Words A.L.I.V.E. (ICC Chapter Malaysia): A Big Father's Day Surprise! (June 15, 2014)

Written by Jemima and Nathanael Chong
Edited by Eliza Tan

Last Sunday, we had our fifth meeting!

We began with an amusing charade icebreaker led by Eliza in which three groups acted out various Bible events. With the participants given only three minutes of preparation, this icebreaker helps in limited preparation, interpretation, and confidence over self-consciousness. All the groups showed much creativity, and there was definitely much laughter!

Group 1: Jesus healing the paralytic let down from the roof

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

The crowd and arrogant Pharisees

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

Group 2: Jesus arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

Hilarious disciples! :)

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

Group 3: Lazarus being raised from the dead

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

In line with our Father's Day theme, we sang This is Our Father's World. A beautiful hymn reminding us of our Heavenly Father's daily providence and grace in our lives.

Photo by Debra Tan (Coach)

For our devotion, Coach Joseph taught us and discussed the difference between jealousy and envy. He emphasized the need for fathers, and parents in general, to be watchful about counterfeits eyeing to influence their children, to be purposeful in being involved in their children's lives, and to not get caught up in the convenience of commercialism.

Coach Joseph also shared an insight with us on Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." In the original Hebrew tongue, "in the way" means a natural bent, a natural inclination, a natural appetite. Parents should train their children's appetite to like and hunger for spiritual things, so that when they grow older, it will be much easier to say "No" to the things of the world.

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Later, Coach Joseph presented to us the "Worldview Filing Cabinet" that provided seven areas we can examine to evaluate an idea or concept from a biblical worldview. Evaluating everything from a biblical worldview and speaking about our faith are incredibly important practices as they distinguish us as Christians. Christ must certainly be placed at the center of our communication.

To practice this format, we listened and then evaluated a song that almost everyone nowadays would know: Let it Go.

The coaches and speakers broke up to discuss the worldview of the song and overall movie of Frozen.

Photo by Joseph Tan (Coach)

Photo by Eliza Tan

Our conclusion? Let it Go certainly shows a lot of misplaced dependence on self-will and ability. Freedom in its context is breaking away from boundaries and tradition, and learning to embrace yourself. Relying on your own strength is vital for success. A bit of environmentalism and relativism is also hinted at in the song ("I'm one with the wind and sky," "No right, no wrong, no rules for me"). Instead, we as Christians should rely on God's strength and in His will, not our own.

However, it was highlighted that although faulty worldview elements can be spotted sometimes in the movie, especially in Let it Go, Elsa did return to her family and people, and the movie shows the beautiful theme of Perfect Love overcoming fear, a theme very in line with Scripture indeed. The right balance must be taught: often serving God requires overcoming fears and breaking free from the traditions of men, but right rules placed rightfully protect and benefit individuals. And instead of looking into ourselves to find self-purpose and identity, we should strive to serve God and to be who He designed us to be.

Especially with the attraction and lure of movies and songs, the right worldview and perception of the movie must be taught intentionally to children, who can be easily sucked into things. Often, children can also border on obsession by lifting up wrong role models (whether real life people or animated personages). The world certainly has its lures, and we must keep Hebrews 3:5 in mind:

"But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to

discern good and evil."

Deep in thought:

Photos by Eliza Tan

After that, Coach Alfred led Eunice and me (Jemima) to read a part of an Enid Blyton story using pitch and emphasis as revision. Some coaches gave us public feedback.

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photo by Nathanael Chong

The BPS speakers also had fun giving humorous presentations! Their jokes were hilarious!

From a video by Dicky Sudrajad (Coach)

Evan

From a video by Dicky Sudrajad (Coach)

Olivia

From a video by Dicky Sudrajad (Coach)

Jonique and Debbie

From a video by Dicky Sudrajad (Coach)

Elliot

To all the fathers' shock, the speakers presented a surprise video at the end of the meeting. Every single speaker had contributed to the creative video in which they expressed personal and heartfelt Father's Day wishes to each of their fathers, along with a secret agent theme.
We all, especially the fathers, thoroughly enjoyed it!

Here it is:

Some of the fathers' surprised, delighted, and heartfelt reactions to the video!:

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Praise God that we all managed to keep this a secret, enabling this to be super special for our fathers!

We continued to celebrate Father's Day with cake, pictures, prayer, and more food (obviously :P).

Photo by Eliza Tan

Thank you, Coach Vency and Olivia, for bringing the beautiful cake and for the creative decorations! :)

Glam shots of the day!:

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Blowing out the candles and giving prayers of gratefulness:

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

It was certainly a very, very meaningful Father's Day.

Teabreak!:

Photo by Eliza Tan

Yummy nuggets cooked by Coach Debra!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Finally, we had our first aca pella choir practice with Coach Dicky!

Singing "I Stand in Awe of You" in the four parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and base) was tricky, but we definitely had lots of fun! We learned a lot, too!