Manna issue 67 - Be Equipped With God’s Word 裝備好神的話
How to make regular personal Bible
study a reality.
如何真正把個人定期讀經落實
FF Chong—London, United Kingdom
英國倫敦 張福華傳道
A PERSONAL DUTY 個人的責任
The church invests tremendous effort to
equip believers with God’s word, with
the hope that they will grow into spiritual
maturity. Towards this end, the church
organizes trainings for all ages, from
religious education (RE) for school-aged
children and youths to classes for the
newly baptized, and Bible seminars for
adults.
教會投入了巨大的精力，用神的話來裝備信徒，
希望有一天，他們會長大，靈性成熟。
為了朝向這個目標，教會為了各個年齡層組織各種訓練，
從學齡兒童和社青的宗教教育，
到新受洗的真理造就班，成人神訓班。
But the church faces a great challenge:
despite these efforts, we continue to
see believers drifting from the faith.
Even those who have gone through the
church’s religious education system and
training programs are not spared.
Sometimes it is not that the church has
done insufficient work to help her flock
mature spiritually. Rather, the individuals
themselves lack the willingness to practice
biblical teachings in their daily lives and
the persistence to continue learning
the word of God after seminars and RE
classes.
但是教會面對了巨大的挑戰：
雖然付出了這些努力，
我們一直看到信徒的信仰隨波逐流而去。
甚至那些已經經過教會宗教教育系統的課程
和各種訓練活動的人，也不能倖免。
有時候，並不是教會沒有作足夠的工作，來幫助她的羊群變得靈性成熟。
反而是，在每天的生活中，個人自已缺乏意願，來實行聖經的教導，
並且在聖經研討會和宗教教育課程之後，
有毅力地繼續學習神的話語。
The reasons vary but an essential point
remains—how to maintain personal Bible
study after communal learning. There is
a need to reshape our mindset: although
the church’s instruction is important, we
cannot totally rely on others for constant
spiritual growth. Passive reception of
God’s word, owning a Bible but rarely
or never reading it, is being irresponsible
for our own spiritual health. Maintaining
our spiritual vitality requires us to have
a Berean motivation that comes from
within to study the word (Acts 17:10-11).
When we understand how important it is
to study the Bible, we will make an effort
to do so and in the process, realize that
we can derive much joy from God’s word.
By abiding in His word, we are firmly
anchored in Him and His church.
當然理由有很多種，但仍有一個基本的問題存在 -
在大家一起學習之後，如何維持個人的讀經習慣。
我們有必要重新改變自已的心態：
雖然教會的指導是很重要的，
若要能靈性持續成長，不同完全依靠別人。
被動吸收神的話，自已有一本聖經，卻很少讀，或是永不打開，
就是對自已的靈性健康情況，一種不負責的情況。
要維持自已靈性的活力，需要我們有庇哩亞猶太人的熱心，
是從內心發出，想要學習聖經。
(徒 17：10-11)
當我們了解了讀經有多重要之後，
我們就會努力去作到，
在這過程之中，會明白了，從神的話語之中，會產生許多的樂趣。
藉著常與聖經相伴，我們就會堅定地把信仰的錨，
固定在祂及教會身上。
A PRACTICAL REALITY 可行的情況
Besides God’s help, our conscientious
effort is needed to make daily Bible study
a reality. Having a daily Bible reading
habit is a helpful start. Making time
for personal Bible study is vital in the
continual learning process. Wake up half
an hour earlier or go to bed half an hour
later to read God’s word.
除了神的幫助之外，我們有必要盡責努力，
讓每天讀經得以實行。
有每天讀經的習慣，是一種有幫助的開始。
在持續學習的過程中，能空出時間給個人來讀經是重要的。
早起半個小時，或是晚上床半個小時，來讀聖經。
Start by reading small portions of
Scriptures. It is important to understand
what we are reading; otherwise, interest
cannot be sustained. Reading the
Scriptures is different from reading other
books. It is an exercise of godliness that
must be worked into our daily routine.
We need to prayerfully get into a frame
of mind that is open to God’s voice and
be determined to heed what we read (1
Tim 4:6; cf. 2 Tim 3:10). When we get
into the habit of regular Bible reading, we
will not do it on the spur of the moment,
rushing through several chapters in one
sitting and neglecting it altogether on
another day.
一開始只讀聖經的小部份。
能明白我們讀了什麼內容是很重要的；
否則，興趣是不足以持續下去。
讀聖經和其讀其他的書藉，是很不容的。
這是敬虔的實行，一定要努力置入自已每天的習慣之中。
我們要虔誠地進入一種心態，敝開內心留心聽神的聲音，
並且決心要留意所讀的經節。
(提前 4：6；參考，提後 3：10)
當我們有定期讀經的習慣時，
我們並不是因為臨時起意作這件事，
一坐下來，就很快瀏覽幾篇，
而隔天，卻全部都忘了讀了什麼。
Motivation to learn more results from
daily contact with the Scriptures. So we
should move on to gradually increase
our Bible-reading time. Don’t be content
with inspirational reading only, but
progress to studying the Bible in-depth,
to be equipped with the word as spiritual
weaponry.
若有動機想學習更多的內容，其實從每天與聖經接觸所產生的。
所以我們應該更進一步，逐漸增加每天讀聖經的時候。
不要只滿足於，啟發示的閱讀而已，
而是要更進一步，更深入研讀聖經，
以神的話來裝備自已，成為屬靈的武器。
This interest can be fostered by having
a spiritual companion, such as our
spouse, a friend, or a church co-worker,
who either reads on the same schedule
or shares the same keenness to search
out common topics of interest. Knowing
that someone is reading the Bible as we
do is a huge boost to our persistence and
confidence, and brings us closer together.
若有屬靈的同伴，就能一起培養興趣，
例如我的配偶，朋友，或是教會的同工，
他們不是一起有同樣讀經的進度，
就是很熱心要找出大家共同有興趣的話題。
若是知道也有以正在讀經，也和我們一樣在讀經，
對我們的毅力和自信，就會產生巨大的推動力，
讓我們彼此之間變得更加親密。
As the Bible states, “Two are better than
one” (Eccl 4:9). When one becomes slack
the other can give him a lift. Studying the
word together provides the opportunity
to talk about our readings in greater
depth, to build on each other’s insights
and develop our understanding of the
Scriptures. This is much more rewarding
than studying alone.
就如聖經所記載的，
9兩個人總比一個人好。
(傳 4：9)
當一個人退步的時候，另一個人就好給他好好推一把。
一起讀經，讓我們有機會可以大大的深入討論所讀的內容，
藉由彼此之間的領悟力，而互相得到成長，促進我們對聖經的了解。
這比自已一個人獨自學習，會更加有所收穫。
‧ Make daily Bible reading a habit
．讓每天讀經成為習慣
‧ Start by reading small
portions of Scriptures
．開始只讀一小部份經文
‧ Gradually increase Bible
reading time
．逐漸增加讀經的時間
‧ Progress to studying the
Bible in-depth
．進一步深入研讀聖經
‧ Study with a spiritual companion
．與屬靈的同伴一起讀經
Determination to study the word of God must be founded on an
understanding that this activity fortifies us against spiritual attacks and
helps us to comprehend God’s will better.
決心來讀經，一定要有這樣的了解，
就是讀經會加強我們來對抗屬靈的攻擊，
幫助我們更加了解神的旨意。
A RIGHT ATTITUDE 正確的態度
Determination to study the word of God
must be founded on an understanding
that this activity fortifies us against spiritual
attacks and helps us to comprehend
God’s will better. Our diligent study must
never be just an intellectual exercise; it
should follow from our acceptance of
the Bible as absolute truth. We seek to
understand challenging passages not
to fulfill our quest for knowledge but
because we want to know God through
His word. Thus we meditate on the word
as much as we do the necessary research,
and we measure ourselves against the
standard of God as much as we expound
the mysteries of God.
決心來讀經，一定要有這樣的了解，
就是讀經會加強我們來對抗屬靈的攻擊，
幫助我們更加了解神的旨意。
我們努力學習，一定不可以變成訓練知識遊戲；
學習的心，應該來自於我們接受聖經是絕對的真理來開始。
我們尋求了解那些有挑戰性的經文，
不是為了滿足於我們對於知識的追尋，
而是因為我們想要透過聖經，來更加了解神。
因此，我們會好好思考聖經的話，
就如同我們所付出必要的研究是一樣的深入，
只要我們盡可能沉浸在神的奧秘之中，
就會以神的原則來衡量自已。
We know that it is never easy to admit
our imperfections, but when we set
the goal to understand ourselves better
and figure out God’s purpose for us (Ps
119:97-104), the word of God softens
our heart to accept our shortcomings
and motivates us to change. When we
constantly come under the spotlight of
God’s word through study and reflection
we cannot but come under its control and
direction.
我們知道，要承認自已的不完美，從來不是那麼容易的。
但是若我們設立目標，要來好好更加了解自已，
要明白神在我們身上所立定的旨意，
(詩 119：97-104)
神就會軟化我們的內心，接受自已的缺點，鼓舞自已好好改變。
當我們持續透過研經和反省，一直曝露在神話語照耀之下時，
我們就不會不受到祂的影響和引導。
Throughout His earthly ministry, right
up to the point of crucifixion, Jesus
constantly did what He was taught by
the Father (Jn 8:28). We must likewise
have a teachable heart in our service to
Him. (cf. Isa 50:4, 5). When we allow the
Bible to teach us, it shapes our character
as we serve God, benefiting others and
ourselves (1 Tim 4:16).
整個祂在世上傳福音的時期，直到最後被釘在十字架上，
耶穌一直作天父所教祂的事情。
(約 8：28)
同樣地，在服事他的時候，我們也一定要有一顆受教的心。
(參考，賽 50：4，5)
當我們可以允許聖經來教導我們，
那麼我們服事神的時候，聖經就能改變我們的個性，
並且造就其他人和我們自已。
A DESIRABLE END—KEEP THE
WORD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
最終的理想 - 靠著聖靈遵守神的話
The word of God is the sword of the Spirit
(Eph 6:17), and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit
of Truth (Jn 16:13). The Holy Spirit is thus
both the revealer and executer of God’s
word. After receiving God’s word and
being saved by it, we have to honor it to
the end. If we trample it down, it will be
snatched away by the wicked one (Mt
13:4, 19; Lk 8:5, 12).
神的話是聖靈的寶劍。
(弗 6：17)
聖靈是真理的靈。
(約 16：13)
因此，聖靈是神話語的啟示者和執行者。
在領受了神的話，並且得救之後，
我們就一定要榮耀祂直到最後。
若我們給予踐踏，就會被惡者加以搶奪。
(太 13：4，19；路 8：5，12)
Sometimes believers and even church
workers, though baptized in infancy, are
ignorant of the basic truth, and they even
argue over fundamental beliefs.
有時候，教會的信徒和工人，雖然在嬰兒時受洗，
卻對基本的真理，毫無認知，
甚至他們會對基本信條產生爭議。
For this reason we must understand
that the word is given in a pattern (Rom
2:20, 6:17, 18; 2 Tim 1:13), which is
passed down from one generation to
another. It is not given to change; hence
“the deeps things of God” do not refer
to new truths that will alter previously
revealed truth (Gal 1:8-9). Instead, it
means that the Holy Spirit deepens our
understanding of the revealed truth. In
fact, since the church is the pillar of the
truth (1 Tim 3:15), and the fullness of the
Spirit (Eph 1:23), all truth has been given
to the church.
因為這個原因，我們一定要了解，
被寫下來的聖經，是帶有一種純正話語的規模(思想的架構)，
(羅 2：20，6：17，18；提後 1：13)
是一代一代所傳下來的。
是不被允許來變更：
因此，"神深奧的事"指的並不是新的真理，
而這些新的真理會來改變以前已經啟示的舊真理。
(加 1：8-9)
相反地，這代表了，聖靈會加深我們對已經啟示真理的深入了解。
事實上，因為教會是真理的柱石，
(提前 3：15)
是聖靈完全體現的地方，
(弗 1：23)
所有的真理都已經賜給了教會。
Finally, we rely on the Spirit to
perform and preserve the word that we
have received. The Bible is profitable in
many ways to the man of God, equipping
him for every form of good work
(2 Tim 3:16-17) because it is living and
active, a sharp effective sword by the
working of the Spirit in the inner man
(Heb 4:12).
最後，我們依靠聖靈來運行，並且保存我們已經從神領受的聖經。
對神的子民而言，聖經在很多方面都很有助益，
可以讓神的子民裝備好各樣的善，
(提後 3：16-17)
因為神的話是，主動有活力的，
藉著聖靈在人內心動工，神的話語就是一把鋒利又有效的寶劍。
(來 4：12)
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)