Since the beginning of February, the various bible study groups, together with the ministry of other groups in the campus started to become active. For the student ministry this year, I intend to invite more students to lead bible study and discussion groups, as according to 2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”. Whether it is in the campus or Sunday church student fellowship, I and my co-workers are glad to provide more opportunities for students to serve in this aspect. I thank God that the students are more than willing to learn and participate. Generally speaking, I and one of my co-workers will make time to be with these students to get together to read the bible and prepare discussion questions for the groups. When it comes to the actual gathering, the participating student leader would assume the role to lead bible study with us beside him/her in support. It is inevitable they would feel uneasy in the beginning, even unable to adjust. However, through this kind of training and serving, these young people would grow more in the knowledge of God and assume more responsibilities.
Actually, before Covid, training of students to lead bible study and follow up new friends was part of the ministry in the EMBS campus communities of the UNSW. We learned through the years that those who participated in leading would be more steadfast in holding on their faith after leaving campus or returning to their own countries.
It is always a challenge to devote oneself in serving, as it demands one’s extra time and energy. It is even more challenging in keeping it up consistently. But in the course of serving, one will learn more from the bible and how to communicate with others, and in setting priorities for various arrangements. From these, Christian character can be developed. As for the students, it is a true opportunity to participate in living out our faith and lay the foundation of participation in church ministry. On the other hand, those involved in mentoring the student leaders will learn to become more patient and caring, to encourage and support their mentees.
If your heart is touched, please pray for our student ministry, and let our co-workers and students grow spiritually through these opportunities, and experience God’s faithfulness and power, as well as bearing fruits of the Holy Spirit.
隨著2月的到來，各個查經小組，校園社團的事工都陸續開始了。在今年的學生事工中，我打算邀請學生們更多的參與在帶查經和小組討論的服事裡。如提摩太後書2:2所說：你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。無論是在校園社團，或是教會主日的學生團契，我和同工們樂意提供更多服事的機會給學生們，鼓勵他們一起承擔事工的需要。感謝神的是，學生們也樂意學習和參與。一般來說，我或某位同工會和學生們約定時間，一起閱讀經文，準備小組討論的問題。到小組進行的時候，由學生承擔帶領查經的職責，我們在旁輔助。也許一開始大家都會有一些的忐忑和不適應，然而，希望在這樣的訓練和服事中，年輕人可以在屬靈認知和承擔責任等方面有更多的成長。
其實疫情之前，在新南大學（UNSW）的校園社團EMBS 中，一直有訓練學生作帶領查經，跟進新朋友等方面的服事。這些年來，我們發現越是在校園就參與服事的年輕基督徒，在離開校園或回國以後，持守信仰的比例越高。
參與服事，總是要付出額外的時間和精力，在繁忙的生活中，常常是一個挑戰，如果要持續的話，就更不容易。在服事的過程中，不僅需要學習聖經知識，也涉及人與人的溝通協調，如何安排事情的優先次序等等，在這些細節中，我們培養基督徒的品格。對學生來說，這是一個真實的參與信仰生活的機會，也為學生參與教會生活打下基礎。另一方面，培訓學生的同工也要學習更有耐心，有愛心的來鼓勵和幫助學生。若你有感動，請為我們的學生事工禱告，讓學生和同工們可以藉著這樣的機會，在屬靈生命上都得到長進，經歷神的信實和大能，結出聖靈的果子。
