With more time spent in Church, I deeply appreciate that God gives me brothers and sisters as one body of Christ. Not only does God call us to walk this journey together, but also to serve in a team. I realize it more and more since last year.
Start a small group
Together with a sister, Wei, we started a Bible study class on Friday night last September, aiming to enhance a young child’s understanding of the Bible. We gathered on Friday night in the boy’s home and studied one chapter of Genesis each week.
To be honest, I was not used to such partnership in the first place. I was accustomed to act alone and concerned that my partner might quit somewhere during the course. I thought that I might as well do it independently, as I often did with other things. Collaborating with another person made me feel insecure somehow, because it demands trust and I need to give up total control.
However, Wei showed great interest and passion in organizing the class together. With above uncertainty in mind, I confirmed with her several times if she really desired to join me in this venture. I was relieved when she said “yes”. We agreed to teach in rotation on Friday night, which allowed sufficient time for preparation during the week.
The group was soon enlarged to three members from the first week. Shirley, mother of the boy, become an essential teammate to the group.
Blessings of a team
It didn’t take long to find out advantages of serving in a team. There are clear roles to play for two teachers, namely leading teacher and assistant teacher. Normally, the assistant teacher opens the class by recapping what we studied last week. Then the leading teacher takes over and begins the new chapter. The assistant teacher helps with the classroom discipline, while the leading teacher focus on lecture and discussion.
If time permits, Wei and I will discuss how to make the class stimulating for children. We incorporate interactive games and role-play dramas to make the class lively rather than just cramming knowledge. We exchange ideas about our views regarding the scripture, and include all the necessary information by delivering it through in-depth presentation. It is the teamwork that makes our class both educative and enjoyable.
In addition, we back each other up if one is not able to make the class on Friday night. For instance, I taught instead when Wei took her mother to the hospital last month. Likewise, Wei was glad to teach continuously when I returned to my hometown earlier this month. As a result, the class doesn’t depend on the sole availability of one person.
Joined by more people
Shirley, mother of the child, played a significant role in this group. My initial thought was just to study the Bible with her son and trouble her as little as I should. Nevertheless, Shirley was warmhearted enough to prepare dinner for us every Friday night. Tired of fast food I had during the week, her home-cooked meal really made my day.
Meanwhile, Shirley was always ready to share. She didn’t want to limit the study only within her son. She also invited other families and children to participate the class on Friday night. Six children have joined us altogether so far. I was blessed to see their progress each week.
Furthermore, Shirley took the trouble to hold a Christmas party by hosting another five families. We studied the birth of Jesus together to celebrate the advent of this great King. It was my first time to spend Christmas this way and it was definitely the most special one.
Thanks to the Lord that we can serve in a team! God gives us different gifts, which can be maximized when we use it to serve a broader audience. When working in a group, I was given the chance to identify the uniqueness of others, as well as the limitation of myself. Only by collaborating in a team, I learn to leverage and appreciate the strengths of others. When the ministry is eventually completed, we give glory to the Lord.
Cindy Cheng was born and brought up in central China. Cindy enjoys travelling and reading history books. Cindy is inspired by talking with local people when travelling abroad experiencing different parts of the world, as well as herself.
Cindy’s previous articles may be found at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cindy-cheng.html