Christian students need to know God’s Word as well, if not better, than their academic subjects. Far too many Christians strive for success and strain every nerve and muscle to reach university level in the academics but are content to leave their knowledge of the scriptures at Sunday School level. Some of them know their Sejarah (history) textbooks from cover to cover to ensure they score a distinction. They know their Science and Mathematics so well that they can rattle off complicated formulas without batting an eyelid. However, when it comes to the Bible, they are lost and unsure of what a verse is all about. To know God better, we need to know His Word.
Taking BK is an investment of time for eternity. Matt. 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” One day, the earth as we know it will be burnt up in fire, and all the science and mathematics associated with it will not be applicable anymore. But God’s Word alone can give the sense of security that we need today so that our hearts will not faint because of fear.
If students will get to know more and more of the God of the Bible, they will stand secure in the knowledge that our God alone “owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine.” How wonderful to know that “the hand that spill the stars all across the wide heavens” is the hand that holds our lives safe and secure in all circumstances.
BK will undergird the minds of our students and provide them with a moral compass that will guide all their actions and decisions in their everyday living. Today, young minds are bombarded with all the TV programmes. Astro, while opening wide the channels of information for us, have made available all kinds of shows with questionable values. Peer group pressure is very strong.
Many youths are left without adult supervision while both parents are out at work. Moral Education in school is largely taught by teachers of a different religious persuasion. The only other subject that may teach principles for living is fast fading from our school curriculum (English Literature) and again it is largely taught by non-Christians. The study of BK will help our students make decisions that are based on biblical principles.
The Church of Malaysia needs strong leaders today and tomorrow. Christian leaders are grown not born. Our students need help to nurture their roots in the Christians faith in order to provide dynamic leadership in the future. If they will consciously decide to set aside time to study BK for SPM, they are disciplining themselves to master the material in Luke and Acts and filling their minds with the knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the early church. As they do this week by week, they will saturate their minds with the thoughts of God and begin to think God’s thoughts after Him. Taking BK is like having a part-time theological seminary brought into our own school.
Taking BK will help improve the students’ command of the English language. Statistical studies have shown a correlation in this. English has become the lingua franca of the world. Reading, discussion and written homework in English while studying BK gives invaluable practice in the language. Memorisation of certain passages will help the formation of language patterns in the mind that will automatically enhance the mastery of the language.
Finally, taking BK is a testimony to our teachers, school administrators and government officials that our Christian faith means something to us. A quick look at the statistics of the number of SPM candidates for BK nationwide over the years will pose a challenge to us. In the 1960s, many thousands at Form 3 and 5 levels took the subject. The number started sliding until it reached an alarming figure of only 20 candidates in 1995.
Thereafter, with the concerted effort of the Teachers Christian Fellowship and the Malaysian Christian Schools Council, the number slowly climbed to 234 in 1999. Last year, less than 500 candidates sat for the paper.
Will Christian students, parents, teachers, church members rally round and help to restore the numbers to this subject as a testimony to our government that we want our young people to be well grounded in the Word of God?
May our churches play a leading role in this as we have always placed great emphasis on the study of God’s Word so that every believer is well equipped to serve effectively.
Perhaps through this avenue, we will see restored to the churches a strong core of young men and women able to teach and preach God’s Word and inspire the churches to grow dynamically and take the gospel to every corner of our country.
“BK will undergird the minds of our students and
provide them with a moral compass that will
guide all their actions and decisions in their everyday living.” |
