Workshops

This year's Winter Conference features 14 workshops across two days. You may attend one workshop per day. Workshops are taught in English, Cantonese or Mandarin.

December 27, 2003

• A1 Personal Growth: Being the Right One

• A2 Contemporary Issues: Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

• A3 Contemporary Issues: Stop Lusting and Start Loving

• A4 Contemporary Issues: The Reality of Human Soul

• A5 Evangelism and Edification: Disciples are Not Born, But Made

• A6 Evangelism and Edification: Sharing Christ with Your Family--Mission Possible!

• A7 Theology and Apologetics: Understanding and Explaining the Trinity

December 28, 2003

• B1 Personal Growth: Being the Right One

• B2 Personal Growth: Hello God, Do I HAVE to Serve?

• B3 Contemporary Issues: Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

• B4 Contemporary Issues: The Reality of Human Soul

• B5 Evangelism and Edification: Disciples are Not Born, But Made

• B6 Evangelism and Edification: Sharing Christ with Your Family--Mission Possible!

• B7 Theology and Apologetics: Explaining the Uncomfortable Reality of Hell

 

See also Main Speakers Workshop Speakers Plenary Session

A1: Being the Right One
Samson Ou, advisor for youth and young adult fellowships at Chinese for Christ, San Jose (CFCSJ)
English - Also in Mandarin (B1)

"Have you found the right one?" is not as important as "Have you become the right one?" Come and learn what it takes to be the right one.

We always hear about finding the right one, but have you ever thought about being the right one? Even if you do find the right one, you might not be the right one for that person! It doesn't make sense to look for desirable qualities in others if we don't have those qualities in ourselves. And as Christians, if we are to be the right one, we must also have the right priorities and find security and completion in Christ. Come and find out how spiritually attractive you are, how to become more spiritually attractive, or if you are the right one for a particular person.

Objectives

• To discuss the differences between finding the right match vs. being the right match

• To learn and pursue attractive and biblical qualities in a Christian partner for yourself

• To put God first and to be secure and complete in Christ

• To determine if you are the right person for another person from a number of perspectives (e.g., emotional, spiritual, situational, personal)

A2: Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Pastor Peter Fong, Chinese Church in Christ, South Valley (San Jose, CA)
English - Repeated in English (B3)

Accepting male and female equality shouldn't mean denying male and female differences. Let's explore the Bible's refreshing and workable perspective.

Modern culture tells us that men and women are equal and concludes that there are no differences between men and women. But equality of worth should not lead to elimination of differences. We should seek to understand the differences that God designed between men and women rather than shoving them aside. Because when we operate from God's design God's purpose for marriage, family and church will not only succeed but exceed human designs. Let's take a step back from popular opinion to rediscover, apply and encourage the refreshingly biblical perspective on manhood and womanhood. 

Objectives

• To explain that the biblical model for men and women isn't about inferiority or superiority but different roles and order 

• To explain the biblical male and female roles in marriage, family, and church

• To explain how biblical teaching on male and female roles transcends changing cultures and times and that there are consequences if we deviate from God's plan

• To explain how can men and women in their roles encourage and edify each other

If you are interested in marriage, having a godly relationship is a high priority. Learn practical tips on building or changing your relationship a godly one.

A3: Stop Lusting and Start Loving
Pastor Keith Booth, Camden Avenue Baptist Church (San Jose, CA) and Professor of Economics and Political Science at De Anza Community College
English

If only I knew what I know today to have a healthy relationship, I would have fewer scars to mend and would have enjoyed my marriage much sooner. I often wished that someone would of shared and modeled for me what it takes to have a good relationship before I got married or even dated. Most of us who grew up in an Asian family home are not taught or modeled a healthy relationship. What we've learned about 'the birds and the bees' came from the media and friends who knew as little as ourselves. The church isn't a whole lot of help either because it considers this topic as 'voodoo' particularly in the Asian churches.

Objectives

• To spot the premature expectations and warning signs, to realize the misguided needs, and to understand the consequences of unhealthy relationships

• To seek God's purpose, to follow the stages, and to desire the benefits of healthy relationships

• To apply practical tips on putting God first, to set and maintain appropriate boundaries, and to make a godly relationship

• To starve sexual impurity by persistently avoiding sexual temptation (optional)

A4: The Reality of Human Soul
Dr. Richard Yen, anesthesiologist practicing at Kaiser Permanente (Fontana, CA)
Cantonese - Also in English (B4)

Are we more than merely impressive, well tuned machines? See how modern understanding is beginning to confirm what the Bible teaches on the human soul and what this means for us.

Everyone knows he has a body but not everyone recognizes that he has a soul. People who accept the reality of their own soul will pay attention to the question of eternal destiny. This seminar will integrate the latest discoveries from molecular biology, nanotechnology and neurobiology with known Biblical revelations about the human soul. Through colorful slides and other visuals you will understand the relationship between your body and your soul. The goal is to help you better care for your own future and that of lost souls.

A5: Disciples are Not Born, But Made
Rev. Albert Seung, President of Christian Creative Communication Center. Pursuing Doctor of Ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)
Cantonese - Also in English (B5)

If someone wanted you to disciple them, would you know how? Find out what the Bible teaches about who can disciple and how to disciple.

Jesus had 12 disciples, so should we have 12 disciples? Well, even though we are to imitate Christ, perhaps we don't have to in this case. But there are many other things we can learn from Jesus and the Bible about discipling others. The Bible has a lot to say about the goals, manner and benefits of discipling others. Do you have what it takes to disciple others? If so, who should you disciple? And if God is calling you to disciple others, how will you start, continue and conclude discipling? Come and find out how to grow the church deeper!

Objectives

• To understand what the Bible has to say about the goals, manner and benefits of discipleship

• To know what qualities are needed to be a discipler

• To know the method and manner of starting, continuing and concluding discipleship

A6: Sharing Christ with Your Family--Mission Possible!
Dr. Simon Tsoi, Executive Director of Chinese Baptist Fellowship of US and Canada
English - Also in Cantonese (B6)

Sharing the gospel to your family is very difficult, especially when they don't recognize Christian priorities. But we should take the opportunity to show them God's work in our life.

Even Jesus found that his most difficult audience to minister to was His family. If Jesus, who was perfect, had such difficulty with his skeptical brothers, how much more so we with our imperfections! But be encouraged. God has used humble people to change their families from biblical times to modern times. Even when parental authority and God's authority disagree, we can still live for God and be a good testimony. You may feel that your family will never take you seriously because they know you so well. But the fact they know you so well is an advantage and an opportunity for you to let them see God's work in your life. 

Objectives

• To be encouraged by personal testimony and the Bible's promises

• To learn ways to respond biblically to God's authority and parental authority

• To overcome family familiarity with love, faith and consistency

• To learn ways to open up family members to Christ

A7: Understanding and Explaining the Trinity
Rev. Elisha Cheung, Senior Pastor of Parkway Chinese Baptist Church (Dublin, CA) and President of Calvary School of Theology
Cantonese

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential, seldom understood, and often refuted. Come and learn how to defend and explain this vital doctrine.

What doctrine do you think is essential to Christianity, understood very little by Christians, and refuted often by non-Christians? Answer: the doctrine of the Trinity. So what are we going to do about this? To leave this question unanswered is to miss out on strengthening our faith. We will talk about why this doctrine is so important to Christian faith and why non-Christians, especially those who are religious, find this doctrine hard to accept. But most importantly we will discuss how the Bible supports the Trinity and how to answer common arguments against the Trinity.

Objectives

• To understand how salvation and other doctrines relate to the Trinity

• To appreciate why the Trinity is such a hard concept for Jews, Muslims, cultists and even the Church (historical church background regarding the development of this doctrine)

• To become familiar with the biblical support for the Trinity

• To be equipped to refute misinterpretations of Scripture and/or faulty arguments against the Trinity

• To explain the validity of sound inferential reasoning on different verses in the forming the doctrine of Trinity

B1: Being the Right One
Samson Ou, Advisor for youth and young adult fellowships at Chinese for Christ, San Jose (CFCSJ)
Mandarin - Also in English (A1)

"Have you found the right one?" is not as important as "Have you become the right one?" Come and learn what it takes to be the right one.

We always hear about finding the right one, but have you ever thought about being the right one? Even if you do find the right one, you might not be the right one for that person! It doesn't make sense to look for desirable qualities in others if we don't have those qualities in ourselves. And as Christians, if we are to be the right one, we must also have the right priorities and find security and completion in Christ. Come and find out how spiritually attractive you are, how to become more spiritually attractive, or if you are the right one for a particular person.

Objectives

• To discuss the differences between finding the right match vs. being the right match

• To learn and pursue attractive and biblical qualities in a Christian partner for yourself

• To put God first and to be secure and complete in Christ

• To determine if you are the right person for another person from a number of perspectives (e.g., emotional, spiritual, situational, personal)

B2: Hello God, Do I HAVE to Serve?
Pastor Walter Leung, Davis Chinese Christian Church
Cantonese

We are often approached to serve as Christians. But before you commit, learn what it means to serve in God's will and strength.

As a Christian, our church always reminds us to serve our Lord. However, are you frustrated with trying to figure out what is really your will and what is really God’s will? And as young people with so many possibilities in front of us, it may be especially difficult to find out how we should serve God! Now is the time for us to think about the reasons, qualities, and blessings of Christian serving. And as we do so, let’s also examine ourselves if we are serving in our own strength or God's strength in the areas of our motivation, readiness and attitude.

Objectives

• To compare our ideas of serving in a church or fellowship with God's will for serving

• To understand the reasons, qualities, and blessings in Christian serving

• To check if we are serving in our own strength rather than God's strength in our motivation, readiness and attitude

• To find the area you should serve in

B3: Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Pastor Peter Fong, Chinese Church in Christ, South Valley (San Jose)
English - Repeated in English (A3)

If only I knew what I know today to have a healthy relationship, I would have fewer scars to mend and would have enjoyed my marriage much sooner. I often wished that someone would of shared and modeled for me what it takes to have a good relationship before I got married or even dated. Most of us who grew up in an Asian family home are not taught or modeled a healthy relationship. What we've learned about 'the birds and the bees' came from the media and friends who knew as little as ourselves. The church isn't a whole lot of help either because it considers this topic as 'voodoo' particularly in the Asian churches.

Objectives

• To spot the premature expectations and warning signs, to realize the misguided needs, and to understand the consequences of unhealthy relationships

• To seek God's purpose, to follow the stages, and to desire the benefits of healthy relationships

• To apply practical tips on putting God first, to set and maintain appropriate boundaries, and to make a godly relationship

• To starve sexual impurity by persistently avoiding sexual temptation (optional)

B4: The Reality of Human Soul
Dr. Richard Yen, anesthesiologist practicing at Kaiser Permanente (Fontana, CA)
English - Also in Cantonese (A4)

Are we more than merely impressive, well tuned machines? See how modern understanding is beginning to confirm what the Bible teaches on the human soul and what this means for us.

Everyone knows he has a body but not everyone recognizes that he has a soul. People who accept the reality of their own soul will pay attention to the question of eternal destiny. This seminar will integrate the latest discoveries from molecular biology, nanotechnology and neurobiology with known Biblical revelations about the human soul. Through colorful slides and other visuals you will understand the relationship between your body and your soul. The goal is to help you better care for your own future and that of lost souls.

B5: Disciples are Not Born, But Made
Rev. Albert Seung, President of Christian Creative Communication Center. Pursuing Doctor of Ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)
English - Also in Cantonese (A5)

If someone wanted you to disciple them, would you know how? Find out what the Bible teaches about who can disciple and how to disciple.

Jesus had 12 disciples, so should we have 12 disciples? Well, even though we are to imitate Christ, perhaps we don't have to in this case. But there are many other things we can learn from Jesus and the Bible about discipling others. The Bible has a lot to say about the goals, manner and benefits of discipling others. Do you have what it takes to disciple others? If so, who should you disciple? And if God is calling you to disciple others, how will you start, continue and conclude discipling? Come and find out how to grow the church deeper!

Objectives

• To understand what the Bible has to say about the goals, manner and benefits of discipleship

• To know what qualities are needed to be a discipler

• To know the method and manner of starting, continuing and concluding discipleship