Week 28 (6 - 12 July): Partnership, Courage and Growth

We started our session (facilitated by Ps Angela) with a moment of silence to invite the Holy spirit into our presence. It prepared our hearts to receive His Word.

This week we read Acts 18, continuing Paul's missionary journey. Paul arrives in Corinth and meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers.

Christian tentmaking is an impactful approach to ministry, where believers engage in secular employment while actively participating in evangelism and discipleship. We truly appreciate our pastors and seniors who are tentmakers and who, like Paul, demonstrate a balance between work and ministry, showing how one can engage with the world while faithfully fulfilling their spiritual calling. 

Aquila and Priscilla became Paul's core ministry partners. The Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone. God uses relationships and community to encourage, teach and equip His people. As believers, we learn from one another, invest in relationships, and walk the journey together as co-labourers with God. Our Home Fellowships are indeed a wonderful platform through which many of us have experienced this sense of togetherness, encouragement and spiritual growth.

Despite intense opposition in Corinth, Paul remained faithful and continued to proclaim the Gospel.

It is encouraging to see that even a man like Paul struggled with fear and needed God's reassurance. If Paul needed encouragement, what about us? We too experience fear and often hesitate to share the gospel, or wonder how to begin.

Yet, God knows our fears and gives us courage through His presence. We simply need to make ourselves available as vessels for Him to use. Through the Holy Spirit, He will provide the words, wisdom and perseverance needed to accomplish His work. His assurance in Acts 18:9-10 reminds us: 'Don’t be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent, for I am with you.' 

Ps Angela and Kim shared a testimony from their recent trip. They met a lady who boldly shared Jesus wherever she went. Each time she took a taxi, she would openly share the gospel with the driver. What courage and fearlessness!

We also reflected on Apollos who, despite being gifted and knowledgeable, remained teachable. Aquila and Priscilla gently instructed him and helped him gain a fuller understanding of God's truth. As a result, he grew to become a significant leader in the early church. His example reminds us that spiritual maturity requires humility, both in our willingness to learn and in our readiness to teach others with gentleness.

We closed the session by inviting everyone to reflect on how God can use each of us and which areas we need to grow in, so that we may serve Him more effectively, just as He used Paul, Aquila and Priscilla.

Acts 18 sums up God’s encouragement to Paul to persevere courageously in His calling. “Keep on speaking... for I am with you.” May these words encourage us to persevere courageously, knowing that God is always with us.

Lord, thank you for reminding us that we do not walk alone. Help us stay faithful in opposition; courageous in fear; help us to grow together in Your calling and remain humble. Use us to encourage and disciple those You place in our lives so that together, we may advance Your kingdom and glorify You. Amen.

Ivy S on behalf of Jacob's Well