Understanding Hospitality

Being an introvert, I often find socializing and entertaining guests a struggle.  I often convince myself that I am not gifted in this area and it is ok to leave it to the more extroverted members of the group, while I focus on what I am good in. This module has challenge me to move out of my comfort zone to change my mindset in making our guests and visitors feel welcome.  I realize that I should extend hospitality not as a must-do action, but that it is the duty of a believer to extend hospitality, as taught in 1 Peter 4:9. Not only that, I must do it cheerfully and willingly, without grumbling. Through this module, I realized that hospitality is a duty of every believer as we are told to practice hospitality in Roman 12:13. Since this realization, I have started to make a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone to connect with people in my group, regardless of whether they are strangers or people I know or am comfortable with.  

One idea I find useful in this module is that as a teacher and lecturer, I am often overly concerned that my students understand my lessons and whether they can apply it. This module helped me to recognize the importance of being hospitable to my students in their learning journey. From the readings and lectures in this class, I now understand that it is important to ensure that my students not only understand the lesson, but also develop an interest in or love for the topic. Knowing this, I will put in effort to allow my students to take their time to make connections  with the subject (like getting to know a friend) so that they can find meaning in what they are learning, rather than try to force the knowledge down their throats just to fulfill the lesson plans. 

One lesson, I will keep for life is the lecture on "propempo".  I never understood hospitality in the way that it was taught in class and how it was practiced in the New Testament. In the past, I gauged how good I was as a host based on how well I could take care of my guests during their visits. Now I know that hospitality begins the moment we receive the guest and ends only after we they have reached their "next destination". In the context of visitors in a cell group, the hospitality is not confined to cell meetings, but in church and even wherever we meet. This hospitality should be consistently extended to visitors until they are so comfortable with the body of believers that they no longer see themselves as outsiders. When they reach this stage, they would have reached their "next destination".

David's Reflections on New Testament Foundations

I was looking forward to this module as I missed taking it last term due to a leg surgery. I find the first lesson particularly interesting and enriching. The political history taught in class made the New Testament come alive for me, and helped me to understand the Bible so much better.

Peace and Fear
I am particularly interested in the Herod Family. Before I attended this module, I used to be quite confused by the different Herods mentioned in the Bible. During the last two weeks, I was glad that Brother Casey managed to differentiate them for me. Although I visited Israel in 2014, I was not aware that many of the buildings and structures were built by Herod the Great. I was amazed at how insecure King Herod the Great was. I found it hard to comprehend how a man could bear to kill his own children, especially the woman whom he loved dearly, because of insecurity.  With all the money and power he had, he was not able to obtain peace and trust. Sitting there listening to his story, I could not help but feel sorry for him and his loved ones. Although he was in a sense a king, I feel that he was more a slave to fear and insecurity.

The lecture on Herod the Great reminded me that I should not hold on to worldly gains (wealth, recognition, status, etc) too tightly. Otherwise, I will be fearful of losing them. This can create tension in my relationship with others due to our insecurity and fear. The story of King Herod reminded me of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19 – 21, when we were told not to store our treasures on earth as it will not last forever. We should instead do what Matthew 20 says, which is to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in”.

Group Project
I enjoyed working in the project group as I got to know my course mates better. The team spirit in working together for a common goal gave me a sense of belonging. It also allowed me to discover some of their strengths, which would have been hard to identify if we did not have any chance to collaborate. For example, I am surprised that one of my teammates can compose songs, while others can act really well. The laughter and jokes made learning enjoyable and meaningful.  I enjoyed Team B’s role play very much. It really helped me to understand the life of slaves in the Greco-Roman society so much better.

Rabbi
I found it interesting that during the New Testament period, a person needed to apply to be accepted as a disciple of a Rabbi. I was also touched when it was highlighted during one of the lectures that Jesus, unlike the Rabbi in the New Testament, was a teacher who showed empathy. He inspired, spoke with authority, used language that the common people could understand, and reached out to others. I am so glad that Jesus is my God and Savior. The more I reflected on the lecture on Jesus as a Rabbi, the more my love for Jesus grew. I am grateful that not only am I serving a loving God, the God that I serve treats me as a personal friend, and would always reach out to me whenever I am lost. I love Jesus because of the way He loves me.

Class Sharing
For me, learning does not come from the lectures alone, but also from the sharing sessions during class. Although Nicholas was from the same church as me, I only met him once and I was happy to see him in the same class. It was through his testimony on how he came to know Christ that made me understand him better. His testimony not only shows God’s mercy and love, but also that we have a God who is ready to forgive and transform anyone who willingly submits to Him. Peter’s sharing of his family experience with their domestic helpers was interesting, and it made me appreciate my domestic helper, who has worked for me for more than 20 years, more. I was reminded to treasure the great service she renders to my family and thank God for His mercy and grace in providing a responsible helper when we needed one most, and for so many years.

In conclusion, this is my second block class. I look forward to all the lessons and enjoy the knowledge gained.  Having been through my first block class last term, I am more prepared to work faster, and to finish my assignment in short timelines. I find that I can better manage my time this round. Although I still feel the stress of the assignment deadlines. I enjoyed learning together with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, in a relaxing learning environment.