Manna issue 73 - Preparing Children to Serve From Young 英文嗎哪雜誌中譯 73 期 - 從小預備服事主
Guat Kim Tan—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 吉隆坡，馬來西亞
Let no one despise your youth, but
be an example to the believers in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,
in faith, in purity. (1 Tim 4:12)
不可叫人小看你年輕，總要在言語、行為、愛心、信心、清潔上，都作信徒的榜樣。（提前4:12）
Children are a heritage from the
Lord (Ps 127:3), and God expects
parents to be stalwart stewards of
His children. To ensure they mature
into godly Christians, parents have
to diligently pursue various positive
goals in raising them. Teaching
children to serve in the church is
one of these major goals. God
admonishes parents to prepare and
teach their children, early in life, to
serve Him in a godly manner and to
provide care to others (1 Pet 4:10).
Serving must become a part of a
child’s faith journey—works must
move in tandem with faith.
兒女是耶和華所賜的產業（詩127：3），
而神希望父母都是忠心的好管家，可以好好照顧兒女。
為了讓神的兒女都可以長大成熟，成為一個敬虔的基督徒，
父母撫養時，必須要努力追求各種積極的目標。
教養孩童在教會裡服事神，就這些重要的目標之一。
神勸勉父母，在孩子小的時候，要預備教導兒童有敬虔的態度來服事神，也要好好關心別人。（彼前4:10）。
服事主必須要成為小孩信仰歷程的一部分 - 作聖工必須要結合信心。
stalwart a. 堅定的，堅決的
tandem n. 串聯
WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE
服事的意義
For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve.
(Mk 10:45a)
因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人（可 10：45）
Involving children in church work
helps them learn to live the life of
a servant, just as Jesus did (Mk
10:45a). It will also help them acquire
qualities such as humility, discipline,
responsibility, submissiveness, selfrespect,
and tolerance.
小孩在教會裡參與聖工，可以讓他們學習如何過著服事人的生活，像耶穌一樣（可 10:.45）。
這將會幫助他們學習謙卑，自律，有責任感，順服，自重和饒恕別人
With this understanding, parents
have to teach their children to think
and see beyond themselves— to
focus less on themselves and more
on others. Serving will foster the
joy of helping, allowing them to
demonstrate their love through acts
of kindness and service, as they
willingly give to accomplish what is
good for others and glorify God.
有了這樣的認知，父母要讓小孩子超越自我去思考和觀察，不再只注重自已，而是多想想別人。
在服事中，可以培養出助人的喜悅，讓他們可以透過善行和服事來表達愛，
因著樂善好施，學會幫助別人，及榮耀神。
foster vt. 培養
Furthermore, a commitment to
serve is also an act of honoring God,
which is central to our Christian
faith. Teach your children that it is
their responsibility to serve and be
concerned for members in the church,
as well as for those outside the church.
Involve children in different aspects
of church work. For older children,
encourage them to participate in
home visits and in children’s hospital
visits. Encourage them to serve
elderly members who are lonely and
in need of help. Encourage them to
preach to their peers. Be a mentor
and a buddy to them. You may also
assign them duties such as hymnal
or prayer leading and piano playing.
For younger children, let them do
small tasks first, such as tidying the
classroom after lessons and praying
for friends and family. Encourage
them to share and be a friend to
those in need. These will teach them
the meaning of responsibility and
cultivate a sense of dependability.
其次，有願意服事神的心也可以榮耀神，這就是基督徒信心的核心。
教導孩童，服事和關心教會信徒都是他們的責任，就連對不是教會的人也要這樣作。
讓小孩作看看各種不同的教會工作。
對年齡較長的小朋友，鼓勵他們參與訪問信徒的家和兒童醫院。
鼓勵他們幫助那些很孤單或是需要幫助，但年紀較大的信徒。
鼓勵他們向同事和同學傳福音。輔導他們，和他們成為好朋友。
或者，也可以派他們來帶領會前領詩，禱告，以及司琴。
而小小朋友，可以先讓他們作一些小工作，例如，上課之後整理教室，或為朋友和家人禱告。
鼓勵他們和需要的人分享，和他們作好朋友。
這可以教導他們責任感的意義，讓我們可以更信賴他們。
SERVE FROM YOUNG
從小服事神
When should we start to train our
children to serve? Hannah, the
mother of Samuel, brought him to
the house of the Lord in Shiloh when
he was very young (1 Sam 1:24). She
surrendered her son to the Lord and
left him in God’s care and protection,
where he submissively learned to
serve. Likewise, we can train children
to serve from young.
我們什麼時候要開始訓練小孩來服事神？
哈拿，撒母耳的媽媽，在小時候帶他上示羅，留他在耶和華的殿（撒上 1:24）。
她把兒子獻給神，一切留給神來照顧和保護，因此撒母耳可以謙卑學習服事神。
同樣地，我們也可以這樣訓練孩子，讓他們從小開始就會服事主。
GROUNDWORK
基本訓練
Parents and Religious Education
(RE) teachers play a crucial role in
nurturing a child’s heart of servitude.
This, of course, requires motivation
and perseverance. When children
serve God, they learn to acknowledge
the grace of God in their daily lives
and to repay His grace (Ps 116:12).
Parents and teachers who guide their
children to walk this path can work
together to lay a good foundation
of preparing their children to serve.
As with all things, commitment from
both parties to pray for the guidance
of the Holy Spirit when laying this
groundwork is important.
在培養小孩子服事神的心態時，父母和宗教教育老師都很重要。
而且一定要有足夠的動力和耐心。
孩子事奉神的時候，要學會認識到，神在日常生活中的思典，以及如何回報神的大恩（詩116：12）。
想要帶領小孩子走在這條路上的老師和家長，可以一起配合，來建立讓孩童準備服事的良好基礎。
在一切的基礎訓練上，雙方都能下決心依靠聖靈的引導是很重要的。
WALK THE TALK
言行一致
In all things showing yourself to be
a pattern of good works. (Tit 2:7a)
Personally, I believe that first and
foremost, parents have to teach and
lead by example, because they are
their children’s role models (1 Pet
5:3). Children tend to mimic their
parents’ behavior. Hence, as parents,
we need to reflect. Do we serve in
church? What can our children learn
from us about serving God? If we
adopt a lackadaisical attitude when
serving, more likely than not, our
children will imitate this negative
attitude. We may persuade and
encourage them to serve, but unless
they see us doing likewise, our words
carry no weight. Let’s be exemplary
in our own service, since actions have
more impact than words.
你自己凡事要顯出善行的榜樣（多 2：7）。
我認為就個人而言，第一而且也是最重要的事，就是家長以身作則，因為他們是孩子的榜樣（彼前5:3），
孩子會跟著模仿父母的言行。
因此，作為父母，我們需要時時反省。
我們在教會裡有服事神嗎？
在服事神的事上，小孩子在我們身上能學到什麼？
如果我們用要作不作的態度來服事神，那麼不用多說，孩子也會有樣學樣。
我們可以勸導和鼓勵他們來服事神，但除非我們也身體力行，不然我們自已所說的話，一點也沒有說服力。
而且坐而言不如起而行，讓我們在自已的服事上也作個好榜樣。
mimic vt. 模仿
lackadaisical a. 懶散的；無精打采的
SERVE AS A FAMILY
在神的家彼此服事
But as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord. (Jos 24:15b)
Here, Joshua boldly affirmed his
faith—he and his family would serve
the Lord and live by faith in God.
Likewise, parents should stand firm
on these words spoken by Joshua. It
is their sole responsibility to take the
spiritual lead. Moreover, each and
every member of the family needs
to find a place to serve in church.
Serving as a family unites everyone’s
commitment to God as they jointly
pursue a mutual objective of honoring
and glorifying Him.
至於我和我家，我們必定事奉耶和華（書 24：15）。
這裡約書亞非常勇敢且堅定地述說他的信心，他自已和全家人必要服事主，靠信心活在主裡面。
同樣，身為家長也應該像約書亞所說的話一樣，要自已站立得穩。
父母主要的責任就是在靈裡好好教養下一代。
不只這樣，每一個家庭成員都要在教會的事工上有份。
就像在一個主內大家庭裡來服事，連結大家一起服事神的心 一起追求共同榮耀神、讚美神。
IDENTIFY GIFTS AND ABILITIES
辨別恩賜和能力
As each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of
God. (1 Pet 4:10)
God has blessed every child with
certain skills and talents. Some may
be more gifted and are often thrust
into the foreground. But this does
not mean that those who are less
gifted are to be left behind. Our
children need to understand that
no one in the church is insignificant
and that everybody’s service is
equally important in God’s eyes.
God appreciates and honors every
sincere and honest service (however
unimportant or menial it may seem)
rendered to members and to the
church.
各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。（彼前4:10）
神祝福每一個孩子都有各種不同的技能和天賦。
有些充滿恩賜的，會被推上舞台前。
但這並不代表，恩賜較小的人，就該被留在後台。
我們的小孩要知道，每一個教會的人都很重要，每個人的服事，在神眼中都一樣重要。
神會悅納人，以及祝福所有虔誠的服事。
(特別是那些看起來不很重要或很卑微的事，但卻實實在在作在所有信徒和教會的身上)
thrust vt. 用力推
menial a. 卑賤的
Parents and RE teachers are
responsible for teaching children to
use their skills to serve and honor
God and those in need. Help our
children to identify the spiritual gifts
God has given to them. Involve them
in areas where they show aptitude
and interest so that they can offer
their best to God. For example, some
children and teenagers love to write
or are gifted writers in school. We
can nurture and inspire these young
writers to utilize their gift to serve
God in literary ministry. Encourage
them to contribute articles for their
local church publications. Teachers
can also post their written work on
the RE notice boards. In doing so,
our children can gain confidence and
develop a positive attitude in writing
Christian articles to promote the
truth. They learn to use these God given
talents for a more important
purpose in life and not as a showcase
of their abilities.
父母和宗教教育的老師，要負責教小孩用來善用他的技能，榮耀主、服事神和幫助別人。
這樣可以幫助小孩，來了解神所賜給他們屬靈的恩賜。
加入一些和他們自已才能及興趣相同的活動，大家就可以把自已最好的獻給神。
例如，有些小孩和青少年很愛寫作，在學校練習寫作時，就很有天份。
我們可以啟發培養這些年青作家，在文字事奉的聖工上，好好發揮所長服事神。
鼓勵他們為地方教會刊物，供獻一些文章。
老師也可以在公佈欄上，張貼他們的作品。
這樣作，小孩就會更有自信，並會養成積極的觀念，以創作教會的文宣來廣傳神的真理。
所以，為了這個人一生中非常重要的目標，學會好好利用神所賜的能力，而不會導僅單純在展現個人才華而已。
aptitude n. 天資，才能
Involve children in different aspects of church work. … Be a
mentor and a buddy to them. … For younger children, let them do
small tasks first, such as tidying the classroom after lessons and
praying for friends and family. Encourage them to share and be a
friend to those in need.
讓孩子參與各種不同的教會聖工。
就像一個好教練與好朋友一樣，陪在他們身旁。
如果是小朋友，就先給他們小任務，例如課後整理教室，為家人和朋友代禱。
鼓勵他們和別人分享，和困苦人作好朋友。
SERVE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
有正確心態的服事
And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men,
knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the reward of the
inheritance; for you serve the Lord
Christ. (Col 3:23–24)
23無論做甚麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
24因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。
（西3：23-24）。
Constantly remind our children to
serve with the right attitude. Only
then will their efforts be fruitful and
effective. Ask them to search their
hearts and examine their motivation
to serve. Is it spiritual fervor, self–
esteem, gratefulness to God, or
selfish ambitions that motivate
their service? What God desires is
a consistent service that is God focused—
one that does not succumb
to mood or impulse, and a heart that
sincerely yearns to serve Him and
not to win the praises of men (Eph
6:7). Their service will then glorify
God and benefit the church. On the
other hand, if their goal is to gain the
praise and admiration of others, their
service will be insincere and futile.
An enthusiastic and fervent worker
of God has to develop a Christ-like
attitude, characterized by humility
and submissiveness.
隨時提醒小孩，事奉時，要有正確的態度。
只有這樣，他們的努力才會有果效。
請他們察驗自已的內心和服事的動機。
看看服事的動力是來自於聖靈的感動，個人的自尊心，對神的感恩，或是覺得自已比別人好？
神所要的是不間斷的服事，不是因為個人一時的情緒和衝動，而是一切尊神為大
不是為了得到別人的稱讚 ，而是單以虔誠的心來事奉神。（弗 6：。7）
如此一來，他們的服事就會榮耀神，造就教會。
反過來看，如果目標只是要得到人的欽佩和讚美，服事就不敬虔，也沒有用。
一個工人熱心如火，就會有像神一樣的心性，性情是又謙卑又順服。
succumb vi. 屈服
OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES
克服困難
Children, particularly teenagers,
are sometimes reluctant to serve in
church. They often make excuses such
as, “I do not have time.” Undeniably,
today’s young people do live in a
demanding world. In some countries,
their workload in school is prodigious
and their hectic, overloaded schedule
of activities eat even further into their
remaining time. What little free time
they have is often spent on social
networking sites or on their mobile
phones! Knowing that their children
are so busy, parents may feel guilty
to ask them to serve in church or
help those in need. But if we do not
involve children in church work, their
commitment and ability to serve
God will not develop. Do not allow
our children to use “no time” as an
excuse. Parents need to cultivate the
importance of serving. Let’s teach our
children that God has put them here
for a purpose—to serve Him and to
serve others.
兒童，特別是青少年，有時候不願意在教會服事。
他們經常找藉口，例如，“我沒有時間。”
不可否認，現在年輕人都活在一個苛刻的世界。
在一些國家，學校的課業是又繁重又令人超級的忙亂，爆表的工作安排甚至吞噬所有僅剩的時間。
他們僅有的空閒，也通常用在學校的社交網站及手機上。
由於知道小孩子很忙，父母就會良心不安，也不好再叫小孩去教會服事神和幫助別人。
假如我們不讓小孩子參與教會的事工，就沒有辨法培養他們有服事神的心和能力。
不要讓小孩用沒有時間當作藉口。
父母應該重視服事神。
讓我們教導孩子，要了解神把他們放在這個地方，自有祂的美意，就是為了要服事神與服事眾人。
prodigious a. 巨大的；龐大的
hectic a. 忙亂的
Another reason for inaction and
reluctance might be a lack of selfconfidence
or a fear of inadequacy.
This happens when we make
unfavorable comparisons between
children who are serving the same
task. Instead of doing this, parents
and RE teachers should constantly
reassure and encourage them to pray
and put their complete trust in God
to overcome their fears and anxieties.
A good starting point is to serve
together with them and to be their
mentors. Pray together and share
ideas on how to serve and improve
by the strength that God supplies.
Imprint in their minds that a service
which embodies the earnestness
and simplicity of hearts is approved
by God. Once children have gained
sufficient confidence, they will feel
comfortable serving on their own.
不想參與或沒有意願的另一個因素，就是缺少自信心和害怕自已能力不夠。
這種情況，當小朋友都在一起作相同的聖工時，我們卻作了不合宜的比較。
相反的，父母和宗教教育的老師要一再強調和鼓勵他們，不斷靠著禱告，完全交託給神，來克服個人的恐懼和焦慮。
最好開始的方法，就是和他們一起事奉，順便幫助帶領他們。
一起同心禱告，分享屬靈的體會，進一步讓神加添力量來服事主，讓自已更加進步。
要在他們心裡深深烙印，神會悅納人以真誠和單純的心來服事祂。
一旦孩子們有了足夠的自信，他們服事神就會覺得不困難。
LIVING A LIFE OF SERVICE
過著服事的生活
Raising children to be good servants
of God begins at home. Together
with RE teachers and church
ministers, parents should make a
concerted effort to train children to
serve from young and nurture the
love and joy of serving to ensure that
they are well equipped for a lifetime
of service. Those who serve when
they are young will most probably
serve when they are adults. Today’s
young church workers will indeed
be tomorrow’s generation of God’s
stewards who will bring to fruition
their pursuit of a lifelong service to
God and men—a service that God
will surely esteem.
教養孩童成為主的好僕人，就從每個人的家開始。
家長們，可以和宗教教育老師，以及教會的長執，同心協力讓孩子們從小就被訓練來服事神，
培養他們對服事的愛和喜悅，讓他們裝備好一生都可以來服事神。
小時候有在服事主的人，大部分長大之後，他們都會一直繼續在教會服事。
今天的教會小工人，一定會成為明日下一代神的好管家，
在他們的一生服事中，不管對神或對人，都會不斷追求結出服事的好果子-
這是神必定會喜悅的事奉。
minister n. 神職人員，職務人員
concerted a. 一致的，協同的
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)