A teacher's labour behind the scene....

During Secondary 2, my Math grade was abysmal from the start, and was nearly streamed into a more inferior class, making learning challenging.

During the holidays, I received a call from the Math Head of Department (HOD), offering me to be streamed into a better class which has Additional Math. This was done on one condition, which I was to be able to pass the subject by Year 3 in order to keep it. My parents and I consented to this request. She became the Math teacher for my classes.

Although our class was known to be the “Math Class” (because it consisted of A Math, E Math and Principles of Accounting), our grades did not reflect that reputation well. Keeping that in mind, our Math teacher took great efforts to improve our grades. This included: sourcing for various school assessment papers, burning those in a disc for our own convenience, held intensive remedial classes during the June and December holidays.

At times I feel regretful that my own class (including myself) was unable to fully grasp her hard work and sometimes even portray it in ungrateful insinuation.

My ‘O’ Levels came and went. I fared pretty well in my grades and this was especially so for my Math; an A1 for E Math and A2 for A Math! Today, I stand as a graduate from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in Tourism and Resort Management; one of the more difficult courses to apply because of its huge popularity and aggregate requirements.

I shudder every time I remember my Secondary 2 holidays. If she never believed and gave that opportunity to me, I would not be standing as who I am today.

This story is to let known that a teacher’s perseverance and conviction to their students can impact their lives permanently. Teachers, do your best by showing the appropriate love and concern for your students, for even a student with delinquent tendency like me can be touched. As teachers, you are not only sculpting grades but lives as well! Have pride in what you do, for your students see that in you.

This dedication goes out to Ms Rahma, who is none other than the Math teacher mentioned above. Happy Teacher’s Day Ms Rahma! May the future generation of teachers emulate what you have done for your students!

Written by Wesker Tay, 20 years old
(Click here to read full post)

"Cher... You want to see me?"

When I first entered junior college, my Math teacher was a trainee from NIE allocated to teach us for the next few months.

Not long after, I received my first Math tutorial back and there were the dreaded words “See Me” in red staring straight in my face.

“Cher…you want to see me?”

“Joanne, I’m quite worried for you…. do you understand the lecture? Is my lesson hard to follow? Do you need help?” Miss Tng looked at me with eyes of concern.

There and then, I felt so ashamed. The truth was I did not put in effort for my tutorial and I was there because of my shoddy work.

That day, I spent my first afternoon staying back in school for consultation. Ms Tng was very patient, though tired; she went through the entire chapter with me.

From then on, I started to be more serious in my work. I make sure I understood the lessons and take effort to seek teachers for consultation when necessary.

How blessed I was to meet Miss Ting during the early stages of my JC life. She was a trainee teacher not staying long in our school but she went the extra mile for her student. That simple act of giving transformed my attitude and life.

My L1R5 score for O Levels was 16 points, I completed my A Level with 2As and 1B and was given a place to study Chemistry in NUS.

Thank you Miss Tng.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Written by Joanne Wong, 19 years old
(Click here to read full post)

Prayer Prompters from YN144 Leaders' Meeting

1. Ask God to remove any blockages that hinders you from moving on. - Not being able to let go of the past, relationships, unfinished heart matters.

2. Pray Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" - Ask God to release you from any unsettled or disturbed spirit.

3. Pray for open heart to receive the new things that God is bringing into your life.

(Click here to read full post)

23rd August Sermon Discussion - "YOUth No Take 2"

Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 12:1, 1 Tim 4:12

A) Warming up – “U r Special”

1. Everyone to write down on a piece of paper the heading “OMG there is nobody nobody like me”
2. Stick the paper on your back. Go around the cell and write down affirmative attributes you see in your fellow cell members.
3. After everyone has written, share with the cell all the characteristics listed about you and whether you agree or disagree with it.
4. Twit one affirmation that you are most encouraged by.

God sees the potential in each and everyone of you. You are unique and special in God’s eyes.

B) Discussion

The youth age is an age to learn responsibility. God’s plan always has young people at the forefront. Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Josiah and Mary are examples of young people whom God spoke to and used to bring about salvation or/and deliverance. They learnt responsibility while they were still young in age and they made a positive difference in and for their generation.

Joseph – learnt to manage family relationships and be effective in his workplace
David – Learnt to look after the sheep and use his shepherd’s skill to protect
Jeremiah – learnt to listen attentively to God, be brave to speak up
Josiah – learnt to rule a kingdom with a pure heart
Mary – learnt to ponder things of God in her heart and act in obedience

1. Why do you think God intentionally had young people in His plans?
2. What kind of responsibilities do you have now?
3. What other responsibilities are you learning?

C) Application

Don’t Ever Say There Is No You in God’s plan. You have a DESTINY, a mission. You are never too young to make a positive difference.

1. If everything is possible for you today, what do you want to be involved in to make a difference? What will hinder you to make a difference?
2. Share and pray with one another in the cell.

(Click here to read full post)

16th August Sermon Discussion - “Families That Can Save The World”

Scripture Reference: Malachi 4:4-6

A. Warm-up
1a. Describe your family in 3 words.
1b. Share a happy experience in your family.


B. Discussion
2. God wants to grow families that can save the world. Who is the most important person in the family who can achieve this?

3a. In the sermon who is the best example of a father?
3b. In John 14:6, Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus spoke about His purpose in coming to earth. What is His purpose?

3d. Give some examples of what God the Father has done for us.

4. In Romans 8:15, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

We lose the spirit of sonship when we have to perform to feel accepted or when we harden our hearts towards our parents.

What can we do to turn our hearts back to our parents?

(We must learn to forgive our parents from our hearts, until then we cannot learn or experience the Father’s love.)

5. According to the sermon, in what ways can a father reach out to his children? Discuss.

C. Application
6. Take some time to pray for our fathers that GOD will help them grow in their roles as fathers to us. If some of our fathers are pre-believers, we can pray for their salvation.

7. Ask God to show you ways you can show His love to your family. (Click here to read full post)

9th August Sermon Discussion - “Your Time is Up!”

Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:17-30

A. Warm Up Activity: Finger Catching
Instructions:
1) Form a circle
2) Stretch out your right hand and put your left first finger on top of the right hand of your friend next to you
3) Leader will read Daniel 5:17-30
"When you hear these 2 words – 'God' and 'king', you catch the finger that’s on your right hand, at the same time avoid being caught by your friend"


B. Discuss
1. Who avoided being caught all the time? How did he/she do it?
The 2 factors are to listen carefully for the 2 words and to act fast enough. Likewise Pastor Khong has given us a serious warning that we need to listen to and to act upon.

1a. What are these 2 words of truth?
i. You may have crossed the line of no return, Experience God’s grief
ii. You don’t have to cross the line, Experience God’s grace

2. Compare the lives of these people to see how they have cross the line:
2a. King Belshazzar
Arrogance, pride (Daniel 5:22)
Defile God’s temple (Daniel 5:2-5, 23)

2b. Samson
Sin of Pride
Womanising

2c. Ananias & Sapphira
Lied to God & his leaders (Acts 5:1-10)

3. The purpose of a warning is to give us advanced notice of something coming. God gives us warning through His word, His leaders and events happening around us. Why do you think God goes through so much trouble to give us warning?

4. You don’t have to cross the line. Are there areas of your life that God is warning you on?
a. Sin of pride
b. Boy-girl relationship – heavy petting
c. Addiction to games
d. Have not spent time with God in reading his word or prayer, for a long period of time
e. Unforgiveness

5. What is your response to God’s warning? (Click here to read full post)

2nd August Sermon Discussion - “What Do You See?”

Scripture Reference: Matthew 9:35-38, Galatians 2:10

The opposite of love is indifference.

1. #Cell leader to bring a set of newspaper#.
Let's have a look through the many stories in the newspaper, what do you see about the condition of the people (pain & poverty)? Share a story that catches your attention.

2. How do you think God feels when He sees these people you mentioned in the stories? What would Jesus have done?

3. During the sermon, we were taught that in order to keep our heart tender and soft, we have to go meet a need. Take a moment to ask God to give us eyes of compassion to look for someone around us that we can show kindness this week.

(Click here to read full post)