When I first embarked on this expository journey of KINGDOM101, some of most common questions were: Why 101? Does it refer to the number of KINGDOM101 sessions?
For those who are still not as aware of what KINGDOM101 is all about, allow me to address these questions in this post:
Why 101?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term “101” relates to a university course that is intended as an introduction to a subject for people who have never studied it before (e.g. Sociology 101, Marketing 101, etc). Used informally, it refers to the basic facts in a particular field or subject (e.g. a 101 guide to social media).
Back in 2014, after the birth of Archippus Awakening, the Lord gave a very clear instruction to teach about the kingdom of God. The reason: believers, supposedly people of the kingdom, do not know or understand the things of the kingdom. There is a critical need to revisit the fundamentals and basics of the kingdom. My reference would be the Gospel of Matthew, largely regarded as a kingdom manual.
Expository Preaching: What was I thinking?
There was no need to brainstorm any name for this teaching and aligning initiative. It would simply be offered as KINGDOM101, an expository journey through Matthew with a three-fold objective: 1) for believers to be reintroduced to Jesus as King; 2) for kingdom subjects to embrace the principles and perspectives of the kingdom; and 3) that the saints would discover and receive their God-given kingdom assignments.
Does It Refer to the Number of KINGDOM101 Sessions?
Quite naturally, many think that the number “101” refers to the number of KINGDOM101 teaching sessions (hoping that this is just a joke). When asked to clarify or confirm, my standard reply would always be, “I don’t know.” I then proceed to explain that the objective is never to just complete a course or simply finish yet another bible study so that we can move on to another programme. To this end, we will not rush through anything but will instead take our time so that kingdom basics and fundamentals are carefully considered and prayerfully lived out.
I was trying my best (and continue to do so) to break the typical mindset of a 3-part series or a 6-month programme that Christians are so used to. In other words, we will take as many sessions as required. At the end of the day, it is not the number of sessions that is important but that we encounter Jesus and His kingdom through each and every teaching. And that many will be awakened, aligned and assigned.
Reaching a “101” Checkpoint on 19 February 2020
Notwithstanding the above, 101 teaching sessions is still a milestone to be celebrated.
KINGDOM101 ended 2019 with the 99th teaching, ending Matthew 13. Last month, on 22 January 2020, there was some excitement when the 100th teaching of KINGDOM101 was delivered, starting a new year with Matthew 14. Looking ahead, we prepared to mark the 101st session.
Then came the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak with Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) raised to Orange Alert.
Monitoring the situation, even if attendance may be affected, we decided to go ahead with the 101st session of KINGDOM101, with the necessary precautionary measures in place. On 19 February 2020, we were pleasantly by all who turned up in spite of the Covid-19 situation! The regulars came to celebrate this milestone, and the Lord brought many first-timers to join us too. What’s more, for the very first time ever at KINGDOM101, the 101st teaching session was live-streamed over Archippus Awakening’s YouTube’s Channel.
Are We There Yet?
We give all praise and thanks to the Lord that we are able to make it to this checkpoint of 101 sessions. By His grace and faithfulness, I have been enabled to prepare and teach session after session. By His provision, we have had the necessary resources to continue to offer KINGDOM101 at FGA@Playfair, through Soundcloud, and now via live feed. I am so thankful for the many who have stood by me, serving alongside me, cheering me on and praying for me and the aligning initiative of KINGDOM101.
We have come a long way since the very first session of KINGDOM101. Even so, are we there yet? Not by a long shot. We will continue to trek through this expository journey, to serve the Body of Christ that many more will learn and understand what it means to truly love and serve Jesus and His kingdom. It may be tiring but we most certainly will encourage each other, looking forward to the little checkpoints along the way, using every opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness in and through this kingdom assignment.
Thank you Jesus for 101 sessions of KINGDOM101! Thankfully, we don’t have to wait too long to celebrate the next checkpoint. Just around the corner, on 25 March 2020, God willing, we will mark FIVE YEARS of KINGDOM101 since we first began the journey on 18 March 2015.
Join us!