Many churches in China are actively engaging in diverse ministries. Besides the "high-end" ones, they also conduct more down-to-earth initiatives, such as Bible literacy classes.
Looking at churches across the country, many are still primarily composed of elderly believers, with a significant portion having a low level of education. Young and educated members are few. After a recent church merger, the membership of the rural church I attend has grown from two or three hundred to three or four hundred. Among these hundreds of congregants, there are fewer than five people under the age of forty. The main ministers consists of individuals who are at least in their forties, with the rest being in their fifties and sixties. Those responsible for managing vehicles and cleaning are mostly in their sixties and seventies. Many other believers are also between sixty and eighty-five years old. Among this age group, there are not many who can recognize a substantial number of characters, and even fewer who have read the entire Bible independently.
Therefore, while conducting varied ministries, it is also necessary to hold Bible literacy classes. All that is needed is a leader, a room, or even just the main building, where they can read bit by bit. Compared to preaching, literacy class teachers do not need to prepare sermons, without much psychological and financial pressure. Especially for grassroots churches, this is a very cost-effective ministry, which can foster a positive church culture.
Here are some points to note when conducting literacy classes:
Frequency: Once a week is fine; it is also acceptable if these elderly individuals request twice a week, as they learn God’s words eagerly and have plenty of time. The task can be divided among staff workers to alleviate pressure.
Method: Initially, there can be a main leader guiding believers in reading. Later, after his or her reading session, group leaders can continue leading, with members taking turns reading.
Planning and goals: When organizing literacy classes, the church can plan and set goals according to its actual situation to achieve the best outcomes. Some places even hold graduation ceremonies.
Holding Bible literacy classes can be a way to directly guide believers and address their most immediate difficulties. Moreover, due to its low cost and ease of implementation, many churches favor this initiative.
(Note: This article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the writer is a volunteer at a grassroots church in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
很多教会都在如火如荼地开展各样的圣工，除了“高大上”之外，也开展一些“接地气”的事工，比如《圣经》识字班。
纵观国内教会，很多还是以老年信徒为主，绝大部分还是低学历的肢体。年轻人、有文化的毕竟是少数。在教会合并风波后，我所在的农村教会从两三百人变为三四百人。在这几百人的教会中，四十岁以下的甚至都找不到5个人！主要的侍奉群体，最小的也有四十多岁；其余的都是五六十岁的；而负责管理车辆、打扫卫生的，基本都是六十多岁七十多岁的。其他的好多信徒也基本都在60-85岁之间。在这群年龄段的信徒中，能认识一些字的人数并不是很多，有独立读完《圣经》这样能力的更是少之又少。
因此，在我们开展各样圣工的同时，开展《圣经》识字班也是必要的。只需要有一个带领的人，一间屋子，或者就在教堂大堂，然后照着一点点读就可以。相比讲道来说，识字班老师不需要预备讲章，也不会有那么大的心理和经济压力。这是非常具有“性价比”的事工，尤其对基层的教会来说。而且，会形成一个良好的教会风气。
在开展识字班时的几点注意事项：
1. 注意频率。一周一次也可以；如果这些老人很有时间，很渴慕，强烈要求一周两次，那也未尝不可。可以划分同工轮流来带，如此既可以减轻同工压力。
2. 注意调节方式。刚开始的时候可以有一个主带领人，带着大家读。在主带领人带领读经后可以由识字的小组长继续带领，组员轮流读经。
3. 要定好计划和目标。有些地方在办识字班的时候，根据自己教会的实际情况来制定计划与目标，为要使圣工达到最好的果效； 还有毕业典礼之类。
开展《圣经》识字班是对信徒最直接的带领，解决了他们最现实的难处。不仅如此，其又因为成本低、易为开展而被许多教会喜欢。
注：本文为特约/自由撰稿人文章，作者系江苏一基层教会义工。
建议有需要的教会开展《圣经》识字班
Many churches in China are actively engaging in diverse ministries. Besides the "high-end" ones, they also conduct more down-to-earth initiatives, such as Bible literacy classes.
Looking at churches across the country, many are still primarily composed of elderly believers, with a significant portion having a low level of education. Young and educated members are few. After a recent church merger, the membership of the rural church I attend has grown from two or three hundred to three or four hundred. Among these hundreds of congregants, there are fewer than five people under the age of forty. The main ministers consists of individuals who are at least in their forties, with the rest being in their fifties and sixties. Those responsible for managing vehicles and cleaning are mostly in their sixties and seventies. Many other believers are also between sixty and eighty-five years old. Among this age group, there are not many who can recognize a substantial number of characters, and even fewer who have read the entire Bible independently.
Therefore, while conducting varied ministries, it is also necessary to hold Bible literacy classes. All that is needed is a leader, a room, or even just the main building, where they can read bit by bit. Compared to preaching, literacy class teachers do not need to prepare sermons, without much psychological and financial pressure. Especially for grassroots churches, this is a very cost-effective ministry, which can foster a positive church culture.
Here are some points to note when conducting literacy classes:
Frequency: Once a week is fine; it is also acceptable if these elderly individuals request twice a week, as they learn God’s words eagerly and have plenty of time. The task can be divided among staff workers to alleviate pressure.
Method: Initially, there can be a main leader guiding believers in reading. Later, after his or her reading session, group leaders can continue leading, with members taking turns reading.
Planning and goals: When organizing literacy classes, the church can plan and set goals according to its actual situation to achieve the best outcomes. Some places even hold graduation ceremonies.
Holding Bible literacy classes can be a way to directly guide believers and address their most immediate difficulties. Moreover, due to its low cost and ease of implementation, many churches favor this initiative.
(Note: This article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the writer is a volunteer at a grassroots church in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Rural Church in China Conducts Bible Literacy Class for Elderly Congregation
