I have to prepare for leading a fellowship study on the book of Acts. Still enough time for preparation. Only for this month, just one time, perhaps twice.
Of course, I do sense the reluctance of the fellowship leader's choice for appointing me to teach. Despite the pastor's demand. After all, I don't even go to their fellowship. We'll be missing Lyna, an elder and elderly lady who's gone for a month for operation and a trip to Indonesia celebrating Stephen Tong's church anniversary, who has to travel all the way from New Jersey to lead this Eastside fellowship. It is my understanding that the two of them rotate roster to lead, a principle I abhor (James 3:1). If I were the fellowship leader, I wouldn't simply allow me to teach either.
Speaking of such principles, I realized that it's always our fault to not pursue and seek after our Lord hard enough (the North America has enough resources and opportunity for anyone not to have any more excuse) in theological study and thereby having not just the love or the heart of servitude, but also the mind, which is also being commanded to set for God with love. And the same goes for the principle of ONLY Christians can serve: it's always our fault that we are either afraid or lazy of preaching the Gospel that we have to resort to allowing non-christians to serve together with us.
I would say many LIE when they say, as if humbly, that they are not smart enough or not gifted by God in this or that they praise me saying "Oh you are so smart or God has gifted you with a great mind", etc. I say they LIE because if they are truly that bad themselves, how would they dare to appoint teachers or decide where the direction of teaching should go? Clearly their humilily is just an excuse for them to defend their sin in this matter. For they bind heavy burdens on others, yet they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers (Matthew 23:4). They should be a little more diligent in reading the Bible, for themselves, not just for others. Just as we who teach do not only study just to teach others, but we need to study every second of our lives, for ourselves.
So it is unclear if the pastor ever had hidden motive to persuade me join this fellowship. Which may also be unclear to the fellowship leader, thus his reluctance...or it could be that he just wanted to continue leading himself, where he left off last time, which is very good, and very responsible. Of course, then it comes to the question of leading. From my last visit, just as before, I see everyone loved to speak. Something that should be taught against. It is one reason why I decided not to join this fellowship long time ago. As a teacher, I would love this "asking others for opinions" principle, because I don't have to speak or prepare much myself. When everyone's done chatting, I would just give a couple of summary and conclusion from some textbook and called it an interesting hour. But as a teacher, not only do I have to know what they could learn from me (and if they got nothing to learn from me why am I teaching?), I also need to make sure I could converse the learning clearly to each individual who listens. And if they ask questions, I should be prepared.
My advantage with Acts is I have quite a few resources to pull from. Especially John Calvin's commentary and the Third Millelium's online video. Both are fim, reformed guides. And both of which are my study that's long overdue. Therefore, this is also a rebuke from God. Not because I didn't join the fellowship, but because I didn't follow my study schedule. I also have a couple good Bible Atlases to use, which is a crucial tool for studying the book of Acts.
I hope the AAXA P2 pico projector that I recently purchased would arrive on time to be put into use for this...but as long as the 2 week back order doesn't change into cancel or scam, my $350 will be well worth it.