GOD MOULDS HIS SERVANT – LESSONS FROM FAMILY BIBLE CAMP

Dear Members in Christ,

God moulds His servant – lessons from Family Bible Camp

We have just returned from our annual Family Bible Camp. It is a wonderful time of blessing for all of us. Personally, I find great blessing even in the months leading up to the camp, that was during the hours invested in studying the Bible and preparing the messages for this camp. 

This year, the theme is about God’s work in moulding His servant, particularly about the life of the Patriarch Jacob. Genesis 32-38 describes the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and the Father of the twelve tribes of Israel, and how God allow circumstances to teach Jacob many of life’s lessons. This process is sometimes graphically described in the Scriptures as a potter moulding a lump of clay. The prophet Isaiah spoke these words to the nation of Israel to help them understand what was God’s desire for them. That is, to allow God mould and make them so as to conform to a people befitting of being called “God’s people.”

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

Many have expressed that they have been encouraged and strengthened by the lessons learnt at camp. It is the prayer of the Session and the attending campers that many more will desire to join in next year’s Family Bible Camp. This article highlights some of the blessing that campers have, the privilege of receiving by coming to the Family Bible Camp. If you have missed this year’s camp, we sincerely hope that this is your prayer as well, and we encourage you to make plans to attend next year’s Calvary Jaya Family Bible Camp 2026.

A. Family Bible camp is a time for learning and reflection 

In our daily hustle and bustle, we often live a harried life. Often, as soon as we have finished off a task, we are off “fighting the next fire” so to speak. We lack the time and space for an important aspect of spiritual growth and learning – by this, I mean the process of reflection, of meditation and communion with God. Family Bible Camp affords the best opportunity for us to meditate upon lessons we have learnt. The Bible teaches us the importance of meditation and reflection. The blessed man is one who meditates, reflects on God’s Word day and night.

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2

Camp time is the best moment for reflecting on God’s Word. When we are separated from our daily toil and labour (whether at work, in school, or at home whatever the case may be). Camp time allows us unhindered access for personal time for reflection over our lives. For example, I may want to reflect upon how this morning’s camp message may be applied in my life? I may think upon which areas of my life that needs moulding and improvement? Is God’s Word prompting me that I am spiritually immature and I need to “grow up”? Perhaps, I have been slacking in prayer and I need a deeper communion with God.  

Brothers and sisters, let us be encouraged to know the true blessing, that time at Family Bible Camp is quality time for personal reflection. It is the best opportunity to engage in examination of our spiritual lives and to seek ways to have a closer walk with God.

B. Attendance at the Family Bible Camp identifies our unity as a church

The time at Family Bible Camp also highlights one important aspect of our Christian life, that is, our unity in Christ. This year’s camp was held at the island of Penang, a place once called the “Pearl of the Orient”. We are glad to have this great location for our Family Bible Camp 2025. This location is good because besides the enriching Bible lessons, families and groups of friends can spend time together in a way that is not hindered by the “busy-ness” of our daily occupation. 

One of the most important tenets of the doctrine of the church as the body of Christ is its unity and “oneness”. The Apostle Paul uses this doctrine to teach the Ephesians about their unity in Christ.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4:4,5

Apart from the spiritual feeding, God’s people are able to have time together to share with one another their lives. We are one in Christ spiritually, as the Bible teaches us, One Lord, One Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But we continue to remain apart and separate from one another if we do not commune and fellowship with one another. We will continue to remain estranged from one another if we do not pray together, or have deeper conversations beyond what is the weather for the day.

As we leave the camp with spiritual lives recharged, let us learn to share with one another our bond of love in Christ. Let us also reflect on how we ought to respond to the messages that we have learnt in camp. May God enrich our lives with His word, and knit us together in His love. See you all next year at the Family Bible Camp. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor