Christian Education Interview: Jireh
Jireh, 2nd Congregation
Simon: Tell us a little bit about the Doctrine Made Alive (DMA) Classes you’ve attended this year. What were the main motivations and reasons that made you sign up for that?
Jireh: One of the reasons I signed up was that I lived in Japan for five years. During that time, because of many reasons—like it took me a long time to learn the language and that the local church had other priorities—I went through a season of feeling really starved of community and spiritual/theological depth. So when I came back to Singapore, being at RHC, I felt very privileged to be part of a church that prioritizes Christian education. I felt like it was a feast that was offered to me every week, so many different classes and options. I would be a fool to not come to eat at the feast.
Simon: What are some of the lessons and points that you’ve learned that has impacted your life or affected how you think about God?
Jireh: One of the classes was on the doctrine of sanctification. Prior to attending the class, I just had this vague idea that sanctification was progressive. One of the main ideas was that there is a role that God plays in sanctification, that the Father decrees it, the Son accomplished it, and the Spirit enables us. And then there’s man’s role in sanctification, which is to put sin to death and bring to life Christ’s attributes. Victory is guaranteed for us in this process of sanctification. Knowing this, especially while struggling with a particular sin in my life and thinking it’s a cycle that I can’t break out of, and having a very clear understanding of progressive and that my victory is guaranteed, has been very encouraging for me. Responding in faith has become so much easier. This has also helped me to relate to other people who share their struggles with me. I think my natural tendency when people tell me what they’re struggling with is to say, Well just stop sinning, because it’s the correct answer. Or, What are other practical ways that we can overcome this sin together? Which actually isn’t very helpful. But knowing that God is already at work in us, even when we’re struggling with sin, has allowed me to see that the Holy Spirit is already at work in us, and that’s been very encouraging for me to respond in faith and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ as well.
Simon: That sounds like doctrine made alive. We’re not talking about dead orthodoxy, we’re talking about the reality of God and how that’s affecting your life on a daily basis. Thank you so much, that is tremendously encouraging. How would you encourage those of us who are wondering, Should I take an extra hour or two out on a Sunday to attend a CE class or DMA or Grow in the Word seminar, give us some reasons why we should consider that?
Jireh: Firstly, I think the quality of teaching is really high. There are some really gifted teachers in the church. So it’s not like you’ll be bored. Secondly, I think there is a real deliberate attempt to make every session practical. It’s not just theory, but how can we apply this theological knowledge. I’ve really appreciated that. And thirdly, I encourage you to practice a sanctified FOMO.
Simon: A sanctified FOMO?
Jireh: Yes, because you are really missing out. The word of God is alive, and when we encounter it the Spirit works in us and brings us from life to life. The Apostle Peter encourages us to long for that spiritual milk, and this is a really practical way that you can exercise that, by signing up for a class.