The National Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Young People’s Guild has released the materials for the 2020 National Bible Quiz.
Here is the full document:
This year’s Quiz, as planned by the working committee, shall be organized in five (5) zones. The winners of each zone shall contest in the National Guild Quiz during the 82nd Annual National delegates Conference to be hosted by the Ga West Presbytery.
Below are the PROVISIONAL selected areas for the 2020 National Guild Quiz.
PCG RELATED ISUES PCG History PCG Polity (Governing structure of the church…ref: PCG constitution Articles 18-23 )
YPG RELATED ISSUES YPG History YPG Constitution (Article 6 –10) Exposition on the 2020 YPG Theme (Ref: Youth GuideVolume 21 Chapter 1 ) Case Study of Onesimus (Ref. Youth Guide Volume 21 Chapter 10 [Study 2], Pages 46-48) Hymnal Studies – PH 468 (Ref: Youth guide Vol 21, Pages 22-25)
BIBLE TEXTS Philippians and Galatians
OTHERS PCG Vision 1.5
NOTE: 1. The areas under PCG were chosen to help Guilders remain abreast with the Church’s beginnings and its structure of Governance. This continues from that of last year where we focused on the general history of PCG.
2. The areas under YPG will enable Guilders to appreciate the content of the constitution and position them to learn more about the Guild and its code of conducts and also to appreciate the year’s theme.
3. The selected bible texts were deemed fit with reason being that, the books contain vital information and message which is seen to be key in grooming the youth towards becoming more like Christ in the quest to let Christ be formed in them. The books also support this year’s YPG and PCG themes.
4. The Vision 1.5 has been added to ensure that Guilders understand the agenda and work towards it.
MODALITIES FOR QUIZ 1. Questions be set on all areas given for the quiz 2.Delivering of quiz questions must be on all areas and done in different rounds. Each round for specific area 3.Contestants should be YPG members irrespective of whether they participated last year or not. He or she must be a registered guilder and fall within the age bracket spelled out by the constitution 4. A participant shall be disqualified once it is proved beyond doubt that the person does not meet the criteria above 5. Structure of the questions should be as follows: Bible Questions, PCG Related Issues and YPG Related Issues. It should constitute separate rounds. Three rounds in all. Each round shall consist of 4 rounds of questioning for each participant. All must participate in each round to the end for real winners to immerge. 6. The quiz masters will decide the mode of delivery of questions; say either by ballot, chronological asking of questions as set, etc.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Presbyteries are expected to determine appropriate dates to organize their respective District and Presbytery quizzes to select suitable candidates who will represent them during the zonal competitions. Two Presbyteries will progress from each Zone to contest in the grand Finale National Quiz. Quiz questions for the zonal quizzes will be set by the Zonal quiz Master appointed by the Zonal Coordinators. The National Grand Finale quiz will be held during the national YPG Delegates Conference at the GA West Presbytery in August. The National grand Finale Quiz questions shall be set by the National Quiz Master appointed by the National Quiz Committee in consultation with NEC.
Committee Members Rev. Charles Kwesi Yeboah Bro. Andrews Mari Asiedu Bro. Clement Sam-Dadzie
HERE ARE 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2020 FOR ALL YPG MEMBERS IN THE GA PRESBYTERY
Dear Rainbow Guilder,
In our efforts to help you achieve something worthwhile in 2020, we have compiled these goals to help keep all members of the Rainbow Presbytery to focused.
We believe that these will ultimately help us evaluate the success of our year as young Christians.
Here are the 10 Resolutions:
1. Read the entire Bible: Two chapters each from the Old Testament and New Testament daily will help you achieve this.
2. Pray at least one (1) hour every day.
3. Join at least one service group (if you’re NOT already in one)
4. Win and disciple at least one soul.
5. Make a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly financial commitment to a worthy cause.
6. Invest 10% of your total monthly income.
7. Learn a completely new skill.
8. Read at least one (1) book a month.
9. Get a passport, driver’s license, a degree, masters or something beneficial to your personal development.
10. Keep a journal of your social and financial activities.
We will be keeping check on you throughout 2020 to ensure that these goals are achieved.
May God bless us all and empower us to do this to the glory of His name…
Dear Rainbow Guilder, Whether 2019 was your best or not so good year, the curtains of this dramatic year will be drawn in three days. Yes, three days.
In three days, we will be bidding 2019 goodbye with one hand while welcoming 2020 with the other
We still believe three days is too significant to be trivialized. Remember that the whole universe was framed in seven days. Our God can do far more greater things within these three days. Hallelujah!!!
But while we pray and trust God for a #MiracleInThreeDays, here are some things you can do before the year comes to an end:
Reconcile: In accounting, the end of the month, quarter or year is used for what we call reconciliation where we adjust our cash book with our bank account. Usually, errors and other untreated transactions are identified and rectified. So as you bring your spiritual and personal development year to an end, I urge you to reconcile your dealings. If there are errors with the process or people involved, reconcile them before the new year begins.
Resolution: Resolution is the next thing to do. Resolution is making declarations, especially in writing, to ensure that whatever you identified during reconciliation is affirmed in your plan. You encourage yourself to continue the good things and find the strength to avoid the faults.
Read: Recently, the World Economic Forum released a list of 20 traits for excellence in 2020. I bet you’ve not read. To lead your own life in 2020 requires you to first read and gather knowledge. Find something transforming to read before you step into 2020. The Bible is always the first option. Also get some books on church growth, finance, entrepreneurship, relationship, politics, etc. Build your mental and intellectual capacity within these three days and you’ll be a step ahead of your compatriots.
Retreat: Within these three days, find a day for yourself. A day when you will shut the world up and listen to God. A day when you will ask yourself the hard questions: What does the Lord want me to do in 2020? How do I complete this degree programme? Am I ready for this promotion that is due in 2020? Make time for yourself; it pays!
Record: As you do all these things, write your experiences and expectations down. Start a chronicle for 2020 now. Write the ideas that come up as you do these things and prayerfully reflect on them.
May Jesus reveal Himself to you in power and wisdom as you wrap up for the year and plan for the new year.
The things that I observe at the Madina Market as I commute to work every morning are pretty much the same. I’ve noticed at least two preachers on my route who have an unofficial-yet-kind-of-conventional preaching post. Depending on the time I get to their stations, they’re either singing along with their music playing loudly on speakers, preaching or advocating for passers-by to give an offering. My squad of ‘aboolo’ sellers too strategically position themselves close to a T-junction, one of the places with the heaviest pedestrian traffic. And of course, by that time, most of the other vendors are either done setting up their shops or are just about finishing up. There is this relatively smaller shop among the lot that is always playing music – genres spanning from gospel to highlife to reggae to classical to ballet. Ok, I’m exaggerating a bit, but you get the drift.
On the morning of 1st November, during my routine trip through Madina, I heard the aforementioned shop playing Christmas carols for the first time and it put a smile on my face. Christmas was around the corner and these people were clearly way ahead. Eventually, all the others got caught up in the fever. In no time, Christmas paraphernalia coloured the market and the streets and Christmas carols could be heard at every corner.
To many of us, the season of Christmas is just another range of dates on the calendar that comes with its set of conventions. We get at least two days off if we’re working. We decorate our homes with lights and ornaments and rummage through our music collections for our Christmas carol albums to play 24/7. Some of us dare to boldly belt out the “Jingle Bells”, the “Deck the Halls”, the “Afe akɔ aprɔ”, et al, digital Christmas album or not. The heavens know that we’ve murdered the lyrics of some of these songs but for the sake of sanity, we’ll graciously overlook that for now. We call and send out messages to our loved ones. We watch our beloved “Home Alone” on our beloved GTV – any other way is highly unnatural. And dare I mention our annual “days of return” – the 25th and 31st December. Don’t even get me started on the new year resolutions. And of course, we have the occasional parties and visits to the beach. We deserve to celebrate, don’t we? After all, it’s Christmas.
Something struck me recently and has really gotten me thinking ever since. Very few of the motions we go through during this time of the year every year really point us to the reason for this celebration. I noticed that even with the carols we sing, quite a number of them do not talk of the Saviour’s birth. Yet He’s the reason we’re celebrating Christmas to begin with.
What does Christmas mean to you? To me, although I’m reminded every single day of the love that God has for me, during Christmas, it’s made much more spectacular. The birth of Christ is worth celebrating because it marked the beginning of so many other wonderful things – His life and ministry, His impact on all those He interacted with, and ultimately His death that brought me salvation and intimacy with the Father. It’s worth celebrating because it teaches me of how over two thousand years ago, the obedience of a young couple against all odds has benefitted generations upon generations till date and still counting. And because of that, I resolve to always let the will of God be done in my life. Probably, some two thousand years from today, lives will be blessed because of this decision that I have taken.
So amidst the blessing of some days off work to stretch my body in all directions, the bursts into spontaneous song and dance – in key and in rhythm and with the right lyrics, I must add, the calls and messages that go out, the binge-watching of movies and cartoons and the occasional church services I attend, I make sure to make God know that I’m indeed grateful for His gift of His Son.
Again, I ask, what does Christmas mean to you? What Christmas means to you will be clearly reflected in the way you celebrate it.
And of course, it goes without saying, that whatever you do – however you decide to celebrate Christmas – should honour God (1 Cor. 10.31). Today is 28th December, 2019. For most of us in the working class, Christmas celebrations have technically ended. Some of us are fortunate to have a few more days to spare. Thankfully, irrespective of where we fall individually, we have next year and the years after that to always live with this consciousness, and we pray that God continues to bless us with the gift of life.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a glorious 2020!
INTRODUCTION The year 2019 has been an eventful year for the Ga Presbytery Young People’s Guild (YPG). It was the second year of the current administration.
Here are some highlights of the year:
PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RETREAT The year began with a prayer and strategic retreat for all council members at the Miracle Centre in the University of Ghana. The PEC is made of all 25 District Presidents and the Presbytery Executive Committee. The leadership of the Presbytery prayed for God’s power and wisdom to manifest through them as they shepherd the souls of the guilders.
YOUTH AND STUDENTS’ WEEK The annual flagship statutory celebration came off successfully. Branch Guilds across the Presbytery observed the week with activities that gave the youth the platform to exhibit their talents and also provide an opportunity for the Guild to raise some funds for youth work.
47TH ANNUAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE The Presbytery Delegates’ Conference is highest decision making body at the Presbytery level. Delegates from Branches and Districts converged at the Presbyterian Women’s Centre, Abokobi from the 5th – 7th April, 2019 to seek the will of God for the Guild as well evaluate the year under review and make plans for the ensuing year. Some decisions taken at the conference include the establishment of the “One More Soul” Project and the Month of Sanitation (Clean Ga Presbytery Campaign).
WEEK OF PRAYER AND FASTING & PRAYERFEST The week was observed with prayer bullets from the Presbytery Evangelism Committee to help members pray and build their spiritual muscles through the Christian disciplines of prayer and fasting. The week was climaxed with a mega Prayer Festival at the Mt. Moriah Retreat and Prayer Camp. The Speaker was Rev. Fetor-Tsormana.
BIBLE QUIZ The Bible Quiz which has now become a part of our guild calendar was held at all levels this year. Materials included 1st & 2nd Timothy, PCG and YPG History, Youth Guide Volume 20, and PCG and YPG constitution. At the Presbytery Level, Haatso District emerged winners and went on to place second and third at the Zonal and National Quizzes respectively. We hope that this will help us achieve our goal of promoting Bible Study in the Presbytery.
SHEPHERDING MONTH AND SHEPHERD’S SUMMIT In alignment with the decision to launch the #OneMoreSoul Project which is an evangelism strategy to ensure that every YPG member wins at least one soul, the month of July was dedicated as a shepherding month where guilders will be trained on how to become good shepherds to watch over the flock that will be brought into the the Lord’s fold during the evangelism project. The shepherding month was climaxed with a Shepherd’s Summit on 20th July, 2019 at the Immanuel Congregation, Madina. Rev. Joshua Ohene-Bossman took members through the Ga Presbytery Strategic Plan while Rev. Joyman Otchwemah handled the topic, “Christian leadership and succession planning.” There were also Workshops on discipleship, report writing, financial management and mentoring in leadership.
81ST ANNUAL NATIONAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE This year’s Conference was hosted by the Asante South Presbytery in the AGA International School in Obuasi. Twenty-seven delegates from the Presbytery made up of representatives of all twenty-four districts and one Mission Field together with the Superintendent and Youth Coordinator. Newly National Executive Committee members were elected during the conference.
PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH IN CHURCH EVANGELISM (P-YICE) This year’s P-YICE came off successfully from 3rd-6th October, 2019 in four mission fields in the Oyibi District. Strategies employed included house-to-house, film evangelism, sports outreach, crusade, etc.
In all, the 89 resident missionaries from Districts in the Presbytery reached 388 persons and 87 decisions were made for the Lord.
The Presbytery is planning a Phase 2 which be a follow up on the souls reached and won.
SANITATION MONTH AND CLEAN GA PRESBYTERY CAMPAIGN As part of our social responsibility and stewardship role to keep and watch over God’s creation, we embarked on a sanitation awareness campaign on social media to sensitize the general public especially our members to observe good sanitation. As part of the campaign, we held a general cleanup on 9th November, 2019 in some congregations and districts such as Accra Central, Accra New Town, Kaajaano, Nungua, Taifa, among others.
APPOINTMENT OF OUR SUPERINTENDENT AS THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE ON THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Our Superintendent, Bro. Stanley Toddison, was appointed to office of the Superintendents’ Representative (Vice Chairman) in accordance with the YPG Constitution. The Induction Service came of successfully on Sunday, 10th November, 2019 at the Zimmerman Congregation, Odumase Krobo in the Dangme Tongu Presbytery.
PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEETINGS The Presbytery Excom met once a month while the Council met once every quarter. The agenda of these meetings was to assess the performance of the Presbytery and facilitate the implementation of decisions of the Delegates’ Conference as well as address pressing issues in the Presbytery. The venue for Excom and Council meetings was the NUPS-G Office, University of Ghana and the Jubilee House of the Ga Presbytery respectively.
VISITATION During the year under review, the Presbytery Executive Committee intensified its visitation to Districts and Branches. This is in fulfilment of our intention to visit every Branch Guild by the end of our tenure in April 2021. During such visits, both the members and leaders of the guild were encouraged to continue the good work. Issues affecting the Guild at the lower courts were picked up and efforts are being put in place to resolve them.
DIGITIZATION One of three main objectives highlighted in the Strategic Plan of the current Administration was to capitalize on the use of IT and social media for ministry. The Guild has made significant strides in interacting with its members through social media. Our Facebook Page which is main platform has over 1.1K followers. We have also created a blog to help us report on activities within the Presbytery.
The database was also been launched by the Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Victor Okoe Abbey during our conference this year and we are making efforts for its usage.
APPRECIATION Our sincerest gratitude goes to all stakeholders of the Presbytery Guild for their prayer, support in diverse ways, and godly counsel throughout the year. Special mention to the Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery, Rev. Dr. Victor Okoe Abbey, and the Clerk of the Ga Presbytery, Rev. Solomon Nii Mensah Adjei, for the love they showed the youth in the year under review. We also want to thank all District and Branch Guild Executive Committee Members for their leadership at the lower courts. Without them, the Presbytery cannot stand. Finally, to the largest stakeholders of the Guild, the members. Thank you so much for being there for us. God bless you.
CONCLUSION As we draw the curtains down on this year, we pray for more wisdom. May God continue to strengthen us all to do greater exploits for Him in the year 2020.
All too soon, we have completed another 365 days and are standing on the corridors of one of the most significant days for us as Christians, Christmas. It is a day we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who was made manifest in the flesh to destroy the works of the enemy.
This season is one that speaks volumes of the manifold love of God for mankind and even though in contemporary times, the reason for the celebration is being diluted, it is my prayer that we as young people will spice up the rationale to reflect the essence of the period.
The opening chapter of the Gospel According to St. John all but simplifies the message of Christmas to us. It connects Genesis 1 to establish the deity of Christ (The Word) and the truth that “He was with God in the beginning” and that “all things were made through Him.”
John describes Jesus as the source of life and also “the Light that shines in the darkness.”
This is what we celebrate during Christmas; Jesus the source of life and light has appeared to all men.
Sadly, even though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. This is a good place for us to pause and ask if truly we (Christians) have recognized Him.
If we have, Hallelujah, but if we haven’t, I want to use this opportunity to call you to repentance. This call is the most glorious call ever. John 1: 12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God.”
As we celebrate Christmas, may our thoughts and intents be focused more on resounding this call to sonship.
On this joyous note, on behalf of the Ga Presbytery YPG Executive Committee and Council.Merry Christmas to you all and a prosperous and blissful new year.
May our merrymaking not overshadow the reason for the birth of Christ.
YPG… Service all the way! You… Practice godliness!! Let Christ Be Formed in You… Becoming More Like Christ.
Yours-in-His-Service, Bro. Stanley Toddison Superintendent, Ga Presbytery YPG
I sat and stared at my 2020 resolution list and something struck me. Resolution number 3, like X in algebra, had been a constant on my resolutions for 14 years now. I wondered why it was so but then it dawned on me that I always try to resolve on my own.
For most of us, new year resolutions are the opportunities we create to make what went wrong in the last year right. A way of telling ourselves that we have another chance to start again, try again and a call to show that it isn’t too late. Yet, many of you can testify with me on the fact that achieving 70% of our resolutions never reach 31st January, let alone 31st December. Do I have some faithful testifiers?
Well, it’s not that we are not determined enough, or we lack the courage, ideas and skills. Most often than not, we forget one important thing, we can’t resolve without Christ. And just as Hannah boldly said in 1Samuel 2:9b, “for by strength no man shall prevail”, I have found that to be true.
Making godly resolutions involve determination, time and diligence. It involves a desire to know God better and to get closer than before. Let’s ensure as guilders to make personal bible study, personal prayer time and a desire to master all the fruits of the Spirit with His help as part of our New Year’s Resolution.
Here are some more areas of resolution for every young person in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana:
Soul winning, discipleship and church growth
Spiritual, Intellectual and Leadership Capacity Building
Financial Management and Wealth Creation
Building a personal and church brand
Learning new things
So, as we get ready to write down our New Year’s Resolutions which we believe will be our guide for the wole year and not just the few weeks or months of 2020, we should remember to put God at the centre of it. “Lord, is this what You want? I need strength to accomplish this.”- these are just a few ideas on how to involve God, but hey, don’t involve God and leave it for Him. It’s your resolution and He’s helping you accomplish it, not doing it for you. It’s time to try again, and this time with God.
The Nima District YPG has taken advantage of the season of Christmas to show their love to the inmates of the Nima Police Station by spending time with them and presenting some items to them.
The donation came off on Saturday, 21st December, 2019.
Items donated include toiletries, beverages, food items, etc.
The District President, Sis Theresa Brew, in an interview with Top FM, explained the reason behind their gesture.
“Most often during this season, people focus on the orphanages leaving those on the streets and in the prisons so we decided to focus on the prisons and also show them some love. These inmates don’t get the opportunity to go home and celebrate with their families.”
“Christmas is about sharing the love of God.”
The Ga Presbytery YPG Organizing Secretary graced the occasions and he had this to say:
“One could easily realize that, the people had a heart of gold and wanted to express the love of Jesus to the inmates. The district Executive Committee and members of the Nima district did well and I pray that they will get more resources to do more.”
This is the third time the District is embarking on this project with the previous two benefitting street children and hawkers.
May God bless the District for this kind show of love and compassion.
The newly elected and appointed Executive Committee of the Ashaiman YPG
The Ashaiman District Young People’s Guild held a Hand Over Ceremony on Sunday, 22nd December, 2019 to hand over the mantle of leadership from one administration to the other. to the newly elected and appointed Executive Committee Members of the District Guild.
The ceremony which was hosted by the Ashaiman Central Congregation drew members and patrons of the Guild from all Congregations in the District.
The day also marked the last General Meeting for the Guild year.
The hand over ceremony was officiated by Bro. Paul Kumah Agblotsi, a former District President and a member of the Credentials Committee.
The outgoing President, Bro. Peter Sewu Narh delivered a comprehensive handing over speech which highlighted the successes and challenges of his administration. The speech also touched on some key recommendations for the incoming Executive.
The newly Elected President, Bro. Daniel Marshall Kporyi, also delivered a spirited acceptance speech and led his colleagues to take a vow of service.
He thanked his mentors including Agents and JY leaders who have helped in growth process and spelt out clearly the vision of his team.
“Let me appreciate Rev. Alexander Yobo Asare, Cat. Theophilus Borteye Bortier, Mr. Ebenezer Lartey (my JY leader back then)…. the competent and indefatigable mentors that have mentored.”
“The vision of the new house is ” To get young people into outreach and church leadership.”
He also recognized the challenges facing the youth in this era.
“It has been a great challenge to be a young person due to the many false influence in the world. Many young people want to experience all facets of life before truly committing themselves to God.”
“We shouldn’t forget that a right fellowship (a personal relationship with God) is the true way of life.”
The Superintendent congratulated the outgoing Executive Members for their sterling commitment to the charge they were given three years ago and charged the new Executive to do the work they have been elected or appointed to do.
“Leadership is not a matter of hanging sash around your neck and going about claiming position; leadership is about doing the task committed into your hands.”
The Superintendent also warned the new Executive against allowing their egos, emotions and experiences have a negative effect on their leadership.
An Induction Service will be held on Sunday, 12th January, 2020 at the Trinity Congregation.
The list of the new Executive will be in office until 2022 are as follows:
Bro. Daniel Marshall Kporyi – President Bro. Isaac Ayiku Amanda – Branch Presidents’ Rep Bro. Moses Quaye – Secretary Sis. Francisca Agbeve – Assistant Secretary Bro. Evans Tekpetey – Protocol Officer Sis. Selina Akuffo – Financial Secretary Sis. Edith Agyei – Treasurer Bro. Nicholas Lawer – Evangelism Secretary
When I arrived in Odumase Krobo late Friday night, she was there to welcome me with the most stomach warming message anybody who has endured the Accra-Madina Road 5pm traffic will want to hear: “I’ve been waiting to serve you so I can go and sleep,” Rita said.
My heart smiled and I think some of my internal organs also reacted, I’m not too sure.
It wasn’t my first time meeting Rita but it was my first time hearing her alias, Associate Mama. Well, she was serving in the manse of the Associate Minister of the Zimmerman Congregation in the Odumase Krobo District, Rev. Djanmah (I’ll write Papa’s story another time).
Rita was part of the Local Organizing Committee overseeing the Induction Service of the newly elected and appointed National Executive Committee Members of the Young People’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church Ghana.
A member of a Christian group with the response of its greetings being “service all the way,” Rita exemplifies this response to the highest degree.
Throughout the weekend, she working hard both to make the NEC members comfortable and also ensure the service was spotless.
On the morning of the service, she was there to ensure our breakfast was served on time.
When we processed, the Brigade marched in to present colours and guess who was part of the colour party? You’re right: Rita.
During the service, we needed someone to get the Special Guests water and while we were praying for a redeemer, an angel appeared from the left wing of the church with a box of bottled water. We looked out for the angel’s name and boldly written on her forehead was ANGEL RITA.
Dear Rita, I know you will definitely lay eyes on this eulogy so let me say this, I don’t usually judge people until I’ve seen them react to a provoking situation but I’m going to break that rule and adjudge you as one of the truest emblems of “Service all the way!” I have met in the Guild.
Your kind is very rare in this dispensation and I feel so proud knowing that such guilders with an immutable and immeasurable desire to serve.
You are a 5-star gem who deserves to be celebrated.
Here is my own special way of saying “thank you” for serving us faithfully throughout our stay.
Ga Presbytery YPG 