二○二一年七月三十一日／八月一日
Click here for English
同心協力的小組查經
陳俊業牧師
若果你是小組查經的帶領者，相信你就算忙得不可開交，也會在聚會之前盡力付出心血與時間去準備（儘管我們的「盡力」只是卑微的「有限公司」）。聚會的時候，有時會過程順利，能刺激弟兄姊妹踴躍發言分享，沒有太多冷場；但有時我們也會遇到討論不暢順的情況，挑起重重難解的疑團，甚至接到弟兄姊妹的「投訴」，以致我們會懷疑自己的準備是否足夠。
另一方面，若果你是小組查經的參與者，你可能也會因為生活忙碌，沒法多放時間去準備，以致聚會的時候，你會滿腹疑團，不知從何問起；又或會帶著所有未解之謎，向帶領者窮追不捨；再不然就東拉西扯、離題萬里地「亂吹」。在這情況下，帶領者為求自保，可能會「一言堂」起來，以求避開未能解答疑問或不知如何回應的尷尬場面。
小組查經其實是怎樣的一個聚會呢？其實那是個要有基本準備的討論時間，所謂基本準備，包括預先閱讀查經資料中的指定經文、基本詮釋、問答範例等。作帶領者的，需要觸類旁通，根據那些基本資料舉一反三，務使組員在彼此的互動中，把這些基本內容推向更深、更廣、更適切的討論與實踐。
至於小組查經的參與者，也有責任預先閱讀有關的基本資料。事先有準備的參與者，相對會較懂得衡量哪些才是必須發問的關鍵問題。在這情況下，彼此的問與答就自然能夠推向更深、更廣、更適切的討論與實踐。這好比一支合作無間的足球隊，每一位隊員都有責任配合其他隊員，在有需要時把球控到隊友的腳下，彼此共同將足球射入球門。
有些小組查經的帶領者，會在推敲已有的基本資料之餘，再在網絡上搜尋一些相關的內容，然後就憑著這些材料，在小組內口若懸河地講論一番。但其實，只要掌握手上的基本資料，盡力融會貫通，在聚會時盡量讓參與者有機會提出有意義的問題，那就是有效益的小組查經了。但我們不要以為自己無所不知，倒要與組員一起探索問題的答案，務求讓所有組員都有參與機會。這樣的帶領者，就算未做到盡善盡美，也為整個聚會塑造出隊形了，能叫大家一起向著小組查經的正確方向邁進。當然，查經的時候我們除了需要各盡其力之外，也須留空間給聖靈運行，讓大家可以在真理中被啟迪，並且彼此契合相通。
Pastor's Sharing Collaborative Small Group Bible Studies
Rev Aaron Chan
If you are a Bible study group leader, I believe you will probably make as much time and effort as possible to prepare before the study even if you have an extremely tight schedule (though our ‘best effort’ may just be a humble 'limited company'). Sometimes, the Bible study session goes well and can encourage brothers and sisters to speak and share readily and freely without much silence. Some other times, the discussion may not be as smooth. There may be questions we cannot fully answer and we may even hear 'complaints' from brothers and sisters, leaving us wondering whether we have adequately prepared after all.
On the other hand, if you are a participant of a Bible study, you may not have time to prepare due to the busyness of life and, so, during the session, you have a lot of questions to ask but do not know where to start. You may also shoot the leader with all kinds of questions, or even go far off the topic. In that situation, the leader may only give a 'one-directional lecture' to keep the situation under control to avoid the embarrassment from questions and doubts that are hard to respond to.
What actually is a group Bible study? It is really a discussion that requires basic preparation. By "basic preparation," I mean reading the Scripture passage for the study, its basic interpretation, and the questions and suggested answers, etc. The leader will need to elaborate on the basic material and, based on this, try to motivate the group to explore the content more deeply and broadly for more relevant discussion and application.
Bible study participants are also obliged to read the material in advance. Prepared participants know relatively better which questions are key questions that must be asked. It is in such a situation that the questions and answers would naturally broaden and deepen the discussion and application. It will be like a well-trained soccer team in which every player is tasked with supporting other players and whenever possible, passing the ball to the teammate best placed to score the goal.
In addition to the usual basic material, some group leaders search online for relevant information for further elaboration to enrich the discussion. In fact, mastering the basic material and creating the opportunity for members to ask meaningful questions is what would lead to a beneficial, fruitful small group Bible study. Leaders should not think that they know everything. Instead, they should explore the answers to the questions together with the members. They should try to get every member involved. Such leaders, however imperfect, will be able to conduct the study as a team and lead the group in the right direction. Having said that, besides making individual and group effort in our Bible studies, we should leave room for the Holy Spirit to work so that we can be enlightened by the truth and be united with each other.
|