In Search of Kingdom Living

This was based on a tyndale paper depicting my development as a teacher and learner. I hope to describe this pivotal expression of my life and provide reflection and analysis of my teaching and learning experiences in light of class lectures and assigned readings. I will structure this paper chronologically, highlighting the significant books, teachers, and reflecting on the major learning paradigms of each component of my life.

Family Background

In order to explain the factors contributing to my development as a teacher and learner, I have to begin by explaining my family background. When I was a child, my parents Jeff and Mary would consistently read biblical stories and other children books to my brother and myself. The stories often filled our heads with great wonderment and the delightful pictures helped to solidify our sense of imagination. I was a curious child and it seemed quite natural for me to question all things, demanding explanations for concepts and ideas not easily understood. My parents would continue to be my primary teachers for the duration of my childhood. They have tremendously impacted me, particularly by their life example.

Church Background

 The second significant contributing factor to my development is my upbringing in the church. My church functions like a family church where everyone is greeted as ‘uncles and aunties’. Leaders are not so much judged by biblical knowledge or theological education; rather, church members are deemed leaders based on their status in the family of the church. The strong emphasis on the Chinese family as model for church led to a particularly authoritative culture. Children and youth were expected to listen to their elders and follow their advice. This proved to be particularly true in the discipleship of young children and youth in the church. As people (particularly the children and youth) raised questions in opposition to the general teachings of any leader, this would be seen as defiant and counteractive to the church. The younger was naturally expected to submit to the older, especially in the ways of spiritual maturity. This distinctive church culture would be one of the unique backgrounds in which I was formed.