第44章 “喂养我的小羊”
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第44章 “喂养我的小羊”
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Chap. 44 Feed My Lambs
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基督升天之前嘱咐彼得说：“你喂养我的小羊”（约21:15）。这个使命也是给每一位传道人的。基督对祂的门徒说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们；因为在上帝国的，正是这样的人”（可10:14）。祂的话是对祂历代的门徒说的。{GW 207.1}[1]
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The charge given to Peter by Christ just before His ascension was, Feed My lambs; [John 21:15.] and this charge is given to every minister. When Christ said to His disciples, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God, [Mark 10:14.] He was speaking to His disciples in all ages. {GW 207.1}[1]
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对青年的属灵需要缺乏关注，给真理的事业带来了很大的损失。传福音的人应当乐意结识会众中的青年。许多人不愿意这么做。但他们的疏忽在上天看来乃是罪。我们中间有许多男女青年不是不知道我们的信仰。但他们的心一直没有被上帝的恩典所感动。我们自命为上帝仆人的人，岂可日复一日，周复一周，不注意他们的境况呢？他们若是未得警告而死于罪恶之中，上帝必要向那不警戒他们的守望者追讨他们的血债。{GW 207.2}[2]
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Very much has been lost to the cause of truth by a lack of attention to the spiritual needs of the young. Ministers of the gospel should form a happy acquaintance with the youth of their congregations. Many are reluctant to do this, but their neglect is a sin in the sight of Heaven. There are among us many young men and women who are not ignorant of our faith, yet whose hearts have never been touched by the power of divine grace. How can we who claim to be the servants of God pass on day after day, week after week, indifferent to their condition? If they should die in their sins, unwarned, their blood would be required at the hands of the watchman who failed to give them warning. {GW 207.2}[2]
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我们为什么不把为我们范围里的青年作工，看作是最高尚的布道工作呢？这项工作需要最细心的机智，最留心的体贴和最诚恳地祈求天上的智慧。青年是撒但特别攻击的目标。但人若心中充满了基督的爱，洋溢出仁慈、礼让及同情来，就必博得他们的信任，并拯救他们脱离仇敌的许多网罗。{GW 207.3}[3]
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Why should not labor for the youth in our borders be regarded as missionary work of the highest kind? It requires the most delicate tact, the most watchful consideration, the most earnest prayer for heavenly wisdom. The youth are the objects of Satans special attacks; but kindness, courtesy, and the sympathy which flows from a heart filled with love to Jesus, will gain their confidence, and save them from many a snare of the enemy. {GW 207.3}[3]
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青年所需要的，不只是偶然的关注，对他们说几句鼓励的话，而是需要辛苦、虔诚和审慎的工作。只有心中充满仁爱同情的人，才能接近表面上冷漠淡然的青年。人不能用同一的方法来帮助。上帝待人是因他的性情和品格而异。我们必须与祂合作。我们往往以貌取人而忽略了一些人，其实他们中间有最优秀的人才可以担任传道人。他们会使为之付出努力的人得到回报。我们需要更多地研究怎样对待青年的问题，更多地恳求主赐给我们应付人心需要的智慧。{GW 208.1}[4]
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The youth need more than a casual notice, more than an occasional word of encouragement. They need painstaking, prayerful, careful labor. He only whose heart is filled with love and sympathy will be able to reach those youth who are apparently careless and indifferent. Not all can be helped in the same way. God deals with each according to his temperament and character, and we must co-operate with Him. Often those whom we pass by with indifference, because we judge them from outward appearance, have in them the best material for workers, and will repay all the efforts bestowed on them. There must be more study given to the problem of how to deal with the youth, more earnest prayer for the wisdom that is needed in dealing with minds. {GW 208.1}[4]
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【为儿童讲道】
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每逢有适当的机会，就要把耶稣爱人的故事讲给孩子们听。在每一次讲道时，都要留一部分内容帮助孩子。基督的仆人可以与这些孩子长期做朋友。要不失时机地帮助他们更加明白圣经。这种工作能抵制撒但的诡计，其效果超过我们的想象。如果孩子们从小就熟悉圣经的真理，建立起抵制不敬虔之风的屏障，他们就能用“经上记着说”来对付仇敌了。{GW 208.2}[5]
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【Preaching for Children】
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At every suitable opportunity let the story of Jesus love be repeated to the children. In every sermon let a little corner be left for their benefit. The servant of Christ may make lasting friends of these little ones. Then let him lose no opportunity of helping them to become more intelligent in a knowledge of the Scriptures. This will do more than we realize to bar the way against Satans devices. If children early become familiar with the truths of Gods word, a barrier against ungodliness will be erected, and they will be able to meet the foe with the words, It is written. {GW 208.2}[5]
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凡教导青少年的人应当避免说乏味的话。简短直接的话，带有快乐的感化力。若是有许多话要说，不妨分几次简单扼要地讲。时而说几句有意义的话，比一次说出全部的教训更有益处。长篇大论使年轻人厌烦。讲得太多，会使他们甚至讨厌属灵的教训，就象吃得太多使胃受累，食欲减弱，便厌恶食物了。我们在教堂里讲道，特别是对青少年，要律上加律，例上加例，这里一点，那里一点。应当非常温柔而不是粗鲁地把孩子吸引到天国。{GW 208.3}[6]
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Those who give instruction to children and youth should avoid tedious remarks. Short talks, right to the point, will have a happy influence. If there is much to be said, make up for brevity by frequency. A few interesting remarks, every now and then, will be more helpful than to give all the instruction at once. Long speeches tire the minds of the young. Too much talk will lead them even to loathe spiritual instruction, just as overeating burdens the stomach and lessens the appetite, leading to a loathing for food. Our instruction to the church, and especially to the youth, should be given line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Children must be drawn toward heaven, not harshly, but very gently. {GW 208.3}[6]
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【同情青年】
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我们应当设法了解青年的情感，同情他们的快乐，忧伤，奋斗和胜利。耶稣并不是只住在天上，与忧伤犯罪的人分离。祂降到这个世上，以便熟悉堕落人类的软弱、痛苦和试探。祂来到我们所在之处接近我们，为了拯救我们。我们在为青年作工的时候，也应该到他们所在之处接近他们，才能使他们得到帮助。这些青年们如果被试探所胜，年长多有经验的人切不可严厉地对待他们，或对他们的努力漠不关心。要记住你们自己也往往表显出无力抵抗试探者的势力。要耐心对待这些小羊，正如你们希望别人耐心对待你们一样。上帝所创造的人类，连最强壮的也希望得到别人的同情。孩子们就更需要得到同情了！即使是慈怜的一顾，往往也会安抚和加强疲乏受试探的孩子。{GW 209.1}[7]
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【Entering into the Feelings of the Youth】
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We should seek to enter into the feelings of the youth, sympathizing with them in their joys and sorrows, their conflicts and victories. Jesus did not remain in heaven, away from the sorrowing and sinful; He came down to this world, that He might become acquainted with the weakness, the suffering, and the temptations of the fallen race. He reached us where we were, that He might lift us up. In our work of the youth, we must meet them where they are, if we would help them. When youthful disciples are overcome by temptation, let not those older in experience deal with them harshly, or regard their efforts with indifference. Remember that you yourselves have often shown but little strength to resist the tempters power. Be as patient with these lambs of the flock as you wish others to be with you. God has so constituted us that even the strongest desire sympathy. How much more, then, do children need it! Even a look of compassion will often soothe and strengthen the tried, tempted child. {GW 209.1}[7]
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耶稣呼唤每位流浪者说：“我儿，要将你的心归我”（箴23:26）。“你们这背道的儿女啊！回来吧，我要医治你们背道的病”（耶3:22）。若没有耶稣的爱，青年就得不到真正的快乐。主正在慈祥地等候着，要听背道的人回来认罪，并接纳他们的悔改。祂希望看到他们感恩的表示，就象母亲希望看到所爱婴儿的笑容一样。伟大的上帝教导我们称祂为父。祂希望我们明白祂怎样在我们的一切试炼诱惑中诚恳温柔地牵挂我们。“父亲怎样怜恤他的儿女，耶和华也怎样怜恤敬畏祂的人”（诗103:13）。母亲即使会忘记自己的孩子，上帝却不会忘记信靠祂的人。{GW 209.2}[8]
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Jesus calls to every wanderer, My son, give Me thine heart. [Proverbs 23:26.] Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. [Jeremiah 3:22.] The youth cannot be truly happy without the love of Jesus. He is waiting with pitying tenderness to hear the confessions of the wayward, and to accept their penitence. He watches for some return of gratitude from them, as the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her beloved babe. The great God teaches us to call Him Father. He would have us understand how earnestly and tenderly His heart yearns over us in all our trials and temptations. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. [Psalm 103:13.] The mother might sooner forget her child than God could forget one soul that trusts Him. {GW 209.2}[8]
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【青年应参加教会的工作】
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青年献心归主之后，我们对他们的责任并没有停止。要让他们关心主的圣工，知道主希望他们参与推进祂的事业。单单指出需要做多少工作，并劝勉青年去参加还是不够的。要教导他们如何为主作工。他们必须接受培养，教育，训练，以便能用最好的方法引人归向基督。要教导他们用温柔谦虚的方法帮助其青年同伴。要系统性地开展各部门的布道工作，让他们能够参加，并予以教导和帮助。他们就这样学会了为上帝作工。{GW 210.1}[9]
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【The Youth to Act a Part in Church Work】
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When the youth give their hearts to God, our responsibility for them does not cease. They must be interested in the Lords work, and led to see that He expects them to do something to advance His cause. It is not enough to show how much needs to be done, and to urge the youth to act a part. They must be taught how to labor for the Master. They must be trained, disciplined, drilled, in the best methods of winning souls to Christ. Teach them to try in a quiet, unpretending way to help their young companions. Let different branches of missionary effort be systematically laid out, in which they may take part, and let them be given instruction and help. Thus they will learn to work for God. {GW 210.1}[9]
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不要以为你去参加布道会，作了长篇讲道，就能激发青年的兴趣。要设法引起他们活泼的兴趣。青年要周复一周带来报告，讲述他们为救主所作的事，和所取得的成就。布道会若用作这种报告的机会，就不会枯燥单调，索然无味，反而会兴趣盎然，不乏赴会者了。{GW 210.2}[10]
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Do not imagine that you can arouse the interest of the young by going to the missionary meeting and preaching a long sermon. Plan ways whereby a live interest may be aroused. From week to week the youth should bring in their reports, telling what they have tried to do for the Saviour, and what success has been theirs. If the missionary meeting were made an occasion for bringing in such reports, it would not be dull, tedious, and uninteresting. It would be full of interest, and there would be no lack of attendance. {GW 210.2}[10]
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我们的教会需要组织严明、训练有素的青年才干。青少年充裕的精力必须有所发挥。若不纳入正轨，必然危害自己的灵性和他们所交往的人。{GW 211.1}[11]
§30
Youthful talent, well organized and well trained, is needed in our churches. The youth will do something with their overflowing energies. Unless these energies are directed into right channels, they will be used by the youth in a way that will hurt their own spirituality, and prove an injury to those with whom they associate. {GW 211.1}[11]
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教育者应当与受教育者心心相应。他们要记住自己必定遭遇许多试探。我们没有认识到青年的不良品性是与生俱来的，因此试探经常临他们。{GW 211.2}[12]
§32
Let the heart of the instructor be linked with the hearts of those under his charge. Let him remember that they have many temptations to meet. We little realize the objectionable traits of character given to the youth as a birthright, and how often temptation comes to them as a result of this birthright. {GW 211.2}[12]
§33
我见过一幅描绘好牧人的画，充分说明了牧人应当怎样看守保护他羊群中的小羊。牧人在面头领路，羊群跟在后面。他把无助的小羊抱在手上，母羊则放心地在旁边跟着。以赛亚论到基督的工作说：“祂必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中”（赛40:11）。羊羔所需要的不单是日常的饮食，还需要保护和时刻用爱心看顾。如果有一只迷路了，他必定去寻找。这个比喻非常优美，很好地表达了基督羊群的牧人所作的爱心服务。{GW 211.3}[13]
§34
The guarding care that the under-shepherd will give the lambs of his flock is well illustrated by a picture I have seen representing the Good Shepherd. The shepherd is leading the way, while the flock follow close behind. Carried in his arms is a helpless lamb, while the mother walks trustingly by his side. Of the work of Christ, Isaiah says, He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom. [Isaiah 40:11.] The lambs need more than daily food. They need protection, and must constantly be guarded with tender care. If one goes astray, it must be searched for. The figure is a beautiful one, and well represents the loving service that the under-shepherd of the flock of Christ is to give to those under his protection and care. {GW 211.3}[13]
§35
我的传道弟兄啊，要开门接纳遭受试探的青年，藉着个人之工接近他们。到处都有罪恶引诱他们。要设法使他们关心那能帮助他们过更高尚生活的事。不要远离他们。应当带他们到自己家中，邀请他们来参加家庭礼拜。应当记住，上帝对我们的要求使通天的道路明亮又动人。{GW 212.1}[14]
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My brethren in the ministry, open your doors to young men who are exposed to temptation. Come near to them by personal effort. Evil invites them on every hand. Seek to interest them in that which will help them to live the higher life. Do not hold yourself aloof from them. Bring them to your fireside; invite them to join you around the family altar. Let us remember the claim of God upon us to make the path to heaven bright and attractive. {GW 212.1}[14]
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我们当训练青年去帮助青年；当他们尝试此种工作时，就必获得经验，预备他们在较大的范围内可以作献身的工人。用最简朴而谦卑的方法可以感化千万人的心。那些富于智力的，被世人所景仰且称誉为最有天才的男女，往往会从那些爱上帝之人的心中所流露出来的简明话语所感动。……上帝儿女真诚的话，自然而简明地说出来，就会打开那久已关闭的心门。——《教会证言》卷六第115页{GW 212.2}[15]
§38
We should educate the youth to help the youth; and as they seek to do this, they will gain an experience that will qualify them to become consecrated workers in a larger sphere. Thousands of hearts can be reached in the most simple, humble way. The most intellectual, those who are looked upon and praised as the worlds most gifted men and women, are often refreshed by the simple words that flow from the heart of one who loves God. . . . The true, honest words of a son or daughter of God, spoken in natural simplicity, will open the door to hearts that have long been locked.-- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 115. {GW 212.2}[15]
§39
提摩太从小明白圣经，这种知识成为他的保障，使他能抵御四围的恶势力，和那引人贪欢纵欲放弃本分的试探。我们的儿女也都需要这个保障。凡是作父母和作基督使者的人，都应作这一份工作，注意让儿童们正确地领受圣经的教训。——《教会证言》卷四第398页{GW 212.3}[16]
§40
From a child, Timothy knew the Scriptures; and this knowledge was a safeguard to him against evil influences surrounding him, and the temptation to choose pleasure and selfish gratification before duty. Such a safeguard all our children need; and it should be a part of the work of parents and of Christs ambassadors to see that the children are properly instructed in the word of God.--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IV, page 398. {GW 212.3}[16]