13. Manna issue 94 - Family: Raising God’s Servants 家庭：興起神的僕人
Lawrence Chan—London, UK 英國倫敦
Parenting is a challenge.
We need to take care of our children, teach, and provide for them well past their early years.
And as Christians, we understand that
our responsibility extends beyond caring for our children’s physical and emotional needs;
we must also nurture them spiritually.
Furthermore, when our children are baptized,
they adopt a new identity in the Lord:
養育兒女是一個挑戰。
我們需要照顧自已的子女，教導他們，並供養他們度過童年。
身為為基督徒，我們明白，
我們的責任不僅限於照顧孩子的肉體和感情的需求；
我們還必須培養他們的靈命。
此外，當我們的孩子受洗時，
他們在主裡接受了新的身份：
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.
(Rev 1:5b–6a)
5他愛我們，用自己的血使我們脫離（有古卷作：洗去）罪惡，
6又使我們成為國民，作他父神的祭司。
（啟示錄 1：5b-6a）
Those who have had their sins forgiven through baptism have become kings and priests.
In the Old Testament, the priesthood was a blessing and gift from God
(Num 18:7).
When God established the Aaronic priesthood,
He instructed Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the people
so they could minister before God and perform His work
(Ex 28:1).
Today, as priests of the end time, purchased by the blood of Christ,
we have likewise been called out and tasked with ministering before God.
This role of priesthood applies not only to us but also to our children.
那些通過洗禮得到赦罪的人，已經成為君王和祭司了。
在舊約中，祭司的職份是神的祝福和恩賜
（民 18：7）。
當神設立亞倫祭司的職份時，
他指示亞倫和他的子孫要分別為聖，
以使他們可以在神面前事奉，並執行祂的聖工
（出 28：1）。
時至今日，作為末世的祭司，是基督的寶血重價買來的，
我們同樣是受呼召，並受命於神面前事奉。
祭司職份的角色不僅適用於我們，也適用於我們的子女。
Therefore, an important part of raising our children in the Lord
means raising them as servants of God.
How should we undertake this task, and what attitude should we have?
King David gives us a good example in how he equipped his son, Solomon, to serve God.
因此，在主裡撫養子女一個很重要的部分，
意思就是培養他們成為神的僕人。
我們應該如何承擔這項任務呢，應該抱有什麼樣的態度呢？
大衛王為我們樹立一個很好的典範，教導我們如何裝備他自已的兒子所羅門來事奉神。
GOD IS THE FATHER OF OUR CHILDREN 神是我們子女的父親
Before Solomon was anointed king, David gathered all the leaders and officials of Israel.
Knowing his time was near its end,
David prepared Solomon to be king and to take on the work of building God’s temple.
在所羅門受膏為王之前，大衛聚集了以色列所有的領袖和官員。
知道自已的時代已接近尾聲，
大衛準備所羅門成為國王，且承擔建造神聖殿的工作。
Now He said to me, “It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts;
for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father.”
(1 Chr 28:6)
6耶和華對我說：你兒子所羅門必建造我的殿和院宇；
因為我揀選他作我的子，我也必作他的父。
（代上 28：6）
If we replace Solomon’s name here with our own or our children’s,
this statement would be equally true.
Though it feels like our children will always be ours,
our time as their parent is actually limited.
God has chosen us to be His children,
and He remains our Father for all eternity.
As His children, we are responsible for building up His house together
—this spiritual temple, the church
—so that it continues to grow and prosper until Jesus comes again
(1 Pet 2:4–5).
在這裡，如果我們所羅門的名字換成自己，或是自已子女的名字，
這個說法是同樣正確的。
雖然感覺上，孩子永遠是我們的，
實際上，我們作為他們父母的時間是有限的。
神揀選我們成為祂的子女，
祂永遠成為我們的父親。
作為祂的子女，我們有責任共同建造祂的屋子，
—這座屬靈的聖殿，教會，
—讓它繼續成長和興盛，直到耶穌再來
（彼前 2：4-5）。
We should have the mindset of Hannah,
who gave birth to Samuel, knowing she would one day have to offer him up to the Lord.
Likewise, we are raising our children for God,
and when they are ready, we need to present them to Him for service.
我們應該有哈拿的心志，
她生下了撒母耳，知道有一天，她必須把他獻給耶和華。
同樣的，我們為神撫養自已的孩子，
當它們準備好之後，我們需要將他們獻上去服事神。
INSTILLING HUMILITY 灌輸謙卑的態度
Furthermore King David said to all the assembly:
“My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen,
is young and inexperienced; and the work is great,
because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God.”
(1 Chr 29:1)
29大衛王對會眾說：
我兒子所羅門是神特選的，
還年幼嬌嫩；這工程甚大，
因這殿不是為人，乃是為耶和華神建造的。
（代上 29：19）
Firstly, David spoke these words to Solomon to teach him the attitude he would need as king.
We tend to think of leaders as confident and knowledgeable,
but David reminded Solomon that he is young and inexperienced.
As Christians, we must be humble;
only then can we accept and admit our limitations and weaknesses
and recognize that we must rely on God.
With God’s help, we have strength to continue His work
(2 Cor 12:9–10)
and become sufficient for the roles bestowed on us
(2 Cor 3:5–6).
首先，大衛對所羅門說了這些話，教導他作為國王所需要的態度。
我們傾向認為領導者要充滿自信，而且知識淵博，
但大衛提醒所羅門，他還年輕，經驗不足。
作為基督徒，我們必須謙卑；
只有這樣，我們才能接受並承認自己的限制和軟弱，
並認知到自已必須依靠神。
有神的幫助，我們有力量繼續祂的聖工，
（林後 12：9-10）
並且足以勝任賦予我們的角色
（林後 3：5-6）。
Secondly, David spoke these words
because he wanted the leaders to understand
that they would need to help Solomon build a temple worthy of God.
The leaders would go on to support Solomon
by offering their money and precious stones.
David and all the people rejoiced that they had provided towards the building works
(1 Chr 29:6–9).
This is a joy we also find when we serve together.
As Paul tells us in Ephesians 4, we are all part of one body,
and each part has its role.
All parts of the body must work together,
as the body cannot function effectively otherwise.
Even Solomon, who as king would hold the highest position in society,
could not be an effective ruler and leader if he relied only on himself.
其次，大衛在會眾前，說了這些話，
因為他要眾首領明白，
他們需要幫助所羅門建造一座配得上神的聖殿。
眾首領要繼續支持所羅門，
獻上他們的金錢和寶石。
大衛和全體百姓，因著他們給建設工程提供之物，而感到歡欣鼓舞
（代上 29：6-9）。
當我們一起事奉時，我們也會發現這種喜樂。
正如保羅在以弗所書 4 章告訴我們的，我們都是整個身體的一部份，
每個部分都有其功用。
身體各部分必須協同工作，
否則身體就無法有效運作。
即使是所羅門，他作為國王是社會中有最高地位的，
如果他只依靠自己的話，就不可能成為一個有效的統治者和領導者。
Thirdly, David reminded Solomon that the work he was to undertake was important for God’s glory.
As servants of God,
we must remember that our work is for God and His glory.
We can prevent pride from entering our hearts by constantly reminding ourselves of this,
particularly if we hold a prominent role in the church.
第三，大衛提醒所羅門，他要進行的工作，影響神的榮耀很大。
作為神的僕人，
我們必須記住，自已的工作只是為了神和讓祂得榮耀。
我們可以藉由不斷提醒自己這一點，來防止驕傲進入自已的內心，
特別是在教會中，如果我們有擔任重要角色。
From Solomon’s response to God in 2 Chronicles 1:7–10
—“for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
—we can see that he took his father’s teachings to heart.
Being reminded of his weaknesses, he asked God for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people.
摘自歷代志下 1 章 7-10 節，所羅門回應神，
—“10誰能判斷這眾多的民呢？”
—可見，他將父親的教誨牢記於心。
意識到自己的弱點之後，他向神祈求智慧和知識來領導百姓。
Instilling this humble mindset is key to raising God’s servants.
We need to teach our children these principles so we can serve God together with humility:
灌輸這種謙卑的心態，是培養神僕人的關鍵。
我們要教導自已的子女這些原則，使我們能夠一起謙卑的事奉神：
1. We must rely on God, not on ourselves.
2. The work of God is carried out together.
3. The work of God is important.
4. We work to glorify God, not ourselves.
1. 我們必須依靠神，而不是依靠自己。
2. 神的聖工要一起進行。
3. 神的聖工很重要。
4. 我們努力為了榮耀神，而不是抬高自己。
SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE 樹立好榜樣
“Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might:
gold for things to made of gold, silver for things of silver, bronze for things of bronze.
...
Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God,
I have given to the house of my God, over and above all
that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver.”
(1 Chr 29:2–3)
2我為我神的殿已經盡力，
預備金子做金器，銀子做銀器，銅做銅器，
...
3且因我心中愛慕我神的殿，
就在預備建造聖殿的材料之外，
又將我自己積蓄的金銀獻上，建造我神的殿，
（代上 29：19）
God forbade David from building the temple.
However, because this work remained in his heart and mind,
he did as much as he could by preparing construction materials.
David declared the above words to the people and Solomon
to set an example and show them that he had willingly offered his best to God.
神禁止大衛建造聖殿。
然而，因為這項工作停留在他的心裡，
他盡已所能的去準備建造材料。
大衛向百姓和所羅門宣告了以上的命令，
樹立了榜樣，向他們表明，自已願意將最好的獻給神。
In 1 Chronicles 29:5, David challenged the people,
“Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”
The Israelites responded by willingly offering to God,
and rejoiced with David in doing so
(1 Chr 29:9).
Our service to God should not be driven purely by compulsion or duty because,
if this is the case, it will inevitably be half-hearted
( 1 Pet 5:2).
Instead, we strive to serve with all our heart and soul,
as Moses repeatedly reminded the Israelites
(Deut 11:13).
After all, God loves a cheerful giver
(2 Cor 9:7).
在歷代志上 29 章 5 節，大衛挑戰百姓，
“5今日有誰樂意將自己獻給耶和華呢？”
以色列人的回應，是甘心樂意獻祭給神，
並為大衛這樣做而感到高興
（代上 29：9）。
我們服事神不應該出於強迫或是有責任，因為，
如果是這樣的話，那就難免會三心二意
（彼前 5：2）。
相反的，我們盡心盡意努力去事奉，
像摩西一樣反覆提醒以色列人
（申 11：13）。
畢竟，捐得樂意的人是神所喜愛的
（林後 9：7）。
David was only able to effectively challenge the people to give their best to God
because he first set an example.
Parents are role models for their children
—they grow up observing and learning from us.
They pick up our habits, attitudes, behavior, work ethic, and countless other things.
When they watch us, do they see someone who loves, serves,
and places God first in their life?
It is important that we set a good example of what it means to be a Christian so that,
through us, they can build a solid foundation to become a good servant of God.
大衛只能有效挑戰百姓，把最好的獻給神，
因為他首先做出榜樣。
父母是子女的榜樣，
—他們成長的過程中，觀察我們並且學習。
他們承接了我們的習慣，態度，行為，職業道德和無數其他的事情。
當他們看著我們的時候，看到的是一個熱心，服事，
並且把神放在生命中第一位的人嗎？
重要的是，我們樹立一個好榜樣，到底成為一位基督徒是什麼意思，只有這樣，
通過我們，他們才可以建立堅固的根基，為成為神的好僕人。
SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN 幫助兒女
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule,
its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers,
and the place of the mercy seat
and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit,
of the courts of the house of the LORD.
(1 Chr 28:11–12a)
11大衛將殿的遊廊、旁屋、府庫、樓房、內殿，
和施恩所的樣式指示他兒子所羅門，
12又將被靈感動所得的樣式，
就是耶和華神殿的院子
（代上 28：11-12a）
David helped Solomon in the building work by providing the plans for the temple.
By doing so, David directly supported him,
giving him a starting point and direction for his work.
大衛藉由提供聖殿的計劃，來幫助所羅門進行建設的工作。
大衛這樣做，直接幫助他，
讓他有工作的起點和方向。
As parents, we naturally worry about our children’s future
because we know they will need to support themselves one day.
So we try to prepare them,
and prepare for them, as best we can,
whether financially, academically,
or by providing them with different experiences and opportunities to learn new skills.
However, in preparing them to face the world,
we can easily neglect their spiritual life.
But their spirituality is more important
because our degrees, jobs, and possessions will no longer matter in the end,
while our spiritual lives are eternal
(2 Cor 4:18).
So we should not neglect to help our children mature in this regard.
作為父母，我們自然會擔心孩子的未來，
因為我們知道，他們有一天需要獨立自主。
所以我們想要幫助他們，
並且盡我們所能，去他們準備，
無論是在財務上、還是學業上，
或是為他們提供不同的經驗和機會，去學習新的技能。
然而，在幫他們面對世界時，
我們很容易忽略他們屬靈的生活。
但是他們的靈命是更重要的，
因為我們的學位、工作和財產，最終都將不再那麼重要，
而我們的屬靈生命是永恆的
（林後 4：18）。
所以我們不應該忽略，去幫助自已孩子在這方面長大成熟。
When our children start to work for God, they, like Solomon,
will be young and inexperienced.
Divine work that seems simple and easy to us may seem daunting and difficult to younger members.
So when our children become involved in church work,
we must support them as best we can rather than leave them to grapple with tasks alone.
當我們的孩子開始為神工作時，他們就像所羅門王一樣，
將會是年幼且沒有經驗。
對我們來說，看似簡單容易的聖工，對年輕信徒來說，可能顯得很可怕和很困難。
所以當我們的孩子參與教會聖工時，
我們必須盡最大可能去幫助他們，而不是讓他們獨自去處理任務。
In the church where I grew up,
the religious education (RE) students in their early teens
would be assigned to lead hymnal sessions before service.
When it was time for my RE class to be put on the schedule,
I was strongly resistant,
so a sister substituted for me the first time I was assigned.
My parents occasionally tried to encourage me,
but I refused for many months, primarily because of a fear of being in front of others
—a fear not unique to the young.
Years later, my mother shared with me that,
recognizing that I was stubborn in my refusal,
they prayed for me until I was ready to take up the task.
在我長大的教會裡，
青少年的宗教教育（RE）學生，
將受指派於聚會前主領詩頌。
當時間到了我的宗教教育課程被排入聚會日程表的時候，
我曾有很強烈的抵抗，
所以第一次我被安排的時候，有一位姐妹來代替我。
我的父母偶爾會試著鼓勵我，
但我有好幾個月都拒絕，主要是因為害怕站在別人面前，
—是一種並非年輕人所獨有的恐懼。
多年之後，媽媽告訴我，
注意到我拒絕的很固執，
他們為我祈禱告，直到我準備好要承擔這項任務。
There are many ways we can support our children in serving God.
These include:
我們可以通過很多種方式，來幫助子女事奉神。
這些方法包括了：
‧ Helping them to find suitable opportunities to serve.
‧ Giving them opportunities to practice at home,
such as leading hymn singing, prayer,
and Bible study during family services.
‧ Praying together with them for their work.
‧ Helping them to plan and prepare.
‧ Giving them constructive feedback.
‧ Comforting and encouraging them when things do not go well.
‧ 幫助他們找到合適的事奉機會。
‧ 讓他們在家中有練習的機會，例如，家庭聚會的時間，帶領唱詩，禱告，查經。
‧ 為他們的工作一起禱告。
‧ 幫助他們計劃和準備。
‧ 給予他們建設性的回饋。
‧ 當事情進展不順利的時候，安慰和鼓勵他們。
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FROM WHICH TO SERVE 建立一種基礎，可用來事奉
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.”
(Prov 4:3–4)
3我在父親面前為孝子，
在母親眼中為獨一的嬌兒。
4父親教訓我說：
你心要存記我的言語，
遵守我的命令，便得存活。”
（箴 4：3-4）
Supporting our children in their service
does not begin when they are ready to serve.
Our support starts from an early age,
in building up their belief and faith in God and teaching them God’s word,
so they have a firm foundation from which to serve when they are older.
Solomon remembered the words of spiritual wisdom
that David had imparted to him;
they had served to influence and guide his life.
By writing the Book of Proverbs, he did the same for his own son.
幫助我們孩子服事，
並不是開始於當他們預備好事奉的時候。
我們的幫助要從小就開始了，
建立他們有神的信仰和信心，並且教導他們神的命令，
當他們長大後，使他們有堅固的根基，可用來服事。
所羅門記住屬靈智慧的箴言，
是大衛傳給他的；
這些智慧影響指導他的生活。
經由寫下《箴言》，他也為自己的子女做了同樣的事情。
I have strong memories of my mother reading testimonies from Holy Spirit Monthly magazine
as bedtime stories to my sister and me when we were young.
We both looked forward to this and loved to hear testimonies
—an enthusiasm I see replicated today in my daughter.
Being young and not having our own experiences of God’s power,
we could be filled with wonder at the miracles
that God performs on those who believe in Him.
I remember, when I was a pre-teen,
concluding that though I had not yet personally experienced God,
I believed God exists because of all of the testimonies I had heard.
This formed a building block in my belief and faith in God.
我保有母親閱讀聖靈月刊見證的印象深刻，
當我們年幼時，她給我和姐姐講睡前故事。
我們都很期待這件事，並且喜歡聽見證，
—直到今日，我在自已女兒身上所同樣看到的熱情。
因為年幼，還沒有自已親身體驗過神的大能，
我們對於神蹟會到處充滿驚奇，
是那些神在信徒身上所施展的奇事。
我記得，當自已還是個青少年的時候，
得出結論，雖然我還沒有親自體驗到神，
由於自已聽到的一切見證，我相信有神的存在。
這形成了我信仰的根基和對神的信心。
Even seemingly small acts should not be overlooked.
Since my daughter was a toddler,
my wife and I would tell her that we would pray for her whenever she was ill.
After she recovered, we would mention how Jesus had helped her and thank Him together in prayer.
Later as a young child, she would say the same thing to us when she knew we were ill or hurt.
From such a small act, a simple faith grew
—a faith that God is real and has the power to help us.
即使是看似微小的行為，也不應被忽視。
自從我的女兒開始學步走路，
我們夫妻會告訴她，每當她生病的時候，我們都會為她禱告。
當她康復之後，我們會提到，耶穌如何幫助她，並且一起禱告感謝神。
後來，成為小孩的時候，當她知道我們生病或受傷的時候，她也會對我們說同樣的話。
從這樣一個小小的舉動，就能產生一種簡單的信心，
—是相信神是真的，並且有能力幫助我們的信心。
Establishing and maintaining a family altar is essential to building our children’s faith from young.
God commanded the Israelites to teach their children diligently throughout the day,
even when walking or lying down
(Deut 6:6–7).
Similarly, there are opportunities in our daily life to speak of Jesus and God's word
and to build up our children’s faith.
要從小培養子女的信仰，建立維護家庭祭壇很重要。
神命令以色列人整天殷勤教導他們的子女，
即使是走路或躺臥時
（申 6：6-7）。
同樣的，我們日常生活中，也有很多機會談論耶穌和神的話語，
並且建立自已子女的信仰。
CONCLUSION 結論
From David’s example,
we can better understand the task of raising God’s servants.
It may seem challenging,
but we do not bear this responsibility alone.
Our heavenly Father, the Father of our children,
plays His part in helping them grow.
As David prayed:
從大衛的例子來看，
我們可以更好了解撫養神僕人的任務。
這可能看起來很有挑戰，
但是我們並不是獨自承擔這一項責任。
我們的天父，我們孩子的父親，
在幫助他們成長的方面，發揮著祂的作用。
正如大衛的禱告：
“And give my son Solomon a loyal heart
to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes,
to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.”
(1 Chr 29:19)
“19又求你賜我兒子所羅門誠實的心，
遵守你的命令、法度、律例，
成就這一切的事，用我所預備的建造殿宇。”
（代上 29：19）
After making his proclamations to the gathered assembly,
David asked God to guide Solomon.
As parents, we may teach and prepare our children to serve God,
but most importantly, we need to pray and entrust them into the hands of God.
It was through the blood of Christ that our children were made kings and priests;
through God’s grace, they are called to serve Him,
build up His temple, and minister before His throne.
Therefore, as we work to instill humility in them and set a good example of service,
let us rely on our heavenly Father to raise His children as His faithful servants.
在向聚集的會眾宣布之後，
大衛求神指引所羅門。
作為父母，我們可以教導，和準備自已的孩子來事奉神，
但最重要的是，我們需要禱告，並將他們交託在神的手中。
正因為是通過基督的寶血，我們的孩子才成為君王和祭司。
經由神的恩典，他們受呼召去事奉祂，
建造祂的聖殿，在祂的寶座前服事。
因此，當我們努力灌輸他們謙遜的態度時，並樹立事奉的好榜樣時，
讓我們依靠天父，來撫養祂的孩子，成為祂忠實的僕人。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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