“Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).

The book of Proverbs provided us with this very valuable principle when it comes to training the young. Hence, this very principle serves as the abstract for the Youth Bible Lesson evaluators when it comes to conducting and teaching their respective students. With the intent to honor the students and further motivate them to study their Bible lessons, the Manila Congregation held its first ever Youth Bible Lessons Recognition Day last March 20, 2008.

The event has been one of the highlights during the Manila Congregation’s outing on March 20-21, 2008 at the White Paradise Resort, Calamba, Laguna. One can definitely feel the warmth and encouraging atmosphere that filled the venue throughout the short program. Everyone was beaming with positive smiles as the students, in their Sabbath attire, marched their way towards the front seats during the processional.

The recognition formalities started with an opening prayer followed by a special piano rendition performed by one of the students, Katrina Santos. After that, the certificates were handed one by one by the Pastor of the Manila Congregation, Mr. Epifanio Rey Evasco. The students were divided into three categories namely The Graduates, The Continuing Students, and The Prime Movers.

The Graduates are the YBL students who have finished the highest level of the Youth Bible Lessons and have already met the requirements for the lessons. All in all, there are fifteen (15) graduates, some of whom will now be assigned as evaluators for the next YBL school year; an assignment that the graduates welcomed with great enthusiasm.

The Continuing Students are those who have finished their current level of the Youth Bible Lessons and are eligible for a “level-up.” There are nineteen (19) excited students in this category, looking forward to a new set of lessons in the next YBL school year.

The final set recognized during the event is The Prime Movers. There are five (5) students in this category. They are basically the youngest among the children in the congregation who have not yet taken the first lessons per se, but have always been curious and keen during the group sharing, absorbedly listening while the evaluators discuss the Bible lessons. They shall be officially taking up their first bible lessons in the upcoming YBL school year.

Although the ceremony was adequately simple, it has undoubtedly fostered further encouragement for the children in the congregation. They are now looking forward to studying and learning new range of topics in the next YBL school year such as history of the Church, the life of our master Jesus Christ, and the different personalities and events in the Bible and what we can learn from them. The same is true with the eager evaluators who are excited for the forthcoming opening of a new and productive YBL school year.

Christian Living, like all good habits, is best learned when we are still young. It is anticipated with great optimism that the UCG Youth Bible Lessons will more extensively develop among the young a virtuous habit of continuous enthusiasm towards studying and exercising the perfect way of life that our Lord Jesus Christ led and showed us.

© 2008 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas