parched land where there is

Pray for leaders:

no water. I bare before You my deep spiritual poverty that needs Your redemptive grace. Nourish my heart with Your living bread, even Your

Pray for significant people:

Word, and revive me by Your living water, even Your Spirit. Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, Apollos, 2002), 217

20 20

Humble Acceptance of God’s Ways

TUESDAY 23 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:24-30

O B S E RVAT I O N What does the dialogue between Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman tell us about her (vv.27-28)?

Deeper Reflection

ESUS BROKE HIS SILENCE to the Syrophoenician woman with words that were insulting and offensive: “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (v.27). “Children” represents Israel, “to whom belongs the adoption as sons” (Rom 9:4; Exo 4:22), and “dogs” represents the Gentiles. Dogs were “associated with uncleanness because they ate garbage, carrion and corpses”19 (Exo 22:31; 1 Kin 21:23), and thus was a “fit description” in Jewish minds for Gentiles who were “regarded as ignorant, godless and pagan idolaters”20. The woman’s response, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs” (v.28), shows “a key requirement for discipleship”: “willingness to humble oneself ”21. She did not take offense or was embittered by the insult.22 She agreed with Jesus, and understood, recognised and accepted that Israel had precedence over the Gentiles: “Let the children be satisfied first.” Her humble willingness to accept the rank of a dog, if it means getting fed only with “crumbs”, shows that she would go to any length to save her little child.23 She humbly appealed to Jesus, knowing that she could not insist on God’s mercy. And she did not get a crumb, but precisely what she had begged from Jesus: “The demon has gone out of your daughter” (vv.29-30).

A P P L I C AT I O N What does it mean for me to humbly accept God’s sovereign ways in my life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To humbly accept God’s sovereign ways in their lives Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, 219 James R. Edwards, 219 David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 1996), 290 22 David E. Garland, 289 23 David E. Garland, 289 20 21

20 20

Divine Stumbling Blocks in Discipleship

WEDNESDAY 24 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:24-30; John 6:52-69

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you learn about Jesus from His insulting and offensive words to the Syrophoenician woman?

Deeper Reflection

OULD JESUS CALL this desperate mother a “dog” – intending it to be insulting and offensive (v.27)? Some attempt to soften Jesus’ words by saying that the “dog” here is not an unkempt street dog, but a small dog kept as a household pet.24 “But a dog is a dog, whether it is a pampered household pet or a street cur.”25 Here we learn something about God and discipleship: Jesus is “deliberately scandalous — throwing stumbling blocks in people’s way”26. When Jesus taught about eating His flesh and drinking His blood as necessary to entering life, the response of “many of His disciples” was: “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” (Jn 6:52-56, 60). And Jesus’ response? “Does this cause you to stumble?” (Jn 6:61). Jesus did not remove or attempt to ease the tension to make it palatable, but left it as it was. The result was: “many of His disciples withdrew and were no longer walking with Him anymore” (Jn 6:66). But those who remained with Jesus saw His stumbling block words as “words of eternal life” (Jn 6:67-68). “One should allow the scandal [v.27] to stand and emphasise that one must overcome the scandal before one can open the door to Jesus for help.”27 God does allow adversity in our lives that may seem to be stumbling blocks to our faith. Or do we trust in the only wise God (Rom 16:27) and see them as building blocks in disguise?

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A P P L I C AT I O N What are the situations in my life that I see as stumbling blocks to my faith in God which I need to learn to view as building blocks in disguise?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

For the Silver Generation: To see adversity as building blocks of their faith Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, 220 David E. Garland, 291 David E. Garland, 293 27 David E. Garland, 293 25 26

20 20

God’s Sovereignty in Delivering Us

THURSDAY 25 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:21-37

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you learn about Jesus from how He delivered the demon-possessed daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (vv.29-30) and healed the hearingand speech-impaired man (vv.32-35)?

Deeper Reflection

HEN JESUS DELIVERED the “cruelly demon-possessed” (Matt 15:22) daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, it was simple and straightforward. He just said to her, “The demon has gone out of your daughter” (v.29), without having to confront the demon directly, as in most cases (Mk 1:21-26, 32-34; 5:1-13). Jesus just spoke about it and it was so (v.30). As for healing the hearing- and speech-impaired man, Jesus took a six-step process. He “put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue” (v.33). Then, He looked up to heaven” (v.34) – a posture of prayer, which “emphasises the difficulty of the miracle”28 (cf. Mk 9:28-29). And what followed was “a deep sigh” (v.34) – a wordless “emotional, prayer-like gesture”29. In situations when we do not know how to pray (Rom 8:26), our prayer could be like the Psalmist’s: “my sighing is not hidden from You” (Psa 38:9). Then, Jesus spoke, “Be opened!” (v.34) and the man was healed (v.35). The Jews considered the spittle of certain persons to have healing power.30 While adopting certain conventions here, Jesus was not using any magical technique.31 It was through His authoritative command: “Be opened!” The Lord is sovereign. In His sovereign freedom, He delivers us according to His sovereign wisdom.

A P P L I C AT I O N What does it mean for me to live my life under God’s sovereign freedom and sovereign wisdom?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To learn to live under God’s sovereign freedom and wisdom Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

David E. Garland, 302 Robert H. Stein, Mark, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker, 2008), 360 James R. Edwards, 225 31 Mark L. Strauss, Mark, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2014), 322 29 30

20 20

Healing of Our Spiritual Deafness

FRIDAY 26 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:14-19, 31-35

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the connection that Mark is making between Jesus’ call, “Listen, all of you, and understand” (v.14) and Jesus’ “putting His fingers into his ear” in healing the hearing- and speech-impaired man (v.33)?

Deeper Reflection

ARK COMMUNICATES his intended messages by the way that he artistically arranged the materials in writing his Gospel. Against the backdrop of His conflict with the religious leaders over the issue of outer cleanness versus inner holiness (Mk 7:1-13), Jesus called the crowd to “Listen to Me…and understand” (v.14). But Jesus’ disciples still could not understand (vv.17-18 – a continuity from Mk 6:52). The key to understanding is: “Listen to Me.” How does this call of Jesus relate to His healing of the hearing- and speech-impaired man (vv.33-35)? One is a problem of physical deafness, the other – behind Jesus’ call – is the problem of spiritual deafness. The theological point is: “The hearing and understanding commanded by Jesus [v.14] are made possible only by Jesus [vv.33-35].”32 Just as the physically deaf person needed the miraculous touch of Jesus for his ears to be opened, so must the ears of Jesus’ disciples in their spiritual deafness. Spiritual deafness is “the spiritual situation of many Christians”33, who let the hurry and bustle of modern life drown out God’s voice.34 Spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness are synonymous (Mk 4:12). How we need to constantly ask God for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” and “the eyes of our heart to be enlightened” to see and know God and grasp the things of God in our discipleship journey (Eph 1:17-18a).

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I guard against spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness in my life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To be kept from spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

32 33 34

James R. Edwards, 227 David E. Garland, 301 David E. Garland, 302

20 20

“He Wanted No One to Know”

SATURDAY 27 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 7:24-37

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus’ one similar conscious act on three different occasions (vv.24, 33, 36) in the immediate context of verses 24 to 37?

Deeper Reflection

ARK WROTE of one similar conscious and deliberate act of Jesus on three different occasions in the immediate context: When He came to Tyre, “He wanted no one to know” (v.24); in healing the hearing- and speech-impaired man, He “took him aside from the crowd” (v.33); and after healing the hearing- and speechimpaired man, “He gave them orders not to tell anyone” (v.36). Jesus took the hearing- and speech-impaired man away from the crowd, because He did not intend for His healing activity to become a miracle show, a spectator event.35 Jesus had no desire for personal glory and He shunned self-promotion.36 Here the “contrast with modern faith healers who intentionally assemble a crowd to watch them heal others is striking”37. We should always ask ourselves whether we do ministry to draw attention to ourselves and win publicity for ourselves or to do good to others. And with regard to our spirituality, it is easy for us to seek to be “noticed by men” and “honoured by men” (Matt 6:1-2). Jesus calls that hypocrisy. So, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt 6:3). As for ministry, let us define it Christocentrically as Paul did: “What we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5).

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I keep myself from being self-oriented in my spirituality and ministry?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To live by the “He must increase; I must decrease”38 mindset Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

David E. Garland, 298, 301 David E. Garland, 298, 301 David E. Garland, 301 38 John 3:30 36 37

20 20 SUNDAY 28 June

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW 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?

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

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

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JUNE 2020

ON GOD’S TEAM (4 )*

Players don’t quit. Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-16

ACTIVITY BITE Play the stack-up cup game from week 3’s Family Devotional Activity Bite. Try to stack the 20 plastic cups as high as you can, but this time, do it alone, without anyone helping you to hold up the cup tower. Your family members are only allowed to watch and cheer you along. Once the cups topple, you must start again.

CHAT TIME Q1: How did it feel to do it alone? Q2: According to Nehemiah 6:1-16, how does it affect others when we choose to quit? Q3: Why is it important not to quit, even when things are hard?

LEARNING POINT In the wall-building story in Nehemiah 6, the Israelites faced many obstacles and struggles from those who opposed them. If they had quit, the wall would not have been completed. In life we will face many struggles, such as being in a tough football match. In such challenging times, we may be tempted to say, “I quit!” But if we quit, it will cause other teammates to be discouraged, or worse, cause the team to lose the game. God will never quit on us. He will strengthen us so that we can continue on even when the situation is tough. So, don’t quit on your team because we have a God who is there for us.

ACTION POINT Share with your family about an incident or task you feel like quitting. Ask them to do or say something to encourage you not to quit.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for not quitting on us. Pray for Him to help us in difficult times, so that we will finish the task and not quit. *Adapted from “In God’s Team, https://open.life.church/ categories/303-elementary”

20 20

The Lord Feels for Us

MONDAY 29 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 8:1-3

O B S E RVAT I O N What can you learn about Jesus’ compassion?

Deeper Reflection

LARGE CROWD had been with Jesus for “three days” listening to His teaching, and by the third day they were hungry and “had nothing to eat” (vv.1-2). The reason for their condition was not economic, but circumstantial. They did not expect to spend three days with Jesus and so by then “their provisions have been exhausted”39. Jesus saw that they “have been weakened through hunger”40 and He knew that “If I send them away hungry to their homes [to eat] they will faint on the way” (v.3). Jesus did not say to the hungry people, “Hey, guys, it’s only three days! I had ever gone without food for 40 days.41 Three days are nothing by comparison. You have still a long way to go. If I can do it, so can you!” This is not what Jesus means by following Him. Jesus knows that we follow Him with our human limitations and weaknesses. After all, as God-man living on earth, He Himself was subject to being tired (Jn 4:6) and troubled (Jn 12:37). Jesus is not an insensitive and inconsiderate leader: “I feel compassion for the people” (v.2). It seems reasonable to feel compassion over an economic plight. But over a situational need of just three days without food? Not so with Jesus. Such is the extent and depth of Jesus’ compassion. Follow Jesus. Lead like Jesus.

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A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways do I need to learn and grow to be compassionate like Jesus?

2020

P R AY E R God of everlasting steadfast love, You are a God who

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

has compassion on me. Even when You judge in Your righteousness and justice, Your last word is not

Pray for leaders:

judgment, but restoration with great compassion.42 You are a God to whom mercy triumphs over

Pray for significant people:

judgment. Help me to truly 43

know the depth of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compassion, that I may be compassionate like Him.

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1974), 273 William L. Lane, 273 Matthew 4:2 42 Isaiah 54:7-8 43 James 2:13 40 41

20 20

Divine Design of Christian Ministry

TUESDAY 30 June

S CRIPTURE Mark 8:1-10; 6:34-44

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make from the two stories of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the hungry crowd in Mark?

Deeper Reflection

T THE INCIDENT of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000, it was the disciples who brought to Jesus’ attention the problem, and Jesus’ response was: “You give them something to eat” (Mk 6:35-37). But in the second incident — the feeding of the 4,000 (vv.1-10) – it was Jesus who brought to His disciples’ attention to the problem (vv.2-3). While it is not mentioned, we can assume here that Jesus had the same intention as previously: “You give them something to eat” (Mk 6:37). Jesus meant it. For He was preparing them for ministry and was teaching them the divine design of Christian ministry — as aptly defined by the late Warren Wiersbe: “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”44 In both instances, it was beyond the disciples’ ability to meet the needs of the people. Jesus knew it. And He intends Christian ministry to always be this way. The resources for ministry are always divine, never human. But in both instances, Jesus asked the disciples the same question: “How many loaves do you have?” (Mk 6:38; 8:5). In ministry, we commit to God what we have, which are given by Him (1 Cor 4:7) and let Him – from whom and through whom and to whom are all things (Rom 11:36) — work through us to His glory (vv.6-8). “Our adequacy is from God” and never “in ourselves” (2 Cor 3:5).

A P P L I C AT I O N How do I respond to the Lord’s question to me, “How many loaves do you have?”

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To be trustworthy stewards of what God has given Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Warren W. Wiersbe, On Being a Servant of God (Baker, 1993), 3