My HKBTS Hidden Curriculums

Jones Chan and Dr. Andres Tang

　　A four-year Bachelor of Theology program can feel like it is over in the blink of an eye. It was as if only yesterday I had joined the HKBTS Spiritual Formation Camp held in Cheung Chau during my first academic year where I first met my fellow students. And here I am now writing a graduation reflection. Thinking back on these four years, I have learned a lot and also experienced God’s grace.

Concern for Others

　　What I have learned and been equipped with in the past four years is not only knowledge about the Bible, theology, church history and practical skills, but also lessons which I learned from my seminary life–usually referred as the “hidden curriculum” by our teachers. I remember in my early days at the seminary, senior students would always enter our dorm rooms for whatever reason, and start chatting. They demonstrated to me by their example that student life at the seminary is like exactly what is said in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV) Since then, I also often talked and shared with junior fellow students at the seminary, understanding their study needs, listening to their problems in life, and then remembering their needs in my prayers.

Learning by Serving

　　Aside from that, I also benefited from serving at the seminary. I was serving in the Spiritual Formation Department of the Student Union, and as I prayed in public more often, I gradually realized that the terminologies I used in prayers were repetitive. So I read many different devotional books and tried to use various prayers in my devotion, learning how to pray to the Triune God with various wording from the past intercessors. This widened my spiritual horizons and added color to my relationship with the Lord.

Trusting God in Difficult Times

　　I also experienced God’s grace during these four years. During the second semester of my third year, in addition to the heavy work load of assignments, I was experiencing financial hardship. There were also other matters combing to wear me out physically and mentally, and I could find very little strength to do anything. I was feeling very low, even my fellow students and teachers began to worry about me.

　　During the study recess, at around 2 am in the morning, I was alone in the dorm living room, gazing at the Christian Theology assignment in front of me, while some other matters sprang to mind, and I was overwhelmed by a sudden surge of strong emotions. At that time, I kneeled down and prayed to the Triune God, telling Him all the challenges I was facing one by one. Tears rained down as I was praying.

　　God did listen to my supplication. After that night, God responded to all the issues I mentioned in the prayer one by one at the right time. The difficulties in my studies were easier to manage, as the work load was lessened gradually after I submitted the assignments one by one. As for my finances, through donations from brothers and sisters, God gave me enough provision for my tuition fee and living expenses for that semester. God also guided me through the rest of my struggles.

　　While it is not possible to list all that I experienced in the past four years, these have become foundation for my future full-time ministry. As I enter my new mission field, I will still remember to “look not only to [one’s] own interests, but also to the interests of others.” When faced with a problem, I will stay determined as I once was and fight courageously. When encountering difficulties, I will remember to depend on the Triune God and trust that He will guide me through step by step. Only in this way, what I learned and gained from the seminary will not be in vain.