As I intentionally paused and pondered on the words, these are my major learning points through studying the Book of John:

1. Jesus's humility to wash His disciples feet teaches me to always be willing to serve others

2. Jesus's obedience to His Father's will encourages me to obey and accept God's plan for me and my family

3. Jesus's suffering and death on the cross evokes the immense gratitude I have for Jesus

4. Jesus's resurrection empowers me to overcome my sins, weaknesses and fears.

5. Jesus's loving promises and prayers for His followers comforts me that He loves me before I even knew Him

6. Jesus's miracles convinced me that HE IS GOD

   
   

   Thank you John for strengthening my faith again.

   
   

   ~ Esther

   
   

I am the light of the world

I am the Gate

I am the Good shepherd

I am the resurrection and the life

I am the Way, the truth and the life

I am the True Vine

I love the seven statements of I Am. Particularly "I am the Good Shepherd"

Past one year, my mind was constantly wandering as there are too many things of my mind. I fill my our minds with the hope of things will change, and i subtly resent my limitations. I despise my shoulder injury, the growing list of ministries, the many meetings, the expectations of different ones and the transitions in our home that slow us from the pace we’d like to keep. I work fiercely to overcome those limitations.

But my Good Shepherd knows exactly what i faced & what i needed in every season of my life.

God met me in my joys and challenges in every week, in every lesson.

God intended me to face with those truth in my mind.

God led me inside of my limits, inside of my tiredness, sadness, disappointment.

God has helped me to see He rightly here in my limitations.

While the outcomes are unpredictable and disappointment is unavoidable, God is also unendingly faithful.

God allowed limitations into my life, such that the deepest parts of me may grow into believing that He is truly my Good Shepherd.

As for BSF summer break, I pray that i will continue to feed on the richness of God’s word and am cleansed in the still waters, I am refreshed, recharged and renewed! Life takes on a whole new perspective and I'm able to look ahead with expectation once again. But that only happens as I get to know my Good Shepherd.

2024 has been a challenging year for me. But I have the light of my life and never walk in darkness, as He is the light of the world. Thank you, Lord. Sendy 🙏

Let me track back a little bit. November last year I went for my annual mammogram and breast ultrasound. From the scan, they found 2 suspicious lumps on my right breast, so the doctor scheduled for biopsy on 8 January this year and the result came out on 15 Jan. Usually I am quite chill waiting for test results, but this time I was anxious.

At that time, we just started the first lesson in 2024, lesson 13, about a man who was born blind. Jesus told his disciples that that man’s blindness did not result from his personal sin nor his parents’, but this all happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him (John 9:3). This became my prayer before I received my biopsy result, I prayed whatever the result is, let the works of God be displayed in me. Of course I also prayed for the favorable outcome, but God had other plan for me. The doctor told me they found cancer cells in the lumps. I have breast cancer! I was shocked and in denial but surprisingly I wasn’t as down as I thought I would be. God has prepared me from long ago and at that moment He used that passage to provide strength in me upon hearing the result.

I thought about this diagnosis, had it happened 5 years ago, I may not be as strong then. I knew God has prepared me for this through many events in my life and one of them is BSF where I really learn and see God’s love for me. I consider this is how God shows His love for me. He gave me breast cancer to upgrade my faith in Him. He reminded me that there is no one and nothing else I should rely on in every aspects of my life, other than our God.

I underwent surgery of double mastectomy with reconstruction in mid February. Praise the Lord for His provisions throughout my surgery that went very smoothly. There were some bumps during recovery, but God never fails to show me His mighty power over everything.

I still have to do hormonal therapy and 6 monthly check up for the next 5 years, but all of these are in God’s control.

Although the journey is not yet finished and the road ahead is not guaranteed to be smooth, but I know God loves me so much. He will never forsake me and you, no matter what. He promised never gives us trials more than our strength and we can always put our trust in Him.

I had to miss a few lessons this year but I’m grateful that eventually I could go back to attending lessons until today to share my journey of faith with you all.

To God be the glory! Thank you!

Alda ❤️

I was actually surprised when contacted by BSF only to realise that I was actually in time to join the very first lesson of John study. And the journey began.

At that point of time last year, I was in a phase where I was considering if I should continue working as a Speech Therapist at my previous workplace, change job or continue as a SAHM. I was also unsure what the plans were going to be like for the remaining of 2023 for my family and I.

As I made different decisions along the way and came to a few crossroads since then, I can see how God’s hands has been leading and guiding me (and my family) through it all. He has heard my prayers, seen my tears and knows my every need.

Even as I am now at a point of welcoming my second child in a few weeks time, there are still moments of uncertainty of “God, can I really manage 2 on my own? God, what about my work license which is expiring end of 2024?” etc. BUT, I stand knowing and being assured of the character and heart of Jesus and His love for us all just like how I’ve been reminded repeatedly throughout the John study. And I know that His love casts out all fear and I need only to trust Him, my great shepherd and Father.

Am also very thankful to have met a great bunch of sisters in Christ that are wonderful prayer warriors and whom I have been so encouraged through the sharings and testimonies!

On another note, I would also like to share of how Charmaine has gained from BSF. It’s amazing to see how she still remembers how to sing the songs though she hasn’t been attending BSF for some time!

Praise the Lord and all glory to Him for all that has happened and all that is to come.

Elena

I thank God that I have the opportunity to study John’s Gospel through BSF. This time, it’s much more than Jesus’ life on earth, indeed, it is a love letter that God has intended for me.

God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for me, it is becos He loves me. Jesus, God’s Son, took on human flesh to live, suffer and die for my sins, it is also becos He loves me. Yes, He loves me so much!

As we complete the study of John’s Gospel, there are many many things that I have learnt and experienced about Jesus through the lessons, and the life of each others. Most importantly, I finally understand what and why ‘Jesus is my Lord and Savior’ is truly mean.

I am convicted that I can and I will continue to put my trust in Jesus, my Lord and my Beautiful Savior ♥️

~Sheila, whom Jesus loves~