13. Manna issue 84 - Family Passing Down the Faith 家族傳承信仰
Derren Liang—Irvine, California, USA 美國加州爾灣教會 梁得仁傳道
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD
As the proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
This expresses the received wisdom that parents will struggle to raise a child by themselves.
But, beyond parental limitations, the proverb also implies that
the whole community bears a responsibility towards a child.
A child raised within a community to uphold its values will grow up to become a member of that community,
thus ensuring the continuation of the community and its identity.
But if a child is not nurtured as part of the community, he may go astray,
or worse still, become a nuisance to that community.
Similarly, within our spiritual community of the church,
we have the responsibility to inculcate spiritual values in our children
—to preserve and pass on our faith.
俗話說，教育一個孩子需要一個村莊的力量。
這句話代表了眾所皆知的智慧，
身為父母，會努力自已把小孩子扶養長大。
但除了父母本身的力量有限之外，這句名言也隱含了，
需要整個團體的力量，來負擔起扶養孩子的責任。
團體裡面所扶養的孩子，承繼了團體的價值觀，
長大之後，就自然成為團體的成員，
也因此確保了團體及其自我認同傳承下去。
但若孩子並不是以身為團體一份子而受扶養長大，
他或許就會偏離，更糟的是，或可能變成團體的麻煩。
同樣的情況，身處於教會內的屬靈團體，
我們有責任把屬靈的價值觀，灌輸給子女，
讓信得以保留並傳承下去。
The family is the foundation of the church,
and the strength of the church depends on the bonds within every family.
Therefore, building the church starts with building each family.
This is not just about cultivating a happy family,
but, rather, a blessed Christian family.
In secular society, each family follows the culture to which it belongs,
but in the church, we follow the teachings of the Bible.
However, we sometimes confuse the culture of the church with that of society.
For example, in the United States, the state provides a child’s education, funded by taxes.
Citizens can rest assured that paying their taxes will guarantee their children’s right to education.
Regrettably, some brethren apply this concept to the church setting,
thinking that their sole responsibility is to offer tithes so that
the church can provide religious education and foster their children’s faith.
This perspective, founded on societal norms, goes against what we learn from the Bible.
家庭是教會的基石，而教會的力量取決於每個家庭內的凝聚力。
所以，建立教會始於鞏固每個家庭。
這指的是，不只要培養出快樂的家庭，
而反而要成為得到祝福的基督家庭。
世俗社會中，每個家庭都隨著所處社會的文化，
但在教會裡，我們要遵守聖經的教導。
然而，有時候，我們搞混了教會和社會的文化。
例如在美國，政府會提供孩子教育，由稅金來支出。
父母可以放，只要有納稅，就能確保子女有權受教育。
可惜的是，有些信徒把這種觀念移植到教會的場景，
認為他們主要的責任，就是奉獻什一捐，
這樣教會就能提供宗教教育，培養他們子女的信仰。
這種觀點，根源於社會規範，與我們從聖經上所學的相違背。
As the proverb we started with tells us, many resources are required to raise a child.
Couples spend so much time and energy parenting that their lives revolve around their children.
When it comes to instilling faith in our children, the church also puts in much effort.
However, if religious education does not begin at home, then the church will struggle in this task.
Indeed, parents cannot separate themselves from the village and its responsibility.
They are the most important part of a child’s community,
playing the pivotal role in a child’s upbringing and faith.
If parents fulfill their duty, then the church can bridge the gaps.
The church cannot replace the family in instituting religious education.
Both parties share the responsibility of raising the children in the faith.
一開始我們討論的格言，告訴我們，要養成一個孩子需很要很多資源。
配偶雙方，花費了很多時間和精力來扶養子女，他們的生活都圍著孩子團團轉。
當我們要來討論，如何把信仰灌輸到孩子身上的時候，教會也非常盡力投入。
然而，若宗教教育沒有從家裡開始，那麼教會在這個工作上就很困難。
老實說，身為父母，是不能與村莊及其責任有所分離。
父母是一個小孩人際關係裡最重要的部份，
在小的成長及信仰過程中，扮演了最關鍵的角色。
若是雙親盡了自已的責任，那教會就能接合兩邊的差距。
在建立宗教教育的事上，教會不能取代家庭的角色。
不論是教會，還是家庭，都擔負了在信仰中，扶養孩子成長的責任。
THE LORD WHO BUILDS THE HOUSE 神建造了房屋
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.” (Ps 127:1)
若不是耶和華建造房屋，建造的人就枉然勞力；若不是耶和華看守城池，看守的人就枉然警醒。
(詩 127：1)
The psalmist focuses on building and guarding,
which can be likened to establishing a person’s faith.
In the context of a Christian family,
to build a house is to build the faith of our next generation,
and to guard the city is to watch over their faith.
The psalmist also speaks of two types of strength:
that of the builder and the watchman, and that of God.
God’s strength is needed even while man discharges his duty.
When man has worked to the best of his ability,
God will fill in the gaps, to complete what man cannot do on his own.
詩人強調建造和看守，
這可以連結到個人信仰的建立。
身處於基督徒家庭的環境中，
建造房屋的意思，就是建立下一代的信仰，
而看守城池，就守護他們的信仰。
詩人也談到了兩種類型的力量：
建造著和看守者的力量，以及神的力量。
神的力量是必要的，甚至即使人類盡了自已的責任。
當人們努力工作，盡了他一切的能力，
神會彌補所以要的間隙，完成那人自已不能完成的事。
In addition, regardless of the effort invested into raising our children, we need God’s mercy.
We may plant and water, but God gives the increase.
We must bring up our children in the faith—this is our duty—
but the development of our children’s faith rests with God.
Only the all-powerful God can change people’s hearts.
As we rely on Him, we need to pray that He increases the faith of the next generation.
We should intercede on their behalf, just as Job regularly offered burnt offerings for his children,
in case they had “sinned and cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5b).
除此之外，不管我們投入了多少的心力，在扶養孩子的事上，我們需要神的憐憫。
我們要在信仰中，扶養自已的兒女-這是我們的責任-
但是兒女信仰的成長，一切全依賴神。
只有全能的神，才能改變神的心。
若我們有依靠神，就要向神禱告，求神加強下一代的信心。
我們要為他們代求，就如約伯定期為了兒女獻上燔祭，
為了防止他們在心中得罪神，咒罵神。
(伯 1：5b)
We also have the Bible as a guide to leading a godly life.
God establishes all things, including family units.
The Bible reveals the principles God has determined for His creation,
but problems arise when men rebel against these principles.
This is why we see families breaking down.
On the other hand, if we align ourselves to God’s principles,
He will bless our family and shower His mercy on us.
我們也要用聖經，作為指引，讓我們過著虔誠的生活。
神創造了一切，包含了每個家庭。
聖經揭露了神創世，所定下的原則，
然而，當人們違背這些原則的時候，問題就出來了。
這就是為何我們看到很多家庭破裂。
另一種情況，若我們自已配合神的原則，
祂會祝福我們的家庭，對我們施予憐憫。
AND THESE WORDS YOU SHALL TEACH TO YOUR CHILDREN 你該教養兒女這些話
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your strength.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut 6:4–9)
4以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華─我們神是獨一的主。
5你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。
6我今日所吩咐你的話都要記在心上，
7也要殷勤教訓你的兒女。無論你坐在家裡，行在路上，躺下，起來，都要談論。
8也要繫在手上為記號，戴在額上為經文；
9又要寫在你房屋的門框上，並你的城門上。
(申 6：4-9)
As part of tradition, devout Jews would memorize and recite these verses.
Verse 4 starts with “Hear, O Israel”—Israel,
meaning “Prince of God,” was the name God gave Jacob.
Being a prince is glorious; what more a prince of God?
We, as princes of God, have freely received this noble status
and we must pass it on to the next generation.
Today, many esteem their cultural heritage,
and invest time and effort in passing it on to their children.
Those residing outside their country of birth will
teach their children their mother tongue and cultural practices.
Likewise, we who hold the noble status of princes of God must esteem our spiritual identity.
Our earthly cultural roots may be important to us,
but the culture of our heavenly Father is even more precious.
這已成為猶太傳統的一部份，虔誠的猶太人會背起來，重覆朗誦這些經節。
第四節開始："以色列阿，你要聽！"
以色列的意思是"神的王子"，也是神給雅各的名字。
身為王子是榮耀的；更何況是身為神的王子呢？
我們"身為神的王子"，白白得著了這尊貴的身份，
就要對下一代傳承下去。
今日，許多人敬重自已的文化傳承，
投入了時間和心力，傳給他們的兒女。
那些居住於出生地國外的人，會教導兒女母語和傳統活動。
同樣地，我們已經擁有了神國王子的尊貴身份，一定要珍惜自已屬靈的身份。
地上的文化根源，對我們而言或許很重要，
但是我們天父的文化，甚至是更珍貴的。
The Bible describes three kinds of inheritance:
children, material possessions, and God Himself. -
Most of us desire to pass on to our children material security.
We focus on their education and academic achievements,
hoping they will have good careers and a high income.
Understandably, most parents wish the best for their children:
abundant material possessions, and comfortable lives without financial burdens.
However, such possessions are not eternal. Only the unseen things of God are eternal.
To receive God as an inheritance is to receive blessings on earth and eternal life,
far exceeding the value material possessions could bring.
聖經記載了三種類型的傳承：
兒女，物質的財產，神自已，都是傳承。
我們大部份的人，都希望能夠把物質上的保障傳承給子女。
我們會注重他們教育，學業上的成果，
期待他們以後會有好工作，高收入。
不然理解的是，大部份的父母都想要給子女最好的：
富裕的物質財產，快活生活不會有財務上的負擔。
然而，這種財產並無法永或。
只有屬神，肉眼看不見的事物，才是永恆的。
若能得到神，繼承了屬神的一切，就是得到屬地及永恆生命的祝福，
遠遠超過一切有價物質財富，所帶來的價值。
It is imperative we recalibrate our value system towards the things of God above.
We may wish to give our children what people of this world deem as valuable;
but more importantly, we must give them the best spiritual inheritance, that is, God Himself.
At times, we may view this heavenly value system as beyond us, and irrelevant to our lives.
But, actually, every decision we make reflects
and reveals our values for all to see, especially our children.
For instance, should we enroll our children in extracurricular enrichment classes on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath day is a day of rest and blessing from the Lord,
a critical fact emphasized in religious education.
But if we choose to enroll our children in such classes,
our action advocates a value system that conflicts with biblical teaching.
We have to align ourselves to the values of God, even in simple decisions,
so we can demonstrate our beliefs and pass on the right values to our children.
調整自已的價值，再重新朝向天上有關神的工作，是極度重要的。
我們或許希望，可以給兒女，那些世上之人，認為有價值的事物；
但是更重要的是，一定要給予他們最好的屬靈傳承，就是把神傳給他們。
或許有時候，我們會認為這種天國價值觀超乎我們的理解，跟我們生活沒有關係。
但事實上，我們所作的每一個決定，反應出，也顯示出自已雙眼所見的價值，特別是我們的兒女。
例如，我們該不該為自已的子女，報名那安息日的課外才藝班？
安息日，是安息及得神祝福的日子，
是宗教教育中，極度強調的重點。
但我們若是選擇為兒女報名了這種才藝班，
我們的行為就顯示出一種與聖經教導違背的價值觀。
要讓自已可以與神的價值觀同調，即使是非常簡單的決定，
這樣才能展現自已的信仰，把正確的價值觀傳承給兒女。
BEING ROLE MODELS 以身作則
There may come a time when our children no longer heed our words,
leading us to conclude that our only recourse is to pray for them.
However, Deuteronomy 6 tells us that the first step in educating our children is not with words,
but with a lifestyle that demonstrates our love for God (Deut 6:5).
This love we have for God must be manifested in action and become our way of life.
In their formative years, children often imitate their parents.
If we lead a lifestyle of loving the Lord with all our heart, soul,
and strength, our children will most likely imitate us to do likewise.
Therefore, we must live a life of faith,
and show our children the practical aspects of our faith, daily.
By demonstrating our faith to our children
and testifying to them the wonderful blessings we receive from God,
we will be setting a good example for them.
或許總會有那個時候，我們的兒女不再聽我們的話，
導我們認為，唯一可作的事，就是為他們禱告。
然而，申命記6章告訴我們，教導孩童的第一步，不是用言語來教導，
而以一種生活方式，展現出我們對神的愛。
(申 6：5)
我們對神的這種愛，一定要在行為上表現出來，成為我們的生活方式。
在兒女人格型塑的時期，他們就常會效法父母。
若是我們過著愛神的生活方式，盡心，盡性，盡力愛神，
兒女就很有可能效法我們有同樣的行為。
所以，我們要過著有信心生活，
表現給兒女看見，每日信仰上，可實際實行的作為。
因著把自已的信仰展現給兒女看見，
向他們見証我們從神領受奇妙的祝福，
就會給他們留下好榜樣。
In Deuteronomy 6:7, we learn that we need to teach our children in our house,
when we walk, when we lie down and when we rise up.
This suggests spending time with them in order to have teaching opportunities.
A child is blessed if he can have his mother
or father by his side throughout the day.
Although the family will have less income,
the stay-at-home parent can channel his
or her love and wisdom into raising the child.
The Bible tells us that the hireling does not care for the sheep as the shepherd does.
Likewise, a nanny is not an adequate substitute for a parent.
申命記六章7節，我們學到了，要在家裡教導兒女，
無論我們行走，躺下，起身。
這裡建議，要花時間與他們相處，才可以有教導他們的機會。
若孩子終日有父母親的陪伴，他是受祝福的。
雖然家裡的收入會減少，但是待在家中的父母，
會引導他們的愛與智慧，用在扶養兒女的事上。
聖經告訴我們，雇工並不會像牧羊人一樣的關心羊隻。
相理，奶媽並不適合來替代父母的角色。
A critical and indispensable platform in every Christian family is family service.
This service is a regular session where parents guide their children
in Bible reading and lead them in home worship.
In Paul’s letters to Timothy,
he refers to the younger man’s early introduction to the faith:
在每個基督家庭中，最重要又不可或缺的平台，就是家庭聚會。
家庭聚會要定期舉行，父母可帶領子女讀聖經，在家中聚會崇拜。
保羅寫給提摩太的信，
他指出，這個年輕人幼年時，就有信仰的引導：
[I thank God] when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you,
which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice,
and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Tim 1:5)
5想到你心裡無偽之信，這信是先在你外祖母羅以和你母親友尼基心裡的，我深信也在你的心裡。
(提後 1：5)
…from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:15)
15並且知道你是從小明白聖經，這聖經能使你因信基督耶穌，有得救的智慧。
(提後 3：15)
Timothy was a third-generation believer,
and his mother taught him the Scriptures from an early age,
establishing his life of faith.
Similarly, if we set up a family service and
take every opportunity to share our faith with our children,
we can nurture their belief from a young age.
Establishing a family service requires having a daily schedule
of Bible reading and praying together as a family.
By doing so, our children will develop a habit of cultivating themselves spiritually,
so they can remain rooted in the faith as they become more independent.
If the next generation recognizes the importance of reading the Bible,
they will have God’s word as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path.
If they know how to pray on their own, God will strengthen and move them.
提摩太是第三代的信徒
自幼年的時候，母親教他聖經，建立了他有信心的一生。
類似的是，若我們設立了家庭聚會，
把握每一個機會和子女分享信仰。
自幼小之時，就能滋養子女的信仰。
設立家庭聚會，就要訂下全家一起讀經及禱告的時間表。
因著這麼作，子女就會培養出習慣，造就自已的靈性，
而長大獨立之後，他們就會在信仰上有根基。
若是下一代認識到，讀經的重要性，
他們會以神的教導為燈與光，帶領他們雙腳行走的道路。
若他們知道自已如何禱告，神會加添力量，感動他們。
A CHRISTIAN HOME 基督家庭
Finally, in Deuteronomy 6:8–9, God says,
“You shall bind [these words] as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
We can interpret these verses as instructions
to establish a good Christian environment for our children.
Children are highly impressionable and the surroundings in which
they grow up will influence their character.
The environment should remain an important consideration
even when they are choosing a university.
Should they enroll in a liberal college that will challenge their religious values?
Should they select a college that is far away from the nearest church?
Consenting to these choices is like sending our children into the wilderness.
Indeed, many seemingly strong youths have lost their faith
because of their decision to study at such colleges.
As Christian parents, we must understand
that the best university may not be the one
that is highest ranked or the most prestigious,
but the one where our child’s faith can be strengthened.
最後，申命記六章8-9節，神這麼說，
8也要繫在手上為記號，戴在額上為經文；
9又要寫在你房屋的門框上，並你的城門上。
你可以把這段經節，解讀為，為了子女，要好好建立基督徒環境的指示。
孩子是高度可受到影響的，他們成長四週的環境，會影響他們的人格。
即使他們在選擇就讀那間大學的時候，其環境也是重要的考量因素之一。
我們要報名一間自由開放風氣的學校，因而造成他們信仰價值觀衝突的挑戰嗎？
我們要選一間離最近教會很遠的學校嗎？
若妥協了這些選擇，就好像把孩子送到曠野去。
是的，有好多看起來很堅強的青年，失去了自已的信仰，
因為他們決定要去那些學校就讀。
身為基督徒的父母，就要了解，
最好的學校，或許不見得是那排名最高的，或是最具名望的學校，
那是那間可以讓孩子信仰得以堅固的學校。
In conclusion, we have to guide our children towards God,
to plant the seed of faith in them,
and to nurture that faith so that our God will become their God.
As parents, we have received this inheritance, our children, from God.
Hence, we have a responsibility towards our children
and to God to ensure that we preserve them in the faith.
It can be an uphill task for us to be like Christ,
so that our children can imitate us.
It may not be easy for them to see the goodness that
our life of faith brings, and for us to pass on our faith to our children.
However, let us remember that all things are possible through our Lord who strengthens us.
May God’s mercy continue to rain upon us so that
we can instill this faith in our future generations.
總之，要帶領自已的兒女朝向神，
在他們心中，植入信仰的種子，
培養好他們的信仰，這樣我們的神，也會變成一生帶領他們的神。
身為父母，我們已經從神繼承了祂的賞賜，就是自已的兒女。
因此，我們對自已的孩子和神有責任，
要確保他們在信仰上得到保守。
對我們而言，效法基督就好像是向上爬坡的任務，
因為這樣，兒女才會效法我們。
對他們而言，要看到我們信仰生活所帶來的好處，不是那麼容易，
對我們而言，要把自已的信仰傳承給兒女，也不容易。
然而，我們可記得，因著神給我們加添力量，一切都有可能。
願神的慈愛長存，如甘霖降下，
因而我們可以把自已的信仰，灌輸給自已的下一代。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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