A Year in Bible College
By Joel Khoo
Dear Church, thank you so much for praying alongside this past year. Time really flies; before I knew it I’m through my first year of Bible College. In case you didn’t know, I started my theological studies in ETCAsia (Evangelical Theological College of Asia) in July last year. It has been a whirlwind of studies, assignments, and exams. Thank you to everyone who not only prayed, but have asked me about school whenever you see me.
This past year in college has been a really fruitful time. The lectures have stretched me intellectually and grown me in my ability to understand God’s Word. Most importantly, time in college has challenged me to grow in my godliness and to love God more. This comes not only from the lectures, but also from the other parts of college life.
I am very thankful for my time in prayer groups on Thursdays. It is always really encouraging to hear of how fellow students are wrestling with truths they’ve heard and trying to apply to their lives, and then to pray for one another. Chapel on Tuesday afternoons are also always uplifting. It is just a time to be sitting under God’s Word for no other reason than to enjoy hearing from our Heavenly Father and have it applied to us as students training for ministry.
One of the things I was most struck by this semester was during a class on Proverbs. Our lecturer pointed us to Proverbs 30:1–6 for our reflection. The author acknowledges that at the end of much searching, he is still not wise. In a world that prizes knowledge and information, it is quite easy to be puffed up by knowledge. But he acknowledges that though we might not be able to understand wisdom ourselves, God’s Word will still be true (v.5).
That was really encouraging to me as a Bible College student. I am challenged to ensure that my heart will not be puffed up as I continue to grow in knowledge in my remaining two years of bible college. Do pray with me that I will continue to maintain humility in my heart as I seek to understand the Bible, that I will seek not to master the Word but to instead be mastered by God’s Word. Thank you again Church Family!
