DVBS 2024 (to be held 27-29 Nov) is just around the corner, and we’re thrilled to host an exciting and enriching vacation programme designed to help our children grow strong in their understanding of the Gospel and Scriptural truths of our Lord Jesus Christ. With only two weeks to go, it is high time for you to invite and register children for DVBS 2024, which is an excellent opportunity to let them hear and learn of the Biblical promise of “Joy Unspeakable”!

DVBS’s Theme: “Joy Unspeakable”!

In recent years, an increasing concern about the mental health of children and youths in Singapore has been reported. A report in 2020 read: “In just under three years, there has been a fivefold increase in the number of children between the ages of five and nine calling in to their (IMH’s) hotline to seek help.”¹  Another very recent report mentioned: “A significant proportion of youth in Singapore has experienced severe or very severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, the first nationwide survey on youth mental health by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) found. Nearly a third of young people aged 15 to 35 reported symptoms that included feeling empty, tense or upset most of the time, according to the National Youth Mental Health Study.” 

Our children need to know how they can be joyous amidst life’s complex and challenging experiences. There is nothing more vital than that they grow with ‘joy unspeakable’ that God alone provides. Let us pray and bring our children to grow in a close, joyful relationship with God, which He offers to all who come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all who trust in Him.

No level of academic excellence, worldly achievements, comfort, wealth, luxury, entertainment, or recreation can free our children and youth from the grip of sin and its resulting guilt, frustration, fear, and sorrow. Only a life grounded in God’s truth offers true liberation from these burdens. Only when our children grow with the assurance of salvation and a loving relationship with God can they be strong and tenacious overcomers of sin and the trials of this life.

The words of Scripture testify of the divine, supreme, unmitigated joy that God gives to all, both young and old, who trust and walk obediently with Him.  

• Jesus promises, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
• The apostle Paul testifies in Romans 15:13 – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”; and in Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith”.
• The apostle Peter affirms the early Christians’ experience: “Whom (Jesus) having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
• The ancient saints of the Old Testament also spoke of the exuberant, divine joy they enjoyed: 
• “Thou hast put gladness (joy) in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased” (Psalm 4:7); 
• “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11); 
• A forgiven sinner said, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5); 
• “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).

When Peter wrote about “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8), he was talking about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, even though we can’t see Him with our eyes. Although we haven’t seen Jesus face-to-face, we believe in Him wholeheartedly. We know He loves us, saves us from our sins, and is always with us, no matter where or what we go through. This faith in Jesus brings a joy that is so deep; nothing else in the world can compare to it!

When we love and follow Jesus, His Spirit lives in our hearts and fills us with His joy. This joy shines through us like a light in the darkness, showing others that God is real and His love is incredible. It is the kind of joy we desire for our children and youth as they grow immersed in God’s Word, devoted to prayer, consecrated to His praise, and serving others according to His will.

The teachers of God’s Word in the DVBS will explain to children how to experience “Joy Unspeakable”, and how to “Overcome Sadness” through stories of God’s saints in the Bible. Please pray for the teachers of God’s Word to the children during the DVBS to be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to them effectively.

DVBS’s Activities

The Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) has been planning and actively working for several months to organise DVBS 2024. The programmes are designed for children to explore Biblical truths in an engaging and interactive way. They will include a unique blend of creative lessons, singing of spiritual songs, fun activities and meaningful fellowship to help children grow in their faith and build friendships.

Please pray for and cooperate with the GCM committee, that their efforts to nurture our children in a joyful relationship with God may be fruitful.

¹ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/1-3-adolescents-depression-anxiety-only-1-10-parents-spot-symptoms

² https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/depression-anxiety-stress-1-in-3-youth-in-s-pore-had-had-very-poor-mental-health-says-imh-survey

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Psalm 34:11). It is a divine mandate to teach our children the Word of God with all dedication. As a church, we prayerfully commit ourselves to making every effort to teach our children to fear the Lord and walk in His ways. May God be pleased to bless our efforts at home and in the church to nurture our children in the Lord. 

Daily Vacation Bible School, held a week ago (29 Nov - 01 Dec 2023), has been a joyful and blessed event for about 45 children who gathered. They were nourished in the Gospel truths through the Bible lessons, spiritual songs and other activities prepared for them. Many brothers and sisters co-laboured with the GCM committee. The GCM Committee’s meticulous efforts in organising this event are praiseworthy. Our preachers, together with other GCM teachers, laboured to bring the Word of God to the children. We also rejoice in the labour of many in various areas – transportation, refreshments and meals, art and craft, singing, media presentations, etc. – for the smooth and efficient running of the DVBS. We also thank God that through this event, we could reach children from outside our church with the Gospel. May the Spirit of God work in the children’s hearts to grant them regeneration and sanctification through His Word which they heard in the DVBS. 

Annabelle’s Testimony

Psalm 100:1, 3 – “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands... Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

I thank God for another opportunity to attend DVBS, with the theme for 2023 as: “Be Strong in the Lord”. I wish to testify of God’s goodness towards me through the lessons I learnt from our preachers. 

On Day 1, in the morning session (taught by Pr Kelvin Lim), the main focus was on the words, “Finally, my brethren” in Ephesians 6:10. They remind us that God has saved us and called us out of sin. Therefore, we can call one another brothers and sisters in Christ. We also have a unique relationship with God, whereby we can be strengthened in Him. 

In the afternoon session, Pr Ho taught us from Matthew 13:1-8 on the Parable of the Sower. Jesus taught by the seashore, and told the people a parable of a sower who sowed seeds on a farm. Some seeds fell on the wayside, and the birds came and ate them up. Some fell onto the stony places where there was not much water and minerals. When the sun rose, the plants’ roots died because it was too hot for them. Other seeds fell among the thorns, and when the plants grew, the thorns choked them until they died. But the seeds which fell on the good ground bore fruit. The seed represents God’s Word, and the grounds represent the hearers’ hearts. The wayside refers to people whose heart is hardened, while the birds represent the devil. The stony places refer to people who have a shallow response to God’s Word. They are very excited to hear the Word of God, but they have no interest in God controlling their hearts wholly. When they are under pressure, they give up. The thorny places represent those who are over-worried and too concerned about things in this world that their interest in God’s Word dies off. The good ground denotes those who hear God’s Word with a receptive heart and, hence, are enlightened by it. From this parable, I learnt that we must fight sin and not let sin control us. We must not be overly worried about the world, but we must be concerned about the things of God (because He will provide for all our needs). We must ask ourselves 2 questions: 1) Do we have time for God? 2) How do we accept God’s Word? Let us put aside time for God and accept His Word wholeheartedly. 

On Day 2 (morning), I learnt from Pr Kelvin that the phrase, “Be Strong in the Lord”, is a command to be strong in the Lord, resist temptation, read the Bible and pray. “Be Strong in the Lord” also involves a combat. We must put on the whole armour of God so that we can withstand in the evil day and prepare for the spiritual battle. God gave His children a command to combat the evilness of their day. In the afternoon session, Pr Jeremiah taught us the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (from Matthew 13:24-30, 34-43). In this parable, a sower sowed good seeds in the field. While people were sleeping, his enemy sowed tares among the wheat. In due time, both wheat and tares sprung up. The servants of the sower were very curious about where the tares came from. The sower explained that an enemy had secretly sown the tares. The servants then asked whether to pluck out the tares. The sower said no because they might accidentally pluck out the wheat. Instead, they should only gather the tares at harvest time to burn them up. The sower is Jesus, while the good seeds are Christians. The field is the world, the enemy is the devil, and the tares are ungodly people. From this parable, I learnt that when Jesus Christ returns, He will separate the godly from the ungodly. He will judge the ungodly, and will no more show them grace and mercy. There will be punishment, judgment and hellfire for eternity. God gives us chances to repent. When we do something wrong, we must repent quickly. 

In the morning of Day 3, Pr Kelvin gave us 3 points to remember the DVBS theme. First, I learnt that “Be Strong in the Lord” is to make Christ known (Ephesians 6:19), and to make known the truth about the Gospel. The truth of the Gospel is the greatest knowledge that anyone can have. Second, it is for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:20; Romans 1:16). We must not be ashamed to stand up for Jesus, as it is the divine duty of Christians to speak a word for Christ. Third, it is for the praying for the saints regarding the work of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:18), so that more souls can be added to heaven. In the last session, Pr Samson taught us from Matthew 13:47-52 on the Parable of the Dragnet. This parable is about a fishing net that was used in the olden days (still in use today). The dragnet is a gigantic net that is pulled by the boats and is used to catch fish. The fishermen would bring the net to the shore when the net was full. Not every fish they caught was good, as there were also other sea creatures like squid, prawns, and even much dirt! The good would be separated from the bad. If you repent of your sins and believe in the Lord, you are the good fish. Those who believe in Christ will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34). Those who reject God will be thrown into the fire (Matthew 25:41). We have to repent now (Matthew 4:17)! Jesus is coming soon! 

I look forward to DVBS 2024, and pray for more children to join us for a blessed time of spiritual nourishment, God willing!

Teaching Children God's Word

For more than three decades, our church has been organising the yearly Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS), with two primary goals – (i) salvation of children, and (ii) spiritual nurture of the believing children. The best way to achieve this goal is to teach the truths of Holy Scripture to children with love, faithfulness and fervour. 

The importance of teaching children God’s Word is repeatedly emphasised in Scripture. One biblical passage that testifies to the necessity and urgency of teaching children God’s truth is 2 Timothy 3:15, where Paul powerfully (though very briefly) narrates Timothy’s salvation and spiritual nurture from his childhood. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The Greek word for “child” (bréphos), used by Paul, denotes “infants” or “babes”. So, at a very early stage of childhood, Timothy was being instructed in the Scriptures. It is such early, sustained instruction of the Word that granted Timothy the biblical wisdom of salvation to put his faith in Christ. 

Such a clear biblical admonition and example must surely instil in us the earnestness to teach our children both at home and in the church. We covet all the church members to pray for and participate in bringing children to the upcoming DVBS. Parents must not let this opportunity slip by. This is more important than all other educational and leisure activities. I urge all the members and friends of the church to invite and bring children to the DVBS. Please do not delay any further. 

Let us pray for all our preachers and sisters, who are involved in the DVBS as teachers of God’s Word to the children. Let us also uphold the Children’s Ministry Committee members who have laboured in organising this event for the spiritual benefit of our children. Praying for all serving and contributing to this particular programme is a great need. “Brethren,” as Paul said, “pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess 3:1).

Updates from Gethsemane BPC, Cebu

Dear Pastor,

Greetings to you in our Lord’s most blessed Name! I am writing this email to share with you some updates from our side.

Last week, we had a long holiday here in the Philippines. On October 30, we had the Barangay Elections, and then Oct 31 was declared a holiday in view of the “All Saints’ Day” and “All Souls’ Day” on November 1 and 2, respectively. It somehow gave us the opportunity to spend some profitable time with our families and loved ones, especially the opportunity to share with them the truth about the commonly practised observance of holidays by the Roman Catholics. I thank God also for the time to reconnect with my siblings as they came over during the holidays…

By God’s grace, we are pressing on in the work of the ministry. Thank God for the completion of the repair works at the Care Ministry. Praise God for the labours of our Care Ministry brothers in assisting the carpenter that we had commissioned for the job. We hired only one carpenter to save on the cost of labour, and he was assisted by all our Care brothers under the supervision of Dn Samuel Mingo. I have some photos to share with you.

As to the Sae Young property, the Korean owner arrived around the third week of October but has gone back again to Korea, as what we learned is that she is undergoing treatment. The agent told us that she was not in favour of our offer for the property.

Also, I would like to inform you that Rev. Lagapa has invited us (Rev. Donald, Eld. Eli, Pr Edsel and myself) to attend the Bible Conference to be held in Bukidnon on December 4-6 with the theme: “The Reformed and Premillennial Faith”, with Dr Jeffrey Khoo as the speaker. Rev. Donald and I will share God’s Word in the morning devotions while Eld. Eli and Pr Edsel will facilitate some activities planned.

We are now in the month of November, barely 2 months to the combined Youth and Bible Witness retreat. We have been in prayer as we look forward to your and the brethren’s coming, looking forward to a blessed time of hearing and learning God’s Word, as well as a time to fellowship among brethren.

We are in constant communication with Dn Norefel, trying as much as possible to assist and facilitate the ongoing preparations, particularly in the transport arrangement among others. Thank God for the opportunity to co-labour with all of you in this special activity.

On behalf of the church and my family, thank you for your prayers and support. Please do extend our greetings to your family and the church. Thank you!

Respectfully,
Rev. Reggor

(In view of this week's DVBS for children)

Though most Christian parents understand that parental guidance and nurture are instrumental in shaping their children’s future, many fail to give their children’s spiritual nurture the predominant place Scripture demands. Generally, parents are distracted from that primary duty by their overriding anxiety concerning children’s secular education and material success. Hence, children’s spiritual education and success have often been set aside. This is a very lamentable situation.

The Holy Scriptures repeatedly insist on the importance of spiritual nurture by believing parents (cf. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; Psalm 78:3-6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15). The hopes of the present generation and the next hang upon this most important rule – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Charles Bridges (1794-1869), a great biblical scholar and churchman, commented thus on the importance of spiritual nurture of children: “… the religious training must not be the border of the garment, which might easily be cut off. It must be the pervading substance throughout. Begin, as Hannah did, with the dedication of the child to God (1 Samuel 1:28). This done – train him as God’s child, entrusted to your care. Ask guidance from day to day – ‘How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?’ (Judges 13:12). Train him, as a baptised child, in the principles of his baptismal engagements. Pray for him. Teach him to pray. Instruct him from a child in the Holy Scriptures, as the sole rule of faith, and directory of conduct.”

To this end, we regularly hold special Bible programmes for our children. Pray for the blessings of DVBS (30 Nov–2 Dec 2022) that the Word of God will effectively work in our children for their salvation and spiritual growth. May the entire church be in prayer for the DVBS. Please attend this week’s prayer meeting, which will be specially devoted to praying for the DVBS. May the Lord strengthen and bless all who serve in the DVBS with zeal and dedication.

A Biblical Advice to Parents

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).
The advice given here for “fathers” is also for “mothers”, as the Greek word patēr is also translated as “parents” elsewhere in our English Bible (Hebrews 11:23). What is said here should be received by all who are parents.

All parents are commanded not to provoke their children lest they be discouraged. They should immediately refrain from any attitude, word or action that would cause irritation and emotional outburst. They must also be careful not to cause discouragement in the children. Parents must spend time daily with their children, instructing, teaching, correcting, encouraging and even entertaining them. They must make every effort to point children to Christ and His will.

The following unwise actions, which can cause severe provocation in children, should be carefully avoided by parents:

• Too much prohibition or overprotection. This will show up their little trust in their children and deprive the latter of liberty. It can lead to frustration and rebellion. So, give them the necessary freedom and encourage them to be responsible.
• Favouritism and unreasonable comparisons with other children. This can lead to unhappiness and disappointment. Do not condemn the child for not being like other children. Parents must accept every child as he is, and instruct him accordingly.
• Belittling children for their weaknesses. This will dishearten them.
• Being too difficult to please and over-exacting. This will also lead to provocation and disappointment in children. Parents must be mindful to avoid being critical all the time. Instead, make every effort to create a positive, even an uplifting and encouraging, environment.
• Being too quick to judge. This can result in false accusation and produce much displeasure in children. So, do not be hasty in rebuking children.
• Being violent with words and actions. This will cause children to feel oppressed and distressed. Sure, when the children err, they must be rebuked and corrected. The rod of correction may at times be necessary, yet it must be used with discretion and love (cf. Proverbs 13:24; 23:13, 14; 17:10). The rod must not be used to ventilate anger or to exact revenge.

As a pastor, I am very thankful to God whenever I notice the presence of children in the church. To see them sitting on the front rows of chairs on the Lord’s Day at our worship services, or on Tuesday nights for our Bible study-cum-prayer meeting, always brings a surge of joy to my heart. How pleasing is their singing of hymns! They are ever eager to sing their choices of songs with the congregation. Their close proximity to the pulpit further gives me the pleasure of hearing their enthusiastic singing. I rejoice when they hurriedly come to join me to pray. I also thank the Lord that they listen to the preaching of the Word attentively. Whether it be on the Lord’s Day or other days, it is wonderful to see many parents making every effort to bring their children along to the Lord’s house.

“Forbid Not Little Children to Come!”

Nonetheless, I am also concerned that some other children are afforded very few opportunities to come to church by their parents. Fathers and mothers, it is your God-given duty to provide as many opportunities as possible for your children to be involved in the church activities. Do not let your undue concern for their secular education and other activities deprive these young precious souls of their great need for spiritual nurture.

Parents, have mercy on the souls of your children! They may be little ones, but they are precious immortal souls. The care for their souls must far exceed the care for their mortal bodies! Have compassion on the poor souls of your “heritage of the LORD” (Psalm 127:3a)! Your vulnerable kids are day by day being sucked into the “miry pit” of anxiety for worldly success. Beware, for the world is relentlessly seeking to ensnare their souls! No God-honouring Christian parent can afford to be slack in ensuring that his or her children are nurtured in the most excellent Christian environment. Christian children’s participation in the church activities is far more important than their involvement in their school or other extra-curricular activities. If you only care for their earthly success, you are being downright irresponsible in your God-given task to nurture their souls!

Make Provision for Little Children to Come!

By way of testimony, from my experience of bringing up three children together with my beloved wife, and having given over twenty years of my efforts to the pastoral supervision of the children in our church, I can sincerely and candidly vouch that nothing is more helpful and profitable for the nurture of Christian children than providing them with maximum (not minimum or occasional) opportunity to participate in the soul-nurturing activities of the church. Whether they be worship services, prayer meetings, children’s programmes, evangelism sessions, camps or retreats, let us not undervalue their great profitability in the nurture and protection of our children’s souls.

Regular participation in church events with children would mean concerted discipline and commitment on the parents’ part. Notwithstanding all the troubles of taking them to church activities, you would have done the most vital duty of guarding and guiding your children’s souls. Please do not fear or give in to weariness. The troubles that you bear to ensure the spiritual nurture and fortification of your children’s souls will not be in vain. With much prayer and thanksgiving, make every effort to bring your children to the church activities. Just as Jesus admonishes us, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

As a parting shot, Christian parents and all those who labour in the children’s ministry ought also to pray earnestly for the children’s repentance, salvation, spiritual growth, fruitfulness, etc., for they are dealing with precious immortal souls. Children are priceless in the sight of our Saviour. Their salvation and sanctification are His concern; so should they be the concern of everyone who ministers to them on Christ’s behalf. After all, Jesus specifically says, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15b)!

Children in the Home

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).
God commands us on our proper conduct towards our dear ones in the family. God is insistent on how His children would regard and relate to one another in the home. All our family relationships are to be managed and nurtured according to the divine guidelines given in His Word. If we truly fear God and maintain a life of piety, then it ought to be seen in our conduct at home, in our relationships to our parents, our children, our spouses, our siblings and our other relatives.

Christian children are commanded to obey their parents. This command to obey requires that children show respect to their fathers and mothers. Holy Scripture repeatedly enjoins children to “Honour thy father and mother” (Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:2). Children owe their parents an inward affection and regard. They must cultivate a courteous, respectful attitude towards their parents, and honour their parents with tokens of respect.

Even when children are grown up and their parents become aged, love and respect towards parents should continue. Proverbs 23:22 admonishes us, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” Likewise, Proverbs 19:26 cautions, “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.” Let no Christian ever be disrespectful to their aged and needy parents. When parents grow weak and frail, when they become helpless, or somewhat burdensome, we must shower them with tenderness, love and respect. Let us recall all their efforts and good advice they have rendered to bring us up, and show our thankfulness through our deeds of kindness and respect. Some parents might have failed in their parental duties; yet, Christians are duty-bound to show respect and care towards them at all times.

Younger children and youths are to obey their parents “in all things”. Their attitude of obedience must be shown in all aspects of life. Only when the parents’ instructions are contrary to God’s Word are children allowed to disagree with their parents. Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Obeying parents in the Lord is the right thing to do and is well pleasing unto the Lord.