YAG II: Book of Deuteronomy – Chia Si Hui
Applying Faith in the Different Phases of Life
I would like to share how the YAG ministry has helped me throughout the different phases of my life as a young working adult, as a couple with Paul and as a parent-to-be.
Firstly, as a Young Working Adult
I started attending YAG in 2015, the same year that I joined the workforce. Back then, I was still relatively new to the Christian faith. I struggled with applying faith and lessons learnt from Sunday School and Morning Worship in the context of work and adulting.
YAG was useful because, as its name implies, it is a ministry to those who are in the same phase in life as young adults. Pastor Mark would give practical examples of applying Biblical lessons in the context of work and the common struggles that young adults like us go through.
Pre-COVID times, we had the segment of chairing and worship prior to Pastor Mark’s lesson. I particularly looked forward to the chairing as I would often be encouraged by how the chairpersons, who faced similar struggles as I did, applied lessons learnt from YAG II to overcome them (e.g., dealing with difficult colleagues and bosses, struggling with career decisions/changes). Personally, it helped me realise that the YAG lessons we were learning can indeed be applied to help us cope with the challenges of life and work. While we may not have chairing at YAG currently, having a time of reflection is useful too.
Secondly, as a Couple with Paul
When Paul and I first got together as couple, we agreed that YAG was a non-negotiable for us. We would attend YAG each week, learn together and share our takeaways with each other. It took us some time to get used to sharing our thoughts and reflections with each other. But over time, it paid off.
- When we struggled with personal challenges, we could encourage each other through the lessons learnt at YAG.
- When we faced issues in our relationship, we could turn to the Scriptures and the lessons we learnt together at YAG to resolve them.
- When we couldn’t resolve relationship challenges on our own, we could both turn to Pastor Mark who patiently ministered to us individually and as a couple. Thank you, Pastor Mark for your spiritual counsel, which was pivotal when our relationship was at the breaking point. Otherwise, we would not be where we are today.
The YAG ministry gave us the opportunity to learn the same spiritual lessons and encourage each other as a couple.
Thirdly, as a Parent-to-be
Paul and I will soon enter a new stage in life and become parents to our baby girl. Having to look after a little one means instead of attending YAG II together, we will probably have to take turns to come to YAG II or listen to the recordings. So, the YAG II lesson from Deuteronomy 32:46–47 was really timely for both of us.
“Set your heart on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe – all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life…”.
With the arrival of our baby girl, the care-giving role would be one new major area of responsibility for us. It could distract and even divide our heart from God and His Word. Our prayer is to learn how to continue to set our heart on the Lord and all His Words in this new phase of life. It is through His Word that we will find that spiritual strength, wisdom and endurance to care for the little one, and to continue growing in our walk with God. Also, when we as parents set the example. If we remember the Word of God and the lessons learnt, we would then be able to teach our child to do the same as well.