Cell Study 07022011 Can You See WHAT I SEE

The Bible says without vision people cast off restraints (Prov 29:18). People should
always have, and start off with, a heavenly vision, and finish what they start.

The importance of vision can be captured by the acronym: V.I.S.I.O.N

V = Vision gives VISIBILITY to the future

I = Vision INFLUENCES our daily walk
S = Vision releases SUSTAINING power
I = Vision invites God’s INSTRUCTIONS to guide us
O = Vision helps to OVERCOME obstacles
N = Vision is NON-NEGOTIABLE

(Teacher’s notes: you can use the example of Joseph, how his dream gave him
visibility about his future –that he would be in a position of power; it influenced his
walk—which helped him to preserve his integrity and not fall to the seduction of
Potiphar’s wife ; it gave him sustaining power through the trials of betrayal and
injustice; it invited God’s instructions—in interpreting the dreams; it overcame
obstacles and was a non negotiable in his life.)

Vision allows us to focus on the future. No matter what happened in your past, your
future is spotless.

The Vision of ICC is a God - given vision. (Teacher’s notes: play a game of ICC
History trivial—questions on the next page; can split into two teams if your cell is
very big). The key scriptures that ground our vision are:

 The Lord’s Prayer in Jn 17(Teacher’s notes: “That we may be one.” It speaks

of breaking down dividing walls)
 Rev 7:9 (Teacher’s notes—every tongue, tribe and nation will worship
before God)
 Ps 133—a place of commanded blessings

Our response to God’s given vision should be like Paul’s. First he asked, “what must
I do Lord?” (Acts 9:6). When he was told what he needed to do- which was to preach
the gospel to the Gentiles - he was obedient and was not ashamed and he
persevered until he completed what God had called him to do. At the end of his life
he could confidently say: “I have finished my course”
Discussion Questions:

Do you have a vision for your life? How did you receive that vision?

How has that vision help you to overcome obstacles in the past?

What role can you play to help fulfil God’s given vision to ICC?

What do you need to act on today to fulfil God’s given vision to your life and the
church?

Summary of ICC History for your reference:

In 1988 after one year of intensive prayer Pastor David Mok felt he was ready to
begin working in an area notorious for its drug dealing, gambling and triad activities.
(many people said “can anything good come out of Chinatown and many
discouraged Ps David from starting a work there. Jn 1:46 had the final say)He knew
that the new church would be radically different. This church had to be a changing,
significant force and influence that would strike deep in the heart of the community.

Since Brisbane had many churches catering to predominantly middle-class

Caucasian congregations, David also resolved that as in Luke 14:15, he would go to
the highways and by-ways to reach out and minister to the poor, the blind, the lame,’
bringing them into a caring community that would meet their needs and help them
integrate into mainstream society. David was already operating a restaurant in the
Chinatown Mall called ‘Restoran Malaysia,’ so we began the first restaurant church
in Australia.

Every Friday night, Cornerstone Cafe was opened to bikies, street kids and anyone
wanting friendship and coffee. Even until recently ICC has supported a popular
feeding program every Friday and Saturday reaching over 150 people in Spring Hill
and the Valley.

By 1989, the church which began with six people had grown to over fifty.  It was time
to go fulltime and it was necessary to move across the Chinatown Mall to a fully
designated church building and office.

When numbers increased to over 200 it was time to find a new place. The building at
977 Ann Street was purchased and in 1999 it became our new home.

Today, the International City Church family is made up of over sixty nationalities with
from a cross section of society from professional, business people, students and new
migrants. It also runs the Multicultural Community Centre and the Asian Pacific
Institute, which comprises the International Christian College, a language school and
a Cross-Cultural Training Centre. 
ICC HISTORY TRIVIA (with answers)

1. Which pastor called Pastor David to start a church for the Chinese people?
a. Allan Meyer
b. Allan Boddy
c. Mitch Boddy

2. What was the original name and location of International City Church? Chinatown
Christian Assembly in Fortitude Valley (Chinatown)

3. When was the church started?

a. 1988
b. 1987
c. 1991

4. What was the denomination of Ps David’s church before he was released to plant
ICC?
a. Catholic
b. Methodist
c. Uniting Church

5. What business were Ps David and Jeannie in before they were called to pastor a
church? Restaurant business

6. What was Ps Jeannie’s profession before she was called to be a pastor? High school
teacher

7. Ps Jeannie’s desire to help the migrant was spurred on by a scripture that says: “By
the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion…
we hung up our harp” Where does that passage of scripture come from? (Teachers’
note: it is up to you whether you will let them use the Bible) Ps 137

8. What is the Vision statement of the church?

9. Which passage of scripture that was given to the church convicted Ps David and
Jeannie to reach out to the needy in Chinatown e.g. the street kids, the prostitutes,
etc? Lk 14:21 “Go quickly into the highways and byways…”

10. Can you name the spouse and nationality of these pastors? Bonus points if you can
name their kids

 Ps Jonathan
 Ps Jordan
 Ps Faith
 Mara
 Olivia
 Ps Penny and Steven
 Lee
 Questions for Cell Members

1. Which pastor called Pastor David to start a church for the Chinese people?
d. Allan Meyer
e. Allan Boddy
f. Mitch Boddy

2. What was the original name and location of International City Church?

3. When was the church started?

d. 1988
e. 1987
f. 1991

4. What was the denomination of Ps David’s church before he was released to plant
ICC?
d. Catholic
e. Methodist
f. Uniting Church

5. What business were Ps David and Jeannie in before they were called to pastor a
church?

6. What was Ps Jeannie’s profession before she was called to be a pastor?

7. Ps Jeannie’s desire to help the migrant was spurred on by a scripture that says : “By
the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion…
we hung up our harp” Where does that passage of scripture come from?

8. What is the Vision statement of the church?

9. Which passage of scripture that was given to the church convicted Ps David and
Jeannie to reach out to the needy in Chinatown e.g. the street kids, the prostitutes,
etc?

10. Can you name the spouse and nationality of these pastors? Bonus points if you can
name their kids
 Ps Jonathan
 Ps Jordan
 Ps Faith
 Mara
 Olivia
 Ps Penny and Steven
 Lee