BGST will be closed for Chinese New Year 2013 on the following dates:

• 9 - 12 February, Saturday - Tuesday

We will resume normal operating hours on 13 February, Wednesday.

A couple of weeks ago on January 6, Christians who follow the traditional church calendar observed Epiphany, the feast day that celebrates the revelation of God as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate the visit of the Magi.

The Magi are the wise men from the east who arrive in Jerusalem some time after Jesus' birth. Many assume there were three of them (tradition even gives them names), but there is no indication from Matthew's Gospel that there were only three. Certainly their caravan was big enough that their arrival caused a stir in Jerusalem (Matt 2:3).

They have come to Jerusalem in their search of the one born "King of the Jews." They probably expected that this new king would be born in the palace of the old king. But their knowledge of this new king was incomplete. It would have to take Bible teachers to supplement their knowledge by telling them where he would born. These Bible teachers were the chief priests and scribes, of whom Herod inquired.

The Bible teachers quoted Micah 5:2 to Herod: the new king would be born to the line of David in Bethlehem. So, Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to search for the child. Here's an interesting observation: Everyone knew why these Magi had come to Jerusalem; all Jerusalem was astir about their search for a newborn king. These Bible teachers knew the Bible, and knew this report that a king had been born. But we have no record that these knowledgeable Bible teachers themselves ever went to Bethlehem. Contrast that to the Magi who had spent months traveling from the east, based on incomplete knowledge. It seems the Bible teachers simply took Jesus for granted.

Knowing the Bible, or even being respected as preachers or teachers, is no guarantee that our hearts are right. The Bible teachers that Herod gathered were knowledgeable, but the Magi were wise. One can be knowledgeable about the Bible and still take Jesus for granted. In fact, as New Testament scholar Craig Keener says, that is a sin that only people who know the Bible can commit. This is a reminder to me - and perhaps to you! - that God wants so much more than merely knowing the contents of the Bible; He wants us to seek Him.

May we all be wise, and continue to seek Him in the new year.

There will be no chapel on the 30 January 2013.

Mr Eugene Lim (Director of Resource Development—TransWorld Radio-Asia) will be speaking at the next BGST chapel (12:00pm) on 6 February 2013. Visitors are most welcome to join us.

Please be informed that the Lift No. 4 leading to the main entrance of BGST will be undergoing servicing on 5 Feb 2013. Kindly make use of cargo lift no. 6 at the back of the building. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

CHRISTIANITY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
IC101, 3 Credits [Required for Grad Dip CS, MCS & MDiv]
Course Coordinators : Mr Quek Tze-Ming and Dr Andrew Lee
Venue : BGST, Clarus Centre
Dates : Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 23 (NOTE: Sat 1-5 pm), Apr 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16 (Thursdays)
Time : 7:15 – 10pm
Fees : $450 (for credit); $315 (by audit)
The world in which we live is an increasingly complex one. This complexity is seen in the dynamic interplay among socio-cultural phenomena such as ethnicity, religious beliefs, politics, and culture, within the context of a globalized world. Since Christian discipleship occurs in this world, Christians must grapple with this complexity if they are to take their discipleship seriously. This course seeks to equip Christians with frameworks of thought for
responsible engagement with socio-cultural realities in our local context.

To view course description please visit the webpage at http://www.bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/IC101-13.pdf.

ADDICTIONS: ON SUBSTANCE & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
CO260, 1.5 Credits
Adjunct Lecturer : Mr William Teo
Venue : BGST, Clarus Centre
Dates : Feb 13, 20, 27 Mar 13, 20, 27 (Wednesdays)
Time : 7:15 – 10:00pm
Fees : $225 (for credit); $157.50 (by audit)
Addiction grows in a manner both complex and mystifying. The course examines how addiction develops and its multiple impact on those who succumb to a lifestyle of addiction. The major component of the course will focus on developing competent counsellors to work with addicts. At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Know why individuals become addicts
2. Understand the basic process and types of addiction
3. Conceptualize the different models of addiction
4. Profile addicts and to administer appropriate treatment

To view course description, please visit the webpage at http://bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/CO260-13.pdf.

SPIRITUALITY FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION
CS101/ECF503, 3 Credits [Required course for Grad Dip CS, MCS & MDiv]
[To replace The Christian Spirit TS251]
Adjunct Lecturer : Mr Chong Ser Choon
Venue : Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church
Dates : Feb 19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16, 30, May 7, 14 (Tuesdays)
Time : 7:15 – 10pm
Fees : $450 (for credit); $315 (by audit)
This is an introductory course to provide a broad understanding to Christian Spirituality. The undergirding conviction and thrust of this course is that to be a Christian is to grow to more Christlike. The course aims to be both academic and practical. Besides lectures, students will be in small groups for both class discussions and spiritual formation practicum throughout the course. They will be writing weekly journals, and meeting with the lecturer for personal spiritual conversations. There will be in-depth discussions dealing with how can we grow deeper in our spiritual life in a busy world e.g. finding the rhythm between work and rest, cultivating the spiritual disciplines to keep one's spiritual life vibrant.

To view course description, please visit the webpage at http://www.bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/CS101-ECF503-13.pdf

CHILDREN’S SPIRITUALITY & MINISTRY FORMATION
ECF502, 3 Credits
Adjunct Lecturers : Dr Ng Peh Cheng & Rev Tan Cheng Huat
Venue : BGST, Clarus Centre
Dates : Feb 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Tuesdays)
Time : 7:15 – 10:15pm
Fees : $450 (for credit); $315 (by audit)
This course examines the research on the developmental psychology and spiritual formation of children from birth to twelve years old. The integration will be of interest to both parents and church educators in the faith development of children. Teaching and structuring models of children’s ministry in the church will be discussed.

To view course description, please visit the webpage at http://bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/ECF502-13.pdf.

TRANSFORMING THE PURPOSE OF TEACHING AND THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
CE/ME231, 1.5 Credits
Adjunct Lecturer : Dr Sng Bee Bee
Venue : BGST, Clarus Centre
Dates : Mar 22 (Fri), 23 (Sat) [Day Class]
Time : 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, follow by 1:30 – 6:00 pm
Fees : $225 (for credit); $157.50 (by audit)
What is God’s will and calling in my teaching profession? How can I discern his hands at work in the midst of pressure and problems in schools? God has designed a special purpose for work and that includes the teaching profession. The Bible tells us of the original purpose of work and education. Jesus is the Great Teacher and the perfect model of effective teaching methods. This course will cover the theology of work and education and how to share the gospel in restrictive educational environments. This course has a dual objective:

1. to help Christian teachers understand the biblical basis of teaching and reaching out to students in the local context
2. understand the place of education in overseas missions.

To view course description, please visit the webpage at http://bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/CE-ME231-13.pdf.

WORSHIP DESIGN AND WORSHIP LEADING
AT235, 1.5 Credits
Adjunct Lecturer : Mr Chan Kum Soon
Venue : BGST, Clarus Centre
Dates : Apr 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18 (Saturdays)
Time : 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Fees : $225 (for credit); $157.50 (for audit)
This course is design for aspiring worship leaders as well as worship leaders who wants a deeper grasp of what it takes to be an effective worship leader. “Man’s chief aim is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). The key question for worship leaders, therefore, is “Did worship really occur? Did the assembly have an encounter with the Triune God week after week? What exactly is worship all about, much less leading others to an encounter with God? As worship leaders, do we pander to the narcissistic culture within and without the church by adopting worldly methods in worship leadership? What exactly is the role of the worship leader in corporate worship?

To view course description, please visit the webpage at http://www.bgst.edu.sg/media/files/courses/at235-13.pdf.