United States General Assembly
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
(Lk 2:46)
At the early age of twelve, Jesus
already knew the importance of learning and understanding more about God. Opportunities
to draw near to God come not only when we are mature, but can start when we are
young, and eager to learn and increase our knowledge. This is why the True
Jesus Church has established a structured religious education (RE) system based
on a comprehensive Bible-based curriculum. The objectives of religious
education are to:
1.
Impart spiritual knowledge to the students and
build up the pure faith within them (2 Tim 3:15; Col 3:16).
2.
Guide students toward Christ-like behavior and
teach them to live a Christian way of life (Prov
22:6; Mt 5:14–16).
3.
Guide students to pray for the power of the Holy
Spirit and to serve in the kingdom of God (Gal 5:22–23; Acts 1:8).
4.
Train students to preach and be effective
witnesses with the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God (2 Tim 4:2; Mk
16:15–18; Mt 24:14).
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SYSTEM
In the United States (US), the RE
system comprises weekly classes, as well as convocations and theological
seminars, for students aged from four to twenty-two, to help them build a
lifelong faith. Weekly RE classes are divided into these age groups:
• Kindergarten
(4–5 years old)
• Elementary
1 (6–8 years old)
• Elementary
2 (9–11 years old)
• Junior
1 (12–14 years old)
• Junior
2 (15–17 years old)
• Senior
(18–22 years old)
SEMINARS AND CONVOCATIONS
In addition, the US General
Assembly (USGA) organizes spiritual convocations and theological seminars
throughout the year to support the religious education of both young and old
alike. These range from student spiritual convocations for participants aged nine
and above, to national adult theological seminars for our members aged forty-plus.
These courses bring home the importance of pursuing a lifelong learning of the
word of God and fulfill the four religious education objectives. Each event is
based around a specific theme, and includes Scripture-based classes, life
application teachings, and testimony sessions.
When taken in tandem with weekly RE
classes at the local church level, these seminars and convocations provide a
comprehensive Bible-based education that equips the participants with the word
of God on their lifelong journey of faith.
SHARING
Below, a college student shares
how attending religious education events has impacted her life:
The summer before I started
fourth grade, I took the first step of my spiritual journey when I attended
Student Spiritual Convocation (SSC). The first thing that came to my mind about
a one-week church camp was having to pray constantly and read the Bible every
day, things that I, like most children, did not enjoy. I did not want to leave
home for a week to go to an unfamiliar place. But, through the encouragement of
my parents and church teachers, I ended up going. I had mixed feelings of
anxiety, frustration, and fear as my parents left me at the church in Garden
Grove for my first SSC. However, I quickly found that my counselors were very
welcoming, and there were many other kids my age who were feeling the same way
as I was. I gradually adapted to the environment around me and made new friends
who have since become my close spiritual companions.
That SSC was special because I
received the precious Holy Spirit, whom I longed for after seeing others around
me receiving the Holy Spirit. By the end, I did not want to leave because I
felt that the church had become my home—a warm and familiar place.
In the years following that
SSC, I began to look forward to each upcoming event. Each time, I learned
something new about the Bible through the various topics and teachings given.
Because events such as Winter Student Spiritual Convocation and Regional High
School Theological Seminar were directed specifically
towards a certain age group, they were especially edifying and relatable.
Moreover, I received a vast number of spiritual lessons that still remain with
me now.
After attending my first
National Youth Theological Seminar this past summer,
I realized that I have come a long way on my spiritual journey and that God is
truly abiding with me through these events. This is now my own faith and not my
father or mother’s faith.
These events help me to revive
my spiritual life, which may have faltered after a long year in school, and
remind me of God’s love and His continual guidance in my everyday routines.
Being able to meet my spiritual buddies in person instead of virtually also
enforces the act of praying together and interceding for one another.
Attending these seminars and
convocations every year allows me not only to gain more biblical knowledge but
also to spiritually mature and grow in God’s teachings. There are never too
many events to attend and it is always such an amazing opportunity to be able
to build up servitude in Christ and to experience His love.
CONCLUSION
Religious education has always
been the responsibility of God’s chosen people. Moses said to the Israelites:
“Now this is the commandment, and these are the
statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you,
that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to
possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and
His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all
the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore
hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with
you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has
promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’”
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You
shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your strength.”
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you
sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you
rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as
frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your
house and on your gates.”
(Deut
6:1–9)
The command is clear: God's chosen
people must keep His word before their children. When we understand the
tremendous potential God sees in our children, we will care for them as
precious treasures, whose value only increases with each generation. Though religious
education spans a lifetime, it is our calling to support one another, as well
as the church, in working towards the goal of building up the faith of our
children in the Lord.

1 Participants
are separated into same-gender groups, each with at least one counselor to provide
guidance and spiritual support throughout the week. The counselors encourage
students with the word of God to pray and to draw near to God, and lead morning
Bible studies, daily discussions, and nighttime sharing within each group.
Participants also have the opportunity to fellowship with members from other
churches and learn about God through curriculum specifically created for their
age group.
2 The
curriculum is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and
life application teachings for college students. Participants are separated
into groups for sharing and Bible study, and a team of counselors oversees all
groups and marks homework. Participants must attend four years of NYTS full-time
and give a twenty-minute sermon in order to graduate.
3 The
curriculum is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and
life application teachings for college students. Participants are separated
into groups for sharing and Bible study.
4 Participants
are separated into groups for discussion.
5 Under
the purview of the Training Department, which falls under Religious Education,
even though participants no longer attend weekly RE classes.