第75章 引领儿童归向基督
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第75章 引领儿童归向基督
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chap. 75 - Leading Little Children to Christ
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儿童多大可以作基督徒?－－在童年时代，思想容易影响和塑造；应该在这时教育男女儿童爱上帝并尊敬祂。（一）{CG 486.1}[1]
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How Early May Children Become Christians?--In childhood the mind is readily impressed and molded, and it is then that boys and girls should be taught to love and honor God. {CG 486.1}[1]
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上帝希望每一个孩子，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，获得极宝贵的经验。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。（二）{CG 486.2}[2]
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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. {CG 486.2}[2]
§7
年龄没有关系－－有人问一位著名的圣徒，孩子必须多大才可以成为基督徒。他回答说：“年龄没有关系。爱耶稣，相信，依赖，投靠祂，这些品质都符合儿童的天性。儿童一开始爱母亲，信赖母亲，他就会爱母亲的朋友耶稣，信赖耶稣。耶稣要成为他的朋友，接受他的爱和尊敬。” {CG 486.3}[3]
§8
Age of No Consequence.--An eminent divine was once asked how old a child must be before there was reasonable hope of his being a Christian. Age has nothing to do with it, was the answer. Love to Jesus, trust, repose, confidence, are all qualities that agree with the childs nature. As soon as a child can love and trust his mother, then can he love and trust Jesus as the Friend of his mother. Jesus will be his Friend, loved and honored. {CG 486.3}[3]
§9
鉴于上述的事实，父母在这些善于观察的小眼睛和敏锐的感官之前，怎么小心地言传身教也不为过。我们的信仰是务实的。我们在家中和教会里一样需要宗教。我们的举止不可冷漠，严厉，令人生畏，而当以恩慈同情表现我们有温暖仁爱之心。耶稣应成为我们家中的贵宾。我们应当与祂交谈，向祂倾诉所有的苦衷，并讲论祂的爱、祂的恩典和祂的完全品格。敬虔的父母如果能将一切苦恼带到那背负众人重担之主耶稣面前，不为自己所无法解决的烦闷困惑生气和责骂，就能每天给儿女多好的教训啊！应当教导儿童把自己的心转向耶稣，就象鲜花朝太阳展开花瓣一样。（三）{CG 486.4}[4]
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In view of the foregoing truthful statement, can parents be too careful in presenting precept and example before those watchful little eyes and sharp senses? Our religion should be made practical. It is needed in our homes as much as in the house of worship. There should be nothing cold, stern, and forbidding in our demeanor; but we should show, by kindness and sympathy, that we possess warm, loving hearts. Jesus should be the honored Guest in the family circle. We should talk with Him, bring all our burdens to Him, and converse of His love, His grace, and His perfection of character. What a lesson may be daily given by godly parents in taking all their troubles to Jesus, the Burden Bearer, instead of fretting and scolding over cares and perplexities they cannot help. The minds of the little ones may be taught to turn to Jesus as the flower turns its opening petals to the sun. {CG 486.4}[4]
§11
每一课都应当教导上帝的爱－－儿童受教的第一课，应为上帝是他们的父。要趁着他们年幼开始这一课。父母应当明白自己在上帝面前有责任帮助儿女认识他们的天父。……每一课都应教导上帝是爱。（四）{CG 487.1}[5]
§12
Gods Love Should Be Taught in Every Lesson.-- The first lesson that children are to be taught is that God is their Father. This lesson should be given them in their earliest years. Parents are to realize that they are responsible before God for making their children acquainted with their heavenly Father. . . . That God is love is to be taught by every lesson. {CG 487.1}[5]
§13
父母应当教导婴幼儿和青少年耶稣的爱。婴儿最初所发的牙语应是基督。（五）{CG 487.2}[6]
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Fathers and mothers should teach the infant, the child, and the youth of the love of Jesus. Let the first baby lispings be of Christ. {CG 487.2}[6]
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儿童的一切功课都应与基督联系起来。（六）{CG 487.3}[7]
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Christ should be associated with all the lessons given to children. {CG 487.3}[7]
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要让儿童从最小的时候起就熟悉上帝的事。母亲要用简单的语言述说基督在世上的生活。更有甚者，她应当将救主的教训带进她的日常生活。她要用自己的榜样告诉儿童，今生是为来生作准备的，是赐给人类塑造品格好进入上帝圣城的时期。（七）{CG 487.4}[8]
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From the childs earliest years it is to be made acquainted with the things of God. In simple words let the mother tell it about Christs life on earth. And more than this, let her bring into her daily life the teachings of the Saviour. Let her show her child, by her own example, that this life is a preparation for the life to come, a period granted to human beings in which they may form characters that will win for them entrance into the city of God. {CG 487.4}[8]
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不仅偶然注意－－由于教会的信徒没有以怜悯同情之心看待我们的儿童和青少年，盼望他们在属灵生活上进步，他们很少受到关注，在基督徒生活中也没有取得应有的成长。（八）{CG 488.1}[9]
§20
They Need More Than Casual Notice.--There has been altogether too little attention paid to our children and youth, and they have failed to develop as they should in the Christian life, because the church members have not looked upon them with tenderness and sympathy, desiring that they might be advanced in the divine life. {CG 488.1}[9]
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儿童如果被疏忽或未予重视，主是得不到荣耀的。……他们所需要的不仅是偶然的注意，或一两句鼓励的话。需要对他们下认真虔诚细致的苦功。只有充满仁爱同情的心，才能感动似乎冷漠绝望之青年的心。（九）{CG 488.2}[10]
§22
The Lord is not glorified when the children are neglected and passed by. . . . They require more than casual notice, more than a word of encouragement. They need painstaking, prayerful, careful labor. The heart that is filled with love and sympathy will reach the hearts of the youth who are apparently careless and hopeless. {CG 488.2}[10]
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耶稣说：“要为我训练这些儿童”。－－父母们应当追求明白，他们是为上帝的宫廷训练自己的儿女。当儿女托付给他们的时候，等于是基督把孩子放在他们的怀中说：“要为我训练这些儿童，使他们可以在上帝的宫廷中发光。”最早引起他们注意的声音之一，应当是耶稣的圣名。在他们最年幼的时候，应当把他们领到祈祷的脚凳前。他们的心中应充满主生平的故事。他们的思想也应为将来世界的荣美景象所鼓舞。（十）{CG 488.3}[11]
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Jesus Says, Train These Children for Me.-- Parents should seek to comprehend the fact that they are to train their children for the courts of God. When they are entrusted with children, it is the same as though Christ placed them in their arms and said, Train these children for Me, that they may shine in the courts of God. One of the first sounds that should attract their attention is the name of Jesus, and in their earliest years they should be led to the footstool of prayer. Their minds should be filled with stories of the life of the Lord, and their imaginations encouraged in picturing the glories of the world to come. {CG 488.3}[11]
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童年也可以有基督徒经验－－要帮助你的儿女预备好进入基督去为爱祂的人所预备的住宅。要帮助他们实现上帝在他们身上的旨意。你的训练应当帮助他们荣耀那为他们而死，使他们能在上帝的国中得永生的主。要教导他们回应主的邀请：“我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式；这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”（太11:29,30）。（十一）{CG 488.4}[12]
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They May Have a Christian Experience in Childhood.-- Help your children to prepare for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him. Help them to fulfill Gods purpose for them. Let your training be such that it will help them to be an honor to the One who died to secure for them eternal life in the kingdom of God. Teach them to respond to the invitation, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. {CG 488.4}[12]
§27
我的弟兄姊妹：你们负有训练儿女的神圣职责。他们在年轻之时，心灵容易感受正义的印象。……在他们的童年时代，就应教导他们有一份个人工作要做，有基督徒的经验要获得。（十二）{CG 489.1}[13]
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My brother and sister, you have a sacred work to do in the training of your children. While they are young, their hearts and minds are most susceptible to right impressions. . . . Teach them that they have an individual part to act and a Christian experience to gain even in their childhood. {CG 489.1}[13]
§29
父母如果不把引领儿女的脚自幼行在公义的道路上作为自己人生的首要任务，儿女就会选择错误的道路。（十三）{CG 489.2}[14]
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Unless parents shall make it the first business of their lives to guide their childrens feet into the path of righteousness from their earliest years, the wrong path will be chosen before the right. {CG 489.2}[14]
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甘心顺从是悔改的证据－－难道我们不肯教导自己的儿女明白：甘心顺从上帝的旨意，能证明自称为基督徒的人是不是真正的基督徒？主所说的每一句话都是非常认真的。（十四）{CG 489.3}[15]
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Willing Obedience Is the Test of Conversion.-- Shall we not teach our children that willing obedience to the will of God proves whether those claiming to be Christians are Christians indeed? The Lord means every word He says. {CG 489.3}[15]
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上帝的律法是改革的基础－－上帝的律法是家庭的教育手段。父母负有最严肃的责任，要遵行上帝的诫命中，为儿女树立最严格忠诚的榜样。……{CG 489.4}[16]
§34
Gods Law the Foundation of Reformation.--The law of God is to be the means of education in the family. Parents are under a most solemn obligation to walk in all the commandments of God, setting their children an example of the strictest integrity. . . . {CG 489.4}[16]
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上帝的律法是一切持久改革的基础。我们要向世人清楚地说明需要顺从祂的律法。伟大的改革运动必须从家里开始。顺从上帝的律法是伟大的动力，使人勤奋、节俭、诚实，人与人公平相待。（十五）{CG 489.5}[17]
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The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear, distinct lines the need of obedience to His law. The great reformative movement must begin in the home. Obedience to Gods law is the great incentive to industry, economy, truthfulness, and just dealing between man and man. {CG 489.5}[17]
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要教导儿女遵守－－你们有没有教导儿女自幼遵守上帝的诫命呢？......你们应当教导他们按照基督向他们所彰显的神圣样式塑造品格。祂愿意向孩子们显示自己。我们从约瑟、撒母耳、但以理及其朋友的历史中可以了解这一点。难道我们不能从他们的人生记录中，看到上帝对儿童和青少年的期望吗？（十六）{CG 489.6}[18]
§38
Teach It to the Children.--Have you taught your children from their babyhood to keep the commandments of God? . . . You are to teach them to form characters after the divine similitude, that Christ may reveal Himself to them. He is willing to reveal Himself to children. We know this from the history of Joseph, of Samuel, of Daniel and his companions. Can we not see from the record of their lives what God expects from children and youth? {CG 489.6}[18]
§39
父母们对上帝有义务，要把自己的儿女引到上帝面前，使他们在很小的时候就对何为跟从耶稣基督有聪明的认识。（十七）{CG 490.1}[19]
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Parents . . . are under obligation to God to present their children to Him fitted at a very early period to receive an intelligent knowledge of what is comprehended in being a follower of Jesus Christ. {CG 490.1}[19]
§41
一个悔改儿童的见证－－宗教能帮助儿童更好地学习，更忠心地工作。有一个十二岁的姑娘用简单的话语述说自己作基督徒的证据。“我以前不喜欢读书，只喜欢玩。我在学校中很懒惰，常常忽略功课。但我现在每一门功课都学得很好，讨上帝喜悦。我以前在学校很顽皮。老师没有看我时，我就对其他孩子给鬼脸。但现在我要表现良好，遵守校章，为要讨上帝喜悦。我以前在家里很自私，不喜欢帮忙家务。当妈妈把我从游玩中喊回来给她帮忙时，我就生气。但现在我以能帮忙母亲作事，表明我爱她为真正的快乐。”（十八）{CG 490.2}[20]
§42
Testimony of a Converted Child.--Religion helps children to study better and to do more faithful work. A little girl of twelve was telling, in a simple way, the evidence that she was a Christian. I did not like to study, but to play. I was idle at school and often missed my lessons. Now I learn every lesson well, to please God. I was mischievous at school, when the teachers were not looking at me, making fun for the children to look at. Now I wish to please God by behaving well and keeping the school laws. I was selfish at home, didnt like to run errands, and was sulky when mother called me from play to help her in work. Now it is a real joy for me to help mother in any way and to show that I love her. {CG 490.2}[20]
§43
小心，不可延误！－－父母们哪，你们应当趁他们很幼小之时，就开始训练他们的心思，以期他们也可成为基督徒。……你们应当醒悟，不要存错误的思想，以为他们是年幼无知，不能负责，和还不够年龄去悔改己罪及承认基督，以致使他们糊糊涂涂，身临毁灭之渊而还沉梦未醒。（十九）{CG 490.3}[21]
§44
Beware of Procrastination.--Parents, you should commence to discipline the minds of your children while they are young, to the end that they may be Christians. . . . Beware how you lull them to sleep over the pit of destruction, with the mistaken thought that they are not old enough to be accountable, not old enough to repent of their sins and profess Christ. {CG 490.3}[21]
§45
八岁，十岁，或十二岁的儿童，已是够大，可以向他们传说个人信仰的题目了。不可教导孩童存心以为再过几年长大了，就可以悔改相信真理。若是教导得法，很幼小的儿童也可以得到正确的见解，知道自己是罪人并且藉着基督才能得救。（二十）{CG 490.4}[22]
§46
Children of eight, ten, or twelve years are old enough to be addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach your children with reference to some future period when they shall be old enough to repent and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very young children may have correct views of their state as sinners and of the way of salvation through Christ. {CG 490.4}[22]
§47
我蒙主指示，圣经上提到给那些从幼年就寻求救主之人的许多宝贵应许。传12:1说：“你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。”又在箴8:17中说：“爱我的，我也爱他；恳切寻求我的，必寻得见。”以色列的大牧者现今还是说：“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”（路18:16）。应当教导儿女知道，幼年时代乃是寻求主的最好时期。（二一）{CG 491.1}[23]
§48
I was referred to the many precious promises on record for those who seek their Saviour early. Ecclesiastes 12:1: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Proverbs 8:17: I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me. The great Shepherd of Israel is still saying, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Teach your children that youth is the best time to seek the Lord. {CG 491.1}[23]
§49
从婴儿到青年时期要予以指导－－让孩子随从天性的欲望，就是容让他堕落，精通恶事。错误训练的后果在童年时代就暴露出来。自私的脾气在很小的时候就培养起来，到了成年，他就在罪恶之中成长。从被纵容随从自己的心意而行的儿童身上，不断见证父母的疏忽。这种堕落的行为，只有在抵制罪恶的影响包围之下，才能防止。从幼年到青年到成年，孩子应始终处在向善的影响之下。（二二）{CG 491.2}[24]
§50
Direct From Infancy Through Youth.--To allow a child to follow his natural impulses is to allow him to deteriorate and to become proficient in evil. The results of wrong training begin to be revealed in childhood. In early youth a selfish temper is developed, and as the youth grows to manhood, he grows in sin. A continual testimony against parental neglect is borne by children who have been permitted to follow a course of their own choosing. Such a downward course can be prevented only by surrounding them with influences that will counteract evil. From infancy to youth and from youth to manhood, a child should be under influences for good. {CG 491.2}[24]
§51
为将来的考验加强孩子－－父母们：你们应当严肃地扪心自问：“我们有没有教育儿女服从父母的权威，训练他们顺从上帝，爱祂，遵守祂的律法，作为生活和行动的最高指导呢？我们有没有教育他们作基督的布道士，到处行善呢？”信主的父母们：在斗争的日子，你们的儿女要为主打那决定性的仗。在为和平之君赢得胜利之时，他们也可以为自己赢得胜利。但是如果他们没有在敬畏耶和华的气氛中长大，没有认识基督，没有与上天联络，他们就没有道德的力量。他们会顺服地上的权势，就是那设立伪安息日代替耶和华之安息日，抬高自己过于天上上帝的权势。（二三）{CG 491.3}[25]
§52
Fortify Children for Future Tests.--Parents, ask yourselves the solemn question, Have we educated our children to yield to paternal authority, and thus trained them to obey God, to love Him, to hold His law as the supreme guide of conduct and life? Have we educated them to be missionaries for Christ? To go about doing good? Believing parents, your children will have to fight decisive battles for the Lord in the day of conflict; and while they win victories for the Prince of peace, they may be gaining triumphs for themselves. But if they have not been brought up in the fear of the Lord; if they have no knowledge of Christ, no connection with heaven, they will have no moral power, and they will yield to earthly potentates who have assumed to exalt themselves above the God of heaven in establishing a spurious sabbath to take the place of the Sabbath of Jehovah. {CG 491.3}[25]