What I Love About Bethany (I)

by Pastor Mark
August 10, 2023

A Word-centred church

As Bethany’s 50th Anniversary draws nearer, I would like to highlight what I love about Bethany. One key feature is that we are a Word-centred church. The Word of God is highly regarded in Bethany and determines how we conduct ourselves as a church. Over the years, God’s Word has guided and moulded our lives and work for the Lord. We recognise how the Spirit of God has wisely led us through His Word. Let us appreciate how Word-centred we are as a church.

Depending on the Word of God

Bethany has been dependent on the Lord’s Word in the following ways.

1. The Word of God determines how we should model our church

  1. The Lord’s Word provides wise insights and good examples for us to learn and follow.
  2. For example, we have sought to model our church after the Jerusalem church.
  3. The Jerusalem church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
  4. They were diligent in the breaking of bread, prayers and more (Acts 2:42).
  5. As we followed faithfully, we have experienced the Lord’s great blessings over the years.
  6. God’s Word provides us with Biblical guidance on how we should develop as a church.

2. It is the focus of all our ministries

  1. As a principle, we have sought to make God’s Word central in all our ministries.
  2. The Word of God is taught and emphasised at all our Worship Services, Sunday School programmes, Fellowship Groups, Camps and other ministries.
  3. The Words of the Lord Jesus are spirit and life (John 6:63).
  4. It helps the different ministries of Bethany to remain vibrant and alive over the years.

3. It gives us the wisdom and understanding to make decisions and plans

  1. Moses taught Israel to give high regard to the Word of God as it was their wisdom and understanding (Deuteronomy 4:6).
  2. The wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures help us to do God’s work well.
  3. We thank God for the wise and discerning decisions that we have made over the years.
  4. We saw the wisdom of each building project (Bethany II–IV) as the needs arose.
  5. We also saw the wisdom of starting new works in new countries such as Kenya, where many need spiritual and physical help.
  6. We thank God for giving us the wisdom and understanding to make good decisions and discerning plans for the church over the years.

4. It nourishes and meets the spiritual needs of the church

  1. The Word of God is spiritual food for the growth of the brethren (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Peter 2:2).
  2. The themes for our Morning Worship Services and Church Camps have been carefully chosen to minister to the needs and growth of the brethren.
  3. The Lord’s Word has blessed our hearts by enlightening our minds, correcting our errors, deepening our insights and uplifting our souls.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the messages we have received, which are relevant, deep and enriching, and I have no desire for anything less. I truly love how the Word of God is preached and taught here. Let us never take this ministry of God’s Word for granted. Let us give thanks and greatly treasure the privilege of being fed the Lord’s Word here in Bethany.

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