Taking The Next Step
(Alvin Tay, Chairperson, Companions in Christ @ WesleyMC, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Ezra 10 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
We have come to the final chapter in the Book of Ezra. The first six chapters saw the first group of Jews, led by Zerubbabel, returning from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. In the final four chapters, we read about Ezra leading a second group of returnees, this time to teach and guide the people in the law of Moses and to restore their relationship with God.
As a scribe, priest and a teacher well versed in the law given by God, Ezra dedicated himself to the study, teaching and application of God’s Word. In Chapter 9, we read about the people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, disobeying God’s command not to marry women of foreign nations. God had warned the Israelites that the “land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its people. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons.” (Ezra 9:11b-12a).
Even though Ezra himself was not guilty of the sin, he set the example by praying, confessing, weeping and fasting, and then leading the people to confess their sins, and to make a covenant before God to send away all these women and their children (v10:3).
APPLY
After worshipping from home (WFH) with fellow Wesleyans over zoom for several Sundays, my wife and I were glad to be able to return to church for the Christmas Day Service and the Wesleyan Watchnight Covenant Renewal Service. Like the Israelites in Ezra, I felt like I was returning with fellow Wesleyans to ‘rebuild’ the church and renew our covenant with God. I searched my heart and asked myself whether there are areas where I would need to repent, and to change in the new year. Are there areas where I have failed or fallen short in faith and practice?
I am excited that the church is embarking on the theme of “Intentional Discipleship. Taking the Next Step” for the next four years. It reminded me of the first step in my discipleship journey that I took 10 years ago. Actually, it was the first step taken on my behalf by my wife. My wife had tried to persuade me to sign up for DISCIPLE 1 for three years. Each time, I said “No, no time!” I finally said yes one Sunday morning in 2011 following a DISCIPLE advertisement. And before I could change my mind, my wife went to the Info counter to sign me up and paid for it. Looking back, I am grateful for that first step.
DO
So what is my next step in this new year?
First, I will encourage my Small Group members to join me in taking the Spiritual Health Check. Together, we will then look at the results and discern where God is directing us in our discipleship journey – as an individual, and as a small group.
Second, looking at the five faith environments in the Wesley Discipleship Model, my wife and I have decided to focus on building ‘Spiritual Relationships’ – with God, with one another and loved ones, and with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
PRAY
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your faithfulness, your goodness and your grace, even though I have often fallen short in faith and practice. This new year, help me to examine my heart and take steps to correct any shortcomings, any sinful inclinations, so that I may grow to be more like Christ. I commit the church theme of “Intentional Discipleship” to you, Lord. Give me and fellow Wesleyans the courage and the resolve to take that next step in our discipleship journey – one that will bring us closer to you, and closer to one another. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
