Trinity Annual Conference

LPL Module -  Methodist Studies 

Course Description
This is a tutored course in Methodist doctrine and polity designed specifically for those seeking a Licence to Preach in the TRAC.  Those who wish to take this course as audit are also welcome.  This course includes a chronological summary of John Wesley’s life and ministry, study on key aspects of Methodist doctrine, the history of Methodism in Malaysia, and the Methodist Discipline.

Course Requirement (for those taking as a credit course):
1.Required reading 

• The Scripture Way of Salvation, Kenneth J. Collins. Nashville, Abingdon, 1997. 
• Wesley and the People Called Methodists, Richard P. Heitzenrater. Nashville,      Abingdon Press, 1995. 
• “Christianity in Malaysia”:A denominational history, Robert Hunt et. al. (ed.),  
  Petaling Jaya, Pelanduk Publications 1992 (On Methodist History only)
• Methodist Book of Discipline 2016

The candidate will submit a statement to the effect that he/she has completed the reading once that is done. The statement must be countersigned by the pastor and sent to the LPL Registrar, Rev. Shearn Sya ([email protected]) and cc to the Instructor, Rev. Andrew Tan ([email protected]). 

2. Written Assignments (Not longer than 1,500 words per paper) 

1. On some aspect of Methodist Theology and its relevance to the Universal Church today (1 paper)
   • What do you consider to be Wesley’s most important and enduring contribution? Where do you see his greatness? Conversely, where do you sense his humanity, personal trials and weaknesses?
   • John Wesley’s emphasis of Christianity could be termed as “practical divinity”. How did Wesley understand this and show how it could be relevant for Methodist Church today.
   • What was John Wesley’s understanding of the Church and how did he organize it to meet the spiritual and social needs of his day?
   • Evaluate the importance of John Wesley’s organization of class meetings and preaching chapels for the development of Methodist church polity. 
   • Does Methodism support infant baptism? What help do we find in Wesleyan teaching and tradition on this issue?
   • What is the Methodist Church’s stand on the Charismatic movement? What help do we find in Wesleyan teaching and tradition on the issue?
   • Outline and explain Wesleyan’s teaching on salvation from original sin to glorification at death.
2. On some aspect of the Methodist Discipline and its relevance to the Church today (1 paper)
   • Methodist Church polity lays heavy emphasis on “Connectionalism”. Evaluate the Methodist Discipline to show this and explain why it is important in Methodism. What might the tension between the need of the local church and the requirement of “connectionalism’ (i.e. TRAC and Methodist Discipline requirements) be, and how do you see this can be resolved?
   • Outline your understanding of the role of the District Superintendent, the pastor, the PPRC, the Nomination Committee, and the LCEC. In your understanding, reflect how each is related to the other.
3. Lectures
   The candidate must attend all the lectures, on both days. Anyone who does not attend both days of lectures will be considered as not having fulfilled the course requirements in order to pass this module. Attendance will be taken on both days.

 18 - 19 Jan 2025

-Trinity Methodist Church, Penang

Bishop Dr. T. Jeyakumar

LPL Module - Understanding the OT

Outline of LPL Module

The Intensive Study Weekend Module provides:

• A survey and introduction to the 39 books in the Old Testament.
• Understanding the context of the Old Testament, i.e. its historical, cultural and socio-religious background.

You will be required to prepare answers to the following survey:

1. How many books have you read in the OT?
2. Name five OT scholars you know. Have you read their work? 
3. List five examples/items in the OT which you can identify in the NT. 
4. When was the last time you studied the OT as part of your serious readings? What are some of the lessons you have learned in that study? 
5. List five most recent sermons you have heard preached from the OT?

Please write short/brief notes for the above survey. 
Please submit it on the day you attend class.
 

Resources:

1. Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
   (Compulsory pre-reading for the course, except for NT Chapters 3,4,6,7,8,13)
2. J. Drane, Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford: Lynx, 1987).
3. W. Dumbrell, The Faith of Israel (London: Apollos, 1989).
4. Tremper Longman III and Raymond B. Dillard, Understanding the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006, 2^nd ed).
5. William Sanford Lasor, David Allan Hubbard, Frederic William Bush, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament 2^nd Edition.
6. Bruce K. Waltke and Charles Yu, An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach.

Additional Resources:

1. Fredrick Carlson Holmgren and Walter Brueggemann, The Old Testament and the Significance of Jesus: Embracing Change -Maintaining Christian Identity
2. Gordon Wenham, The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms
3. David Noel Friedman, The Unity of the Hebrew Bible (The Distinguished Senior Faculty Lecture Series)

FULL Details Course Descirption & Requirements

Assignments & Citations

 24 - 25 May 2025

Emmanuel Methodist Church, PJ-

Rev. Joshua Khong

LPL Module - An Introduction to Mentoring & Coaching in Ministry

Course Synopsis
This module explores the transformative roles of mentoring and coaching in Christian ministry, highlighting their significance in nurturing spiritual growth, leadership development, and effective discipleship. Participants will learn how these practices can enhance both personal and ministry-wide outcomes by deepening relationships, strengthening leadership capacity, and empowering individuals to fulfill their God-given potential.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with a deeper understanding of the vital roles of mentoring and coaching in Christian ministry, along with practical insights and basic skills to implement these practices effectively in their own contexts. Whether you are a pastor, lay leader, or ministry worker, this course will empower you to begin mentoring and coaching others toward greater spiritual maturity, leadership effectiveness, and Kingdom impact.

Course Outline

1. Introduction: Definitions, Biblical models and roles, the coach-mentor continuum
2. Beginning the journey: Understanding the process, matching and connecting with intentionality
3. Charting the journey: Agreeing and clarifying focus and expectations
4. Skills for the journey: Listening to learn and asking powerful questions
5. Guides for the journey: The Holy Spirit’s role, cross-cultural awareness
6. Tools for the journey: Using practical tools/models for awareness and growth
7. Concluding the journey: Celebration, evaluation, exploring next steps and feedback

Course Requirements

1. Attendance at intensive study weekend on 14 & 15 June 2025
2. Reading assignment – Read any two (2) of the following books:
   • Fernando, Ajith, Discipling in a Multicultural World (Crossway, 2019)
   • Scazzero, Peter, The Emotionally Healthy Leader (Zondervan, 2015)
   • Rogers, Jenny, Coaching Skills: The definitive guide to being a coach (Open University Press, 2016)
   • Reynolds, Marcia, Coach the Person, Not the Problem (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2020)
   and the following article which will be provided to registrants during the intensive study weekend:
   Hong, Sunny, Cross-Cultural Mentoring: A Brief Comparison of Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures (William Carey International Development Journal, Vol 1, Issue 3: Summer 2012)
3. Practical Assignment - Initiate 1 mentoring-coaching engagement and complete a minimum of 4 sessions with a volunteer mentee/coachee. You will be required to submit learning reflections from each session and feedback from your mentee/coachee. More details will be provided during the intensive study weekend.

Note: The assignments in (2) and (3) are to be submitted within 3 months following the intensive study weekend i.e. on or before 15 September 2025. Please email all assignments to me at [email protected].

 14 - 15 June 2025

Subang Methodist Church

Mr. P. Phua

LPL Module - Spirituality & Discipleship

Synopsis
This module examines the basics of Christian spirituality and the fundamentals of discipleship and disciple making with the intent that course participants will learn to become more intentional in their spiritual growth for transformation and as Christ’s disciples in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.
This is an introductory course in Spirituality and Discipleship, it serves as catalyst and foundation for further personal reflection and practice in your formative and discipleship journey, and corporate interaction and application in your church or faith community. 

Requirements & Assignments for LPL Candidates:

1. Pre-Course Preparation: Before attending the Course participants are to

   1. Spend a period of time before God to reflect on how God has been at work in their lives, in their families and in their churches. Focus on the relationship with God, and what is going on in the journey of faith. 
      They are then to discern how God has been leading them at this time of their lives. 
      Participants are then to write a personal reflection paper (not more than three pages, Arial 12, double-spaced) and submit it at the beginning of the course.

   2. Study the basic text for the course: Dallas Willard, The Great Omission – Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship.  Monarch Books, 2006, write a review of the book (about two pages, Arial 12, double-spaced) and submit it at beginning of the Course. 
2. Attend all sessions of the Module on the appointed days
    
3. Post Course Assignments:  
   1. Book Reviews: Choose any two of the following books and submit a review of about 750 words each (Arial 12, double-spaced):

      a)    Ajith Fernando, Discipling in a Multicultural World. Crossway: Illinois. 2019.
      b)    Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship - On Being and Making Followers of Christ. NAV Press, 2006.
      c)    Bill Hull, The Disciple-Making Church: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith. Updated Edition. Baker Books: Grand Rapids. 2010.
      d)    David Watson, Discipleship. Hodder & Stoughton. 1983.
      e)    Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. Paperback Edition. HarperCollins Publishers: New York. 1991.
      f)    Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. HarperCollins Publishers: New York. 1997.
      g)    Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart – Putting on the Character of Christ. IVP. 2002.
      h)    Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship. Macmillan Pub. Co. 1963.
      i)    Edmund Chan, Mentoring Paradigms: Reflections on Mentoring, Leadership and Discipleship. Covenant EFC: Singapore. 2014.
      j)    Larry Kreider, Authentic Spiritual Mentoring. Regal: California, USA. 2008.
      k)    Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline – the Path to Spiritual Growth. Third Edition. HarperCollins Publishers: New York. 1998.
      l)    Robert M. Solomon, Apprenticed to Jesus: Learning from Him, Living like Him. Genesis Books: Singapore. 2014.
      m)    Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. Second Edition. InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove. 2018.

   2. Submit a Reflection Paper: (of about 1,500 words in Arial 12, double-spaced)
      – writing direction will be given out on the day of the Course.
      Assignment due in 3 months after the Course (28 October 2025)

FULL Details Course Descirption & Requirements

 26 - 27 July 2025

-Trinity Methodist Church, Penang

Rev. Thomas Chin

Biblical Interpretation 

Time: 9am-6pm (Sat), 1pm-4:30pm (Sun)
Venue: Trinity Methodist Church, Penang 
(email: [email protected])
  
Click to download the document for more instructions.

Course Description

The course is designed to introduce participants to the methods, tools, and interpretative principles necessary for interpreting and studying the Bible, and applying the biblical lessons in our life and ministry. Participants will be introduced to different approaches to various literary genres of both the Old and New Testaments. There will also be opportunity for participants to be exposed to using biblical software as a tool in doing exegesis and the various resources available in print and online.

Learning Outcomes 
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• understand the principles and process of interpreting and understanding the Bible.
• use the various tools (commentaries, bible software, internet) in interpreting the Bible.
• apply what they have learned in interpreting various passages during the course.
• reflect on how the Bible can be applied in their life and ministry.

Course outline

• The presuppositions
• The makeup of the Bible
• The guiding principles:
  • Observation
  • Lexical study
  • Cultural and historical context
  • Grammatical analysis
  • Theological integration
• The application

Assignment

Choose one of the following passages, and write a paper of approximately 1,500-2.000 words interpreting the passage of your choice:

1. Deuteronomy 6:1-9
2. Isaiah 6:1-10
3. Mark 8:34-39
4. Ephesians 2:11-22
5. 2 Tim 2:1-7.

Feel free to use any of the standard English translations such as NIV, NRSV, NASB, ESV, etc. Study and investigate the historical and literary context of the passage and place the passage in terms of the larger whole. Carry out a word study on some important key words. See how the passage fits into the whole biblical context and what theological content it offers us. Finally, some forms of application for today e.g. some lessons we can draw from this passage.

Bibliography:

Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020.

Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014.

Video resources:

1. There are a number of good resources available at the Youtube Channel of FBC Waxahachie:
   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC8Beb-kBokH3KigWQpXQ04uCUvBngxwK
2. The BibleProject has a good series on How to Read the Bible:
   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNedn4FbBMMtOlGN-BPLQ54IH

 25-26 Oct 2025

Trinity Methodist Church, Penang 

Rev. Dr. Lim Kar Yong