This Month’s Theme:
Why We Believe What We Believe

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16

Wonderful things coming out of the Bible

Reflection

My understanding of the world and actions are profoundly shaped by my beliefs, which are rooted in God’s Word.

Through the teachings of the Bible, I gain insight into God’s love, His redemptive power, and His ability to transform weaknesses into strengths. My beliefs have also enabled me to see my true value in God, despite my weaknesses and shortcomings. In God’s eyes, I am a beloved creation, uniquely gifted, and capable of making a positive impact in this world and in the lives of others.

And when I surrender my weaknesses and limitations to God, I discover a sense of empowerment and purpose. Rooting my beliefs in God’s Word has enriched my life, and my actions reflect the transformative power of His truth.

– Taren Chan

Join in the Conversation

We love those epic adventure stories where the hero overcomes every obstacle and reaches their end goal. What’s amazing is we live in the same kind of story where things will end well, because the hero—not us, but God—will absolutely prevail. 

Though the road ahead is paved with obstacles and dangers, nothing is too hard for our God to handle. He is our ultimate Defender who helps us and carries us through this journey.

Importantly, God has given us His Book of Law so we can follow Him closely. This isn’t just some rulebook that offers step-by-step instruction. It contains truths for us to rehearse to ourselves, to inject our hearts with courage for each day. When we do so, we can choose to not be afraid of our future, remembering that He watches over those who trust in Him.

Topics to Explore

Reason for your hope

  • X ways my life is similar to/different from my non-Christian friends
  • X ways to cling onto hope in a sea of uncertainty/X reasons I can have hope even though things are uncertain around me
  • My life changed when I accepted Christ (I am now filled with more hope/better able to handle stressors of life/have found love and acceptance)
  • How my faith/hope was renewed the day God came through for me

Always be prepared to answer, with gentleness and respect

  • Can we be prosperous and successful and still be considered faithful?
  • X ways to use our successes to bless others
  • What I’m learning about God’s idea of prosperity and success
  • What if I’m not excited by God’s plan for me?

Drawing strength and courage from God

  • How to work well with/relate to people who are very different to you
  • X ways to transition to a new life stage
  • X ways we can walk the Christian talk–showing forgiveness, loving one another, etc
  • Why I’m too shy to share my faith with others
  • The day I changed my bad habits/ways was when someone ___ (gently corrected me/loved me in a practical way)

Other topics

  • Real-life struggles that Jesus can identify with
  • 3 prayers for your unbelieving family members/colleagues
  • How do I pray for someone I don’t like?

Need encouragement? Here are a few articles to help you reflect:

3 Reasons Why Christianity Is Really Good
3 Reasons Why Christianity Is Really Good
If I’m honest, the truth of Christianity has never been enough to get me excited about following Jesus. I can read a book that offers proof of the existence of God and still feel lost as to how that impacts my life today.

5 Ways My Non-Christian Dad Showed Me Who God Is
5 Ways My Non-Christian Dad Showed Me Who God Is
I did not have the best relationship with my father when I was growing up. Like most Chinese fathers of his generation, my dad provided financially for the family and brought us on outings and holiday trips. However, I did not find him to be very emotionally present or expressive. In my head, I knew he must love me, but in my heart, I did not feel that he delighted over me or enjoyed my company.

How to Come Out as a Christian at Work
How to Come Out as a Christian at Work
It’s scary to be a Christian in today’s workplace. If anyone finds out that we’re a Christian, there’s a good chance they will automatically assume we are haters, bigots, and racists. We will have awkward conversations defending our views on religion. So it’s natural that we want to  stay quiet, never let anyone know that we’re a Christian, and avoid any talk about Jesus.

3 Ways to Pray for Your Unbelieving Loved Ones
3 Ways to Pray for Your Unbelieving Loved Ones
There is no prayer request that’s more urgent and close to our hearts than the desire to see our loved ones—whether they’re our family members, colleagues, or close friends—come to know the Lord. Sometimes, in praying for our loved ones, we might find it difficult to know what to pray or even find the right words to say. Here are three prayers that I hope will serve as a good starting point for you.           

What Does It Mean To Be An Ordinary Radical Christian?
What Does It Mean To Be An Ordinary Radical Christian?
I heard the gospel at 16. Before that, I was an angry, depressed youth filled with hatred. I hated myself, hated my parents, hated my life, hated school, hated authorities, hated adults, and hated Christians. Above all I hated God with all my heart, since I thought He had abandoned me my whole life.

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