牧者心聲
年度查經——靈命突破的契機
張穎新牧師
2024 年 1 月 27 日 / 28日
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「以真理教導為本」是北宣家其中一個重要的屬靈傳統，從每週的崇拜禮序，到團組生活、大小事奉、培訓裝備、靈修祈禱，凡此種種，都是源於聖經對信徒群體的教導和期許。教會自十多年前開始，每年都有教牧同工撰寫「年度查經」，或是按經卷，或是按專題，均盼望透過文字牧養叫各群體一起研讀和查考聖經，使信徒的屬靈生命得以建立和成長，繼而深化我們的事奉、團契、敬拜等層面的信仰生活。
昔日，使徒保羅在第二次宣教旅程中，途經庇哩亞佈道和服事的時候，稱讚當地的猶太人熱心領受這道，天天查考聖經，要知道這道是否真實（徒十七11，和修版）。這次經歷讓人體會扎實研讀和查考聖經的重要，那不但與崇拜中專心聆聽信息相輔相成，亦和明道行道、慎思明辨有不可分割的表裡關係。
查考聖經不應只是頭腦上的理性研習，也不應純粹為了增進個人的知性認識，而是要釐定清楚重要的屬靈目標——推動信徒群體靈命成長和轉化，進而在現實場景中更愛神、更愛人、更自愛，在這個不理想的世界中活出上帝的美善、對人多一份體恤、對己看得合乎中道。
要達到以上目標，信徒群體就需明瞭研習聖經牽涉三方面的操作。首先，是理智探索，這是研究任何文本所需要的基本功夫，牧者們為了讓信徒透徹明白相關經文的信息和當下的意義，撰寫資料時會適切提供跟經文有關的歷史、文化和詮釋層面的認知，並會透過熱身和問答，加強大家的互動學習。
其次，是情感共鳴。人的感受和情緒，是上帝賦予我們很重要的禮物，我們要好好保養顧惜，因為這影響一生的果效。查經的時候，我們不應使經文只停留在腦袋，更要進入內心，跟自己的心思意念對話，我們要留心上帝有甚麼說話觸動自己，繼而讓自己的情感與經文互動。
第三，是靈性培育。上帝的說話誠然是生命之道，不但全備和真實，更能使愚昧人有智慧，甦醒和深化靈命，使我們更像恩主。在轉向上帝的過程中，我們要讓祂的聖言活在我們的日常，給我們多一份洞察力，使我們突破個人限制，榮耀上帝，造就他人。
今年，教會藉著查考彼得前、後書，叫大家縱使體會前路陰晴不定，有困難苦楚、有考驗挑戰，但仍矢志跟隨耶穌基督，學效祂的榜樣，成為真光，在逆旅人生中活出信仰賦予的信、望、愛。
One spiritual legacy of the NPAC family is “Teaching the truth is our basis.” From the weekly worship liturgy to fellowship life, ministries of all kinds, training and equipping, and devotional and prayer, everything is based on the teachings and expectations for the community of believers in the Bible. Since more than a decade ago, the pastoral staff of our church have compiled an "Annual Bible Study Guide” every year. Whether by books or by themes, it is hoped that pastoring through literature will facilitate various congregations to read and study the Bible together in order to build up and grow their spiritual lives, as well as deepen our faith life in the areas of ministry, fellowship, worship and the like.
During the second mission trip when the Apostle Paul passed through Berea, he praised the Berean Jews for receiving the message with great eagerness and examining the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). This experience showed the importance of solid reading and studies of the Bible. It not only complements attentive listening of sermons but is also pivotal to good understanding and practice of biblical teachings and discernment of right and wrong.
Bible studies should not just be intellectual reasoning of the mind, nor should they be conducted solely for increasing one’s knowledge. We need to clearly set important spiritual goals, namely, to promote spiritual growth and transformation of the faith community so believers will love God more, love others more, and take better care of themselves. In this imperfect world, they can still live out the goodness of God. They will be more compassionate towards others and be able to think of themselves with sober judgment.
To achieve the above goals, the community of believers need to know that Bible studies involve three aspects. First, intellectual exploration. This is basic to the study of any Bible texts. To help believers thoroughly understand the message in the Scriptures and the meaning in the immediate context, pastors concerned will provide relevant historical and cultural background as well as exegetical notes. The warm-up and Q&A sections are also there to make the studies more interactive.
Second, emotional resonance. Our feelings and emotions are an important gift from God. We need to treasure and carefully maintain it because it affects everything we do. When studying the Bible, we should not just let the Scriptures interact with our intellect but also our hearts so the Scriptures speak to our thoughts and feelings. We need to look out for words from God that move us and allow our emotions to interact with the Scriptures.
Third, spiritual nurturing. The word of God is the word of life. It is full and real. It brings wisdom to the foolish, and awakens and deepens our spiritual life so we become more like our gracious Lord. In the process of turning to God, we need to let His Holy Word live in our everyday life and give us more discernment, thus enabling us to break through our personal constraints and magnify Him and build others up.
This year, through studying 1 and 2 Peter, the church intends to help us follow Christ resolutely despite an uncertain future, difficulties, pain and challenges. It is to help us learn from His example and become a true light. It is to help us live out faith, hope and love from our faith in life’s arduous journey.
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