2020 07 27 作者 Article by: Grace Liu
疫中情 - 寓言和比喻
記得小學時期，我喜愛語文科。最愛聽老師講寓言故事。所謂寓言，是值一個簡單故事來表達人生大道理。例如: 畫蛇添足， 愚公移山和破釜沉舟……等等。
每個寓言故事都有寓意和教訓，為要令我們清楚明白，老師還要求我們按照所學在家課以作句子或文章形式寫出來。
最近參加了查經班，剛好研讀四福音比喻。主耶穌以比喻教訓門徒就如我們中國的寓言故事有異曲同工之妙。而祂所用的實地取材不但可使人明白，更加容易令人產生共鳴。(這点在七月十二日講道中學到)。
在此，我先要獻上感恩。疫情期間我們要家居隔離。透過教會支持和有屬靈恩賜之兄姊之熱誠侍奉心志，我們查經組維持了每週一次網上查經聚會。以往自己一人看聖經，只懂得皮毛，同一個比喻往往忽略了當中深層意義。經文中每每有相關經句也只是輕輕跳過。没有理會前因(舊約上文)，也不懂得去追查其他相連福音經課。追求的興趣和心志更欠奉。
幸好，現在有兄姊帶領，在重覆問題中每次吸收少少。而且組員間的學習氣氛也完全投入。當中也許讀經程度不同，各自追求也未必一致; 但也互相提問，共同参與，更覺得聖靈在當中帶領。我們每次均過時完課，不得不留待下回分解。對於兩位帶領兄姊的付出，我實在是衷心感激。
其次，也發覺組員間開始彼此關心。有因事提早離開或未能出席的，跟着便有其他人關注問侯。有人一個小動作，其他人也送上爱心關懷。這些点点滴滴便隨着神是愛而積聚起來。大家在學習福音之餘也同時經歷了屬靈成長。就讓我們以行動去回應所學的福音吧!
One of my favorite subjects in my primary school days was Chinese literature. I loved listening to my teacher's fable stories, simple stories which teaches us great truths of life. Here are a few examples. The story of "adding legs when drawing snakes"; the story of "How the foolish old man moves a mountain" and the story of "Breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat." Each fable has a moral lesson. To help us understand the fable, the teacher assigned us home work, asking us to write down what we have learnt.
Recently, I joined the bible study group. We are now studying some of the parables in the four gospels. Lord Jesus taught his disciples with parables, just like my teacher taught us through Chinese fable stories. Jesus' parables were easy for the people of his time to understand and resonate because he often talked about ordinary things in people's daily life. (I learned this during the sermon on July 12 ).
I am grateful for being able to be part of the bible study group. We had been self-isolating due to the pandemic. Through the support of the church and the dedication of our brothers and sisters, we are now meeting online on a weekly basis for our bible study gathering. In the past, when I read the Bible on my own, I only learnt the basic stuff and overlooked the deeper meaning. I never paid attention to other related Bible verses (e.g. in the Old Testament). I also failed to see the connection between relevant gospel lessons. And when I studied alone, I often found myself lacking in the drive and motivation to keep me going.
I am thankful for brothers and sisters who volunteer to lead the group in discussion, and I am thankful for fellow members who participated in the learning and discussion enthusiastically. Despite differences in learning pace, we are happy that we can progress slowly and steadily. Members are fully engaged and we have a conducive learning atmosphere. I do feel that the Holy Spirit is among us and leading us. And we always run overtime, and look forward to learning more in the next session.
Secondly, it is also noted that group members begin to care for one another. When a member has to leave early or is absent for a session, others show their concern and follow up with messages or calls. These small things add up and show us God’s love. As we are learning the gospel, we also experienced spiritual growth.
Let us pray that we can turn what we have learnt into action in our daily lives.