As we embrace the Advent season, we remember the birth of our Saviour, the Word who was in the beginning. With familiar carols resonating, we are filled with gratitude for the wondrous works upon our ministry throughout this enthralling year. All praise and glory to God for what was, what is, and what is to come. Because He is, thus we are.
Grace through Valleys and Peaks: 2024’s Journey
2024 is a year we will look back on fondly as a time of bungee jumping while watching the stock market. That’s the exhilaration of serving the Lord—diving into the unknown with trust and a bit of stomach-churning excitement. The outcome is His to behold. Truly, truly, no one, no, not one, can tell or even know what was coming our way. But isn't that part of the fun? Praise God for the surprises!
Our Regional Outreach
Our journey began in 2000, and over the past 24 years, our reach has expanded to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and, as of 2023, Indonesia. In 2018, we also played a crucial role in assisting our participants in Australia when they reached out for help to be trained. Whenever there’s a cry for help or a request for training in the region, we are there, ready to support.
Vietnam: A Story of Willingness
A noteworthy highlight is Vietnam. The word that stood out was “willing.” Their hunger for studying the Bible and their willingness to commit time to homework assignments was inspiring. Despite initial apprehensions among the young adults in leadership training, they embraced the challenges thrown at them during their “How to Plan and Lead PUP Lessons” workshop in November.
Cambodia: A Beacon of Growth
Translating Precept Materials
Seed Funding
Partnership Support
How You Can Support Our Regional Work
Funding: Your generosity not only sustain our office but helps fuel our regional outreach and its expenses.
Purchase with Purpose: The proceeds from our nominally charged study materials support seed funds, financial aid and trainings.
Be a partner: On a mission trip? Bring Precept materials to help others know God and grow their faith through His Word.
Precept Study Tour
A Brief History
🇮🇱 Israel: The Beginning
Our journey began with the Israel tour in 2006, aiming to connect what people study and read with what they can see in the land. Israel was our focus, and so Stephen thought,"that was it—study tours to Israel."
🇬🇷 Greece: Expanding Horizons
But God had other plans. After 10 years, He inspired Stephen to consider Greece, in line with Paul’s missionary journey. In 2017, he embarked on a reconnaissance trip, and by 2018, we kicked off our Greece study tour. It went very well, extending our mission from Israel to Greece.
🇹🇷 Turkey: From ‘No’ to ‘Yes’
Our Lord's plan didn’t stop at Greece. In 2021, Stephen joined a trip to Turkey, initially to confirm his reservations about the seven churches, with firm resolution to say, "been there, done that, it’s a NO." However, seeing Turkey with his own eyes changed everything. Beyond rocks and ruins lies the New Testament, and he realized Turkey is essentially the New Testament. This trip led to the design of ‘The Acts of the Apostles and the Seven Churches of Revelation’ tour.
2024 Study Tours: Brink of Cancellation
By His Grace, We Peaked!
Connecting to Scriptures, Lives Transformed
Technological Advancements and Challenges
This year, our ministry underwent significant technological advancements. We overhauled our website to integrate an online store, class registrations, and credit card payments. Despite interface limitations, delays, and tech hiccups, we trusted in the Lord's timing, and the launch was successful without major disruptions. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Getting support for non-profits in Singapore proved challenging due to limited market share, and we faced higher rates compared to larger countries. However, we are grateful for every benefit secured--no matter how big or small.
💡 Fun fact: NPOs face stringent legitimacy checks. Can’t get more legit than that!
Digital Standstill and Social Media Setbacks
Grace in the Valleys: Our Workshops
2024 in a Glance
A Promising Start
We began the year with high hopes and a modest yet encouraging intake for our 'Lead a Bible Study' workshops. January saw a promising start with more than 10 participants.
Wandering and Wondering in the Wilderness
However, from February to October, we found ourselves wandering in the wilderness of workshops. Sign-ups were unimpressive, with some workshops canceled and others teetering on the brink. The standout was our D4Y, which had strong intakes in January and July.
A Divine Turnaround
Just when doubts loomed and some year-end workshops faced cancellation, God intervened. We witnessed a sudden surge in enrollments, with many new participants and a few returning for refreshers. Our 'How to Study the Bible' workshop saw many new to Precept study. We raise a Hallelujah!
Essential Skills Workshops: The Valleys and Peaks
Lead a Bible Study Workshops: Raising the Next Generation of Leaders
From Zero to Hero
The 'Lead a Bible Study' workshops experienced a divine turnaround similar to the Essential Skills workshops. A sudden spike in enrollments saw 21 participants for the online PLPUP, with about 50% being regional participants, and 13 participants for the HTL40M in November.
Praise the Lord for this much-needed encouragement. We are grateful for every participant, new and returning, who joined us on this path. We do not take for granted this crazy good ending for 2024, and we ask for prayers for those yet to encounter His Word.
Young Adults (YA) Classes
It’s rare we are at a loss for words, but none too intelligible emerged with “YA”, and occasional sounds of 'erm' quivered through the void. We launched our first YA classes in 2019, but they only took off in 2020. Yes, that Covid year. We rejoiced when over 200 YAs enrolled through those two years.
The Core of Change: Scripture and Relationship with God
At the heart of Precept Ministries, we believe true change—personal relationship with God—comes from Scripture. Not just for YA, but for all ages. Why? Ephesians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4. One cannot know God without knowing His Word.
Scripture guides you toward God. Precept guides you through Scripture. Know God Deeply. Live Differently.
Post-Covid Wilderness: Decline and Determination
From Low to Hope: A New Beginning
Encouraging the Journey: 2025 and Beyond
On this note, we persist in encouraging our dear YA to resume their inductive Bible study journey. Come 2025, we have classes on all three levels—PUP, NISS, and 40-Minute Study Series. Like a broken record, we would say, stay connected but not disconnected with God's Word.
Getting Back to the Heart of Precept Inductive Bible Study
Our advocacy for Precept inductive Bible study is not just about the materials but about equipping others to engage in personal Bible study effectively—a lifelong skill.
There’s nothing more powerful than reading the testimonies of our directors, who began as Precept participants before taking active roles as trainers for over two decades. Looking at them, and even many other faithful Bible expositors globally, it ought to leave one to wonder, "Am I missing a point about the Word of God?"
With this, we share the words of Stephen Lim and Timothy Tan on how Precept inductive Bible Study has impacted their lives:
Stephen Lim, Outreach Director
Timothy Tan, National Director
What’s Next for 2025?
There's so much we would like to tell you, but this newsletter cannot contain it all. As we conclude this reflection on 2024, we stand in awe of God's unwavering grace through every peak and valley we've traversed. Each high has filled our hearts with joy, and every low has strengthened our faith. We are profoundly grateful and blessed as a ministry, witnessing His hand guiding and sustaining us through it all. With hearts full of gratitude, we look forward to the journey ahead, trusting in His perfect plan and steadfast love.
Looking forward to 2025, we aim to bring back what matters:
Authenticity of the Precept Inductive Bible Study Method
Gatherings for leaders and members
In-person Classes and Workshops
Events, starting with our Creation Symposium on 18th January 2025
Young Adults Classes
Raising New Precept Leaders
New Workshops Planned
Commence your new year by committing to a Bible study for 2025! The best gift is to know God personally through His Word and be transformed. Look out for our next update! We will be filling you on what's to come in 2025. Or you browse through our website for the latest updates!
For now, keep well, our dear brethren! We wish you a blessed Christmas and a meaningful new year!
Comments