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2014年11月11日

職場小組 TED - 創意的力量

2014年11月11日 Posted by Rogery

影片

創意的力量 (RSA Shorts - The Power to Create)

佳句

  • Leaders have to think differently about how they motivate and mobilise.
    • 領導者們必須用不同的方式思考如何刺激與動員群眾。
  • We should see that policy only really works, when people themselves have chosen to be change-makers. 
    • 我們理應知道該政策只會在人們挺身而出做改變的時候奏效。
  • We are all born with the muscles for creativity, muscles that grow with the exercise of self-determination. This is what we call the power to create. 
    • 我們與生俱來發揮創意的實力，民族自決的運動會使這股實力增強。這就是我們所謂創意的力量。

經文

  • 不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。(羅1 2:2)
    • Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

分享

  • 分享影片給你在創意的想法？
  • 重新用創意的眼光去看你原本所做的事、所在的組織，有什麼新的想法？
  • 分享曾經有過的心意更新而變化的經歷。

2014年11月4日

職場小組 TED - 當人們面對死亡

2014年11月4日 Posted by Rogery

影片

【TED】當人們面對死亡 Matthew O'Reilly: "Am I dying?" The honest answer.

  • 三種面對死亡的模式：
    • need for forgiveness：希望得到寬恕
    • need for remembrance：希望能被記得
    • need to know that their life had meaning：極想知道他們的人生是有意義的

佳句

  • I have come to realize, regardless of the circumstance, it's generally met with peace and acceptance, that it's the littlest things, the littlest moments, the littlest things you brought into the world that give you peace in those final moments.
    • 我也了解到不論處於什麼情況 瀕死通常也伴隨著和平與接受，因為你在世上做的那些小事讓你在最後獲得了寧靜。

經文

  • 因為，凡要救自己生命( 或譯靈魂)的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。(太16:25)
    • For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
  • 人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？(太16:26)
    • What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

分享

  • 分享你面對死亡的想法？或是你曾陪伴過瀕死的親友的經歷？
  • 分享你對講者提出三種面對死亡的模式的看法。
  • 你覺得你目前人生最有意義的事是什麼？

2014年10月29日

職場小組 TED - 如何讓別人聽你說話

2014年10月29日 Posted by Rogery

影片

【TED】如何讓別人聽你說話 (How to speak so that people want to listen)

  • 說話的七大原罪：
    • gossip
    • judging
    • negativity
    • complaining
    • embroidery
    • dogmatism
  • 四個極具影響力的說話之道(HAIL)：
    • H: honesty
    • A: authenticity
    • I: integrity
    • L: love
  • 強化說話力道的工具：
    • register
    • timbre
    • prosody
    • pace
    • silence
    • pitch
    • volume

經文


  • 原來我們在許多事上都有過失；若有人在話語上沒有過失，他就是完全人，也能勒住自己的全身。(雅3:2)
    • We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
  • 這樣，舌頭在百體裏也是最小的，卻能說大話。 看哪，最小的火能點著最大的樹林。 舌頭就是火，在我們百體中，舌頭是個罪惡的世界，能污穢全身，也能把生命的輪子點起來，並且是從地獄裏點著的。(雅3:5-6)
    • Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
  • 我們用舌頭頌讚那為主、為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照著神形像被造的人。頌讚和咒詛從一個口裏出來！我的弟兄們，這是不應當的！(雅3:9-10)
    • With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

分享

  • 你常犯說話七大原罪的哪種？
  • 舉一個你覺得擁有說話影響力的人，用 HAIL 去分析他。
  • 在今天的信息中有學習到什麼？

2014年10月22日

職場小組 TED - 成功者的8個特質

2014年10月22日 Posted by Rogery

影片

【TED】成功者的8個特質 (8 traits of successful people - Richard St. John)

經文

我們又藉著他，因信得進入現在所站的這恩典中，並且歡歡喜喜盼望神的榮耀。 不但如此，就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的；因為知道患難生忍耐， 忍耐生老練，老練生盼望； 盼望不至於羞恥，因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。(羅5:2-5)

through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
  • perseverance 不應該翻「忍耐」，而是「堅持」會比較恰當
  • character 不應該翻「老練」，而是「品格」會比較恰當

分享

  • 成功者的八個特質有哪些？
  • 八個特質中覺得最被提醒的是哪一個？為什麼？
  • 經文與這影片的信息給你在職場上的提醒是？

2014年9月13日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Titus 2:9-15)

2014年9月13日 Posted by Rogery

經文

The Beautiful Dexterity of Grace

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

9勸僕人要順服自己的主人，凡事討他的喜歡，不可頂撞他，
10不可私拿東西；要顯為忠誠，以致凡事尊榮我們救主 ​​神的道。
11因為神救眾人的恩典已經顯明出來，
12教訓我們除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情慾，在今世自守、公義、敬虔度日，
13等候所盼望的福，並等候至大的神和我們（或作：神─我們）救主耶穌基督的榮耀顯現。
14他為我們捨了自己，要贖我們脫離一切罪惡，又潔淨我們，特作自己的子民，熱心為善。
15這些事你要講明，勸戒人，用各等權柄責備人；不可叫人輕看你。

單字片語

  • Dexterity: 敏捷
  • redeem: 救贖
  • eager to: 渴望
  • despise: 輕視

Reflection

A Teaching That Is Attractive (2:9~10) 

Paul encourages slaves to behave and act a certain way in order to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” The root word that is translated as “attractive” is kosmeo, which is where we get the word “cosmetics” (i.e., makeup and other accessories). The point of using cosmetics is to make people more attractive and pleasing to others, and so Paul is saying that the teaching of God—the Gospel—should become more attractive and appealing to others as we live out its implications. Although these slaves, just like the rest of us, deserve death because of their sin, Jesus died on their behalf—taking their sin and giving them His righteousness. In the same way, He has taken away the ugliness of our wretchedness and has covered us with the beauty of His humility, love, and grace.

- The Gospel is not merely something to be accepted and known, but something that affects the way we live. How are you making the Gospel appealing and attractive to others through your actions?

單字片語

  • cosmetics: 化妝品
  • accessories: 配件
  • appealing: 吸引人
  • implications: 影響
  • wretchedness: 可憐

A Teaching That Trains (2:11~15)  

In these verses, we read that the grace which has appeared that offers salvation also teaches us godliness. The word that is translated “teaches” is paideuo—a word that means “to discipline/chastise” in reference to children. Basically, Paul is saying that the same grace that saves us also trains us; salvation is not the end, but the beginning. Too many people think that Christianity is only about going to heaven, but Paul blows that idea out of the water. He says that a big part of being a Christian means going through discipline, refinement, and training. If someone wants to be a Christian, he or she must accept this reality.

- Remember that the same grace that saves us also trains us. As you strive to be more like Christ, focus on what Christ has done, and find strength in His work, not yours.

單字片語

  • discipline: 訓練
  • chastise: 懲罰
  • blows: 擊打
  • refinement: 細化
  • strive: 努力

A letter to God 

Jesus, thank you for saving me and making me new through faith in Your death and resurrection. May I not be a stumbling block to others with my life, but make the Gospel attractive to others through Your training grace. In Your mighty name. Amen.

2014年9月9日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Titus 2:1-8)

2014年9月9日 Posted by Rogery

經文

1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

1但你所講的總要合乎那純正的道理。
2勸老年人要有節制、端莊、自守，在信心、愛心、忍耐上都要純全無疵。
3又勸老年婦人，舉止行動要恭敬，不說讒言，不給酒作奴僕，用善道教訓人，
4好指教少年婦人，愛丈夫，愛兒女，
5謹守，貞潔，料理家務，待人有恩，順服自己的丈夫，免得神的道理被毀謗。
6又勸少年人要謹守。
7你自己凡事要顯出善行的榜樣；在教訓上要正直、端莊，
8言語純全，無可指責，叫那反對的人，既無處可說我們的不是，便自覺羞愧。

單字片語

  • in accord with: 與...一致
  • doctrine: 教義、信條
  • temperate: 穩健的
  • endurance: 忍耐
  • Likewise: 還有
  • reverent: 虔誠
  • slanderers: 讒言
  • addicted to: 沉迷於
  • subject to: 順服
  • integrity: 誠信
  • condemned: 譴責

Reflection

The Importance of Sound Doctrine (2:1) 

When we consider why Paul wrote this letter to Titus, it is clear that the issue of doctrine is one of the biggest reasons. There are false teachers in Crete who believe in unsound doctrine and teach others their false beliefs. In response, Paul writes against and rebukes these false teachers and prioritizes proper and correct doctrine. This is why in verse 1, he starts off by saying, “You, however,” implying that there is a line drawn between those who teach sound doctrine and those who teach false doctrine. As we will soon see, Paul recognizes that doctrine is not merely the study and analysis of abstract concepts, but something that affects the way one practices his or her own faith.

- If someone were to teach something contrary to the Gospel and what the Bible says, would you be able to tell? How much do you value your theology, and how much time do you invest into developing it?

單字片語

  • implying: 意涵著
  • contrary: 對立的

The Impact of Sound Doctrine (2:2~8)

Paul mentions different groups of people—older men and women, and younger men and women—in order to share the expectations and results of sound doctrine. He is essentially casting the vision and setting standards for all Christians to measure themselves by. He knows, however, that measuring up to these standards is impossible without the grace that is found in the Gospel. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ—His life and work—is properly taught, not only does it change our position and status before God (from an enemy of God deserving death because of sin, to an adopted heir of God who will reign with Him forever through faith in Christ), but our affections and dispositions as well.

- The Gospel is not merely something that we know and learn about, but a truth that transforms us from the inside out. Is the Gospel affecting your life?

單字片語

  • essentially: 本質上
  • casting: 鑄造
  • deserving: 值得
  • adopted heir: 採用繼承人
  • affections: 條件
  • dispositions: 規定

A letter to God 

Father, thank you for the privilege of knowing sound doctrine through faith in Christ. There are so many false gospels in the world. I pray that I would continue to learn what is true—no matter how difficult it is—instead of settling for an easy falsehood. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2014年9月2日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Titus 1:10-16)

2014年9月2日 Posted by Rogery

經文

10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.
11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
12 Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."
13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

10因為有許多人不服約束，說虛空話欺哄人；那奉割禮的更是這樣。
11這些人的口總要堵住。他們因貪不義之財，將不該教導的教導人，敗壞人的全家。
12有革哩底人中的一個本地先知說：革哩底人常說謊話，乃是惡獸，又饞又懶。
13這個見證是真的。所以，你要嚴嚴的責備他們，使他們在真道上純全無疵，
14不聽猶太人荒渺的言語和離棄真道之人的誡命。
15在潔淨的人，凡物都潔淨；在污穢不信的人，什麼都不潔淨，連心地和天良也都污穢了。
16他們說是認識神，行事卻和他相背；本是可憎惡的，是悖逆的，在各樣善事上是可廢棄的。

單字片語

  • rebellious: 叛逆
  • talkers: 健談
  • deceivers: 多嘴的人
  • circumcision: 割禮
  • ruining: 破壞
  • gluttons: 暴食者
  • rebuke: 斥責
  • sharply: 嚴厲地
  • myths: 編造的話
  • corrupted: 腐爛
  • consciences: 良心
  • detestable: 可恨
  • unfit: 不適合的

Reflection

False Teachers and New Believers (1:10~14) 

Church planting is difficult. Opponents make life hard, and new converts sometimes come with scores of unresolved issues. Paul encounters all of this and more. The so-called circumcision group are a particular source of grief for him, as they seem to turn up wherever he plants a church. Now they are a problem for Titus. Paul warns Titus to silence them, as their false teachings are causing trouble (vv. 10–11). The newly-converted Cretans have their own problems: lying is their way of life, as are evil and laziness (vv. 12–13). Sometimes we idealize the early church, but it was far from perfect. The church has faced challenges from within and without, and it always will.

- Ministry can be a messy business. Take time to pray for your pastors who shepherd you from false teaching and guide you in your walk with Christ. They need it.

單字片語

  • Opponents: 對手
  • particular: 細節
  • grief: 悲傷
  • messy: 凌亂的

The Danger of Good Works (1:15~16)  

The most curious phrase in these verses is found in verse 16: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” The actions referred to are likely the kind of “good” works that people do in order to impress God and earn their salvation. Tim Keller has noted that people can sometimes deny God by their good works because in depending on works, they slander and reject the finished work of Jesus on the cross; their good works are merely filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). True good works are the fruit of true faith, and they are pleasing to God. But good works cannot be a source of faith and are powerless to save because they place faith in the self rather than in Christ, the true Savior.

- If we ever feel like God owes us for something we have done, it is likely that we have fallen into a works-oriented faith driven by a sense of entitlement. How is your heart in this regard?

單字片語

  • curious: 稀奇的
  • impress: 使感動
  • slander: 誹謗
  • filthy rags: 汙穢的衣服
  • entitlement: 授權

A letter to God 

Father God, teach me to live with a sense of gratitude for all that Christ has achieved in His life, death, and resurrection. May I live with a sense of grace that colors my daily outlook and makes my faith attractive to a watching world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2014年8月26日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Titus 1:1-9)

2014年8月26日 Posted by Rogery

經文

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--
2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

1神的僕人，耶穌基督的使徒保羅，憑著神選民的信心與敬虔真理的知識，
2盼望那無謊言的神在萬古之先所應許的永生，
3到了日期，藉著傳揚的工夫把他的道顯明了；這傳揚的責任是按著神我們救主 ​​的命令交託了我。
4現在寫信給提多，就是照著我們共信之道作我真兒子的。願恩惠、平安從父神和我們的救主基督耶穌歸與你！
5我從前留你在革哩底，是要你將那沒有辦完的事都辦整齊了，又照我所吩咐你的，在各城設立長老。
6若有無可指責的人，只作一個婦人的丈夫，兒女也是信主的，沒有人告他們是放蕩不服約束的，就可以設立。
7監督既是神的管家，必須無可指責，不任性，不暴躁，不因酒滋事，不打人，不貪無義之財；
8樂意接待遠人，好善，莊重，公平，聖潔自持；
9堅守所教真實的道理，就能將純正的教訓勸化人，又能把爭辯的人駁倒了。

單字片語

  • elect: 選民
  • godliness: 敬虔
  • entrusted: 委託
  • straighten out: 理順
  • elders: 長老
  • blameless: 無可指責
  • overseer: 監督
  • overbearing: 霸道
  • quick-tempered: 性急
  • hospitable: 好客
  • doctrine: 教條

Reflection

Greetings from Paul to Titus (1:1~4)

Paul’s initial greeting to Titus presents his entire thesis for the letter in the very first verse. He introduces himself as both servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. The posture of a Christian leader is that of servanthood. This follows the example of Christ, “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Paul continues, stating that his job as servant and apostle is to further the faith of the church and their knowledge of the Gospel, leading to godly living.  And that is the whole point of the letter to Titus. The rest of the letter will unpack this theme little by little.

- Do you desire to grow in your faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Gospel so that you might live a godly life? What steps might you take today to make that goal a reality?

單字片語

  • posture: 態度
  • ransom: 贖金
  • stating: 陳述
  • godly life: 敬虔的生活

The Elder’s Character (1:5~9)  

If you have ever looked at the criteria for a pastoral opportunity in a job forum, you might find that it lists much about what the pastor is expected to do, but little about the character requirements. In contrast, Paul lists numerous qualifications in regard to a pastor’s character, but says very little about what they are expected to do. There are two conclusions we can draw about what Paul writes regarding elder qualifications: 1) The qualifications have an overarching sense of spiritual maturity, meaning that a pastor should not be a recent convert. 2) The list is reflective of a leader’s heart, characterized by humility. It is the fruit of the Spirit in action in the life of someone gifted to lead like Jesus.

- Biblical leadership is more about character than giftedness. How can you grow in this sort of character in order to be an asset to your church, whether you are in a leadership role or not?

單字片語

  • criteria: 規範
  • regarding: 關於
  • qualifications: 資格
  • overarching: 總體

A letter to God 

Father, I pray for those who aspire to church leadership, that they would be of upright character and humble in heart and mind. I also pray that godly leaders would train up more godly Christians to impact this world for Your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2014年8月19日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:35-44)

2014年8月19日 Posted by Rogery

經文

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?
36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." '
37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.
38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces,
39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

35耶穌在殿裡教訓人，就問他們說：文士怎麼說基督是大衛的子孫呢﹖
36大衛被聖靈感動，說：主對我主說，你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。
37大衛既自己稱他為主，他怎麼又是大衛的子孫呢﹖ 眾人都喜歡聽他。
38耶穌在教訓之間，說：你們要防備文士；他們好穿長衣遊行，喜愛人在街市上問他們的安，
39又喜愛會堂裡的高位，筵席上的首座。
40他們侵吞寡婦的家產，假意做很長的禱告。這些人要受更重的刑罰！
41耶穌對銀庫坐著，看眾人怎樣投錢入庫。有好些財主往裡投了若干的錢。
42有一個窮寡婦來，往裡投了兩個小錢，就是一個大錢。
43耶穌叫門徒來，說：我實在告訴你們，這窮寡婦投入庫裡的，比眾人所投的更多。
44因為，他們都是自己有餘，拿出來投在裡頭；但這寡婦是自己不足，把他一切養生的都投上了。

單字片語

  • delight: 高興
  • flowing robes: 長袍
  • be greeted in: 被迎接
  • synagogues: 猶太教堂
  • banquets：宴會
  • devour: 吞沒
  • punished: 懲罰
  • severely: 嚴重地
  • treasury: 財庫
  • wealth: 財富

Reflection

Beware False Teachers! (12:35~40) 

We all know that just because a teacher sounds good does not mean that they know what they are talking about. But sometimes, because their words are long and sound professional, or because they have a position and title, we automatically accept what they teach as true and accurate. Certainly, there are plenty of good teachers out there who are intelligent men and women of integrity. However, there are also teachers who are not; they abuse their position and title and teach what they think will make themselves look good. As Jesus teaches the crowds, He warns them about such hypocrites. May God give you a discerning heart and a sharp mind so you will not be fooled by false teachers!

- Do you study God’s Word privately, or do you merely believe whatever is taught to you? Be actively engaged with God’s Word when you listen to sermons and participate in Bible studies.

單字片語

  • accurate: 準確的
  • abuse: 濫用
  • discerning: 有辨別能力的
  • sharp mind: 敏銳的頭腦
  • merely: 只不過
  • sermons: 講道

Everything You Have (12:41~44)

God does not need our money; He created everything. He does not need our time; He is eternal. He asks us to give because it reveals to us, and demonstrates to others, the true condition of our hearts. It also stretches our faith. When we give out of our wealth, we give because we can afford to do so. When we give out of our poverty, we give because there is an implicit trust in God’s providence and an acknowledgement that all that is ours is truly His. This is the right attitude to have in our offerings. In wealth or in poverty, may we always give the best that we have with a grateful and cheerful heart.

- God is able to create anything out of nothing, so clearly, He is not out to count pennies. When you bring everything you have to Him, God can use it for His glory. Pray and watch Him work.

單字片語

  • afford: 擔負得起費用
  • implicit: 隱含的
  • acknowledgement: 承認

A letter to God 

Father in heaven, open up my heart and mind to Your Word. Let me be filled with knowledge and wisdom. What I bring to You is all that I have—my money, my time, my heart, and my life. May it be a pleasing sacrifice to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2014年8月13日

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:28-34)

2014年8月13日 Posted by Rogery

經文

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

28有一個文士來，聽見他們辯論，曉得耶穌回答的好，就問他說：誡命中哪是第一要緊的呢﹖
29耶穌回答說：第一要緊的就是說：以色列啊，你要聽，主─我們神是獨一的主。
30你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主─你的神。
31其次就是說：要愛人如己。再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。
32那文士對耶穌說：夫子說，神是一位，實在不錯；除了他以外，再沒有別的神；
33並且盡心、盡智、盡力愛他，又愛人如己，就比一切燔祭和各樣祭祀好的多。
34耶穌見他回答的有智慧，就對他說：你離神的國不遠了。從此以後，沒有人敢再問他什麼。

單字片語

  • debating: 辯論
  • commandments: 誡命
  • burnt: 燒毀

Reflection

Loving God and Neighbor (12:28~31) 

What God desires more than anything is for our hearts to be completely devoted to Him. But because of sin, we do not know how to love God properly and are not inclined to love Him wholeheartedly. It is understandable, therefore, that all of the other commandments stem from these two: love God and love your neighbor. These principles are reflected throughout all Ten Commandments. The first four deal with Israel’s relationship with God and the remaining six deal with Israel’s relationship with their fellow man. We must remember, however, that obeying God is not so much about keeping the letter of the Law as it is about knowing God’s heart behind the Law.

- Why does God give us certain laws? Surely a good God would establish His laws for a purpose. May He give you wisdom and insight to understand and humility and courage to obey.

單字片語

  • devoted to: 致力於
  • stem: 樹幹
  • throughout: 整個
  • insight: 洞察

The Kingdom of God (12:32~34)  

Jesus came to this earth as a carpenter’s son, an unassuming child, no one special, from the small town of Nazareth. It was hard for people to believe that such a wise and authoritative teacher could come from such a backwater town! Perhaps that is why the teachers of the Law could not accept His teaching as truth—because surely nothing good could come from Nazareth! This particular teacher, however, pays no mind to what others say about Jesus and simply listens to His teachings. He inquires about and examines Jesus’ teachings for himself; he makes no assumptions about who Jesus could or could not be. He simply asks a question and discovers that Jesus gives a wise answer. His open heart and mind enable him to recognize the veracity of Jesus’ words. Those who truly seek will certainly find.

- Set aside who everyone else says Jesus is. Examine the Scriptures, pray to God, and decide for yourself based on your own honest study and reflection. Who do you say Jesus is?

單字片語

  • carpenter: 木匠
  • unassuming: 謙遜
  • backwater: 死水、停滯

A letter to God 

Father God, help us to love You more. Help us to love our neighbors. Help us to forgive others and love our enemies. Give us the courage to overcome evil with good. With every decision, may we come closer to knowing Your kingdom on this earth. In Christ’s name. Amen.

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:18-27)

2014年8月13日 Posted by Rogery

經文

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.
22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.
23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"
24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

18撒都該人常說沒有復活的事。他們來問耶穌說：
19夫子，摩西為我們寫著說：人若死了，撇下妻子，沒有孩子，他兄弟當娶他的妻，為哥哥生子立後。
20有弟兄七人，第一個娶了妻，死了，沒有留下孩子。
21第二個娶了他，也死了，沒有留下孩子。第三個也是這樣。
22那七個人都沒有留下孩子；末了，那婦人也死了。
23當複活的時候，他是哪一個的妻子呢﹖ 因為他們七個人都娶過他。
24耶穌說：你們所以錯了，豈不是因為不明白聖經，不曉得神的大能嗎﹖
25人從死裡復活，也不娶也不嫁，乃像天上的使者一樣。
26論到死人復活，你們沒有念過摩西的書荊棘篇上所載的嗎﹖ 神對摩西說：我是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。
27神不是死人的神，乃是活人的神。你們是大錯了。

單字片語

  • Resurrection: 復活
  • Widow: 寡婦
  • At the resurrection: 在復活的時刻
  • Scriptures: 經文

Reflection

Resurrection (12:18~23)

Because the Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection, they do not quite understand Jesus, and they end up asking the wrong questions. In the same way that married life is not like prolonged dating and having children is not like extended babysitting hours, the resurrected life is not a longer version of life on this earth. While there will be some similarities, our resurrected lives will be very different from our current lives. The Sadducees misunderstand the resurrection completely. They are applying worldly standards to an otherworldly existence, and this leads to an odd line of reasoning that assumes all sorts of problems that simply would not exist in eternity.

- As we seek to grow in our faith, we must learn to ask the right questions. The right questions lead to deeper faith, knowledge of God, and secure peace even when we face the unknown.

單字片語

  • Prolonged: 長期的
  • Worldly: 世俗的
  • Odd: 奇怪的

The God of the Living (12:24~27)

Jesus answers the Sadducees by first pointing out that the dead will indeed rise again. And when the resurrection happens, life will not be as we know it today. Eternal existence is completely different from temporal corporality, and Jesus first and foremost intends to correct their understanding of the resurrection. He flat-out tells them that they are badly mistaken! You cannot build a proper theology of the Living God if you do not believe in the resurrection, for, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (v. 27). Jesus teaches this throughout His ministry and demonstrates that He is the Life, especially in His own death and resurrection. Jesus is indeed alive!

- Everyone dies, but what happens after that? What would be the point of Jesus’ death and resurrection if there were no resurrection for believers? May God give you assurance of salvation and confidence in the resurrection!

單字片語

  • Foremost: 最首要的
  • Intend: 想要
  • Flat out: 斷然地

A letter to God

Father, You truly are the Living God. When we were dead in our sin, You sent Your Son so that we might have life to the fullest. Help us grow in our faith and overcome doubt. Each day, let us live in confidence of the resurrection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.