第21章 为我们的儿童工作
§1
第21章 为我们的儿童工作
§2
The Work to Be Done for Our Children
§3
我曾蒙指示，看见分散在各个地方的教会。这些教会的力量，有赖于他们才干和效能的增长。……我们所有的教会都应办学校。而学校的教师，应该是有传道精神的。要训练教师不仅在科学方面，而且是在圣经知识方面，能够很好地胜任教育本会儿童的重要工作。这些设立在各地，由敬畏上帝的人所办的学校，必须按着先知学校的原则建立。{CT 168.1}[1]
§4
I have been pointed to the churches that are scattered in different localities, and have been shown that the strength of these churches depends upon their growth in usefulness and efficiency.... In all our churches there should be schools, and teachers in these schools who are missionaries. It is essential that teachers be trained to act well their part in the important work of educating the children of Sabbathkeepers, not only in the sciences, but in the Scriptures. These schools, established in different localities, and conducted by God-fearing men or women, as the case demands, should be built on the same principles as were the schools of the prophets.?{CT 168.1}[1]
§5
要特别关心青年的教育；要训练儿童成为传道士；要帮助他们明白，应当怎样行才可以得救。（徒16:30）可惜只有少数人受过必需的宗教教育。如果教师自己有宗教经验，他们就能把所领受的上帝慈爱的知识，教导他们的学生。只有那些真正悔改的人，才能传授这种知识，这是人所能担负最高尚的传道工作。{CT 168.2}[2]
§6
Special care should be given to the education of the youth. The children are to be trained to become missionaries; they must be helped to understand distinctly what they must do to be saved. Few have the instruction in religious lines that is essential. If the instructors have a religious experience themselves, they will be able to communicate to their students the knowledge of the love of God that they have received. These lessons can be given only by those who are themselves truly converted. This is the noblest missionary work that any man or woman can undertake.?{CT 168.2}[2]
§7
儿童在很小的时候，就应教导他们读、写和算术，记自己的帐。他们能够在这种知识上，日益长进。但最重要的还要教导他们：敬畏上帝是智慧的开端。要“令上加令，律上加律；这里一点，那里一点。”地教导他们。教师始终不渝的目的，应当是教育儿童认识上帝，和祂所差来的耶稣基督。{CT 168.3}[3]
§8
When very young, children should be educated to read, to write, to understand figures, to keep their own?accounts. They may go forward, advancing step by step in this knowledge. But before everything else, they should be taught that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. They should be educated line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; but the one aim before the teacher should be to educate the children to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.?{CT 168.3}[3]
§9
要告诉青年，任何形式的罪，都是属于圣经说的“违背律法。”（约壹3:4）……要用简单的语言，教导他们必须顺从父母、把他们的心献给上帝。耶稣基督正等着要接纳并赐福他们。但他们到祂面前，求祂赦免他们的一切过犯，除去一切罪恶。当他们求主赦免他们一切过犯的时候，就当相信祂已赦免了他们。{CT 169.1}[4]
§10
Teach the youth that sin in any line is defined in the Scriptures as “transgression of the law.”?1 John 3:4.... Teach them in simple language that they must be obedient to their parents and give their hearts to God. Jesus Christ is waiting to accept and bless them if they will only come to Him and ask Him to pardon all their transgressions and take away their sins. And when they ask Him to pardon all their transgressions they must believe that He does it.?{CT 169.1}[4]
§11
上帝希望每一个幼童，成为祂的孩子，被接进祂的家中。他们虽然年幼，也能成为有信心之家庭的成员，获得宝贵的经验。他们可以有柔顺的心，准备接受恒久的感化。可以吸引他们的心，信靠并热爱耶稣，为救主而生活。基督要他们成为小传道士。他们整个思想倾向，都可发生变化，以致不再视罪恶为可爱，而是可憎可恶的了。{CT 169.2}[5]
§12
God wants every child of tender age to be His child, to be adopted into His family. Young though they may be, the youth may be members of the household of faith and have a most precious experience. They may have hearts that are tender and ready to receive impressions that will be lasting. They may have their hearts drawn out in confidence and love for Jesus, and live for the Saviour. Christ will make them little missionaries. The whole current of their thought may be changed, so that sin will not appear a thing to be enjoyed, but to be shunned and hated.?{CT 169.2}[5]
§13
儿童和少年，都必借着这种教训而获得好处。当教师如此解释救恩计划的时候，就能和他们所教导的人，一同大大蒙福。上帝的灵，将把这些训诲印在儿童易感的心中，使他们掌握简明的圣经真理。上帝要赐给这些儿童传道的经验。祂将给他们启发一些甚至教师也未曾有的思想。受过正确教育的儿童，能为真理作出美好的见证。{CT 169.3}[6]
§14
Small children, as well as those who are older, will be benefited by this instruction; and in thus simplifying the plan of salvation, the teachers will receive as great blessings as those who are taught. The Holy Spirit of God?will impress the lessons upon the receptive minds of the children, that they may grasp the ideas of Bible truth in their simplicity. And the Lord will give an experience to these children in missionary lines; He will suggest to them lines of thought that even the teachers did not have. The children who are properly instructed will be witnesses to the truth.?{CT 169.3}[6]
§15
神经过分紧张和易怒的教师，不宜教育儿童。他们应当爱孩子，因为他们是上帝家里年幼的成员。主必像问先知那样问他们，“先前赐给你的群众，就是你佳美的群众，如今在哪里呢？”（耶13:20）……{CT 170.1}[7]
§16
Teachers who are nervous and easily irritated should not be placed over the youth. They must love the children because they are the younger members of the Lord’s family. The Lord will inquire of them, as of the parents, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?”?Jeremiah 13:20....?{CT 170.1}[7]
§17
在教育青少年的时候，教师不可让一句粗暴的话或态度，破坏他们的工作。因为这样做，会使学生感染他们所表现的精神。上帝希望我们的学校，达到高尚的标准，好在天使进来时，能从学校的管理秩序和行政原则中，看见天国的管理秩序和施政原则。许多人认为这是不可能的。但每一学校必须从此出发，并以最大努力在校风、交际和训诲上，保持基督的精神。教师应置身于真光之中，使上帝能用他们为工具，来反应祂圣德的形像。教师要敬畏上帝。他们时刻有天使来帮助，将所学的宝贵教训，铭刻在学生心上。{CT 170.2}[8]
§18
In educating the children and youth, teachers should not allow one passionate word or gesture to mar their work, for in so doing they imbue the students with the same spirit which they themselves possess. The Lord would have our primary schools, as well as those for older students, of that character that angels of God can walk through the room, and behold, in the order and principle of government, the order and government of heaven. This is thought by many to be impossible; but every school should begin with this, and work most earnestly to preserve the spirit of Christ in temper, in communications, in instruction, the teachers placing themselves in the channel of light where the Lord can use them as His agents to reflect His own likeness of character. The teachers may know that, as God-fearing instructors, they have helpers every hour to impress upon the hearts of the children the valuable lessons given.?{CT 170.2}[8]
§19
上帝与每一个献身的教师同工。教师若认识到这一点，就必大大获益。那些受上帝训练的教师，借着圣灵接受了恩典、真理和亮光，并传递给儿童。他们乃是在人类有史以来最伟大的教师手下工作。如果他们表现不仁慈的精神，刻薄的话语，性子急躁，那是多么不相宜啊？若是这样，他们日后就必在儿童身上看到自己的缺点。{CT 171.1}[9]
§20
The Lord works with every consecrated teacher; and it is for the teacher’s own interest for him to realize this. Instructors who are under the discipline of God receive grace and truth and light through the Holy Spirit to communicate to the children. They are under the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, and how unbecoming it would be for them to have an unkind spirit, a sharp voice, full of irritation! In this they would perpetuate their own defects in the children.?{CT 171.1}[9]
§21
只要我们肯向耶稣学习，我们对自己所能成就的事，就会有清楚的认识。天上平安和喜乐的泉源，一旦借着圣灵的训言进入教师的心，就会成为有力的感化之流，给一切与他接触的人，带来福惠。{CT 171.2}[10]
§22
Oh, for a clear perception of what we might accomplish if we would learn of Jesus! The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of the teacher by the magic words of Inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence, to bless all who connect with him.?{CT 171.2}[10]
§23
不要以为圣经对于儿童是一本枯燥的书。在一个智慧的教师指导之下，圣经必越来越有吸引力。它将成为永不朽坏的生命之粮。在圣经中有吸引和鼓舞青少年的活力和华美。它状如日光普照大地，不断带来光明和温暖。借着圣经的历史和要道，青少年能认识到其他一切的书远为逊色。他们能够在这里找到恩惠和慈爱的泉源。{CT 171.3}[11]
§24
Do not think that the Bible will become a tiresome book to the children. Under a wise instructor the word will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, it will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, giving its brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. By lessons from Bible history and doctrine, the children and youth can learn that all other books are inferior to this. They can find here a fountain of mercy and love.?{CT 171.3}[11]
§25
上帝圣洁和教育人的灵，在祂的话中。从圣经的每一页中，放射出崭新的宝贵光芒。真理在其中显示出来，字字句句按时显明，作为上帝向人说话的声音。{CT 171.4}[12]
§26
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to them.?{CT 171.4}[12]
§27
我们应当认识到圣灵是我们的启蒙导师。圣灵乐意教导儿童，向他们显明圣经的财宝和荣美。大教师所发的应许，将以神圣的属灵能力，深入儿童的心灵，给他们带来属灵的力量。儿童善于领会知识的心灵，将越来越熟悉有关上帝的事。这种知识，乃是抵挡仇敌试探的屏障。{CT 172.1}[13]
§28
We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the word. The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the receptive mind a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.?{CT 172.1}[13]
§29
教师的工作是重要的。他们应当默想上帝的话。上帝就会借着祂的灵，与他们的心灵交通。当你研究的时候，要祷告说：“求你开我的眼睛，使我看出你律法中的奇妙。”（诗119:18）当教师在祈祷中依靠上帝的时候，基督的灵就会降临在他们身上。上帝就会差遣祂的灵借着他们在学生的心中工作。圣灵将希望、勇气和圣经中的美景，充满教师的心灵，使教师把这一切传达到学生心中。真理的话，将显得越来越重要，其中包含着梦想不到的丰富广泛的意义。上帝荣美宝贵的圣言，赋有改变心灵和品格的感化力。天国的仁爱的火花落在儿童心中，必成为鼓舞的力量。我们若愿意为他们作工，就能引领千百个儿童归向基督。（《给巴特尔克里克教会的特别证言》，1897年写于澳大利亚新南威尔士库兰班）{CT 172.2}[14]
§30
The work of teachers is an important one. They should make the word of God their meditation. God will communicate by His own Spirit with the soul. Pray as you study, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law,”?Psalm 119:18. When the teacher will rely upon God in prayer, the Spirit of Christ will come upon him, and God will work through him by the Holy Spirit upon the mind of the student. The Holy Spirit fills mind and heart with hope and courage and Bible imagery, which will be communicated to the student. The words of truth will grow in importance, and will assume a breadth and fullness of meaning of which he has never dreamed. The beauty and virtue of the word of God have a transforming influence upon mind and character; the sparks of heavenly love will fall upon the hearts of the children as an inspiration. We may bring hundreds and thousands of children to Christ if we will work for them.—Special Testimony to the Battle Creek Church; written at Cooranbong, N.S.W., Australia, December 15, 1897.?{CT 172.2}[14]