A GOOD DOSE OF TEE

Arthur Sy Tiu

(Grace Gospel Church)

Studies show that the normal food intake for our physical bodies usually fall short of the ideal standard set by nutritionists. It is for this reason that they recommend taking additional vitamin or mineral supplements so that our bodies can go the extra mile.

In the same token, personal Bible studies done during quiet time and church sermons are essential to our spiritual life. However, these may also fail to provide the complete nutrients necessary for enhancing our spiritual growth. There is definitely a need for us to learn from other [sources] invaluable truths and insights which we would never learn on our own.

The Theological Education by Extension (TEE) class is one such venue where one can acquire "spiritual" supplements. This class is a joint venture between GGC's Sunday School department and the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP). Prof. David Dean, Dr. Tan Chiu Eng, Rev. Dennis Yam were some of the previous TEE lecturers.

As of writing, there is an ongoing TEE class covering the Book of Acts where Prof. Jay Hallowell is the featured speaker. Thanks to this study, it finally dawned on me that Acts provided the vital link between the works of Christ and that of the apostles--the transition from the life of Christ to the Church era.

Our church is going to wage a Purpose-Driven Life (PDL) campaign from February 22 to April 11, 2004 with the aim of promoting God's true purposes of our lives.

I believe TEE class can be a great venue to put into practice God's true purposes for our lives: lives committed to worship, drawing closer to others in fellowship, building Christ-like character through discipleship, ministering His grace to others, and being a messenger of the Good News (God's Word) to many people.

Indeed, it is most fitting and profitable to be in a TEE class--where age is of no consequence and where everybody is welcomed!

[Reprinted with permission from Grace Monthly (February 2004): 6.]