Moriah Youth Fellowship

The 2007 Moriah Youth Camp, "CAMP ABIDE", was an absolute blast! With our camp masters Ben and Grace leading the campers it was a most blessed 5 days of learning from the Word of God, together with much fun games, yummy food and true fellowship!

Pr. Mark Chen (Life BP Church) was the camp speaker and he exposited from the Word with Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments, as a basis to the lessons. We studied the purpose the Law, and why it is still applicable to Christians today. It is certainly not something is to be simply set aside as a bunch of "outdated" rules. The takeaway point from the messages was that the law is meant to educate, instruct, correct and regulate our paths, and to not just read the Word but also obey it. From the point that we are saved, the Word guides and instructs us, and effects us to glorify and enjoy God further. The messages closed with a thought to *actively* give and submit into our act of loving Jesus. It is not simply a "feeling" or emotion, but rather it ought an active and intentional effort that we inculcate to love and obey Christ.

Besides the messages, we also had a lot of fun with the games, led by Jon and Clarence. Peg "fights", treasure hunts, bible quizzes and water bombs were just some elements of them. Not to forget our special surprise outing to Changi Airport! That was cool! Scroll down for more pictures!

We also had much fellowship and got to know each other much better through the discussion sessions and the sharing/encouragement sessions within our groups. Those were truly wonderful moments that we took home with us.

We had learnt much and we had played much, and we sure hope to see you at Youth Camp 2008! =)

Please follow this link for even more photos (esp. of Finale Night and Camp Echo!)

Sorry folks for the long overdue update!

On the 11th of October, more than a hundred youths from 7 BP churches (Galilee, Grace, Moriah, Shalom, Zion with invited churches New Life and Macedonia) congregating at Zion BP Church (Bishan) for a special youth meeting.

This year's theme "Sheep of the same flock" focused on our heritage as Christians and members of the BP Church of Singapore. We had Rev. Philip Heng from Galilee to remind us on our heritage and doctrinal stands as Bible-Presbyterians and how we had grown over the many years.

Here are some photos from the event. You may view the rest here.

The YF went to Jason’s place today for cottage meeting! It was a great time of fellowship and fun. Brother Mathews shared with the youths on the topic of ‘What God Didn’t Say About the Media’.

When we approach this topic, we need to ask the right question: it is not whether watching movies is right or wrong, as it is not quite as black-and-white and simple as that. The question that we need to ask is what God would want us to do with it.

The media contains many negative influences: e.g. materialism; immodest dressing; lust and sensuality; foul language.

Some general principles

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matt 6:22-23

What we allow to fill our eyes will fill our hearts. The Bible constantly warns us to guard what goes into us.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

The Bible warns us to flee even the mere appearance of evil! Should we allow ourselves to be entertained by anything that appears to be evil?


Some helpful guidelines: M E D I A

M – Message: If the message is not right, then we should really reconsider if we should indulge in it.
Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 4:23

E – Edification: will it edify?
1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 6:12

D – Damage: will it damage us? Even spiritually/mentally?
Matthew 15:18-20: The heart matters!!

I – instead of: is there something better we can do instead of that?
To what extent has the media filled our thoughts so as to overshadow spiritual matters and concerns in our lives and relationships?

Philippians 4:8

A – Ask God or others: pray, read the Word, and seek the advice and opinions of other mature Christians as to whether our activity would glorify God; whether it would be the right thing to do; whether others would be stumbled by our doing such things.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Short Discussion

After Brother Mathews shared the guidelines, some of the youths shared about how they felt themselves being really influenced by the media. It was a good time of honest sharing and thinking about how we should live our lives with regard to our choice of entertainment.

One question made by Brother Mathews really struck me: has the media so saturated our thoughts so much that we don’t prioritize edifying one another, but look to entertainment? we really can be doing so many constructive things to build one another up. Should we look to entertainment? Not that its wrong, but is it the ‘expedient’ thing to do? Sure, there’s a time and place for everything, but isn’t it true that in our fellowshipping with friends, we spend so much time on entertainment and so little on edification?

May God help us to be a blessing, and to serve our brethren in all we do, that we may continue to grow in love and encourage one another, and especially, to spur each other towards Christ-likeness in all our interactions!

Recorded by Jason