FEATURE SPEAKER | Feature Address
There is something remarkable about the Church of Christ. A few Sundays ago, I saw a [member] from the Kingstown Park congregation climb a very steep hill along a “slippery when wet” footpath to administer communion to a 92 year old shut-in, Mrs. Thelma Wyllie. I saw Mrs. Wyllie “light up” and put on a cheerful countenance when the brother entered her home. She was in her glee and I was a little jealous since my visit certainly didn’t have the same effect. There was a sweet fellowship. I found out later that this was the gentleman’s weekly routine and gained insight on the deep concern the church has for its members and its commitment to the work of God.
Mr. Joel Jack and his dear wife and help meet, Mrs. Janelle Jack, are also exemplary members of the Church of Christ and are outstanding ministers of the gospel. Today, I would particularly like to commend them, [b]rother Edley Dunbar and everyone else involved—including the sponsors—for the great work that they are doing with Scriptural Search and the Secondary School Bible Quiz. Mr. Jack took a visionary step when he initiated Scriptural Search, which we all know is a wonderful eight year old weekly “call-in” programme on WeFM that is aired on Tuesday evenings (6-7pm). The programme provides an opportunity for anyone to become familiar with the scriptures and we should keep in mind that according to 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable. It is important to read God’s word, or to search the scriptures (John 5:39), because they help us to know His will. The Bible says (see 2 Timothy 3:15) that from childhood Timothy had known the holy scriptures which were able to make him “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” It is even believed that Timothy’s mother taught him his ABCs using portions of the Old Testament Scriptures, and my own reading ability was honed during daily devotions.
The Secondary School Bible Quiz is a product of Scriptural Search that provides a further incentive for biblical research among students. Mr. Jack, who is a theological scholar, used his creative genius and his vast experience working with youth groups and community service organisations to develop a well-thought-out and well-structured quiz. The purpose of the quiz was and is “to assist the youth of the nation to increase their love for, knowledge and understanding of the Bible.” It also helps students to acquire general skills that will be useful for their educational pursuits. The programme, on the basis of the evidence before us, is achieving its purpose. It has penetrated all 26 secondary school and hundreds of students have participated to date. The prizes are so very attractive and I notice that there are even prizes for the parents of winners. I hope therefore that this quiz would be around for a very long time, up to the days when I have children in secondary school, and beyond, so that I could win a prize. There is absolutely no programme in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that is as sound and as wholesome as the Secondary School Bible Quiz.
I extend congratulations to all the winners here and to everyone who has ever participated in the quiz. It is your job to be ambassadors for this programme and to be ambassadors for Christ. There is a lot more work to be done. How could we engage students before they get to secondary school? Why don’t we get together and lobby for the reintroduction of religious education on the general school curriculum? Can’t we develop national bible contests that would encourage the acquisition of biblical knowledge? Let promote the things of God. You know what; I want to give a prize of my own this morning. Who could recite for me the books of the Old Testament, in order, from Genesis to Malachi? I have $50 here for any student who could come up to this podium and list those books. Any takers?
We are here today because of the hard work and dedication of [b]rother Joel Jack and his team of exemplary Christians that teach the ways of the Lord by demonstrating them with their lives. The passion they have for spreading the gospel is contagious. I am inspired to a closer Christian walk as a result of the example they have set. Scriptural Search and the Secondary School Bible quiz are programmes that should be supported nationwide without reservations. This is the kind of activity that we should be promoting in our schools. This quiz ought to receive the endorsement and support of the Ministry of Education and all other stakeholders. The more we know of the gospel, and the more we follow the teachings of Christ, the more peaceful and prosperous our islands would be.
Mr. Joel Jack and his dear wife and help meet, Mrs. Janelle Jack, are also exemplary members of the Church of Christ and are outstanding ministers of the gospel. Today, I would particularly like to commend them, [b]rother Edley Dunbar and everyone else involved—including the sponsors—for the great work that they are doing with Scriptural Search and the Secondary School Bible Quiz. Mr. Jack took a visionary step when he initiated Scriptural Search, which we all know is a wonderful eight year old weekly “call-in” programme on WeFM that is aired on Tuesday evenings (6-7pm). The programme provides an opportunity for anyone to become familiar with the scriptures and we should keep in mind that according to 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable. It is important to read God’s word, or to search the scriptures (John 5:39), because they help us to know His will. The Bible says (see 2 Timothy 3:15) that from childhood Timothy had known the holy scriptures which were able to make him “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” It is even believed that Timothy’s mother taught him his ABCs using portions of the Old Testament Scriptures, and my own reading ability was honed during daily devotions.
The Secondary School Bible Quiz is a product of Scriptural Search that provides a further incentive for biblical research among students. Mr. Jack, who is a theological scholar, used his creative genius and his vast experience working with youth groups and community service organisations to develop a well-thought-out and well-structured quiz. The purpose of the quiz was and is “to assist the youth of the nation to increase their love for, knowledge and understanding of the Bible.” It also helps students to acquire general skills that will be useful for their educational pursuits. The programme, on the basis of the evidence before us, is achieving its purpose. It has penetrated all 26 secondary school and hundreds of students have participated to date. The prizes are so very attractive and I notice that there are even prizes for the parents of winners. I hope therefore that this quiz would be around for a very long time, up to the days when I have children in secondary school, and beyond, so that I could win a prize. There is absolutely no programme in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that is as sound and as wholesome as the Secondary School Bible Quiz.
I extend congratulations to all the winners here and to everyone who has ever participated in the quiz. It is your job to be ambassadors for this programme and to be ambassadors for Christ. There is a lot more work to be done. How could we engage students before they get to secondary school? Why don’t we get together and lobby for the reintroduction of religious education on the general school curriculum? Can’t we develop national bible contests that would encourage the acquisition of biblical knowledge? Let promote the things of God. You know what; I want to give a prize of my own this morning. Who could recite for me the books of the Old Testament, in order, from Genesis to Malachi? I have $50 here for any student who could come up to this podium and list those books. Any takers?
We are here today because of the hard work and dedication of [b]rother Joel Jack and his team of exemplary Christians that teach the ways of the Lord by demonstrating them with their lives. The passion they have for spreading the gospel is contagious. I am inspired to a closer Christian walk as a result of the example they have set. Scriptural Search and the Secondary School Bible quiz are programmes that should be supported nationwide without reservations. This is the kind of activity that we should be promoting in our schools. This quiz ought to receive the endorsement and support of the Ministry of Education and all other stakeholders. The more we know of the gospel, and the more we follow the teachings of Christ, the more peaceful and prosperous our islands would be.